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Table of Contents 'Great young Canadians' were on the mission to help; SIX MORE CANADIANS KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN ................................................................................................................................................1 'Ultimate protection' not enough; Armoured vehicle designed to withstand blasts has had maintenance problems .......................................................................................................................................4 Three explosives stacked on top of each other; 'Triple mine' used to penetrate vehicle compared to methods seen in Iraq ..........................................................................................................................................6 Family of friendly fire victim wants apology ....................................................................................................8 Afghan mission will end in 2009; Opposition parties won't give PM backing that he needs to continue combat role ........................................................................................................................................10 Weight of Afghanistan mission a drag on Harper's hopes ............................................................................12 Russian city awarded 2014 Games ..................................................................................................................14 Finding good news a challenge for PM...........................................................................................................16 Sochi wins Winter Games................................................................................................................................18 Vehicle designed to withstand blast .................................................................................................................20 'An absolute tragedy'; Powerful roadside bomb strikes armoured vehicle in southern Afghanistan ......22 Canadian death toll ...........................................................................................................................................24 Kingston mourns a lost son; Matthew Dawe a 'leader among leaders' .......................................................26 Prime minister's tour presents PR challenges ................................................................................................29 Six Canadians, one Afghan killed in attack; Armoured vehicle hit by roadside bomb.............................31 Another deadly day for Canadian troops .......................................................................................................34 Harper visits N.S. today in effort to mend fences over equalization spat ....................................................36 'Bring back our troops'....................................................................................................................................38 Letters | Changes to NB ambulance service slow in coming .........................................................................40 Seeking just world leaves questions .................................................................................................................44 LE MÉPRIS .......................................................................................................................................................46 i

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Page 1: Table of Contents - milnewstbay.pbworks.commilnewstbay.pbworks.com/f/AFG5Jul07.pdftable of contents six morts leur vÉhicule a heurtÉ une bombe artisanale.....48 l'opposition offre

Table of Contents'Great young Canadians' were on the mission to help; SIX MORE CANADIANS KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN................................................................................................................................................1

'Ultimate protection' not enough; Armoured vehicle designed to withstand blasts has had maintenance problems.......................................................................................................................................4

Three explosives stacked on top of each other; 'Triple mine' used to penetrate vehicle compared to methods seen in Iraq..........................................................................................................................................6

Family of friendly fire victim wants apology....................................................................................................8

Afghan mission will end in 2009; Opposition parties won't give PM backing that he needs to continue combat role........................................................................................................................................10

Weight of Afghanistan mission a drag on Harper's hopes............................................................................12

Russian city awarded 2014 Games..................................................................................................................14

Finding good news a challenge for PM...........................................................................................................16

Sochi wins Winter Games................................................................................................................................18

Vehicle designed to withstand blast.................................................................................................................20

'An absolute tragedy'; Powerful roadside bomb strikes armoured vehicle in southern Afghanistan......22

Canadian death toll...........................................................................................................................................24

Kingston mourns a lost son; Matthew Dawe a 'leader among leaders'.......................................................26

Prime minister's tour presents PR challenges................................................................................................29

Six Canadians, one Afghan killed in attack; Armoured vehicle hit by roadside bomb.............................31

Another deadly day for Canadian troops.......................................................................................................34

Harper visits N.S. today in effort to mend fences over equalization spat....................................................36

'Bring back our troops'....................................................................................................................................38

Letters | Changes to NB ambulance service slow in coming.........................................................................40

Seeking just world leaves questions.................................................................................................................44

LE MÉPRIS.......................................................................................................................................................46

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Table of ContentsSIX MORTS LEUR VÉHICULE A HEURTÉ UNE BOMBE ARTISANALE .........................................48

L'OPPOSITION OFFRE SES CONDOLÉANCES OTTAWA...................................................................49

DES MOMENTS DIFFICILES POUR LES FAMILLES QUÉBECOISES..............................................50

COURRIER −− LA PAROLE À NOS LECTEURS.....................................................................................52

LES TOILETTES DANS LE FLEUVE LES BATEAUX DE CROISIÈRE PRIS SUR LE FAIT...........54

UN COUP DUR POUR L'ARMÉE .................................................................................................................55

L'HORAIRE DU PM TROP CHARGÉ FAMILLE DESOUSA.................................................................57

LA PRISON OU L'AFGHANISTAN? ............................................................................................................58

Sochi, Russia awarded 2014 Winter Olympics...............................................................................................59

Yemen lets al−Qaida alone if they promise to be good..................................................................................61

Apology sought in friendly fire death..............................................................................................................62

Mine−resistant vehicle fails troops..................................................................................................................64

Six soldiers killed; Canadians travelling in army's toughest vehicle would have been headed home at month's end..................................................................................................................................................66

Prime minister coming to N.S., but reception could be chilly; Harper expected to bring cash for military, but federal budget still draws criticism..........................................................................................69

No allowance for femininity in Afghanistan...................................................................................................71

Opposition leaders say troops must leave in '09............................................................................................73

Six Canadians killed as vehicle hit by roadside bomb in Afghanistan; Major blast that ripped through armoured vehicle Wednesday also kills an Afghan.......................................................................74

BC−Cda−News−Digest.....................................................................................................................................76

Canadian death toll in Afghanistan: 66 soldiers, one diplomat....................................................................79

Layton says civilian, military deaths in Afghanistan too high a cost...........................................................82

20 suspected militants killed in Afghanistan clashes, officials say...............................................................84

(no headline).....................................................................................................................................................85

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Table of ContentsCTV National News, Wednesday, July 4........................................................................................................89

CP Picture advisory for , , 2007.......................................................................................................................90

Six Canadians, one Afghan killed as armoured vehicle hit by roadside bomb...........................................91

CP News Budget, Wednesday, July 04, 2007..................................................................................................94

Sochi, Russia awarded 2014 Winter Olympics ahead of Pyeongchang, Salzburg......................................96

Suicide attack kills 5 soldiers, 5 civilians in northwest Pakistan: officials..................................................99

Halifax Chronicle Herald fronts for Thurs., July 4:....................................................................................100

Prime minister's Nova Scotia tour presents tough P.R. challenges............................................................101

6 NATO soldiers, Afghan interpreter, killed by roadside bomb................................................................104

Aunt of Cdn. soldier killed in Afghan friendly fire incident awaits apology.............................................105

Roadside bombs getting bigger and more powerful, says military expert................................................107

−−Seventeenth NewsWatch−−.......................................................................................................................109

−−Thirteenth NewsWatch−−..........................................................................................................................111

INDEX:Defence, International, Politics........................................................................................................113

INDEX:Defence, International, Politics........................................................................................................114

Afghan−Cda−Deaths−Update (mother of casualty, Harper)......................................................................115

URGENT−Afghan−Cda−Deaths−Update (Names) (Alta, BC note)..........................................................116

INDEX:Advisories..........................................................................................................................................117

−−Eleventh NewsWatch−−.............................................................................................................................119

−−Twelfth NewsWatch−−...............................................................................................................................121

−−Fourteenth NewsWatch−−.........................................................................................................................123

6 NATO soldiers, Afghan interpreter, killed by roadside bomb................................................................125

6 NATO soldiers, Afghan interpreter, killed by roadside bomb................................................................126

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Table of ContentsCP News Agenda for Wednesday, July 4......................................................................................................127

−−Eighteenth NewsWatch−−.........................................................................................................................130

ADVISORY−Central−Canada−Calendar....................................................................................................132

INDEX:International, Defence......................................................................................................................134

Capt. Dawe's sad fate; A beloved officer and proud father, Matthew Dawe lost three of his men to a bomb last month. Yesterday, an explosion killed him and five other soldiers in Afghanistan............135

Winter Olympics are headed to Russia, with love, in 2014.........................................................................138

nato soldier deaths..........................................................................................................................................140

Chances of graceful retreat slim....................................................................................................................141

Triple explosive defeats blast−resistant vehicle; Taliban adopting guerrilla tactics used in Iraq, retired general says of Afghanistan bombing..............................................................................................143

PM faces more pressure over mission; Opposition MPs, retired major− general question why Canada taking brunt of NATO casualties...................................................................................................145

Whirlwind trips pose PR challenge for Harper; Premiers of Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan given no advance itinerary ...........................................................................................................................................147

Taliban tactics primitive, tragically effective...............................................................................................148

Does the latest British terror threat make you uneasy about air travel?..................................................150

Many plots are foiled in U.S., FBI says; Suicide−bombing threat remains 'great challenge' despite counterterror successes, official warns........................................................................................................152

Radical cleric nabbed sneaking out in burqa; More than 1,100 followers surrender but hundreds remain barricaded in Islamabad's Red Mosque.........................................................................................154

Bush duplicity hinders battle against extremism.........................................................................................156

PM says 'we're back,' but from where?........................................................................................................158

Canada's mission costly but worthy..............................................................................................................159

Canadian mourns the loss of six fellow soldiers, killed when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb............161

Roadside bomb blasts have claimed 19 of the 22 soldiers killed in the current Canadian troop rotation............................................................................................................................................................162

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Table of ContentsFamilies devastated; 'He only had 6 weeks left to go,' says the mother of one of the six Canadians who died yesterday.........................................................................................................................................163

Six soldiers die.................................................................................................................................................165

Politicians using troops to buy votes.............................................................................................................168

Pakistan blast kills 10.....................................................................................................................................170

Your Call Column...........................................................................................................................................171

Six Canadians killed Roadside bomb overwhelms armoured vehicle........................................................172

As each blow bruises the national psyche a little less,we are in danger of falling into national battle fatigue..............................................................................................................................................................175

Mission not likely to be extended...................................................................................................................178

Winnipeg Sun Online Poll..............................................................................................................................179

frontpage Numb with pain 6 more of our boys killed in Afghanistan.......................................................180

Your Call Column Canoe online poll............................................................................................................181

No escaping war, even in Chicago.................................................................................................................182

Pakistan blast kills 10.....................................................................................................................................184

No consensus, no mission Liberals to PM: Troops should count on return in February 2009................185

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'Great young Canadians' were on the mission to help;SIX MORE CANADIANS KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN

IDNUMBER 200707050152

PUBLICATION: The Record (Kitchener, Cambridge And Waterloo)

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Front

PAGE: A1

ILLUSTRATION:

Photo: CANADIAN PRESS / Brig−Gen. Tim Grant, commander ofthe Canadiancontingent in Afghanistan, relays the news that six Canadian soldiers were killedin the Panjwaii district of Kandahar. The soldiers died when their RG−31 hit aroadside bomb outside Kandahar city. ; Photo: Pte. Lane Watkins ; Photo: Cpl.Cole Bartsch ; Photo: Master Cpl. Colin Bason ;

DATELINE: KANDAHAR

SOURCE: Canadian Press

NOTE: INSIDE: RELATED STORIES, PAGE A4JAMES TRAVERS, PAGE A7

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 1015

A powerful roadside bomb killed six Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter yesterday, overwhelmingthe sturdy armour of a vehicle designed to withstand mine blasts as it was moving along a gravel road insouthern Afghanistan.

The RG−31 Nyala patrol vehicle is considered one of the military's strongest in protecting against the deadlyscourge of roadside bombs, but it failed to save the lives of the seven people inside its armoured body.

Brig.−Gen. Tim Grant, top Canadian commander there, said it's not clear why this particular bomb managedto defeat the Nyala's defences.

An investigation is underway and until it's completed it won't be known whether the vehicle's use should bequestioned, he said.

Yesterday's blast was the deadliest for Canadians since Easter Sunday, April 8, when another roadside bombkilled six Canadian soldiers in what was then the worst single−day toll for the Canadian Forces inAfghanistan. Those six were inside a LAV−3, another light armoured vehicle.

The identities of four of the dead were released late yesterday afternoon: Cpl. Cole Bartsch, of Whitecourt,Alta.; Capt. Matthew Johnathan Dawe and Pte. Lane Watkins, from Clearwater, Man., all of 3rd BattalionPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton and Master Cpl. Colin Bason, a reservist fromThe Royal Westminster Regiment based in New Westminster, B.C.

Dawe, 27, was commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion's C company. Dawe, midway through a tour ofAfghanistan, was in charge of Pte. Joel Wiebe, Sgt. Christos Karigiannis and Cpl. Stephen Bouzane whentheir unarmoured Gator vehicle was blasted by a roadside bomb June 20. All three were killed.

The next of kin of the other two killed have not yet agreed to the release of their names.

'Great young Canadians' were on the mission to help; SIX MORE CANADIANS KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN1

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Dawe's father, Peter, a Kingston resident, is a retired Canadian Forces lieutenant−colonel, and two of Dawe'sbothers have also served in Afghanistan.

Ann Bason of Abbotsford, B.C., said in an interview with CTV News her son was probably one of the firstreservists to join when the call went out for volunteers for the Afghan mission.

"He was very proud that he got picked,'' she said.

"The sad thing is he only had six weeks left to go before he was on his way home. But how many people getto do the things they really love and he loved the infantry.''

She expressed her condolences to the families of the other Canadian soldiers killed in the attack.

CTV said Bason leaves behind his partner of four years and a baby daughter who will be five months oldSunday.

A statement by 39 Canadian Brigade Group, to which Bason's Royal Westminister Regiment belonged, said:"Cpl. Bason was a seven−year member of the 'Westies,' joining in April 2000.

"During his career, Cpl. Bason attained the appointment of master corporal and relinquished his appointmentin order to participate in the (Afghan) tour. Cpl. Bason, as do all reserve soldiers, volunteered to go over toAfghanistan to help the Afghan people in their ongoing effort to establish a society founded on freedom,democracy and universally accepted human rights.

"Cpl. Bason died doing what he wanted to do. Our heart−felt sympathies are with the Bason family and thefamilies of the other five soldiers killed with Cpl. Bason.''

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement in Ottawa saying: "It is with deep sorrow that I havelearned of today's tragic event in Afghanistan that took the lives of six Canadian soldiers.

"On behalf of all Canadians, my most sincere condolences go out to the family, friends and colleagues . . .They are all in our thoughts and prayers.''

Altogether, 66 Canadian soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan since 2002, along with one diplomat.

The six soldiers were returning to a forward operating base after a joint mission with Afghan security forcesaround 11 a.m. local time when their vehicle struck the improvised explosive device, Grant said.

The vehicle was on a well−travelled route, used by army and locals alike, in an area of Kandahar provinceconsidered among the safer zones.

The troops had been on a cordon−and−search operation, following intelligence that Taliban militants were inthe area. They had been passing through the village of Salavat, 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city,when the bomb went off.

It's not the first time a Canadian soldier has been killed while riding in a Nyala.

In October, Trooper Mark Andrew Wilson died from injuries sustained when his Nyala was hit by animprovised explosive device −− or IED −− in the same district.

Though the military has said the rising use of roadside bombs is a sign of a desperate insurgency, their deadlyblasts have claimed more lives during the current rotation of Canadian troops than any other weapons −− 19

'Great young Canadians' were on the mission to help; SIX MORE CANADIANS KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN2

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of the 22 soldiers killed so far.

"Clearly they have managed to kill six great young Canadians today which is an absolute tragedy, but theother part of this is that they are killing lots of Afghans,'' Grant said.

"These are not the tactics of anything other than terrorists.''

Grant pointed out while deadly IED explosions are widely reported, there are many that are discovered andneutralized by the military before causing any harm.

"We're not perfect and we do miss some, as we have seen today, but the battle against the Taliban and thebattle against their choice of weapons, IED, is successful,'' Grant insisted.

"And more often than not we do find them and we do disarm them.''

Though IED strikes seem to have become one of the Taliban's preferred tactics in Kandahar province, theyhave not been used with the same regularity in other areas.

