Afghanistan gas pipeline could impact Canada’s role in Afghanistan: report

This is the real reason why the US-led NATO coalition — including Canadian troops and personnel — are in Afghanistan. It has nothing to do with ‘bringing democracy to the Afghan people’ and ‘liberating them from the Taliban’. Anyone who still believes that we are indeed there for altruistic reasons should come and see me. I’m sure I can find a bridge for sale.

June 19, 2008

Afghanistan gas pipeline could impact Canada’s role in Afghanistan: report

(OTTAWA) – A new report released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) raises serious questions about the impact of a proposed trans-Afghanistan natural gas pipeline on the role of Canadian Forces in that war-torn country.

A Pipeline Through a Troubled Land: Afghanistan, Canada and the New Great Energy Game documents the proposed Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline, which will transport natural gas 1,680 kilometres from southeast Turkmenistan through southern Afghanistan, to Pakistan and India.

The report, written by international energy economist and former lead economist of PetroCanada John Foster, describes the U.S.-backed pipeline as turning Afghanistan into “an energy bridge” between Central and South Asia.

“The U.S. is our ally and it clearly asserts the geopolitical importance of the region. But the quest for ‘energy security’ risks drawing Canada unwittingly into a new Great Energy Game,” said Foster.

A Gas Pipeline Framework Agreement, signed by representatives of the four nations on April 25, 2008, commits the four nations to initiating construction of the $7.6 billion gas pipeline in 2010, supplying gas by 2015.

“Canada’s debate has been devoid of any discussion about how building a U.S.-backed pipeline through Kandahar would affect Canadian Forces’ efforts to build peace and stability in Afghanistan’s most troubled province,” said Bruce Campbell, CCPA Executive Director. “Will Canadian Forces become guardians of this pipeline?”

The report notes that Canadian Members of Parliament and officials have participated in regional energy meetings; but in government speeches and media reports, it’s as if no meetings have ever taken place.

The report is available online at www.policyalternatives.ca

- 30 -

For further information contact Kerri-Anne Finn, CCPA Communications Officer, 613-563-1341 (ext. 306).

Download the Report/Study:

· A Pipeline Through A Troubled Land: Afghanistan, Canada, and the New Great Energy Game - PDF File, 4008 Kb

Join our eNewsletter Joignez à nous

Steven Staples President Rideau Institute/L’Institut Rideau 63 Sparks, Suite 608 Ottawa, ON K1P 5A6 Tel. 613 565-9449 ext/poste 24 Cell. 613-290-2695 Fax/télec. 613 249-7091 sstaples@rideauinstitute.ca The Rideau Institute is an independent research, advocacy, and consulting group based in Ottawa. It is a federally registered non-profit organization, established in January 2007. L’Institut Rideau est une recherche indépendante, le plaidoyer et groupe de consultant basé à Ottawa. C’est une organisation, établie en janvier 2007, à but non lucratif enregistrée au féderal.