SENIOR TALIBAN FIGHTER THANKS & PRAISES CANADIAN SOLDIERS

SANDIE RINALDO: In Kandahar today, there was something so unexpected that even battle hardened Afghan citizens were surprised. A senior Taliban fighter stood beside Canadian soldiers and announced he's laying down his arms for good. As CTV's Steve Chao reports from Kandahar, he credits his change of heart not to military force, but to Canadian kindness.

STEVE CHAO (Reporter): His name is Mohammad Ibrahim, but to Afghans he's known as the one-legged fighter. One of the fiercest of Taliban who's decided to end his fighting days. I want all Afghans to abandon hostilities, he said, and to unite for peace. Afghan authorities say for months Ibrahim was orchestrating attacks against Canadian soldiers, including battles in the same area where Captain Nichola Goddard was killed. He's also credited for planning several roadside bombings on coalition convoys.

ASADULLAH KHALID (Kandahar Governor): He was not the normal Taliban. He was a planner for all suicide and IED attacks.
CHAO: It was during heavy fighting with Canadians last month that Ibrahim was captured. These are photos of him in hospital shortly after. Severely ill with liver disease, Canadian doctors nursed him back to health. But it was Canada's battle group commander that in the end won the militant over. In hospital, Lieutenant Colonel Ian Hope shared about his mother's battle with liver disease and life in general.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL IAN HOPE (Canadian Battle Group Commander): I did not question him about his connections to the Taliban, not once. We talked about farming, we talked about chocolate and tea.

CHAO: A very human conversation that convinced him that Canadians were the good guys. I would particularly like to thank Canada, Colonel Hope, and the doctors for helping me. Ibrahim will join thousands of former Taliban at this Afghan run centre where they are reintegrated into civilian life. Not all get this chance, others are jailed for their crime. Some suggest Ibrahim should pay a price for his past.

MAJOR MARIO COUTURE (Military Spokesperson): It's not our decision. It's an Afghan decision, and whatever they decide is best for their country, we are here to support them.
CHAO: The centre's director says forgiveness is the hallmark of the program. Just how effective ensuring fighters don't go back to fighting is in question. But in Ibrahim's case, the Canadian military hopes his standing with the Taliban will win more converts and ultimately save soldier's lives. Steve Chao, CTV News, Kandahar.

PUBLICATION: CTV - CTV News
DATE: 2006.06.16