In neighbouring Helmand province, British forces regularly engage in firefights with insurgents and say theyhaven't seen the same use of the explosives as their Canadian counterparts.

Lt.−Col. Jean Trudel, chief of staff for the National Command Element of Joint Task Force Afghanistan, saidthe growing use of IEDs represents a loss of control by Taliban in Afghanistan.

"They are incapable of success, they are incapable of winning,'' Trudel said in French.

"For every successful attack by insurgents with these devices, there are dozens of successful missions againstthe Taliban using conventional tactics and we find and detonate these explosives.''

Grant maintained Panjwaii is still much safer than the nearby district of Zhari, despite yesterday's attack andthe one in June that killed the three Canadian soldiers.

Canadian forces have been conducting a series of operations in Zhari for months, trying to flush out thestubborn Taliban insurgency. But Panjwaii is often heralded as a military−reconstruction success story afterheavy fighting last fall.

"Panjwaii is an area we are comfortable in travelling in, we have great relationships with local elders and thedistrict leadership and the people on the ground,'' he said.

"So this is an area that while the Taliban operate in it, they do not operate freely.''

The current rotation of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan is due to return home at the end of this month.

Grant said that as professional soldiers they know they'll need to grieve and move on. "They understand thattheir work here is not done yet.

"It won't be done till they get on the plane to go home.''

The next Canadian battle group due to arrive in August are some 2,000 soldiers of the Royal 22nd Regiment,known as the Van Doos, from Valcartier, Que.

'Great young Canadians' were on the mission to help; SIX MORE CANADIANS KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN3

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'Ultimate protection' not enough; Armoured vehicledesigned to withstand blasts has had maintenanceproblems

IDNUMBER 200707050148

PUBLICATION: The Record (Kitchener, Cambridge And Waterloo)

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Front

PAGE: A3

ILLUSTRATION:

Photo: CANADIAN PRESS / A Canadian RG−31 Nyala armouredvehicle isshown at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. A powerful roadside bomb killed sixCanadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter, ripping through their RG−31 on agravel road in southern Afghanistan. ;

SOURCE: Canadian Press

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 473

An armoured vehicle designed to withstand two simultaneous blasts from anti−tank mines failed to save thelives of six Canadian soldiers killed yesterday when their RG−31 Nyala patrol vehicle hit a roadside bomb insouthern Afghanistan.

Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan have long regarded the four−wheeled armoured truck as the ultimateprotection against such attacks.

Over the last 18 months, Canada has purchased 75 RG−31s at a cost of about $91 million.

The sturdy vehicle, built by a South African subsidiary for the British defence giant BAE Systems Inc., cancarry up to 10 passengers and a driver.

The RG−31 has become widely used by the United Nations and the U.S. army. Canada received its first fleetin March 2006.

But some experts have questioned whether the vehicle could stand up to roadside or car bombs, as improvisedexplosive devices in Afghanistan appear to have become more powerful.

Until the latest attack, troops riding in the vehicle had often survived roadside blasts with minor or no injuries.

Four Canadian soldiers credited the Nyala RG−31 with saving their lives in a suicide attack last September.The vehicle was damaged, but the soldiers inside it were unscathed.

Some, however, have not been so lucky.

Trooper Mark Wilson of the Royal Canadian Dragoons was killed last October as he rode on a Nyala truckthat hit a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan.

The force of the explosion penetrated the vehicle's thick armour and a shield designed to deflect blasts, killingWilson, who was riding in the gunner's seat. The other soldiers inside the vehicle survived.

'Ultimate protection' not enough; Armoured vehicle designed to withstand blasts has had maintenance problems4

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In the Nyala, the gunner operates a machine−gun remotely from inside the cabin.

The RG−31 has hulls shaped to deflect blasts from below.

Usually, this means a V−shaped bottom with a minimum of angles, allowing the blast force to "flow''unimpeded past the structure. Parts of the vehicle likely to be in the path of the explosion are designed to besacrificed −− wheels and axles are easily blown off, but such running gear parts can be readily re−attached.

The RG−31 became a battlefield necessity as it became clear to the army in late 2005 that it would need abetter protected patrol vehicle than the lightly armoured Mercedes G−Wagon it was using.

However, the Nyalas have seen their share of wear and tear.

Army records show that at the height of fierce fighting in Afghanistan last summer, more than a quarter of theRG−31 fleet were in the shop with maintenance problems. The vehicles had a series of electrical and softwareglitches, many relating to the roof−mounted remote−controlled machine−gun.

Nyala maintenance logs, obtained by Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act, show that thevehicles arrived with a series of minor defects.

Records show that between mid−June and mid−July last year, 13 of the 50 Nyalas −− some with as few as550 kilometres on them −− were deemed "non− mission capable'' by the army.

The ratio has since improved, with only one or two of the current complement of 75 RG−31s down formaintenance at any time.

In May, the Defence Department signed a deal with a U.S. defence contractor to acquire 10 Buffalo andCougar mine−protected vehicles −− five each −− for Canadian troops in Afghanistan. Unlike the Nyala, thenew trucks have no windows and are capable of carrying more troops and equipment. They are expected to bedelivered in August.

'Ultimate protection' not enough; Armoured vehicle designed to withstand blasts has had maintenance problems5

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Three explosives stacked on top of each other; 'Triplemine' used to penetrate vehicle compared to methodsseen in Iraq

IDNUMBER 200707050147

PUBLICATION: The Record (Kitchener, Cambridge And Waterloo)

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Front

PAGE: A3

DATELINE: OTTAWA

BYLINE: ALLAN WOODS

SOURCE: Toronto Star, with files from Canadian Press

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 522

The bomb blast that killed six Canadian soldiers was designed to defeat the military's supposedly blast−proofarmoured vehicles, and points to a more resilient insurgency that has adopted the tactics being used in Iraq,says a retired Canadian general.

Alain Pellerin said the roadside bomb was a "triple mine" −− three explosive devices stacked on top of oneanother −− designed to penetrate the heavy armour that usually protects coalition forces travelling andfighting in Afghanistan.

Pellerin said he was not sure if yesterday's incident marked the first time the triple mine had been used inAfghanistan.

"I've read about similar things in Iraq. The same sort of principle has been used so that you have more of animpact on the vehicle that you want to hit or destroy.''

The RG−31 Nyala that the Canadian soldiers were travelling in was one of 75 that the Canadian Forcespurchased between 2005 and 2006 to replace the Mercedes G−Wagon and provide better protection.

The deaths yesterday were not the first inside an RG−31. A Canadian soldier was killed in one on Oct. 7,2006.

Yesterday's deadly blast occurred in Panjwaii district, a region that saw fierce fighting last summer and fallbetween Canadian soldiers and Taliban insurgents. Since then, about 6,000 families have returned to theirhomes in the area and resumed a semblance of normal life. But the recent spate of Canadian deaths byroadside bombs suggests Taliban fighters are determined to take back an area known as their spiritualheartland, Pellerin said.

"The Taliban and Kandahar province were defeated during Operation Medusa last December and will notfight one−on−one against the Canadians again. They will not give up the province so the tactics that theyemploy are the tactics of the weak to the strong, which so far have been successful," he said.

Brig.−Gen. Tim Grant, speaking to reporters at the Kandahar Airfield, said yesterday's incident occurred whena 12−vehicle convoy was returning to an outpost in Panjwaii after a search for Taliban fighters in a small

Three explosives stacked on top of each other; 'Triple mine' used to penetrate vehicle compared to methods seen in Iraq6

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village.

The gravel road on which the convoy was travelling was used frequently by coalition forces and by localAfghans, and while there had been roadside bombs found in the past, none had been discovered in recentmonths, he said.

Grant said an investigation would determine whether Canada should increase protection for soldiers to"mitigate the risk,'' but Pellerin said that risks are inherent in the job and unlikely to be completely overcome.

"Every time you build a shield that is stronger, someone will come up with a spear that is better or longer. It'sthe old Roman principle."

Analysts told Canadian Press that NATO forces are locked in a deadly game of one−upmanship withinsurgents that will lead to higher casualties.

"In effect, we're in a kind of arms race with the insurgents,'' said Steven Staples, director of the RideauInstitute, an Ottawa−based think−tank.

"They develop more sophisticated bombs and we try to put more armour out there, but they always seem to beable to overcome what we can deploy.''

Staples said that like the direction of the insurgency in Iraq, the Taliban in Afghanistan are becoming moreadept at taking NATO lives.

John Thompson, president of the Mackenzie Institute, said insurgents in Afghanistan are using a new breed ofdeadly Iranian−built bombs specifically designed to destroy NATO and U.S.−allied armoured vehicles.

Some reports state that Iranian−built bombs started appearing in Afghanistan about two months ago, saidThompson.

Three explosives stacked on top of each other; 'Triple mine' used to penetrate vehicle compared to methods seen in Iraq7

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Family of friendly fire victim wants apology

IDNUMBER 200707050146

PUBLICATION: The Record (Kitchener, Cambridge And Waterloo)

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Front

PAGE: A4

ILLUSTRATION:Photo: DND / Canadian Forces Pte. Robert Costall inAfghanistan. A U.S. army reportsays friendly fire from behind killed Costall and Sgt. John Thomas Stone of the VermontNational Guard. ;

DATELINE: THUNDER BAY

SOURCE: Canadian Press

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 633

The aunt of a Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan in a friendly fire incident says she is disappointed with arecommendation that no charges be filed in the case.

A U.S. army investigator has recommended that the American machine−gunner who killed Pte. RobertCostall, 22, and a U.S soldier during a heated nighttime battle last year in Afghanistan not be charged.

The recommendation is in documents released Tuesday in the deaths of Costall and Vermont National Guard1st Sgt. John Thomas Stone.

Costall's aunt, Colleen McBain, says it's her understanding that no statements were taken from Canadianwitnesses despite the fact it was Canadians who first indicated her nephew's death was the result of friendlyfire.

McBain also told Thunder Bay radio station CKPR in an interview that the family is still waiting for anapology from the U.S. military.

"Apologies for the mistake, to my knowledge, haven't been issued from the U.S. military to the familymembers,'' she said. "We're just getting more and more disappointed, I suppose.''

McBain also said she is anxious to know what steps are being taken to prevent such an incident fromhappening again.

"It's not going to bring my nephew back, but I want for the other soldiers over there now, how are theyreassured that's not going to happen again?'' she said.

Costall was a machine−gunner with 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. He was born inThunder Bay, and grew up in Gibsons, B.C.

Stone, 52, of Tunbridge, Vt., was an embedded tactical trainer.

In the report, an American army investigator said their deaths, "while regrettable, are understandable in thecontext of this firefight.''

Family of friendly fire victim wants apology 8

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The officer said Costall and 37 other Canadian soldiers were sent to reinforce Forward Operating BaseRobinson for an expected Taliban attack on March 28, 2006.

They were moved into the field of fire of a machine−gunner, who was at a Special Forces compound insidethe base. Both Costall and Stone, who was on a roof, were hit by shots fired from within the Special Forcescompound.

The U.S. documents released Monday marked the first official confirmation that friendly fire caused thedeaths.

The Department of National Defence in Ottawa released a statement Tuesday saying: "The Canadian Forcesacknowledges a recently released U.S. army report in regard to the death of Private Robert Costall killed inAfghanistan.''

It notes the Canadian Forces convened an administrative Board of Inquiry and commenced an investigationwithin weeks of the 2006 incident.

It said the investigations have been completed and authorities are reviewing the findings.

While the U.S. army report recommended that no charges be filed, it also outlined a series of problems withthe leadership overseeing the forward operating base, which had been set up about a month before the deaths.

There were serious supply problems, inadequate planning, communication and co−ordination between thedifferent forces as well as the fatigue of the soldiers who had been under near daily attack and working hard tobuild the base, the report said.

It said the Canadians, who had been brought in after dark to help repel the attack and were fighting from aberm outside the camp gate, never told the Special Forces soldiers inside the compound where they weregoing to set up.

The Special Forces captain commanding Forward Operating Base Robinson had an "inadequate base defenceplan'' and there was an inadequate chain of command between the different forces present: the U.S. SpecialForces and embedded tactical trainers, Canadian forces, Afghan National Army and Afghan security guards.

It also criticized the headquarters officers who had recently taken over responsibility for the base.

"Many of the base deficiencies noted in this investigation were immediately obvious,'' the report said.

"Yet their new chain of command never visited in order to get the kind of situational awareness that 'walkingthe ground' can provide in order to assist with problem resolution and the correction of obvious deficiencies inbase defence planning.''

The report made a series of recommendations, including better overall command, base defence planning andbetter training of soldiers in the use of night vision, thermal imaging and laser devices.

Stone's companion Rose Loving says his death was the result of a series of mistakes by military commanders.

"There's a lot of things that led to this incident,'' Loving said Tuesday. "That fatigued soldier was the last oneof the list of problems. To be fair to everyone, it is just a horrendous tragedy.''

Family of friendly fire victim wants apology 9

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Afghan mission will end in 2009; Opposition partieswon't give PM backing that he needs to continuecombat role

IDNUMBER 200707050145

PUBLICATION: The Record (Kitchener, Cambridge And Waterloo)

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Front

PAGE: A4

ILLUSTRATION:

Photo: CANADIAN PRESS / NDP Leader Jack Layton saidyesterday that Prime MinisterStephen Harper should arrange an immediate reduction in Afghan operations. ; Photo:CANADIAN PRESS / Liberal Leader Stephane Dion says the prime minister should havetold the NATO allies weeks ago that Canada will not be extending its Afghancommitment. ;

DATELINE: OTTAWA

SOURCE: Canadian Press

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 537

It's looking more like Prime Minister Stephen Harper's pledge not to extend Canada's combat role inAfghanistan without the consensus of all four federal parties means the combat mission will end in 20 months.

Two party leaders were unyielding in their positions yesterday as news filtered back from Kandahar that sixmore Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter had been killed by a roadside bomb.

With Canada's death toll in Afghanistan reaching 66 soldiers and a diplomat since 2002, Liberal LeaderStephane Dion told a news conference that Harper should have informed NATO allies weeks ago that Canadawould not be renewing its combat commitment in the Central Asian country.

"The prime minister has said that he needs to have a consensus in order to extend the mission beyondFebruary of 2009,'' Dion said. "This consensus will never exist.''

"You know what is the views of the other parties and what is the view of the official Opposition. So the primeminister should say that right away.''

"It should have been done weeks ago.''

Dion's news conference came a few hours after NDP Leader Jack Layton said Canada doesn't need to givenotice, it should just pull out now.

Citing a mounting military and civilian death toll, Layton said Harper should engineer an immediatescaledown of operations and take a lead role in developing a peace process with Taliban leaders.

That suggestion has been ridiculed in the past by Harper. The prime minister has said he will not riskundercutting the mission by contemplating an extension of Canada's combat role in Afghanistan beyond 2009unless there is a consensus to do so.

Afghan mission will end in 2009; Opposition parties won't give PM backing that he needs to continue combat role10

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Aides to Harper said the prime minister does not expect unanimity on the issue. The NDP has been consistentin its opposition to the current role Canadian troops are playing in Afghanistan.

But the prime minister might have been hoping for support from Liberals. Dion's reiterated opposition toextending the mission gives Harper a way to draw down Canada's military role in Afghanistan while insistinghe had little choice in doing so.

Layton said Harper needs to show leadership by urging the United States to stop high−altitude bombing in theface of more than 270 civilian deaths so far this year.

Furthermore, Canada should withdraw its 2,500 troops from what he characterized as a hopeless mission.

"It's the wrong mission; it's not working; it's not going to accomplish the goals,'' said Layton, adding his partywill ensure the issue is front and centre in coming federal byelections.

