"Many of those defence analysts, almost all of them, have A: never been in Afghanistan, B: don't know what individual progress has taken place and C: are focused only what's occurring in the south," the chief of defence staff said.
Speaking at CFB Petawawa's Military Family Day, Hillier told reporters that what analysts have neglected to include in their assessment is the massive progress made in and around Kabul, as well as significant progress in the north, east, centre and western regions of the country.
As part of the international coalition, Canadian troops are now focused on the southern provinces where they've encountered increased Taliban resistance.
Although Afghan President Hamid Karzai recently expressed concern about the number of Afghan deaths, Hillier said those self-criticisms are a "very healthy sign of the relationship that we have in the operation."
When asked if he felt Canada was winning, Hillier said "absolutely."
He called troops a "flickering light at the end of a long, dark tunnel for the Afghan population" and noted that while the mission is risky, he firmly believes it's worthwhile.
"We put actions where words are not sufficient," he said. KEYWORDS=CANADA
PUBLICATION: The Ottawa Sun
DATE: 2006.06.26
BY HOLLY LAKE
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