Canada’s Ambassador to Afghanistan in Sharbot Lake

William R. Crosbie, Canada’s ambassador to Afghanistan, recently visited the area, and addressed a small group at the home of Norm and Anita Landry. As a youth, from Newfoundland, he attended Appleby College in Oakville where Norm taught him History and Latin, and where the Landrys were live-in housemasters to the students away from home.

Ambassador Crosbie gave an historical overview of Afghanistan from the time of the Russian occupation, through the civil war to the present, and offered a perspective on Afghanistan’s relationships with its neighbours. Mr. Crosbie stressed the importance of Afghans determining their own future, in which a stable Afghanistan is important for the overall stability of the region. In discussions with Afghans, he noted that their wishes are very similar to ours: education for their children, a sense of freedom, rights for women, and stability.

In speaking of Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, he stated how the extremely low literacy rate of the population impedes the development of a competent civilian infrastructure, such as police and teachers, but progress is being made.

In addition to combat troops, Canada provides humanitarian aid for education and the training of their police force. Small NGOs (Non-governmental organizations) are doing excellent work in many areas – one of them WomenforWomen, an organization we in this area know.

Overall, he presented a much more optimistic future for Afghanistan than is portrayed by the media. However, it will be a slow process.

Ambassador Crosbie returns to Afghanistan on August 27.