Twenty−two soldiers have now been killed on this rotation alone; by this time last year only eight had died.

The latest deaths occurred in an area the Canadian military has pointed to as an example of its mission'sachievements in Afghanistan.

The Taliban were thought to have left, and several reconstruction projects are underway.

But three other soldiers were killed there on June 20 by an improvised explosive device.

NATO's presence in Afghanistan is only boosting Afghan support for the Taliban, Layton said.

The war is escalating and Ottawa is misguided in its commitment to provide combat troops to the NATOalliance in Afghanistan for at least two more years, he said.

He wants Dion and Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe to reconsider their positions on Canada's role inAfghanistan and join the NDP in calling for Canada's immediate withdrawal.

Dion dismissed that possibility out of hand. And he refused to discuss the domestic political implications on aday that six more Canadians died.

Speaking before it was confirmed the six dead were Canadians, Layton, said voters should voice theiropposition to the war by backing his party in the byelections, expected before summer's end.

"The strategy we're following is wrong; we should take our troops out,'' Layton said.

"Students of history will know that all major conflicts are resolved, ultimately, through peace−orienteddiscussions. . . . And that's what needs to happen here.''

Afghan mission will end in 2009; Opposition parties won't give PM backing that he needs to continue combat role11

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Weight of Afghanistan mission a drag on Harper'shopes

IDNUMBER 200707050120

PUBLICATION: The Record (Kitchener, Cambridge And Waterloo)

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Insight

PAGE: A7

COLUMN: THE NATION

DATELINE: OTTAWA

BYLINE: JAMES TRAVERS

SOURCE: TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 534

In one of those mistakes that expose inexperience, a new prime minister just months into the job declared inOctober 2006 that dying in Afghanistan is the price Canadians pay for world leadership. Then the cost was 39lives, today it's 66. High and rising fast, that total is a tragedy for families facing what every parent, wife,husband and child fears most.

But on a distant end of the scale of human horrors there's also a political predicament growing with eachheartbreaking dispatch.

The war Stephen Harper inherited from the Liberals and chose to make his own is expanding exponentially tofill the space a government that labels itself "new'' now needs for renewal. Required for redefinition and areturn to the basics of family values, law and order and tax cuts, that elbow room will shrink if climbingcasualties keep Conservatives on the defensive.

Sadly for those serving their country, that's the forecast. All the optimistic talk about reconstruction isn'tmaking Afghanistan any safer; a reality certain to have even greater political implications in August whenQuebec's storied Van Doos regiment rotates into enemy range.

As if that isn't worrying enough for a minority prime minister hunting a majority among Quebec voters, sixmore deaths in a single incident yesterday is another blow to already slim Canadian hopes of a gracefulKandahar retreat. Those few NATO members militarily able to do the job aren't willing to take the politicalrisks of filling a breach that opens in February 2009 when the current mission ends.

There's no obvious escape from that dilemma or from the coming debate. As the prime minister insists,Canada can't walk away without replacements or stay longer without Parliament's approval.

NATO needs to know Ottawa's decision by early 2008 at the latest, a collapsing time frame forcing an autumndeconstruction of the mission, its defining purpose and its chances of success. Having avoided a full debateonce by threatening an unwanted election, Harper now must find political cover in an elusive consensus.

There's rough justice in the prime minister's problem. Instead of using the war to drive a wedge between hisopponents, Harper could have built broad support around extending the mission, something that would nowserve him well.

Weight of Afghanistan mission a drag on Harper's hopes 12

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But that's not this prime minister's style. Playing to his core constituency, Harper consistently looks forpolitical advantage by publicly doubting the patriotism of those who question the mission.

That was more effective in October last year. Canadians knew less about Afghanistan's complexities andcorruption while a death total still below 40 somehow seemed more manageable if no less wrenching.

Today, jingoism is a failed substitute for analysis and for the compelling narrative that's always been missingand mandarins are now struggling to write. Taliban tactics imported from Iraq are evolving dangerously andthe expectation here is that more fatalities are inevitable and demand a detailed explanation of what canreasonably be achieved at what cost.

Canada has legitimate security and human rights interests in Afghanistan. Even if it never becomes the modelAsian democracy of Western fantasy, a less violent, more stable county is a worthy objective.

But interests, like world leadership, have a price. It's paid in lives as well as political capital and at some pointexceeds what leaders dare ask and democracies are willing to pay.

James Travers writes on national affairs.

Weight of Afghanistan mission a drag on Harper's hopes 13

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Russian city awarded 2014 Games

IDNUMBER 200707050086

PUBLICATION: The Record (Kitchener, Cambridge And Waterloo)

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Sports

PAGE: C2

ILLUSTRATION:

Photo: ASSPCOATED PRESS / A man wipes his tears afterPyeongChangfailed to win the right to host the 2014 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, SouthKorea yesterday. Russia's Sochi became the host of the 2014 Games by winninga secret International Olympic Committee vote in Guatemala City. ;

DATELINE: GUATEMALA CITY

SOURCE: Associated Press

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 361

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered the 2014 Olympics to Sochi yesterday with a passionatepresentation, giving the Winter Olympic power a home−field advantage for the first time.

The Black Sea resort of Sochi defeated the South Korean city of Pyeongchang 51−47 in the final round ofvoting by the International Olympic Committee.

The Austrian resort of Salzburg was eliminated in the first round of the secret ballot, setting up the decisivehead−to−head contest between Sochi and Pyeongchang.

Pyeongchang led the first round with 36 votes, followed by Sochi with 34 and Salzburg with 25. Sochi pickedup 17 votes in the second round to secure the victory.

The result was a triumph for Putin, who put his international prestige on the line by coming to Guatemala tolobby IOC members and lead Sochi's final formal presentation to the assembly. Putin had left by the time theresult was announced.

IOC president Jacques Rogge opened a sealed envelope and read the words the Russians longed to hear:

"The International Olympic Committee has the honour of announcing the 22nd Olympic Winter Games in2014 are awarded to the city of Sochi.''

Russian delegates in the hall erupted in cheers, jumped to their feet and hugged each other. They unfurled aRussian flag and chanted, "Sochi! Sochi!'' Korean delegates bowed their heads, some in tears.

"It was a historic decision for all countries,'' Sochi bid chief Dmitry Chernychenko said. "Russia will becomeeven more open, more democratic.''

In Sochi, cheers erupted from the crowd of more than 15,000 that had gathered for a pop concert and theannouncement in a main square.

"We did it all together. We won,'' the concert's announcer said from the stage as fireworks flashed andboomed in the sky.

Russian city awarded 2014 Games 14

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People hugged and waved their hands in the air. Some appeared to have tears in their eyes.

Russia, an Olympic power which has won 293 Winter Games medals, has never hosted the Winter Games.That was a strong point in Sochi's favour with the IOC, which likes to spread the Olympics to new hostcountries. Moscow hosted the 1980 Summer Games, which were hit by the U.S.−led boycott following theSoviet invasion of Afghanistan.

The Sochi bid won out over the appeals of its rivals −− Salzburg, presenting itself as a safe, no−risk wintersports mecca at the heart of Europe with world−class venues already in place; and Pyeongchang, offering thepotential for peace and reconciliation on the divided Korean peninsula and promoting winter sports in Asia.

Russian city awarded 2014 Games 15

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Finding good news a challenge for PM

IDNUMBER 200707050056

PUBLICATION: The Record (Kitchener, Cambridge And Waterloo)

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: News

PAGE: D8

DATELINE: HALIFAX

SOURCE: Canadian Press

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 494

Prime Minister Stephen Harper had scheduled a series of good−news trips to shore up slipping politicalsupport in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, but the visits today will likely be overshadowed by the deaths ofsix soldiers in Afghanistan and lingering resentment over the federal budget.

Harper, stung by an ongoing dispute with the two provinces over revenue from non−renewable resources, wasoff to a rough start even before arriving in Halifax, a military town with its share of young men and womenserving overseas.

The Prime Minister's Office later confirmed that Harper will make an announcement at Halifax's sprawlingnaval dockyard, where he will be joined by Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor and Foreign Affairs MinisterPeter MacKay, Nova Scotia's representative in the federal cabinet.

No details were released from Ottawa, but a statement from navy officials in Halifax indicated Harper willannounce details of a plan to modernize Canada's 12 Halifax−class frigates.

The good news for the military will be largely muted by the fact the Canadian Forces is once again mourningthe loss of comrades in Afghanistan.

Early yesterday, a powerful roadside bomb killed six Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter, rippingthrough their armoured vehicle on a gravel road in southern Afghanistan as they were returning to a forwardoperating base.

Meanwhile, Harper's itinerary today also includes visits to two small towns in Saskatchewan, where he willsurround himself with members of his caucus in a bid to revive Tory fortunes in a province where the party'spopularity is also skidding.

Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert has rallied his province against the federal Tories, promising to takelegal action to challenge the fairness of the recent federal budget.

Calvert has said the budget imposes an arbitrary cap on the province's equalization payments, which meansthe province's oil and gas revenues will be effectively clawed back.

In Iqaluit for the Wester n Premiers conference, Calvert said he didn't know anything about Harper's visit untilhe read it in the newspaper. "It's an odd way to do business,'' he said.

In Nova Scotia, the confusion over the announcement in Halifax arose a few weeks after Harper and Nova

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Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald engaged in a public feud over offshore resources and the distribution oftransfer payments to have−not provinces like Nova Scotia.

MacDonald and Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams have accused Harper of breaking a promise not toclaw back revenue from the provinces' offshore energy sectors when calculating payments under a revampedfederal equalization formula.

The premiers argue that under a new equalization system introduced in the March 19 federal budget, Ottawa isalso forcing Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to accept a cap on their offshore revenues, based on the fiscalcapacity of Ontario.

The provinces say the budget effectively negates the updated Atlantic accords −− federal−provincialagreements signed with Ottawa in 2005 that were meant to protect the two provinces from equalizationclawbacks.

Harper and federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty have dismissed the assertions. The say the two provincescan keep the old equalization formula.

MacDonald said he hoped that a visit by Harper would include an attempt to resolve the high−profiledisagreement over the federal budget.

Finding good news a challenge for PM 17

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Sochi wins Winter Games

PUBLICATION: Kingston Whig−Standard (ON)

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: Sports

PAGE: C3

BYLINE: Stephen Wilson The Associated Press

DATELINE: GUATEMALA CITY

WORD COUNT: 412

Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi was awarded the 2014 Olympics yesterday, rewarding President VladimirPutin and taking the Winter Games to his country for the first time.

Sochi defeated the South Korean city of Pyeongchang 51−47 in the final round of voting by the InternationalOlympic Committee.

The Austrian resort of Salzburg was eliminated in the first round of the secret ballot, setting up the decisivehead−to−head contest between Sochi and Pyeongchang.

Pyeongchang led the first round with 36 votes, followed by Sochi with 34 and Salzburg with 25. Sochi pickedup 17 votes in the second round to secure the victory.

The result was a triumph for Putin, who put his international prestige on the line by coming to Guatemala tolobby IOC members and lead Sochi's final formal presentation to the assembly. Putin had left by the time theresult was announced.

IOC president Jacques Rogge opened a sealed envelope and read the words the Russians longed to hear:

"The International Olympic Committee has the honour of announcing the 22nd Olympic Winter Games in2014 are awarded to the city of Sochi."

Russian delegates in the hall erupted in cheers, jumped to their feet and hugged each other. They unfurled aRussian flag and chanted, "Sochi! Sochi!" Korean delegates bowed their heads, some in tears.

"It was a historic decision for all countries," Sochi bid chief Dmitry Chernychenko said. "Russia will becomeeven more open, more democratic."

Russia, an Olympic power which has won 293 Winter Games medals, has never hosted the Winter Games.That was a strong point in Sochi's favour with the IOC, which likes to spread the Olympics to new hostcountries. Moscow hosted the 1980 Summer Games, which were hit by the U.S.−led boycott following theSoviet invasion of Afghanistan.

The Sochi bid won out over the appeals of its rivals − Salzburg, presenting itself as a safe, no−risk wintersports mecca at the heart of Europe with world−class venues already in place; and Pyeongchang, offering thepotential for peace and reconciliation on the divided Korean peninsula and promoting winter sports in Asia.

Ninety−seven IOC members were eligible to vote in the first round, with 95 casting valid ballots. Membersfrom bidding countries are ineligible to vote as long as their cities remain in contention. With Salzburg out,100 delegates were eligible in the second round, with 98 casting valid votes.

Sochi wins Winter Games 18

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Putin's government has pledged US$12 billion to develop Sochi into a world−class winter sports complexlinking the palm−lined Black Sea coast − the so−called "Russian Riviera" − to the soaring Caucasusmountains nearby.

It was the second straight first−round defeat for Salzburg, which also mounted a failed bid for the 2010Winter Games, which went to Vancouver, B.C.

Sochi wins Winter Games 19

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Vehicle designed to withstand blast

PUBLICATION: Kingston Whig−Standard (ON)

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: National/World

PAGE: B1

BYLINE: Merita Ilo The Canadian Press

PHOTO: The Canadian Press

ILLUSTRATION:A Canadian RG−31 armoured vehicle is shown at KandaharAirField, Afghanistan. It isconsidered to be one of the military's strongest in protecting against the deadly scourge ofroadside bombs.

WORD COUNT: 290

An armoured vehicle designed to withstand two simultaneous blasts from anti−tank mines failed to save thelives of six Canadian soldiers killed yesterday when their RG−31 Nyala patrol vehicle hit a roadside bomb insouthern Afghanistan.

An Afghan interpreter was also killed.

Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan have long regarded the four−wheeled armoured truck as the ultimateprotection against such attacks.

Over the last 18 months, Canada has purchased 75 RG−31s at a cost of about $91 million.

The sturdy vehicle, built by a South African subsidiary for the British defence giant BAE Systems Inc., cancarry up to 10 passengers and a driver.

The RG−31 has become widely used by the United Nations and the U.S. army. Canada received its first fleetin March 2006.

But some experts have questioned whether the vehicle could stand up to roadside or car bombs, as improvisedexplosive devices in Afghanistan appear to have become more powerful.

Until the latest attack, troops riding in the vehicle had often survived roadside blasts with minor or no injuries.

Four Canadian soldiers credited the Nyala RG−31 with saving their lives in a suicide attack last September.The vehicle was damaged, but the soldiers inside it were unscathed.

Some, however, have not been so lucky.

Trooper Mark Wilson of the Royal Canadian Dragoons was killed last October as he rode on a Nyala truckthat hit a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan.

The force of the explosion penetrated the vehicle's thick armour and a shield designed to deflect blasts, killingWilson who was riding in the gunner's seat. The other soldiers inside the vehicle survived.

The RG−31 became a battlefield necessity as it became clear to the army in late 2005 that it would need abetter protected patrol vehicle than the lightly armoured Mercedes G−Wagon it was using.

However, the Nyalas have seen their share of wear and tear.

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Army records show that at the height of fierce fighting in Afghanistan last summer, more than a quarter of theRG−31 fleet were in the shop with maintenance problems. The vehicles had a series of electrical and softwareglitches, many relating to the roof−mounted remote−controlled machine−gun.

Vehicle designed to withstand blast 21

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'An absolute tragedy'; Powerful roadside bombstrikes armoured vehicle in southern Afghanistan

PUBLICATION: Kingston Whig−Standard (ON)

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: National/World

PAGE: B1

BYLINE: Stephanie Levitz The Canadian Press

DATELINE: KANDAHAR, Afghanistan

ILLUSTRATION: Cpl. Cole bartsch; Master Cpl. colin bason; capt. matthewdawe; pte. lane watkins

WORD COUNT: 520

A powerful roadside bomb killed six Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter yesterday, overwhelmingthe sturdy armour of a vehicle designed to withstand mine blasts as it was moving along a gravel road insouthern Afghanistan.

