Canada on Wednesday welcomed the United States plan to boost forces in Afghanistan, but insisted on withdrawing its own troops on time in 2011, Xinhua reported.
U.S. President Barack Obama's commitment of 30,000 additional troops would allow Canada to better concentrate on its priorities in Afghanistan including training local soldiers and helping with development before it leaves, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said.
"Canada welcomes the additional military and civilian resources the United States will deploy to Afghanistan ... We look forward to furthering our collaboration with the United States in order to reach our ultimate and common goal of leaving Afghans an Afghanistan that is better governed, more peaceful and more secure, " he said during a teleconference from Brussels, where he was attending a NATO meeting.
He stressed, however, that Canada will leave in time as the Parliament requires. The House of Commons voted in March 2008 to withdraw the Canadian forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2011.
"Our position is clear," he said. "We will respect the motion to the letter."
President Obama said on Tuesday that he had ordered 30,000 extra troops to Afghanistan. He also said he will start withdrawing U.S. troops in 2011.
Canada has about 2,800 troops in southern Afghanistan.
Canada reaffirms troops withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2011
