Canada must not lose patience with Afghans-Karzai

OTTAWA, Sep 22 (Reuters) Afghan President Hamid Karzai today urged Canada not to be discouraged by increasing deaths of Canadian soldiers in his war-torn country, saying if the troops left the whole world would become more dangerous.

In the last three months alone 20 Canadian soldiers have died in southern Afghanistan, prompting some calls for the country's 2,300-strong mission be withdrawn.

Karzai told the Canadian Parliament that the deaths, mostly sustained in clashes with Taliban militants, had not been in vain.

''A democratic nation is not built overnight,'' he said.

Afghanistan's democracy will continue to grow, will continue to develop, will continue to gain the confidence of its people but only with the patience and with the continued support of Canada and other members of the international community.'' He added: ''Clearly unless we confront them more decisively, terrorists will continue to attack us in Afghanistan and the rest of the world.'' Canada said last week it was sending 200 more troops and a squadron of heavy tanks to Afghanistan. The defense ministry declined to confirm a report in the Toronto Star today that Canada was also preparing to send CF-18 fighter-bomber jets.

Karzai also said Afghanistan needed more help to combat a booming narcotics trade and the record production of poppies, which are used to make heroin.

''If we do not destroy poppies in Afghanistan, poppies will destroy us. Therefore trust us when we say we will fight them,'' he said.

''But it will take effort, endeavor and many years of patience before we succeed and I hope you will have the patience to bear with us for that long, perhaps five to 10 years,'' he said.

REUTERS MS PM2024