The RG−31 Nyala patrol vehicle is considered one of the military's strongest in protecting against the deadlyscourge of roadside bombs, but it failed to save the lives of the seven people inside its armoured body.

Brig.−Gen. Tim Grant, the top Canadian commander in Afghanistan, said it's not clear why this particularbomb managed to defeat the Nyala's defences.

An investigation is underway, and until it's completed it won't be known whether the vehicle's use should bequestioned, he said.

Yesterday's blast was the deadliest for Canadians since Easter Sunday, April 8, when another roadside bombkilled six Canadian soldiers in what was then the worst single−day toll for the Canadian Forces inAfghanistan. Those six were inside a LAV−3, another light armoured vehicle.

Altogether, 66 Canadian soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan since 2002, along with one diplomat.

John Thompson, president of the Mackenzie Institute in Toronto, said NATO forces are locked in a viciousgame of one−upmanship with insurgents.

As Canadian forces use tougher vehicles built to withstand bigger blasts, insurgents will in turn develop morepowerful and sophisticated weapons, said Thompson, head of the securityissues think−tank.

The six soldiers were returning to a forward operating base after a joint mission with Afghan security forcesaround 11 a.m. local time when their vehicle struck the improvised explosive device, Grant said.

The vehicle was on a well−travelled route, used by army and locals alike, in an area of Kandahar provinceconsidered among the safer zones.

The Nyala is a South African−built armoured patrol vehicle the army uses widely in Afghanistan. Its massivewheels and undercarriage are far higher above the dusty ground than the LAV−3, another light armouredvehicle that's also supposed to provide protection against explosives.

The identities of four of the dead were released late yesterday afternoon: Cpl. Cole Bartsch, Capt. MatthewJohnathan Dawe and Pte. Lane Watkins, all of 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based

'An absolute tragedy'; Powerful roadside bomb strikes armoured vehicle in southern Afghanistan 22

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in Edmonton; and Master Cpl. Colin Bason, a reservist from The Royal Westminster Regiment based in NewWestminster, B.C.

The family of the other two killed have not yet agreed to the release of their names.

The soldiers had been on a cordon−and−search operation, following intelligence that Taliban militants were inthe area. They had been passing through the village of Salavat, 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city,when the bomb went off.

It's not the first time a Canadian soldier has been killed while riding in a Nyala.

In October, Trooper Mark Andrew Wilson died from injuries sustained when his Nyala was hit by animprovised explosive device − or IED − in the same district.

Though the military has said the rising use of roadside bombs is a sign of a desperate insurgency, their deadlyblasts have claimed more lives during the current rotation of Canadian troops than any other weapons − 19 ofthe 22 soldiers killed so far.

"Clearly they have managed to kill six great young Canadians today which is an absolute tragedy, but theother parts of this is that they are killing lots of Afghans," Grant said.

"These are not the tactics of anything other than terrorists."

Grant pointed out while deadly IED explosions are widely reported, there are many that are discovered andneutralized by the military before causing any harm.

'An absolute tragedy'; Powerful roadside bomb strikes armoured vehicle in southern Afghanistan 23

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Canadian death toll

PUBLICATION: Kingston Whig−Standard (ON)

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: National/World

PAGE: B1

WORD COUNT: 323

Since 2002, 66 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have been killed in Afghanistan. Here is a list of thedeaths:

2007

July 4 − Six soldiers killed by a road side bomb.

June 20 − Sgt. Christos Karigiannis, Cpl. Stephen Frederick Bouzane and Pte. Joel Vincent Wiebe, all of 3rdBattalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry killed by a roadside bomb west of Kandahar.

June 11 −Trooper Darryl Caswell, 25, by a roadside bomb.

May 30 − Master Cpl. Darrell Jason Priede, killed when a U.S. helicopter was reportedly shot down.

May 25 − Cpl. Matthew McCully, 25, killed by an improvised explosive device (IED).

April 18 − Master Cpl. Anthony Klumpenhouwer died after falling from a communications tower.

April 11 − Master Cpl. Allan Stewart and Trooper Patrick James Pentland killed when their vehicle hit anIED.

April 8 − Sgt. Donald Lucas, Cpl. Aaron E. Williams, Pte. Kevin V. Kennedy, Pte. David R. Greenslade, Cpl.Christopher P. Stannix and Cpl. Brent Poland killed when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb.

March 6 − Cpl. Kevin Megeney, 25, killed in accidental shooting at NATO base in Kandahar.

2006

Nov. 27 − Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Girouard and Cpl. Albert Storm killed by suicide car bomber.

Oct. 14 − Sgt. Darcy Tedford and Pte. Blake Williamson killed in ambush.

Oct. 7 −Trooper Mark Andrew Wilson killed by roadside bomb.

Oct. 3 − Sgt. Craig Gillam and Cpl. Robert Mitchell killed in series of mortar, rocket attacks.

Sept. 29 − Pte. Josh Klukie killed by explosion in Panjwaii.

Sept. 18 − Pte. David Byers, Cpl. Shane Keating, Cpl. Keith Morley and Cpl. Glen Arnold killed in suicidebicycle bomb attack.

Sept. 4 − Pte. Mark Graham killed when two NATO planes accidentally strafed Canadian troops.

Canadian death toll 24

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Sept. 3 − Sgt. Shane Stachnik, Warrant Officer Frank Robert Mellish, Pte. William Cushley and WarrantOfficer Richard Francis Nolan killed in fighting.

Aug. 22 − Cpl. David Braun killed in suicide attack.

Aug. 11 − Cpl. Andrew Eykelenboom killed in suicide attack.

Aug. 9 − Master Cpl. Jeffrey Walsh killed by apparent accidental discharge of rifle.

Aug. 5 − Master Cpl. Raymond Arndt killed when his G−Wagon patrol vehicle collided with truck.

Aug. 3 − Cpl. Christopher Reid killed by roadside bomb. Sgt. Vaughan Ingram, Cpl. Bryce Keller and Pte.Kevin Dallaire killed in rocket−propelled grenade attack.

July 22 − Cpl. Francisco Gomez and Cpl. Jason Warren killed when car packed with explosives rammed theirarmoured vehicle.

July 9 − Cpl. Anthony Boneca killed in firefight.

May 17 − Capt. Nichola Goddard killed in Taliban ambush.

April 22 − Cpl. Matthew Dinning, Bombardier Myles Mansell, Lt. William Turner and Cpl. Randy Paynekilled by roadside bomb.

March 29 − Pte. Robert Costall killed in firefight with Taliban.

March 2 − Cpl. Paul Davis and Master Cpl. Timothy Wilson killed when their vehicle ran off road.

Jan. 15 − Glyn Berry, Canadian diplomat, killed in suicide bombing. 2005

Nov. 24 − Pte. Braun Woodfield killed when his vehicle rolled over. 2004

Jan. 27 − Cpl. Jamie Murphy killed in suicide bombing while on patrol.

2003

Oct. 2 − Sgt. Robert Short and Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger killed in roadside bombing.

2002

April 17 − Sgt. Marc Leger, Cpl. Ainsworth Dyer, Pte. Richard Green and Pte. Nathan Smith killed when U.S.F−16 fighter mistakenly bombed Canadians.

Canadian death toll 25

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Kingston mourns a lost son; Matthew Dawe a 'leaderamong leaders'

PUBLICATION: Kingston Whig−Standard (ON)

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: Front

PAGE: 1

BYLINE: Christina Spencer and Steve Serviss

PHOTO: The Canadian Press The Canadian Press

ILLUSTRATION:

Kingston's Captain Matthew Johnathan Dawe, 3rd Battalion,Princess Patricia's CanadianLight Infantry, was killed yesterday along with five other Canadian Forces members andone Afghan interpreter, by a roadside bomb.; Then−Lt. Matthew Dawe reaches out for hisson Lucas during a briefing at CFB Edmonton in February 2007.

WORD COUNT: 971

In his first year at the Royal Military College, Matthew Dawe struggled with his coursework. By the time hefinished fourth year, however, he was the Cadet Wing Senior, the leader among his peers. He was also anaward−winning athlete and the recipient of academic honours in civil engineering.

And when he returned from Afghanistan in mid−August, the youngest son in one of Kingston's foremostmilitary families intended to pursue graduate work.

Instead, Capt. Matthew Johnathan Dawe was one of six Canadian soldiers killed by a roadside explosion insouthern Afghanistan yesterday.

The six and an Afghan interpreter died after a bomb went off near their armoured vehicle as they patrolled ona gravel road 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City.

Dawe, 27, was the commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, basedout of Edmonton.

Dawe came from a close−knit local military family. His father, retired lieutenant colonel Peter Dawe, andmother Reine, are well−known in the Kingston area for their public service. Matthew, the youngest of fourbrothers who have all been in the military, is survived by his wife, Tara, and two−year−old son, Lucas. Twoof Matthew's brothers, Peter and Philip, served in Afghanistan at the same time and James was also a memberof the military.

Friends of the Dawe family were stunned by the news yesterday.

Matthew "was considered a leader among leaders ... a top of the heap guy," said Bill Oliver, a former RMCstaff officer who has worked closely with Dawe's father, Peter, in the latter's capacity as executive director ofthe RMC Club of Canada.

Oliver said the sad news was broken to Peter Dawe Sr. at the club yesterday by Col. Spike Hazleton, the basecommander of CFB Kingston. "It was done in a very sensitive, dignified way." Oliver said two of MatthewDawe's brothers were present at the time.

All of the Dawe sons, said Oliver, are "bright young guys."

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Reached at his home last night, RMC Principal Dr. John Scott Cowan recalled Matthew Dawe as a youngcadet with a "tremendous natural sense of humour." Cowan served as the cadet's academic adviser and lentsupport during his early period at the college. He said he enjoyed the young man's company and determinationto improve himself.

The Dawe family is "obviously very close and very proud of each other," said longtime former neighbourLinda Ann Daly. At Christmas each year, the Dawe family was known for its regular street hockey game.They are "real buddies with each other," said her husband, Walter Fenlon. "I really find it hard to say howsorry we are."

CFB Kingston spokesman Capt. Dan Madryga said members of the Dawe family were arriving from outsidethe region and will meet up today. "Kingston will be the centre for the family gathering," said Madryga.Madryga said CFB Kingston may appoint a representative to speak on behalf of the family or provide supportbased on the family's direction.

The death of Matthew Dawe comes only two weeks after three members of his unit were also killed by aroadside bomb as they were travelling between checkpoints. Pte. Joel Wiebe, Sgt. Christos Karigiannis andCpl. Stephen Bouzane were in a gater, an unarmoured all−terrain vehicle, when it was blasted by a roadsidebomb.

That event had shaken Dawe, who looked to his father, Peter Sr., for moral support and advice in the wake ofthe tragedy.

It seemed clear that Matthew Dawe would have a career in the military. Like his three older brothers, he wasinfluenced by their father to serve in the Armed Forces.

In 1998, as an 18−year−old member of the Princess of Wales' Own Regiment and student at La SalleSecondary School, Dawe commented to the Whig on his experiences as a reservist during training exercisesnear Picton.

"It's incredible," Dawe said. "I love this stuff."

The family has close military and community links with Kingston.

Peter Dawe Sr., for example, is a member of the Kingston Symphony board of directors. He has continued tokeep close ties with the military, serving as the executive director of the RMC Club of Canada, the body thatoversees alumni affairs. He also taught at RMC from 1976−80.

In a 2002 interview with the Whig, Peter Dawe Sr. said his time at the college influenced his sons when itcame time to choose a post−secondary career path.

"When I used to teach here, the boys all played on the grounds," he said. "They hung out on the grounds andknew what life was like. It was part of their culture."

Matthew Dawe would eventually make his mark at the college as one of the top in his class. Although he hadrepeated his first year, in 2004 Dawe was awarded the H.R.H. Prince of Wales Cup, one of RMC's top athleticawards. He also served as a Cadet Wing Senior, the highest position available to officer−cadets at the college.

The Dawe family made a big impression on Kingston, and in Afghanistan, by spearheading a humanitarianeffort in April 2002.

Matthew Dawe's brothers, Maj. Peter S. Dawe and Capt. J. Philip Dawe, were at the time stationed in

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Afghanistan with the 3rd Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. They identified that thepeople in the region, especially children, could use items such as shoes, clothes, school supplies and medicalsupplies.

The effort was led locally by the senior Peter and his wife, Reine, and publicized in the Whig−Standard. Intwo months, the soldiers helped distributed locally donated items such as 10,000 Band−Aids, children's toysand school supplies.

The Dawe parents were proud of Peter and Philip, who made the best of harsh conditions. At the same time,they were constantly reminded of the dangers all the sons faced.

[Peter Sr.] "is a very strong individual. They were brought up through the army system," said Fenlon. "Theyknow more than anybody what the real dangers are."

Added Daly, "It's just a tragedy − what befalls people who do their civic duty."

Dr. Jim Wilson, president of the Kingston Symphony Association, said last night "The news is a shock. Peterhas been a big friend of the symphony. He's very active and very supportive of the whole community − notjust the symphony. All his friends in the symphony family extend their sincerest condolences."

Jack Pike, curator of the RMC Museum, has known Peter Dawe mostly through Dawe's role at the RMC Club.

"It's a dreadful business. What is there to say under these conditions? When you have a [personal] link, it putssuch a different context on it."

− with files from Ann Lukits

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Prime minister's tour presents PR challenges

PUBLICATION: The Telegram (St. John's)

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: National/World

PAGE: A7

SOURCE: The Canadian Press

BYLINE: Alison Auld and James Keller

DATELINE: Halifax

ILLUSTRATION: Rodney MacDonald

WORD COUNT: 579

Prime Minister Stephen Harper had scheduled a series of good−news trips to shore up slipping politicalsupport in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, but the visits today will likely be overshadowed by the deaths ofsix soldiers in Afghanistan and lingering resentment over the federal budget.

Harper, stung by ongoing disputes with two provinces over revenue from non−renewable resources, was off toa rough start even before arriving in Halifax, a military town with its share of young men and women servingoverseas.

Harper's swing through Atlantic Canada does not include a stop in Newfoundland, where Premier DannyWilliams has struck a harder line than Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald and Saskatchewan PremierLorne Calvert, launching a concerted effort to have Conservative MPs defeated in the next federal election.

On Wednesday, MacDonald appeared miffed by Harper's visit, saying he knew nothing about it less than 24hours before it was slated to begin.

"If it's good news for my province, I'd be very disappointed not to know what that news is," a bewilderedMacDonald told reporters in Bridgewater, N.S., during an announcement at a tire plant.

The Prime Minister's Office later confirmed Harper will make an announcement at Halifax's sprawling navaldockyard, where he will be joined by Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor and Foreign Affairs Minister PeterMacKay, Nova Scotia's representative in the federal cabinet.

No details were released from Ottawa, but a statement from navy officials in Halifax indicated Harper willannounce details of a plan to modernize Canada's 12 Halifax−class frigates.

The good news for the military will be largely muted by fact the Canadian Forces is once again mourning theloss of comrades in Afghanistan.

Early Wednesday, a powerful roadside bomb killed six Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter, rippingthrough their armoured vehicle on a gravel road in southern Afghanistan as they were returning to a forwardoperating base.

Meanwhile, Harper's itinerary today also includes visits to two small towns in Saskatchewan, where he willsurround himself with members of his caucus in a bid to revive Tory fortunes in a province where the party'spopularity is also skidding.

Calvert has rallied his province against the federal Tories, promising to take legal action to challenge the

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fairness of the most recent federal budget.

