As the anniversary of Afghanistan’s fall to the Taliban nears, thousands of Afghans face poor prospects of finding promised refuge in Canada..Afghans who proved loyal to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) languish in hiding — many hungry and sick, all terrified and hunted..They’re the fortunate ones..Others have been rounded up, tortured, raped, and executed. Many simply disappeared..More face similar fates as the situation, by many accounts, worsens..The unforgiving Taliban condemn them as traitors..The Liberal government knew a promise was made to protect these allies who stood with Canada against the Taliban if the fight for a free Afghanistan failed..It failed..The government abandoned them anyway..The situation didn’t have to become this dire. .What could have been a mass evacuation to safety executed in days, may now take years. .The grim reality is some targeted Afghans may not make it past tomorrow. .READ MORE UN report details hundreds of executions carried out by deranged Taliban .Whatever the reasons — incompetence, indifference, confusion, a federal election, ministers shifting portfolios, or all that — the government didn’t protect allies who stood with the CAF from 2001-2014..Canada joined a US-led NATO invasion on the heels of 9/11 that ousted the ruling Taliban in 2001. .President Joe Biden withdrew the last allied troops August 30, paving the way for the hardline Taliban’s Islamic Republic of Afghanistan..Canada’s government didn’t act on early warnings about the pending collapse and the carnage that would ensue..Warnings of the need to protect vulnerable Afghans came from retired generals who refused to abandon honour and allies — and still won’t..The Western Standard documentary — Abandoned But Not Forgotten By Canada’s Generals — explores what transpired prior to and after the Taliban seizing control..Several retired generals and other officers — most who served in Afghanistan — united to deliver sobering messages..They’ve all served on many foreign missions, winning over hearts and minds, and bringing honour to Canada..For them, it’s painful to see the stain of Afghanistan on Canada’s reputation. .They’re compassionate Canadians who explain why Canada owes Afghans..What these generals said long ago stands. The government must do more..They offer insight into futile efforts over months urging the government to adopt a plan; roadblocks; and recommendations ignored..The government ignored early petitions to start an evacuation, including one from former military commanders..It’s impossible to comprehend the audacity and sheer stupidity of bureaucrats and politicians ignoring advice from experts who literally inhaled Afghanistan dust..The generals don’t hold back on condemnation of the abysmal failure..Retired Maj.-Gen. Lewis Mackenzie, who commanded UN Peacekeeping Forces in Sarajevo in the 1990s, said for the first time he felt “ashamed” of his country..Retired Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie, former commander of the Canadian Army and former Liberal MP, blasted the government’s “dithering” efforts and evacuation of Canada’s embassy in Kabul as the crisis escalated and Afghans pleaded for help..READ MORE Afghanistan ambassador fled country because it was ‘far too dangerous’.Retired Maj.-Gen. Clive Addy, former commander of Land Force Western Area, was compelled to explain what “truth, duty and valour” mean..Retired Maj. Roy Thomas, who served on seven UN missions — one in Afghanistan when the defeated Russians retreated in 1989 — said they weren’t as “callous” as Canada..Three retired major-generals — Dean Milner, Denis Thompson, and David Fraser — are all former task force commanders in Afghanistan..Afghans and Canadians owe them a lot..They persevered long before Afghanistan fell to help interpreters, cooks, drivers, embassy staff, etc. who worked for Canadian troops..These generals oversee the Afghanistan Strategic Evacuation Team (ASET), an umbrella for several groups that against great odds keep Afghans in safe houses and get them to neighboring countries and to Canada..While Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and other federal bodies were “dithering,” these exhausted heroes remained steadfast..Abandoned reveals that IRCC Minister Sean Fraser ignored repeated requests for a meeting..However, Fraser, appointed last October, recently managed to find time for a teleconference with ASET..Where do things stand now?.Despite Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s promise recognizing the urgency to welcome 40,000 Afghans, only about 13,600 arrived, according to IRCC’s recent update..“The short answer is nothing has changed dramatically. It’s still a trickle, it’s not a flood,” said Thompson who, with his fellow generals, remains heavily involved in advocacy..“One year on, it’s still at the same slow pace. We’ve had success. We have the ear of the government. The minister has engaged,” he said..“Of course, we have our own database and share as much information as we can or as is necessary. It’s not a two-way street because they have to abide by privacy legislation and are concerned that the information will end up in the hands of the Taliban and they’ll be held liable.”.“It’s still very non-transparent.”.Afghans waiting on Canada are “desperate.”.“The hot potato right now is unquestionably Ukraine.”.Since Russia invaded Ukraine last February, the government focused on getting Ukrainians to Canada, offering programs and financial support denied Afghans..“It’s quite clear that the Ukrainian diaspora is much larger in Canada … That’s the issue that’s going to get more attention, which doesn’t mean the other one should be ignored. That’s why we’ve kept the pressure on,” said Thompson..Government efforts continue to be plagued with problems and delays, despite a damning House of Commons committee report on Afghanistan..READ MORE MPs rip into Afghanistan ambassador who fled country.“We were the first embassy to depart,” testified Milner in February. “That was very embarrassing for a lot of us on the ground.”.“There could have been a lot more people evacuated out of Afghanistan before Kandahar fell and before Kabul fell,” testified Fraser..Meanwhile, Aman Lara forges ahead bringing an average of 450 Afghans a month to Canada, said spokesman Wilf Dinnick..“What should have happened in days is going to take months, and God forbid, years.” .“There’s 8,000 plus waiting.”.These are only Afghans on ASET’s radar..The Liberal still refuse to provide funds for safe houses operating only because of private donations..Abandoned addresses the depths of depravity unleashed on Afghan innocents in disturbing video..This includes the carnage at Hamid Karzai Airport August 27 when a suicide bomber killed 13 American soldiers and wounded and killed hundreds more..The footage was obtained from ex-special forces member Dave Lavery who shares his experience of being the lone Canadian on the ground for six days after everyone else fled.
