Government of Canada Congratulates Afghan Graduates From Canadian-Sponsored Junior Officer Staff Course

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Jul 06 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister
for the Atlantic Gateway, congratulates the Afghan National Army (ANA) on
the graduation of 20 students from its first Junior Officer Staff Course
(JOSC). The course is sponsored by the Staff and Language Training Centre
(SLTC) in Kabul, established by the Government of Canada in 2008.

"Providing training to Afghanistan's army is one of the six key
priorities of the Government of Canada's contribution to the
international mission in Afghanistan," said Minister MacKay. "Canada is
proud to sponsor the course, which will graduate on average, over 500
officers a year to further strengthen the Afghan National Army's ability
to protect its citizens."

The SLTC is a joint initiative between Canadian Expeditionary Force
Command (CEFCOM) and Canada's Military Training Assistance Programme
(MTAP). Canadian Forces educational experts worked side-by-side with the
ANA to develop the JOSC, which helps prepare junior Afghan National Army
officers for such things as the planning and coordination of military
operations.

"During my last visit to Afghanistan I had the opportunity first hand to
observe how Canadian soldiers are mentoring their Afghan partners," said
General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff. "In building the
capacity of the ANA officer corps, the CF are enabling the ANA to take on
greater responsibility in the counterinsurgency campaign with a goal of
eventually assuming complete responsibility for national and provincial
security."

In support of Canada's key priorities in Afghanistan, the SLTC-A
initiative demonstrates a commitment to provide the ANA with the capacity
to take on increased responsibility in operations as the CF prepare for
their drawdown in 2011. Through the SLTC-A, Canada is laying the
groundwork to leave behind a more secure environment.

For more information on MTAP please visit
www.forces.gc.ca/admpol/newsite/mtap-eng.html.

For more information on CEFCOM please visit
www.comfec-cefcom.forces.gc.ca.

Contacts:
Information: 1-866-377-0811/613-996-2353
After hours: 613-792-2973
www.forces.gc.ca

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