Calvert has said the budget imposes an arbitrary cap on the province's equalization payments, which meansthe province's oil and gas revenues will be effectively clawed back.

In Iqaluit for the Western premiers conference, Calvert said he didn't know anything about Harper's visit untilhe read it in the newspaper.

"It's an odd way to do business," he said.

In Nova Scotia, the confusion over the announcement in Halifax arose a few weeks after Harper andMacDonald engaged in a public feud over offshore resources and the distribution of transfer payments tohave−not provinces like Nova Scotia.

MacDonald and Williams have accused Harper of breaking a promise not to claw back revenue from theprovinces' offshore energy sectors when calculating payments under a revamped federal equalization formula.

The premiers argue that under a new equalization system introduced in the March 19 federal budget, Ottawa isalso forcing Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to accept a cap on their offshore revenues, based on the fiscalcapacity of Ontario.

The provinces say the budget effectively negates the updated Atlantic accords − federal−provincialagreements signed with Ottawa in 2005 that were meant to protect the two provinces from equalizationclawbacks.

Harper and federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty have dismissed the assertions, saying the two provinces canstick with the old equalization formula if they don't like the new one.

But Ottawa's position doesn't sit well with Atlantic Canadians, according to a recent poll that indicated votersin the region were particularly disappointed with Harper's handling of the matter.

Prime minister's tour presents PR challenges 30

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Six Canadians, one Afghan killed in attack; Armouredvehicle hit by roadside bomb

PUBLICATION: The Telegram (St. John's)

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: National/World

PAGE: A7

SOURCE: The Canadian Press

BYLINE: Stephanie Levitz

DATELINE: Kandahar, Afghanistan

ILLUSTRATION:Brig−Gen. Tim Grant, the commander of the Canadiancontingent in Afghanistan, relaysthe news that six Canadian soldiers were killed in the Panjwai district of KandaharWednesday. − Photo by The Canadian Press

WORD COUNT: 737

A powerful roadside bomb killed six Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter Wednesday, overwhelmingthe sturdy armour of a vehicle designed to withstand mine blasts as it was moving along a gravel road insouthern Afghanistan.

The RG−31 Nyala patrol vehicle is considered one of the military's strongest in protecting against the deadlyscourge of roadside bombs, but it failed to save the lives of the seven people inside its armoured body.

Brig.−Gen. Tim Grant, the top Canadian commander in Afghanistan, said it's not clear why this particularbomb managed to defeat the Nyala's defences.

An investigation is underway and until it's completed it won't be known whether the vehicle's use should bequestioned, he said.

Wednesday's blast was the deadliest for Canadians since Easter Sunday, April 8, when another roadside bombkilled six Canadian soldiers in what was then the worst single−day toll for the Canadian Forces inAfghanistan. Those six were inside a LAV−3, another light armoured vehicle.

The identities of four of the dead were released late Wednesday afternoon: Cpl. Cole Bartsch, of Whitecourt,Alta.; Capt. Matthew Johnathan Dawe and Pte. Lane Watkins, from Clearwater, Man., all of 3rd BattalionPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton and Master Cpl. Colin Bason, a reservist fromThe Royal Westminster Regiment based in New Westminster, B.C.

The next of kin of the other two killed have not yet agreed to the release of their names.

Dawe, 27, was identified by the Kingston Whig−Standard newspaper as the commanding officer of the 3rdBattalion's C company.

Dawe, midway through a tour of Afghanistan, was in charge of Pte. Joel Wiebe, Sgt. Christos Karigiannis andCpl. Stephen Bouzane, a native of Newfoundland, when their unarmoured Gator vehicle was blasted by aroadside bomb June 20, the Whig−Standard reported. All three were killed.

Dawe's father, Peter, a Kingston resident, is a retired Canadian Forces lieutenant−colonel and two of Dawe'sbothers have also served in Afghanistan.

Six Canadians, one Afghan killed in attack; Armoured vehicle hit by roadside bomb 31

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A statement by 39 Canadian Brigade Group, to which Bason's Royal Westminister Regiment belonged, said,"Cpl. Bason was a seven−year member of the 'Westies,' joining in April 2000."

"Cpl. Bason died doing what he wanted to do. Our heart−felt sympathies are with the Bason family and thefamilies of the other five soldiers killed with Cpl. Bason."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement in Ottawa saying, "It is with deep sorrow that I havelearned of today's tragic event in Afghanistan that took the lives of six Canadian soldiers."

"On behalf of all Canadians, my most sincere condolences go out to the family, friends and colleagues... Theyare all in our thoughts and prayers"

Altogether, 66 Canadian soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan since 2002, along with one diplomat.

The six soldiers were returning to a forward operating base after a joint mission with Afghan security forceswhen their vehicle struck the improvised explosive device, Grant said.

The vehicle was on a well−travelled route in an area of Kandahar province considered among the safer zones.

The troops had been on a cordon−and−search operation, following intelligence that Taliban militants were inthe area. They had been passing through the village of Salavat, 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City,when the bomb went off.

It's not the first time a Canadian soldier has been killed while riding in a Nyala.

In October, Trooper Mark Andrew Wilson died from injuries sustained when his Nyala was hit by animprovised explosive device − or IED − in the same district.

Though the military has said the rising use of roadside bombs is a sign of a desperate insurgency, their deadlyblasts have claimed more lives during the current rotation of Canadian troops than any other weapons − 19 ofthe 22 soldiers killed so far.

"Clearly, they have managed to kill six great young Canadians today which is an absolute tragedy, but theother parts of this is that they are killing lots of Afghans," Grant said.

"These are not the tactics of anything other than terrorists."

Grant pointed out while deadly IED explosions are widely reported, there are many that are discovered andneutralized by the military before causing any harm.

"We're not perfect and we do miss some, as we have seen today, but the battle against the Taliban and thebattle against their choice of weapons, IED, is successful," Grant insisted.

"And more often than not, we do find them and we do disarm them."

Though IED strikes seem to have become one of the Taliban's preferred tactics in Kandahar province, theyhave not been used with the same regularity in other areas.

In neighbouring Helmand province, British forces regularly engage in firefights with insurgents and say theyhaven't seen the same use of the explosives as their Canadian counterparts.

Lt.−Col. Jean Trudel, chief of staff for the National Command Element of Joint Task Force Afghanistan, said

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the growing use of IEDs represents a loss of control by Taliban in Afghanistan. "They are incapable ofsuccess. They are incapable of winning," Trudel said in French.

"For every successful attack by insurgents with these devices, there are dozens of successful missions againstthe Taliban using conventional tactics and we find and detonate these explosives."

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Another deadly day for Canadian troops

IDNUMBER 200707050049

PUBLICATION: The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton)

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: News

PAGE: A7

BYLINE: The Canadian Press

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton)

WORD COUNT: 584

A powerful roadside bomb killed six Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter Wednesday, overwhelmingthe sturdy armour of a vehicle designed to withstand mine blasts as it was moving along a gravel road insouthern Afghanistan.

The RG−31 Nyala patrol vehicle is considered one of the military's strongest in protecting against the deadlyscourge of roadside bombs, but it failed to save the lives of the seven people inside its armoured body.

Brig.−Gen. Tim Grant, the top Canadian commander in Afghanistan, said it's not clear why this particularbomb managed to defeat the Nyala's defences.

An investigation is underway, and until it's completed it won't be known whether the vehicle's use should bequestioned, he said.

Wednesday's blast was the deadliest for Canadians since Easter Sunday, April 8, when another roadside bombkilled six Canadian soldiers in what was then the worst single−day toll for the Canadian Forces inAfghanistan. Those six were inside a LAV−3, another light armoured vehicle.

Altogether, 66 Canadian soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan since 2002, along with one diplomat.

John Thompson, president of the Mackenzie Institute in Toronto, said NATO forces are locked in a viciousgame of one−upmanship with insurgents.

As Canadian forces use tougher vehicles built to withstand bigger blasts, insurgents will in turn develop morepowerful and sophisticated weapons, said Thompson, head of the security−issues think tank.

The six soldiers were returning to a forward operating base after a joint mission with Afghan security forcesaround 11 a.m. local time when their vehicle struck the improvised explosive device, Grant said.

The vehicle was on a well−travelled route, used by army and locals alike, in an area of Kandahar provinceconsidered among the safer zones.

The Nyala is a South African−built armoured patrol vehicle the army uses widely in Afghanistan. Its massivewheels and undercarriage are far higher above the dusty ground than the LAV−3, another light armouredvehicle that's also supposed to provide protection against explosives.

The identities of four of the dead were released late Wednesday afternoon: Cpl. Cole Bartsch, Capt. MatthewJohnathan Dawe and Pte. Lane Watkins, all of 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry basedin Edmonton; and Master Cpl. Colin Bason, a reservist from The Royal Westminster Regiment based in NewWestminster, B.C.

Another deadly day for Canadian troops 34

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The family of the other two killed have not yet agreed to the release of their names.

A friend who requested anonymity read a statement by Bason's family at their home in Abbotsford B.C.

"The family's very proud of Colin and he died doing what he loved to do. The family wishes to be left alone togrieve in private."

A statement by 39 Canadian Brigade Group, to which Bason's Royal Westminister Regiment belonged, said:"Cpl. Bason was a seven−year member of the 'Westies,' joining in April 2000."

"During his career, Cpl. Bason attained the appointment of master corporal and relinquished his appointmentin order to participate in the (Afghan) tour.

"Cpl. Bason, as do all reserve soldiers, volunteered to go over to Afghanistan to help the Afghan people intheir ongoing effort to establish a society founded on freedom, democracy and universally accepted humanrights."

"Cpl. Bason died doing what he wanted to do. Our heart−felt sympathies are with the Bason family and thefamilies of the other five soldiers killed with Cpl. Bason."

The soldiers had been on a cordon−and−search operation, following intelligence that Taliban militants were inthe area. They had been passing through the village of Salavat, 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city,when the bomb went off.

It's not the first time a Canadian soldier has been killed while riding in a Nyala.

In October, Trooper Mark Andrew Wilson died from injuries sustained when his Nyala was hit by animprovised explosive device −− or IED −− in the same district.

Though the military has said the rising use of roadside bombs is a sign of a desperate insurgency, their deadlyblasts have claimed more lives

during the current rotation of Canadian troops than any other weapons −− 19 of the 22 soldiers killed so far.

Another deadly day for Canadian troops 35

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Harper visits N.S. today in effort to mend fences overequalization spat

IDNUMBER 200707050048

PUBLICATION: The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton)

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: News;News

PAGE: A4

BYLINE: The Canadian Press

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton)

WORD COUNT: 517

Prime Minister Stephen Harper had scheduled a series of good−news trips to shore up slipping politicalsupport in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan.

But the visits Thursday will likely be overshadowed by the deaths of six soldiers in Afghanistan and lingeringresentment over the federal budget.

Harper, stung by ongoing disputes with the two provinces over revenue from non−renewable resources, wasoff to a rough start even before arriving in Halifax, a military town with its share of young men and womenserving overseas.

On Wednesday, Nova Scotia Premier MacDonald appeared miffed by Harper's visit, saying he knew nothingabout it less than 24 hours before it was slated to begin.

"If it's good news for my province, I'd be very disappointed not to know what that news is," a bewilderedMacDonald told reporters in Bridgewater, N.S., during an announcement at a tire plant.

The Prime Minister's Office later confirmed that Harper will make an announcement at Halifax's sprawlingnaval dockyard, where he will be joined by Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor and Foreign Affairs MinisterPeter MacKay, Nova Scotia's representative in the federal cabinet.

No details were released from Ottawa, but a statement from navy officials in Halifax indicated Harper willannounce details of a plan to modernize Canada's 12 Halifax−class frigates.

The good news for the military will be largely muted by the fact the Canadian Forces is once again mourningthe loss of comrades in Afghanistan.

Harper's itinerary Thursday also includes visits to two small towns in Saskatchewan, where he will surroundhimself with members of his caucus in a bid to revive Tory fortunes in a province where the party's popularityis also skidding.

Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert has rallied his province against the federal Tories, promising to takelegal action to challenge the fairness of the most recent federal budget.

Calvert has said the budget imposes an arbitrary cap on the province's equalization payments, which meansthe province's oil and gas revenues will be effectively clawed back.

Harper visits N.S. today in effort to mend fences over equalization spat 36

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In Nova Scotia, the confusion over the announcement in Halifax arose a few weeks after Harper andMacDonald engaged in a public feud over offshore resources and the distribution of transfer payments tohave−not provinces like Nova Scotia.

MacDonald and Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams have accused Harper of breaking a promise not toclaw back revenue from the provinces' offshore energy sectors when calculating payments under a revampedfederal equalization formula.

The premiers argue that under a new equalization system introduced in the March 19 federal budget, Ottawa isalso forcing Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to accept a cap on their offshore revenues, based on the fiscalcapacity of Ontario.

The provinces say the budget effectively negates the updated Atlantic accords −− federal−provincialagreements signed with Ottawa in 2005 that were meant to protect the two provinces from equalizationclawbacks.

Harper and federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty have dismissed the assertions, saying the two provinces canstick with the old equalization formula if they don't like the new one.

But Ottawa's position doesn't sit well with Atlantic Canadians, according to a recent poll that indicated votersin the region were particularly disappointed with Harper's handling of the matter.

The survey of 1,000 people by Decima Research showed that 69 per cent of those surveyed in the region sidedwith the premiers of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, with only six per cent saying they feltcloser to Harper's position.

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'Bring back our troops'

IDNUMBER 200707050035

PUBLICATION: The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton)

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: News;News

PAGE: A1

BYLINE: MICHAEL STAPLES [email protected]

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton)

WORD COUNT: 476

The deaths of more Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan has led to a call from the spouse of a deceasedFredericton soldier to bring the troops home.

Mary Ann Peace, whose husband Michael Peace died in October 2000 of a brain tumour after years ofpeacekeeping service in the Balkans, believes the time is right for the soldiers to return to Canada.

"I think Canadian troops and families have had enough; it is time to pull the troops out of Afghanistan," Peacesaid.

"There is so much going on with the families now and, to hear about a loss or losses, just brings back(memories of) the day the family was delivered the news of their loved one.

"Soldiers have been peacekeepers (in the past) and that role should be brought back. As peacekeepers, therewere deaths and injury but not like Afghanistan."

Six Canadian soldiers and one Afghan interpreter were killed Wednesday morning when their Nyala armouredvehicle struck a roadside bomb near Kandahar City.

Three of the fallen soldiers were from the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based inEdmonton, Alta. Another was a reservist from the Royal Westminster Regiment in New Westminster, B.C.

The names of the other two victims are being withheld at the request of the grieving families.

In a news release, the military said the troops were returning from joint operations with the Afghan NationalArmy. The attack occurred as the patrol made its way to a nearby operating base.

While expressing regret over the deaths of its soldiers, the military defended its role in Afghanistan.

The military said it wouldn't be deterred by the efforts of those who would deny the Afghan people a brighterfuture.

"The members of Joint Task Force Afghanistan are deeply saddened by the loss of these brave individuals asthey worked side by side with their Afghan counterparts to bring security and stability to southernAfghanistan," said a news release.

The deaths match the previous single−day high of six that occurred Easter Sunday when another roadsidebomb ripped through a Canadian armoured vehicle.

A total of 66 Canadian soldiers, along with one diplomat, have died in Afghanistan since 2002.

'Bring back our troops' 38

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Canada has 2,500 troops in Afghanistan −− with 1,150 falling under control of The Second Battalion, TheRoyal Canadian Regiment (2RCR) battle group from Canadian Forces Base Gagetown.

