5 June 2007

Military Committee Chairman visits Canada General Ray Henault, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Peter Mackay, on Monday, 28th May 2007, to pass on the Alliance's appreciation for Canada's important contribution to NATO. Background The Military Committee: NATO's senior military authority NATO in Afghanistan General Ray Henault, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, was in Ottawa, Canada's capital, on 31 May, to testify before the Commons Defence Committee about NATO and the mission in Afghanistan. The Standing Committee on National Defence had invited the Chairman in order to better understand the NATO perspective on Afghanistan.  The appearance comes at a time when Canada's political parties continue to debate their national contribution to ISAF, with at least one party calling for the troops to come home.   During his opening remarks, General Henault highlighted the risks of marking a date on the calendar for counties to withdraw their troops from Afghanistan. "We have to keep moving forward with the progress we have been making," he said. "We are not working toward an end date but we are working toward an end state," General Henault told the Canadian parliamentary Committee. Chairman met with the Canadian Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean on Mon 28 May 2007. Earlier in the week the Chairman met with the Canadian Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, as well as separate meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Peter Mackay and the Honourable Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Defence.  General Henault used these meetings to pass on NATO's appreciation for Canada's significant contribution to the Alliance.  "Everywhere I go as Chairman, the Allies are respectful of what Canada has done.  The NATO nations routinely speak highly of Canada's courage and dedication to duty and not just the soldiers but the people back home who support them. Canada is appreciated," General Henault told the Canadian officials in Ottawa.

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