Harper Makes Surprise Afghanistan Visit to Troops to Mark End of Mission

Harper made his fourth trip to the Asian country less than a month after his third consecutive election victory, visiting troops and laying a wreath at a memorial to commemorate Canadians who died during the conflict. Harper ended his 11-hour visit with a speech at the Kandahar military base where he noted Canada’s combat mission in Afghanistan, to end in July, has gone as long as Canadian fighting in both World Wars combined.

“As the combat mission here in Kandahar draws to a close, and Canadian boots no longer tread this dusty ground, always remember that we Canadians do not dream of empire, we do not covet what other nations possess and we do not make war to advance selfish or cynical ends,” Harper told about 1,000 troops in front of a giant red maple leaf Canadian flag held up by two light armored vehicles.

Harper’s Canadian Forces C-17 transport plane landed at the Kandahar Air Field at about 10 a.m. Afghanistan time amid tight security after taking off from Qatar for what was publicly scheduled as a flight to Ottawa from Athens. The trip’s details were kept secret until his departure, because of security concerns. Harper had been in France for the summit of leaders from the Group of Eight, and in Athens for talks with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou before traveling to Qatar to join Defense Minister Peter MacKay for the flight to Kandahar.