"I am saddened by the loss of six soldiers," Peace said. "Again, my heart goes out to the families and friends.Support our troops and bring them home."

Canada is committed to sending troops to the NATO operation for the next two years.

"A war is a conflict between two nations and peacekeeping comes at the end of a war for rebuilding, notduring a war," said Peace, whose husband was a member of 2RCR.

"The government wants both −− fight a war and perform peacekeeping duties. Someone needs to rethink theAfghanistan mission. This war has been going on for years and it will be years before it ends."

Peace said the conflict is not like the war in Yugoslavia in the early 1990s.

Although there was always a chance things could go wrong, it really wasn't a big worry, she said.

"We could go to bed at night and sleep comfortably. I don't believe that anyone who has someone inAfghanistan is comfortable, as there probably isn't a day that goes by that after a lengthy period of no news,then the big news hits of six soldiers dying.

"Those who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder and children of those who have suffered frompsychological trauma of a death will relive this trauma."

'Bring back our troops' 39

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Letters | Changes to NB ambulance service slow incoming

IDNUMBER 200707050019

PUBLICATION: The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton)

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: Opinion

PAGE: C7

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton)

WORD COUNT: 980

The New Brunswick government is planning to amalgamate all ambulance services in the province by the endof the year, as everyone is probably aware by now.

Government officials realize there will be a severe shortage of paramedics and are trying to encourage peopleto enrol in a Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) course for some $11,000.

What they're not telling new recruits is their plan for ambulance drivers already are in the system. Ambulancedrivers are just that; they drive the ambulance and provide no treatment for patients whereas trainedparamedics actually treat the patients.

Therefore, we are not all ambulance drivers. Not all ambulance services in New Brunswick hire drivers, butthere are a few. I asked the transition team to what will happen with the drivers when the change overhappens. They said that they will remain in the system but will have to upgrade to PCP eventually.

The transition team could not answer the question of who will pay for the upgrade.

I think anybody considering becoming a paramedic would be wise to apply to an ambulance service as adriver. All you need are first aid and CPR certificate and a Class 4 driver's license.

Then sit back and wait for the change in services and the government gravy train to pay your way. Thegovernment is realizing this change is going to cost tens of millions of dollars.

The employees at one service slated for takeover by the end of July have already been told not to expect anymajor changes for at least two years.

As a paramedic, I have a lot more questions than answers. Apparently the government is flying by the seat ofits pants, and after millions are shelled out by the end of the year, I suspect the only difference anyone will seeis that our trucks will be a little uglier and our uniforms will match.

Mark Melanson

Blacks Harbour

Must keep well clean, safe

I would like to thank all those who attended the June 27 meeting concerning the spring well at 321 offHighway 10.

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The Department of Natural Resourse's main objective is to ensure the site is safe and clean. This can be doneby not leaving garbage at the site. None of us would want someone littering our front yards with garbage andso it is with 321.

It is not to be used as a bathroom, neither by humans nor pets. Keep pets in your car; do not let them roanabout. Signs must be left in place. The site must be kept safe and clean.

These meetings would not be successful without the concern and support of everyone who came and alsothose who couldn't attend but phoned to show support. A special thank you to Brian Kilpatrick, Dean Toole,and Garrett Davies from natural resourses for sharing with us the history of Acadia Forest. The presentationwas very imformative and interesting.

So the future of 321 looks promising. It will not be closed or capped as long as users keep up the standards.

Carolyn Mazerolle

Minto, N.B.

Writer's comparison of foreign invasions insulting to readers

I am writing in response to the letter by R.H. Young in the June 29 Daily Gleaner.

While the author has every right to disagree and to protest Canada's foreign policy with regard to Kosovo,Haiti and Afghanistan, your readers deserve a reasonable discourse.

Young's statement protesting "the Canadian policy of invading other countries as Nazi Germany did in the'30s" is odious by any standard. Canada does not have a policy of invading other countries. ComparingCanada to Nazi Germany is inappropriate and insulting.

Young should continue to participate in the debate concerning Canada's foreign policy but in an appropriateand civil manner using reasoned argument.

R.E. Acreman

Fredericton

Home and school offers training in parenting the 'Internet' age

I am writing in regards to your article Internet 101 in Tuesday's Daily Gleaner.

In that article, District 17 superintendent Marilyn Ball, is quoted as saying "We're hoping our parent schoolsupport committees will hear about this and form workshops for parents because they need to be part of thistoo."

I am pleased to advise that the New Brunswick Federation of Home and School Associations does indeedhave such a workshop and has been providing it to parents throughout the province for the last 12 months.

The workshop, entitled Parenting the Net Generation, was made possible through a partnership between theCanadian Home and School Federation, Media Awareness Network and Bell Canada.

The workshop includes an overview of kids' online activities and examines a number of issues includingsafety, online marketing, credibility of online information and strategies for ensuring safe, wise and

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responsible Internet use in the home.

The Parenting the Net Generation workshop is made available to parents and parent groups across NewBrunswick through the NB federation. It has been enthusiastically received by parents wherever it has beenpresented. This workshop has also been presented to teacher groups.

Anyone wanting further information about this or other workshops or about Home and School associationsplease contact the New Brunswick Federation of Home and School Associations at 506−363−5809 [email protected].

Glyn Morgan

Past president

NB federation of home and school associations

Thanks from Taymouth United

On behalf of the Taymouth United Church, I would like to thank all who donated items for our successfulauction June 2.

As chairperson of the Taymouth United Church congregational board, I can tell you all that your generosityalong with those who attended and supported our event was greatly appreciated. A special thank you goes toauctioneer Hugh Cameron, Sr. and his assistants Suellen Ross, Stephen Ross and Caroline Urquhart who gavefreely of their expertise and time.

The co−operation of both the church and community contributed to this worthwhile endeavour.

Connie McNeil

Taymouth, N.B.

Chemical spray and polar bears

Recently CanTox Environmental released a report saying Agent Orange is a safe product, much like IvorySoap.

Why should anyone worry about a small percentage of contamination? We should worry because this safeamount of dioxin is the most dangerous, bioaccumulative substance known. It is found in lethal concentrationsin Vietnam even today, more than 40 years after it was sprayed.

It is even found in polar bears and is harming their health, too.

CanTox Environmental reports that only humans who were within 800 metres of the spray of Agent Orange inCFB Gagetown could have been affected.

And after it hit the ground, poof! No more dioxin, no more problem.

But what about those polar bears? Was somebody spraying Agent Orange directly on them, near the barrenNorth Pole? Unlikely.

The inescapable conclusion is that all the polar bears in the Arctic wandered thousands of miles to Gagetown

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and sat around directly under the gently falling herbicides and then went back home again.

Good thing CanTox assures us all humans were safely a kilometre away, what with herds of Agent Orangepolar bears around.

Kelly Porter Franklin

Nanaimo B.C.

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Seeking just world leaves questions

IDNUMBER 200707050011

PUBLICATION: The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton)

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: Opinion

PAGE: C8

BYLINE: Chris McCormick Crime Matters

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton)

WORD COUNT: 612

I spent the long weekend, like almost everyone else, doing nothing.

I was blissfully engaged in those long weekend activities we cherish for their all too infrequent appearance,such as sitting in the garden, reading a good book, yelling at the neighbourhood children and cursing that lawnmower down the street.

But reality kicks in despite all the wishing to the contrary. In the spirit of the old poem, all your piety or witcannot cancel half a line, all your tears cannot wash out a word of it. It all sounds pretty dramatic for sittingback down to the computer after days thinking of nothing more serious than whether I needed anything at thestore before the holiday.

Hoping for a soft landing, I turned to the news summaries which began with a story about a U.S. Army reportof a Canadian soldier killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2006. He had only been married a year when hedied, and had a wife and one−year−old son. He is one of 60 soldiers to have died in Afghanistan since 2002.

The second story was about a 17−month−old mauled to death by the family dog after spending Canada Day ather grandparents' house. She was described as a bright, blond−haired, blue−eyed toddler. The dog didn't havea history of violent behaviour and was used to children.

Neither of these events seemed fair. Neither of these victims deserved what they got.

In Alberta, a man died after diving from a cliff while swimming with his sister, who said, "it was unfortunatethat it was his time to go."

The cognitive bias that bad things happen to bad people leads by extension to the idea that it's not fair thataccidents like these should happen to such good people. It's part of the so−called just−world hypothesis.

In another story, this one from Ottawa, a retired judge and his wife were found dead in their luxury condoSaturday. They had been bound, gagged, and beaten to death. Another woman, a neighbour and friend, wasalso found dead.

She was described as a gregarious and religious woman who volunteered for craft sales at the Ottawa hospital.The high−security complex has video surveillance, gated entrances and on−site guards.

But that didn't stop someone arriving unannounced at their door the day before the killings.

Tired of reading about bad things happening to good people who didn't deserve such tragedy, I turned to anews story about street racing on Ontario's Highway 401. A red Mazda Miata was seen racing a dark PontiacGrand Prix before it slammed into the back of another car, causing it to crash into a barrier. The cars were

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reported to be travelling more than 150 kilometres an hour.

The couple in the third car were taken to hospital with life−threatening injuries, and the driver of the Miatawas charged under the new street racing section of the criminal code. They are still looking for the driver ofthe second car.

The police were targeting aggressive driving on the weekend, and in one incident caught motorcyclists racingup to 200 kilometres an hour.

Police have asked the public to help catch racers and are seeking tougher laws, such as roadside licencesuspensions and impounding of cars.

In a related story, at a bail hearing in Barrie, Ont., a man was released from custody while another stayed injail in another street racing case. In that case, a truck driver was killed when he swerved to avoid two racingcars. His daughter has vowed to become an advocate of tougher street racing laws, and a family friend hascollected hundreds of signatures for tougher legislation.

The two young drivers face charges of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, criminalnegligence causing death by street racing, and criminal negligence causing bodily harm by street racing.

So the moral is that if bad things happen to good people, someone will have to pay. To some that's a justworld.

Chris McCormick is a criminology professor at St. Thomas University. His column appears every secondThursday.

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LE MÉPRIS

SOURCETAG 0707050279

PUBLICATION: Le Journal de Montréal

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Nouvelles

PAGE: 6

BYLINE: RICHARD MARTINEAU JOURNAL DE MONTRÉAL

COLUMN: FRANC−PARLER

WORD COUNT: 447

Hier, dans sa chronique, Joseph Facal critiquait la "sécheresse du coeur" des manifestants antiguerre, quiconsidèrent chaque soldat comme un tueur.

Mon confrère aurait dû lire les courriels que j'ai reçus à la suite de ma chronique où je rendais hommage auxsoldats québécois qui s'apprêtent à partir pour l'Afghanistan ( Debout, publiée le 25 juin dernier). Il aurait étéconsterné. En voici deux extraits :

"Vous êtes naïf, monsieur Martineau. Vous dites que ces soldats sont courageux. Or, plus de la moitié sont làpour l'argent, les études payées et la retraite... Vous dites que ces jeunes soldats sont dévoués. Il n'en est rien.Ils ne pensent qu'à l'argent..."

" L'armée, c'est l'échappatoire des nuls. Quand tu ne peux rien faire d'autre, tu entres dans l'armée. Tu as unbon salaire et une retraite précoce. Cela n'a rien à voir avec le courage et la défense de quelconques valeurs.Tu n'as qu'à obéir et cela t'épargne l'effort de réfléchir. "

Bref, qu'on se le tienne pour dit : les soldats sont des cons, des losers incapables de réfléchir par euxmêmes etdes nuls qui ne pensent qu'au fric (parce qu'il y a une maudite piastre à faire en allant dans l'armée, oh là là,les amis, vous n'avez pas idée !!!!).

Quel mépris...

LES NOUVEAUX FASCISTES

Dans les années 1940, les jeunes intellectuels comme Ernest Hemingway ( Pour qui sonne le glas), GeorgeOrwell ( 1984) et André Malraux ( L'Espoir) n'avaient qu'une envie : quitter leur lit douillet et prendre lesarmes pour aller combattre le fascisme.

C'était, disaient−ils, le devoir de tout amant de la démocratie, de tout homme de gauche. Soixante ans plustard, c'est le contraire.

Les islamo−fascistes (car c'est ce qu'ils sont, des fascistes qui ont troqué Mein Kampf pour le Coran)menacent une partie du monde, mais la plupart des jeunes ne rêvent que d'une chose: déposer les armes, traiterles soldats occidentaux d'assassins.

Et descendre dans la rue pour manifester contre... l'augmentation des droits de scolarité. Cela dit, ce n'est passurprenant.

LE MÉPRIS 46

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Comme le disait Denys Arcand dans son documentaire sur la campagne référendaire de 1980, on vit à uneépoque où les deux seules valeurs qui comptent sont le confort et l'indifférence...

Malraux et ses frères d'armes se retourneraient dans leur tombe s'ils pouvaient voir comment nous agissons...

LANGUES DANS LE VINAIGRE

Ma récente chronique sur l'état de santé pitoyable du français à Ottawa, notre belle capitale nationale, m'a valuun nombre record de courriels.

Certains disent que j'ai tout à fait raison, d'autres, complètement tort. Vous pouvez lire quelques−uns de cesmessages sur mon blogue.

Cela dit, cette controverse au sujet du bilinguisme au Canada me fait penser à une anecdote.

Il y a quelques années, juste avant sa mort, j'ai interviewé le grand romancier Mordecai Richler. Je lui aidemandé pourquoi il ne parlait pas un mot de français alors qu'il avait passé toute sa vie à Montréal.

Après un long soupir, il m'a dit : "Vous me reprochez de ne pas parler français. Mais vous, parlez−vousyiddish?"

Vous avez bien lu. Pour lui, le yiddish, au Québec, était une langue aussi importante que le français. Ces deuxlangues étaient sur un pied d'égalité! Comme quoi l'on peut être à la fois brillant et idiot.

LE MÉPRIS 47

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SIX MORTS LEUR VÉHICULE A HEURTÉ UNE BOMBEARTISANALE

SOURCETAG 0707050264

PUBLICATION: Le Journal de Montréal

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Nouvelles

PAGE: 5

ILLUSTRATION:1. Photo Reuters C'est dans un véhicule de ce type, un Nyala,que les militaires canadiensont perdu la vie, victimes d'une bombe artisanale sur le bord d'une route afghane.

WORD COUNT: 245

Six militaires canadiens et leur interprète afghan ont été tués dans l'explosion d'une bombe au passage de leurvéhicule dans le sud de l'Afghanistan.

Les soldats se dirigeaient à une base d'opérations avancée à la suite d'une mission conjointe avec les forces desécurité afghanes, vers 11 h 00, lorsque leur véhicule RG−31 a heurté une bombe artisanale, a indiqué lebrigadier−général Tim Grant, chef de la mission canadienne en Afghanistan.

Les soldats se déplaçaient sur un chemin couramment utilisé, autant par l'armée que par les résidants locaux,dans une région de la province de Kandahar considérée parmi les plus sécuritaires.

Leur véhicule, un Nyala, est considéré comme un des plus résistants pour la protection contre les bombesartisanales.

Les soldats rentraient d'une opération d'encerclement et de recherche, donnant suite à des renseignementsvoulant que des insurgés talibans se trouvent dans la région. Ils ont traversé le village de Salavat, 20kilomètres au sud−ouest de la ville de Kandahar, lorsque la bombe a explosé.

Ce n'est pas la première fois que des soldats canadiens sont tués à bord d'un Nyala.

