To Captain Steve Brown

To Captain Steve Brown Canadian Army Kandahar:

Steve ... I read your letter in the Mansfield Echo and was very moved. Thanks – you made me proud to be a Canadian.

I work in the relative comfort and safety of Kabul as operations manager for a US government funded university development project. In 2005 I had the good fortune of managing primary school development projects in the West - still relatively safe but losing ground. Frankly Kabul is now the only place I would live here from a security point of view.

We couldn't do development without the space created by the coalition forces. Without your commitment and courage. Your six fallen comrades must be missed – we hear about their families and I imagine how painful it must be for a parent.

We also couldn’t do development without the remarkably brave and principled NGO staff. And Afghan colleagues who have taken up the education torch. And the generosity of developed country taxpayers who fund this work.

There is a lot invested here.

Unfortunately one key piece is missing which seriously jeopardizes the investment - America's willingness to pressure Pakistan to curb the Taliban. This of course gives serious credence to the theory that the American government does not want to end the war in Afghanistan.

Their motivation isn't the issue. For me it is my country's participation in a war where the possibility of victory is being undermined, and where principles and lives are being sacrificed for political gain. History, geography and prosperity bind us intimately to the United States of America - let's be clear that the death of Canadian soldiers in southern Afghanistan is one of the costs of the close relationship.

My prayers go out to you and your mates on the front line.

Thanks Steve - for making it possible for me to put some of my principles on the line here.

Best regards