With American secretary of defence Robert M. Gates among the group, the others are discussing how fresh brigades of U.S. soldiers may help contain rising militant violence in Afghanistan.
The ministers arrived yesterday and held a reception in the Annapolis Basin Conference Centre. Today they are meeting with military advisors and other key members of the International Security Assistance Force to discuss strategies and how a surge of troops might occur.
In an interview with the Canadian Press, MacKay said, “The big 800-pound gorilla in the room will be this subject of troop commitments from the Americans.
“Everybody is talking about this, but nobody really knows…. The numbers coming into Kandahar province will be telling as far as our future success there.”
The choice of location for the conference is seen as a major coup for the conference centre. Originally, the meeting was meant to take place in Halifax, according to one official.
A press conference is slated for 2 p.m. today.
International defence ministers in talks at Cornwallis
International defence ministers in talks at Cornwallis
Defence ministers with troops in southern Afghanistan are meeting today amidst tight security at Cornwallis Park. Canada’s Defence Minister Peter MacKay is hosting the ministers in what is billed as informal and wide-ranging talks.
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