Quatre des six militaires tués

le capitaine Matthew Johnathan Dawe, 3e Bataillon, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, basé àEdmonton (Alberta) ; le caporal Chef Colin Bason, un réserviste du Royal Westminster Regiment, basé à NewWest Minster (Colombie− Britannique) ; Le caporal Cole Bartsch, 3e Bataillon, Princess Patricia's CanadianLight Infantry, basé à Edmonton, (Alberta); le soldat Lane Watkins, 3e Bataillon, Princess Patricia's CanadianLight Infantry, basé à Edmonton (Alberta).

À la demande des familles, l'identité des deux autres soldats tués ne sera pas dévoilée pour le moment.!@MOTSCLES=AFGHANISTAN − SOLDATS CANADIENS

SIX MORTS LEUR VÉHICULE A HEURTÉ UNE BOMBE ARTISANALE 48

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L'OPPOSITION OFFRE SES CONDOLÉANCESOTTAWA

SOURCETAG 0707050263

PUBLICATION: Le Journal de Montréal

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Nouvelles

PAGE: 5

BYLINE: PC

WORD COUNT: 202

Les chefs des trois partis d'opposition à Ottawa ont interrompu leurs activités estivales hier pour transmettreleurs condoléances aux proches des six militaires canadiens et de l'interprète afghan tués dans un attentat prèsde Kandahar.

Le libéral Stéphane Dion s'est dit " profondément attristé " du décès de ces soldats.

" Un drame de cette ampleur nous rappelle cruellement les risques bien réels que doivent affronter lesmembres des Forces armées canadiennes en Afghanistan chaque jour lorsqu'ils servent leur pays ", a−t−ilsouligné lors d'un point de presse dans la capitale.

Dans une déclaration écrite, le chef du Bloc québécois Gilles Duceppe a pour sa part salué le courage desmilitaires. " Il est toujours triste de voir un soldat canadien perdre la vie. Lorsque l'existence de plusieurscamarades est interrompue d'un coup, la douleur en est multipliée d'autant ", a−t−il insisté.

Le leader néo−démocrate a lui aussi exprimé sa sympathie aux proches des soldats qui ont fait le sacrifice deleur vie en Afghanistan.

Contrairement à ses adversaires, qui ont soigneusement évité la controverse en ce jour de deuil, Jack Laytonn'a pas hésité à revenir à la charge pour critiquer la stratégie canadienne dans la région.

Le PLC a par ailleurs clairement indiqué qu'il se prononcerait contre la prolongation de la mission à moinsqu'elle soit revue de fond en comble. !@MOTSCLES=AFGHANISTAN − SOLDATS CANADIENS

L'OPPOSITION OFFRE SES CONDOLÉANCES OTTAWA 49

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DES MOMENTS DIFFICILES POUR LES FAMILLESQUÉBECOISES

SOURCETAG 0707050244

PUBLICATION: Le Journal de Montréal

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Nouvelles

PAGE: 4

ILLUSTRATION:1. Photo Reuters Le caporal Rikk Lewis, arrivé sain et sauf àla base de Ma'sumGhar, donne l'accolade à un de ses camarades.

BYLINE: JEAN−MICHEL NAHAS JOURNAL DE MONTRÉAL

WORD COUNT: 308

Les familles québécoises de militaires actuellement déployés en Afghanistan vivent des momentsextrêmement difficiles alors que six Canadiens sont morts au combat hier, deux mois avant le départ de 2000soldats de Valcartier pour ce pays.

"C'est décourageant, lance avec émotion France Bouchard. Mon frère est caporalchef et il vient de s'envolerpour l'Afghanistan. Ça m'a beaucoup inquiétée quand ils ont annoncé le décès de six Canadiens."

La femme qui habite Pohénégamook dans le Bas−Saint−Laurent trouve que la mission canadienne estessentielle, mais elle déplore le nombre de décès, qui ne cesse d'augmenter.

"C'est très dommage"

"C'est très dommage qu'autant de gens perdent la vie, souffle−t−elle. J'espère que mon frère reviendra au plusvite. "

Michel Dorion, lui, a failli voir son fils partir pour l'Afghanistan il y a trois ans, mais un changement dedernière minute est survenu. " Ses bagages étaient déjà là−bas, raconte le père qui a lui−même été dansl'armée. Finalement, il n'est pas parti et je peux vous dire que papa était content. Je n'aurais pas aimé le savoirdans ce pays. "

Lorsque l'homme de Terrebonne a appris le décès de six soldats canadiens, il a tout de suite eu une penséepour son très bon ami, le caporal Luc Sénécal, qui se trouve déjà en Afghanistan et de qui il n'a pas denouvelles depuis plusieurs semaines.

"Très triste"

" Je trouve ça très triste, j'ai vécu la guerre en 1974 et j'ai vu un ami mourir", se rappelle−t−il, la gorge nouée.

Du côté de la base de Valcartier, on affirme que la tragique nouvelle d'hier attriste et inquiète beaucoup lessoldats québécois.

"C'est une grosse nouvelle qui affecte les gens au niveau de leurs émotions, soutient le capitaine MathieuDufour. Que ce soit un mort ou six, c'est tout aussi important.

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" Je suis triste, les militaires sont tristes et cela va peut−être les motiver davantage, poursuit−il. L'annonce[d'hier] peut soulever des inquiétudes mais pour les militaires, la mission est sacrée. "

Selon un sondage publié en juin dernier par Le Journal de Montréal, 70% des Québécois s'opposent à laparticipation des soldats de Valcartier à la mission canadienne en Afghanistan.!@MOTSCLES=AFGHANISTAN − SOLDATS CANADIENS

DES MOMENTS DIFFICILES POUR LES FAMILLES QUÉBECOISES 51

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COURRIER −− LA PAROLE À NOS LECTEURS

SOURCETAG 0707050197

PUBLICATION: Le Journal de Montréal

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Nouvelles

PAGE: 24

COLUMN: VOTRE OPINION

WORD COUNT: 311

Vol de tableaux

Pour un peintre, se faire voler des tableaux, c'est comme se faire arracher des morceaux de notre corps. Il nefallait donc pas remettre en liberté Nima Mazhari. Il y a des jours, des semaines de travail, des émotions dansles toiles qui ont été volées.

Marie Claire, Napierville

Griffintown

Le gros projet de quartier commercial DIX30 à Montréal va étouffer tous les petits commerces. Au lieu deconstruire un aussi gros projet, il faut s'occuper de la pauvreté et faire en sorte de construire des logementspour ceux qui n'en ont pas.

Mario Cartier, Saint−Élie d'Acton

Question d'hygiène

On devrait obliger le personnel infirmier à laisser l'uniforme à l'hôpital, question d'hygiène. L'hôpital devraitégalement fournir des vestiaires pour permettre au personnel de se changer. Il est temps de revenir commeautrefois, du temps des religieuses, lorsque les hôpitaux étaient propres au lieu de sales comme une soue àcochons.

Lise Paré, Saint−Léonard

À l'hôpital

Tout le personnel infirmier devrait être tenu de laisser les uniformes à l'hôpital. J'ai déjà travaillé dans ledomaine, il y a plusieurs années. Nous étions obligés (médecins, infirmières, préposés au ménage, aidestechniciennes) de changer d'uniforme avant de sortir du bloc opératoire.

Lorraine Racette, La Prairie

Souliers de travail

Les souliers de travail des infirmières devraient également rester à l'hôpital. Quand nous travaillions dans leshôpitaux anciennement, nous avions des uniformes blancs, des souliers blancs. Nous ne mettions pas nosvêtements pour voyager, nous n'apportions pas de microbes à domicile. Quand il y a eu la grève dans leshôpitaux, les gens travaillaient en jeans. L'hygiène devrait revenir comme dans les années 1970. Il y a trop de

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risques de contagion. Solange Leclerc, Montréal

* * *

La question Canoë.ca

Avec 66 soldats tués, doit−on mettre un terme à la mission canadienne en Afghanistan ?

RÉSULTAT DU SONDAGE DU MERCREDI

Question : Avec le départ de Bush, croyez−vous que nos relations avec les É.−U. vont s'améliorer, resterstable ou se détériorer ?

NOMBRE DE RÉPONDANTS

5 714

S'AMÉLIORER

54 %

STABLE

42 %

SE DÉTÉRIORER

4 %

COURRIER −− LA PAROLE À NOS LECTEURS 53

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LES TOILETTES DANS LE FLEUVE LES BATEAUX DECROISIÈRE PRIS SUR LE FAIT

SOURCETAG 0707050194

PUBLICATION: Le Journal de Montréal

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Nouvelles

PAGE: 1

ILLUSTRATION: 1. 1 Photo Hugo−Sébastien Aubert1 Photo Le Journal1 PhotoReuters

WORD COUNT: 21

Front de la première page

Plafonnement des remboursements médicaux: Victime de son ancien employeur

Festival de Jazz

Dylan électrisant

Afghanistan

6 autres morts

Les familles des soldats québecois en état de choc

LES TOILETTES DANS LE FLEUVE LES BATEAUX DE CROISIÈRE PRIS SUR LE FAIT 54

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UN COUP DUR POUR L'ARMÉE

SOURCETAG 0707050190

PUBLICATION: Le Journal de Montréal

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Nouvelles

PAGE: 15

ILLUSTRATION: 1. SOURCES : AFP, WWW.FORCES.GC.CA, PC

COLUMN: EN 5 MINUTES

WORD COUNT: 324

Le véhicule de patrouille victime d'une attaque à l'explosif en Afghanistan hier est considéré par les militairescomme l'un des plus sécuritaires contre les bombes artisinales. Six soldats canadiens et un interprète afghanqui se trouvaient dans le véhicule blindé sont morts lors de l'attaque.

Armements

Le RG 31 est armé d'une mitrailleuse 7,62 mm télécommandée dotée d'un système de vise de jour et de nuit,ce qui permet aux artilleurs d'utiliser l'arme sans avoir à s'exposer. Le véhicule blindé est aussi équipé d'ungénérateur de fumigènes.

Les victimes

Les six victimes étaient dans un véhicule blindé RG 31, utilisé comme véhicule de patrouille en Afghanistan

Du déjà vu

En octobre, le soldat Mark Andrew Wilson est mort des suites de ses blessures quand son véhicule "Nyala" asauté en raison d'une bombe artisanale dans le même district.

L'un des plus meurtriers

Il s'agit de l'attentat à l'explosif le plus meurtrier pour la Force internationale d'assistance à la sécurité (ISAF)et les Forces canadiennes depuis le 8 avril dernier quand six soldats canadiens avaient été tués dans laprovince de Kandahar, berceau du mouvement taliban.

Lourd tribut

Le contingent canadien est celui qui, derrière celui des Américains, a payé le plus lourd tribut avec la mort de66 soldats depuis la chute du régime intégriste des talibans, fin 2001.

Depuis le début de l'année, 105 soldats de l'ISAF et de la coalition sous commandement américain ont ététués, contre 191 pour toute l'année 2006. L'ISAF compte quelque 37 000 soldats de 37 pays.

Conçu pour transporter 10 passagers et un conducteur.

Conçu pour résister

UN COUP DUR POUR L'ARMÉE 55

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Le dessous du RG 31 est en forme de pour dévier la force de l'explosion. Il est conçu pour résister àl'explosion simultanée de deux mines antichars.

91 millions $

Au cours des 18 derniers mois, le Canada a acheté 75 RG 31 au coût de 91 millions de dollars.

Le véhicule de patrouille blindé (VPB) bénéficie d'une protection accrue contre les mines de même que contreles engins explosifs artisanaux et les projectiles.

En route vers leur camp

L'accident s'est produit alors que les militaires faisaient route vers le camp après avoir participé à l'" opérationLuger " en compagnie de membres de l'armée nationale afghane.

AFGHANISTAN Kaboul

Kandahar

L'explosion de l'engin piégé s'est produite à une vingtaine de kilomètres au sud−ouest de Kandahar à 10 h 55,heure locale.

RECHERCHE MARILOU SÉGUIN−−INFOGRAPHIE JUSTIN STAHLMAN, JDEM !@MOTSCLES=RG31 NYALA

UN COUP DUR POUR L'ARMÉE 56

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L'HORAIRE DU PM TROP CHARGÉ FAMILLEDESOUSA

SOURCETAG 0707050189

PUBLICATION: Le Journal de Montréal

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Nouvelles

PAGE: 14

ILLUSTRATION:1. Photo d'archives Hugo−Sébastien Aubert Les parentsd'Anastasia DeSousa :aucune démarche n'est entreprise.

BYLINE: OLIVIER DUCHARME LE JOURNAL DE MONTRÉAL

WORD COUNT: 173

Stephen Harper n'a toujours pas de trou dans son horaire chargé pour rencontrer la famille d'AnastasiaDeSousa.

Interrogé en conférence de presse, le ministre fédéral de la Sécurité publique, Stockwell Day, a précisé qu'unetelle rencontre figurait dans les intentions du premier ministre, mais que ces plans sont soumis à un horairetrès serré.

"M. Harper doit rencontrer les familles des soldats décédés en Afghanistan dans les prochains jours et je nesuis pas responsable de son horaire ", ajoute le ministre Day.

Du côté de la famille deSousa, aucune nouvelle démarche n'a été entreprise et on attend toujours l'invitationdu premier ministre.

Pour l'instant, un sentiment de découragement habite la famille, mais on n'entend pas investir plus de tempsque ce qui a été fait jusqu'ici.

" On a appris qu'il voulait peut−être venir pour la cérémonie du 13 septembre à Dawson, mais le collège à ditnon et c'est bien correct pour moi ", confie Louise DeSousa.

Prolifération des armes

M. Day s'est toutefois défendu en mentionnant que les conservateurs songent à s'inspirer du gouvernementprovincial et du projet Anastasia.

En effet, ils étudient présentement la faisabilité d'un plan de contrôle des armes à feu à l'échelle nationale quicomprendrait des similitudes avec le projet québécois. !@MOTSCLES=FAMILLE DESOUSA

L'HORAIRE DU PM TROP CHARGÉ FAMILLE DESOUSA 57

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LA PRISON OU L'AFGHANISTAN?

SOURCETAG 0707050188

PUBLICATION: Le Journal de Montréal

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Nouvelles

PAGE: 13

BYLINE: PC

DATELINE: QUÉBEC

WORD COUNT: 177

C'est aujourd'hui que le juge Carol Saint−Cyr, de la Cour du Québec, décidera si un militaire de la base deValcartier purgera une peine d'emprisonnement pour viol ou demeurera libre afin de pouvoir aller servir sonpays en Afghanistan.

L'avocat de la défense, Richard Philippe Guay, a réclamé une absolution inconditionnelle pour Pier−OlivierBoulet, âgé de 22 ans. Il y a quelques mois, il a été reconnu coupable d'avoir violé une jeune femme de 18ans.

La procureure de la Couronne, Sarah− Julie Chicoine, souhaite quant à elle que le jeune militaire purge unepeine d'emprisonnement ferme de deux ans moins un jour.

Le crime a été commis en juin 2004 au terme d'une soirée d'anniversaire tenue à la résidence familiale de lavictime, dont le frère était un grand ami de l'accusé habitant. Comme il avait trop bu pour conduire sa voiture,le jeune Boulet avait décidé de passer la nuit chez son ami. Au cours de la nuit, il a violé la jeune femme, quiétait trop ivre pour donner un consentement valide. !@MOTSCLES=BASE DE VALCARTIER

LA PRISON OU L'AFGHANISTAN? 58

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Sochi, Russia awarded 2014 Winter Olympics

PUBLICATION: The Chronicle−Herald

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: Sports

PAGE: D6

SOURCE: The Associated Press

BYLINE: Stephen Wilson

WORD COUNT: 472

GUATEMALA CITY − Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered the 2014 Olympics to Sochi onWednesday with a passionate presentation, giving the Winter Olympic power a home−field advantage for thefirst time.

