TORONTO – U.S. President Barack Obama is expressing his gratitude for Canada’s contribution to the war in Afghanistan – and sending strong signals his approach to the problem will be rooted in diplomacy and development, rather than force.
In an interview to be aired later Tuesday, Obama says he’s convinced the problems of Afghanistan, including the spread of extremism, cannot be solved by “military means alone.”
Obama says he wants to discuss a “comprehensive strategy” for the Afghan conflict when he arrives Thursday in Ottawa to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
He says the situation in Afghanistan is “deteriorating” and that any strategy would need political support in both Canada and the U.S.
Obama is also offering his country’s “heartfelt thanks” to the military families in Canada that have borne the brunt of the conflict.
He says the U.S. is in the midst of a strategic review of its Afghan strategy and will “very soon” reveal details of its planned approach to the military part of the mission.
“The Canadian contribution has been extraordinary, and for all the families that have borne the burden in Canada, we all have a heartfelt thanks,” Obama said in the interview with the CBC.
“We’re going to have to use diplomacy, we’re going to have to use development, and my hope is in conversations with Prime Minister Harper, that he and I end up seeing the importance of a comprehensive strategy, one the people of Canada can support, as well as the people of the United States can support.”
“Here as well, there are concerns about a conflict that has lasted quite a long time now, and actually appears to be deteriorating at this point.”
