Ottawa – Omar Samad, the Ambassador of Afghanistan to Canada, issued the following statement Friday on the occasion of National Remembrance Day 2006:

“On behalf of the people and Government of Afghanistan, I join Canadians on Remembrance Day to pay tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives to uphold human dignity, freedom and democratic values in post-Taliban Afghanistan. We pay our respect by honoring their memories and bravery, and by saluting them for their dedication to help other less fortunate people in a foreign land.

We also express our sympathies to their families and loved ones, and wish a healthy recovery for the soldiers who received injuries during these ongoing missions.

Since 2001, 43 brave Canadians made the ultimate sacrifice as part of a UN-sanctioned international mission and at the request of the Afghans, to help restore security and stability to my country, rebuild the war-torn nation, and provide hope and better conditions for millions of impoverished women, children and men.

Afghans have high regards for Canada’s overall role alongside dozens of other nations to help stabilize and rebuild Afghanistan during the past five years. Despite militant activities, the continuation of this role in this new era of transnational threats by non-state entities is critical to safeguard regional and global security, and prevent a return to the dark days of draconian extremist rule by groups who wish to turn Afghanistan into a terrorist haven once again.

As recent surveys show, in spite of the security threats, the Afghan people are optimistic about their future, and are striving to create conditions for durable stability and prosperity in their country. Success in achieving these goals will require common endeavors to address all aspects of governance, reconstruction and security as we continue to help build up post-conflict Afghan institutions.”

The Afghan envoy will join other Canadians and dignitaries on Saturday to lay a wreath at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.

Embassy of Afghanistan