We are also having Federal Elections for the government and the Taliban and have caused about 10 casualties in Afghanistan this week
http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/496072
The Taliban say they know that an election campaign is underway in Canada and that's why they have stepped up attacks against Canadians in Afghanistan.
Taliban spokesman Qari Muhammad Yussef said Tuesday the insurgent movement wants Canada's next prime minister to pull Canadian troops out of Afghanistan.
"Yes, I know that the election is being held in Canada. That is why our attacks on Canadians are increased," Yussef said through a translator.
"One of the Canadian soldiers, who has won a medal as well, was killed in our recent attacks."
Sgt. Scott Shipway died Sunday when his armoured vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in the volatile Panjwaii district of Kandahar.
The seasoned soldier, who was cited for saving a comrade's life during his previous tour in Afghanistan in 2006, was just days away from the end of his second tour when the blast occurred.
Yussef said he's familiar with Prime Minister Stephen Harper but isn't sure about the other candidates or parties running in the Canadian election.
While he doesn't know which party is most likely to withdraw Canadian troops from Afghanistan, Yussef said such a platform will be "good for that party and for their nation and for the Canadian people."
"My suggestion for the next prime minister is to withdraw Canadians from Afghanistan," he said, adding Canada needs to stop following U.S. foreign policy.
"When any of these party leaders come to power, the first thing they must do is ask the Canadians to come from Afghanistan to Canada."
Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion responded: "We will not be intimidated by the Taliban."
Speaking to reporters in Napanee, Ont., Dion said "Canada has a role to play" and is committed to the current mission in Afghanistan.
"We have a strong respect and admiration for our courageous men and women and our civilians. I'm sure that NATO, the government of Canada, the government of Afghanistan will work together to protect the people as much as possible."
"The end date of this mission is 2011," Dion said.
"It's an iron-clad commitment of the Liberal party that if we are the government we will do our best to help the people of Afghanistan until 2011, and after that the mission in Kandahar will be terminated for the government of Canada and for our troops."
"We'll have other missions to do in the world."
Dimitri Soudas, a spokesman for Harper, commented that "the Taliban are a vicious organization that kill innocent people and target Canadian soldiers."
"All party leaders should put partisan politics aside and rally behind our troops and their mission. And Parliament has made a decision on this matter," Soudas said.
Yussef, the Taliban spokesman, also commented on the U.S. election coming this fall.
He said he doesn't care much for American politics. He said he believes the next U.S. president, regardless of who is chosen, will be just as bad as the current one.
"American elections are just a fixed game. Their policies were mad 20 years ago," he said.
"Whoever will be the leader, he will playing the same role – I mean a negative role."
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