国际英语新闻：Canada renews mission in Afghanistan, keeping 950 troops on four areas

OTTAWA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Canada renewed on Tuesday its mission in Afghanistan following withdrawal of two thirds of its combat troops by July next year, keeping the remaining 950 focused on four key areas of both military and civilian interests.
According to an announcement made jointly by Lawrence Cannon, minister of foreign affairs, Peter MacKay, minister of national defense, and Beverley J. Oda, minister of international cooperation, Canada will provide up to 950 military trainers and support personnel, as well as up to 45 civilian police officers, to be deployed as part of the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan ( NTM-A) to continue training Afghan National Security Forces and police forces in a non-combat role, until March 2014.

"Building on strengths and accomplishments over the past years, Canada is committed to helping build a more secure, stable and self-sufficient Afghanistan that is no longer a safe haven for terrorists," said Cannon.

Addressing a press conference in Ottawa, the ministers stressed that Canada's new non-combat role will focus on investing in the future of Afghan children and youth through education and health; advancing security, the rule of law and human rights; promoting regional diplomacy; and delivering humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.

To be centered on Kabul, the capital, Canada's engagement in Afghanistan post-2011 will also include contributions aimed at improving the lives of Afghan women, as well as support to the G-8 Initiative on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.

"The post-2011 non-combat training mission will further contribute to the goal of preparing Afghans to assume responsibility for their own security," said MacKay.