The Black Sea resort of Sochi defeated the South Korean city of Pyeongchang 51−47 in the final round ofvoting by the International Olympic Committee.

The Austrian resort of Salzburg was eliminated in the first round of the secret ballot, setting up the decisivehead−to−head contest between Sochi and Pyeongchang.

Pyeongchang led the first round with 36 votes, followed by Sochi with 34 and Salzburg with 25. Sochi pickedup 17 votes in the second round to secure the victory.

The result was a triumph for Putin, who put his international prestige on the line by coming to Guatemala tolobby IOC members and lead Sochi's final formal presentation to the assembly. Putin had left by the time theresult was announced.

IOC president Jacques Rogge opened a sealed envelope and read the words the Russians longed to hear:

"The International Olympic Committee has the honour of announcing the 22nd Olympic Winter Games in2014 are awarded to the city of Sochi."

Russian delegates in the hall erupted in cheers, jumped to their feet and hugged each other. They unfurled aRussian flag and chanted, "Sochi! Sochi!" Korean delegates bowed their heads, some in tears.

"It was a historic decision for all countries," Sochi bid chief Dmitry Chernychenko said. "Russia will becomeeven more open, more democratic."

In Sochi, cheers erupted from the crowd of more than 15,000 that had gathered for a pop concert and theannouncement in a main square.

"We did it all together. We won," the concert's announcer said from the stage as fireworks flashed andboomed in the sky.

People hugged and waved their hands in the air. Some appeared to have tears in their eyes.

"It is great. I've never been so happy in my life," said Marina Matveyeva, 23, who works in a bank. "It meansthat Russia has reached the level of Europe, and we can be proud of our country."

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Russia, an Olympic power which has won 293 Winter Games medals, has never hosted the Winter Games.That was a strong point in Sochi's favour with the IOC, which likes to spread the Olympics to new hostcountries. Moscow hosted the 1980 Summer Games, which were hit by the U.S.−led boycott following theSoviet invasion of Afghanistan.

The Sochi bid won out over the appeals of its rivals − Salzburg, presenting itself as a safe, no−risk wintersports mecca at the heart of Europe with world−class venues already in place; and Pyeongchang, offering thepotential for peace and reconciliation on the divided Korean peninsula and promoting winter sports in Asia.

Ninety−seven IOC members were eligible to vote in the first round, with 95 casting valid ballots. Membersfrom bidding countries are ineligible to vote as long as their cities remain in contention. With Salzburg out,100 delegates were eligible in the second round, with 98 casting valid votes.

Putin's government has pledged US$12 billion to develop Sochi into a world−class winter sports complexlinking the palm−lined Black Sea coast − the so−called "Russian Riviera" − to the soaring Caucasusmountains nearby.

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Yemen lets al−Qaida alone if they promise to be good

PUBLICATION: The Chronicle−Herald

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: World

PAGE: A9

SOURCE: The Associated Press

ILLUSTRATION:A Yemeni policeman inspects the wreckage of a vehicleTuesday, a day after asuspected al−Qaida−linked suicide bomber killed nine people, including severalSpanish tourists, when he drove his car into the site of an ancient temple. (AP)

WORD COUNT: 299

SANAA, Yemen − Yemen is pioneering a novel approach for dealing with convicted al−Qaida operatives: Letthem roam free as long as they promise to be law−abiding.

For example, Ali Mohammed al−Kurdi says he sent two suicide bombers to Iraq and trained others. He wassentenced to death for his part in a hotel bombing in Yemen's port city of Aden, escaped and was re−arrested.

Fawzi al−Wajeh, a bodyguard of Osama bin Laden's, was convicted in the 2002 bombing of a French oiltanker and was one of 23 al−Qaida men to escape from a Yemeni high security prison last year. He latersurrendered.

Naseer Ahmed al−Bahri, another bin Laden bodyguard, fought in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Somalia. He wasjailed for nearly two years without charge after returning from Afghanistan.

All three continue to idolize bin Laden and they back jihad, or holy war, against U.S. forces, whether it's inthe Middle East or Afghanistan. Yet they are now back on the streets because they signed an agreement withthe Yemeni government promising to obey the law.

Yemen's policy of negotiating agreements with al−Qaida operatives appears to be unique among the countriesworking with the United States in its anti−terror campaign. Breaking the agreement means returning to prisonor causing a relative, who often acts as a guarantor, to be jailed to finish out the sentence.

Authorities do not ask Islamic extremists to forsake their sympathies or apologize for acts of terror. "The Westlooks at Sheik Osama as a terrorist, but for us he is a saint," al−Bahri said.

The three men said they promised the government they would obey the law, not stage attacks in Yemen or useYemen to plot attacks elsewhere. In exchange they were freed, given money, jobs or even an arrangedmarriage, Interior Minister Rashad Al−Alimi said in an interview.

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Apology sought in friendly fire death

PUBLICATION: The Chronicle−Herald

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: Canada

PAGE: A9

SOURCE: Our Wire Services

WORD COUNT: 337

THUNDER BAY, Ont. − The aunt of a Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan in a friendly fire incident saysshe is disappointed with a recommendation that no charges be filed in the case.

A U.S. army investigator has recommended that the American machine−gunner who killed Pte. RobertCostall, 22, and a U.S. soldier during a heated nighttime battle last year in Afghanistan not be charged.

The recommendation is in documents released Tuesday in the deaths of Costall and Vermont National Guard1st Sgt. John Thomas Stone.

Costall's aunt, Colleen McBain, says it's her understanding that no statements were taken from Canadianwitnesses despite the fact it was Canadians who first indicated her nephew's death was the result of friendlyfire.

McBain also told Thunder Bay, Ont., radio station CKPR in an interview that she is still waiting for anapology from the U.S. military.

"Apologies for the mistake, to my knowledge, haven't been issued from the U.S. military to the familymembers," she said. "We're just getting more and more disappointed, I suppose."

McBain also said she is anxious to know what steps are being taken to prevent such an incident fromhappening again. "It's not going to bring my nephew back, but I want for the other soldiers over there now,how are they reassured that's not going to happen again?" she said.

Costall was a machine−gunner with 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. He was born inThunder Bay, Ont., and grew up in Gibsons, B.C.

Stone, 52, of Tunbridge, Vt., was an embedded tactical trainer.

In the report, an American army investigator said their deaths, "while regrettable, are understandable in thecontext of this firefight."

The officer said Costall and 37 other Canadian soldiers were sent to reinforce Forward Operating BaseRobinson for an expected Taliban attack on March 28, 2006.

They were moved into the field of fire of a machine−gunner, who was at a Special Forces compound insidethe base.

Both Costall and Stone, who was on a roof, were hit by shots fired from within the Special Forces compound.

The U.S. documents released Monday marked the first official confirmation that friendly fire caused thedeaths.

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The Department of National Defence in Ottawa released a statement Tuesday saying: "The Canadian Forcesacknowledges a recently released U.S. army report in regard to the death of Private Robert Costall killed inAfghanistan."

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Mine−resistant vehicle fails troops

PUBLICATION: The Chronicle−Herald

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: World

PAGE: A3

BYLINE: Merita Ilo

ILLUSTRATION:

Two Canadian soldiers work on the gun turret of an RG−31Nyala in 2006. (Bob Weber /CP); The RG−31 became a battlefield necessity as it became clear to the army in late2005 that it would need a better protected patrol vehicle than the lightly armouredMercedes G−Wagon, pictured above.(CP); Two Canadian soldiers work on the gun turretof an RG−31 Nyala in 2006. (Bob Weber / CP); The RG−31 became a battlefieldnecessity as it became clear to the army in late 2005 that it would need a better protectedpatrol vehicle than the lightly armoured Mercedes G−Wagon, pictured above.(CP)

WORD COUNT: 452

An armoured vehicle designed to withstand two simultaneous blasts from anti−tank mines failed to save thelives of six Canadian soldiers killed Wednesday when their RG−31 Nyala patrol vehicle hit a roadside bombin southern Afghanistan.

An Afghan interpreter was also killed.

Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan have long regarded the four−wheeled armoured truck as the ultimateprotection against such attacks.

Over the last 18 months, Canada has purchased 75 RG−31s at a cost of about $91 million.

The sturdy vehicle, built by a South African subsidiary for the British defence giant BAE Systems Inc., cancarry up to 10 passengers and a driver.

The RG−31 has become widely used by the United Nations and the U.S. army. Canada received its first fleetin March 2006.

But some experts have questioned whether the vehicle could stand up to roadside or car bombs, as improvisedexplosive devices in Afghanistan appear to have become more powerful.

Until the latest attack, troops riding in the vehicle had often survived roadside blasts with minor or no injuries.

Four Canadian soldiers credited the Nyala RG−31 with saving their lives in a suicide attack last September.The vehicle was damaged, but the soldiers inside it were unscathed.

Some, however, have not been so lucky.

Trooper Mark Wilson of the Royal Canadian Dragoons was killed last October as he rode on a Nyala truckthat hit a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan.

The force of the explosion penetrated the vehicle's thick armour and a shield designed to deflect blasts, killingWilson who was riding in the gunner's seat. The other soldiers inside the vehicle survived.

In the Nyala, the gunner operates a machine−gun remotely from inside the cabin.

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The RG−31 has hulls shaped to deflect blasts from below.

Usually, this means a V−shaped bottom with a minimum of angles, allowing the blast force to "flow"unimpeded past the structure. Parts of the vehicle likely to be in the path of the explosion are designed to besacrificed − wheels and axles are easily blown off, but such running−gear parts can be readily re−attached.

The RG−31 became a battlefield necessity as it became clear to the army in late 2005 that it would need abetter protected patrol vehicle than the lightly armoured Mercedes G−Wagon it was using.

However, the Nyalas have seen their share of wear and tear.

Army records show that at the height of fierce fighting in Afghanistan last summer, more than a quarter of theRG−31 fleet were in the shop with maintenance problems. The vehicles had a series of electrical and softwareglitches, many relating to the roof−mounted remote−controlled machine−gun.

Nyala maintenance logs, obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act, show thevehicles arrived with a series of minor defects.

Records show that between mid−June and mid−July last year, 13 of the 50 Nyalas − some with as few as 550kilometres on them − were deemed "non−mission capable" by the army.

The ratio has since improved, with only one or two of the current complement of 75 RG−31s down formaintenance at any time.

In May, the Defence Department signed a deal with a U.S. defence contractor to acquire 10 Buffalo andCougar mine−protected vehicles − five each − for Canadian troops in Afghanistan.

Unlike, the Nyala, the new trucks have no windows and are capable of carrying more troops and equipment.

They are expected to be delivered in August and are destined for duty in Afghanistan.

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Six soldiers killed; Canadians travelling in army'stoughest vehicle would have been headed home atmonth's end

PUBLICATION: The Chronicle−Herald

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: Front

PAGE: A1

SOURCE: The Canadian Press

BYLINE: Stephanie Levitz

WORD COUNT: 736

A POWERFUL ROADSIDE BOMB killed six Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter Wednesday,overwhelming the sturdy armour of a vehicle designed to withstand mine blasts as it was moving along agravel road in southern Afghanistan.

The RG−31 Nyala patrol vehicle is considered one of the military's strongest in protecting against the deadlyscourge of roadside bombs, but it failed to save the lives of the seven people inside its armoured body.

Brig.−Gen. Tim Grant, the top Canadian commander in Afghanistan, said it's not clear why this particularbomb managed to defeat the Nyala's defences.

An investigation is underway, and until it's completed it won't be known whether the vehicle's use should bequestioned, he said.

Wednesday's blast was the deadliest for Canadians since Easter Sunday, April 8, when another roadside bombkilled six Canadian soldiers in what was then the worst single−day toll for the Canadian Forces inAfghanistan. Those six were inside a LAV−3, another light armoured vehicle.

Altogether, 66 Canadian soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan since 2002, along with one diplomat.

John Thompson, president of the Mackenzie Institute in Toronto, said NATO forces are locked in a viciousgame of one−upmanship with insurgents.

As Canadian forces use tougher vehicles built to withstand bigger blasts, insurgents will in turn develop morepowerful and sophisticated weapons, said Thompson, head of the security−issues think−tank.

The six soldiers were returning to a forward operating base after a joint mission with Afghan security forcesaround 11 a.m. local time when their vehicle struck the improvised explosive device, Grant said.

The vehicle was on a well−travelled route, used by army and locals alike, in an area of Kandahar provinceconsidered among the safer zones.

The Nyala is a South African−built armoured patrol vehicle the army uses widely in Afghanistan. Its massivewheels and undercarriage are far higher above the dusty ground than the LAV−3, another light armouredvehicle that's also supposed to provide protection against explosives.

The identities of four of the dead were released late Wednesday afternoon: Cpl. Cole Bartsch, Capt. Matthew

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Johnathan Dawe and Pte. Lane Watkins, all of 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry basedin Edmonton; and Master Cpl. Colin Bason, a reservist from The Royal Westminster Regiment based in NewWestminster, B.C.

The families of the other two killed have not yet agreed to the release of their names.

The soldiers had been on a cordon−and−search operation, following intelligence that Taliban militants were inthe area. They had been passing through the village of Salavat, 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city,when the bomb went off.

It's not the first time a Canadian soldier has been killed while riding in a Nyala.

In October, Trooper Mark Andrew Wilson died from injuries sustained when his Nyala was hit by animprovised explosive device − or IED − in the same district.

Though the military has said the rising use of roadside bombs is a sign of a desperate insurgency, their deadlyblasts have claimed more lives during the current rotation of Canadian troops than any other weapons − 19 ofthe 22 soldiers killed so far.

"Clearly they have managed to kill six great young Canadians today which is an absolute tragedy, but theother parts of this is that they are killing lots of Afghans," Grant said.

"These are not the tactics of anything other than terrorists."

Grant pointed out while deadly IED explosions are widely reported, there are many that are discovered andneutralized by the military before causing any harm.

"We're not perfect and we do miss some, as we have seen today, but the battle against the Taliban and thebattle against their choice of weapons, IED, is successful," Grant insisted.

"And more often than not we do find them and we do disarm them."

Though IED strikes seem to have become one of the Taliban's preferred tactics in Kandahar province, theyhave not been used with the same regularity in other areas.

In neighbouring Helmand province, British forces regularly engage in firefights with insurgents and say theyhaven't seen the same use of the explosives as their Canadian counterparts.

Maj. Andy Walker, the officer commanding Armoured Support Company for 3 Commando Brigade, has donethree tours of duty in Iraq where his soldiers constantly faced the threat of IEDs.

He said he'd rather fight groups of Taliban.

"An IED, you don't know where it is from, who has initiated it, you don't whether it is a booby trap, whetherit's a mine, it's the not knowing of IEDs that is the key concern of people," he said in a recent interview atCamp Bastion, the support headquarters of the British command in Afghanistan.

"When you've got a tangible enemy you can see the whites of his eyes, you can compare the strength of theenemy forces, you're far more comfortable with having a tangible enemy to face."

Lt.−Col. Jean Trudel, chief of staff for the National Command Element of Joint Task Force Afghanistan, saidthe growing use of IEDs represents a loss of control by Taliban in Afghanistan.

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"They are incapable of success, they are incapable of winning," Trudel said in French.

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Prime minister coming to N.S., but reception could bechilly; Harper expected to bring cash for military, butfederal budget still draws criticism

PUBLICATION: The Guardian (Charlottetown)

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: Canada

PAGE: A8

SOURCE: CP

DATELINE: HALIFAX

ILLUSTRATION: Stephen Harper

WORD COUNT: 359

Prime Minister Stephen Harper had scheduled a good news trip to Halifax − likely to re−announce funding forthe military − but the visit today could be overshadowed by the deaths of six soldiers in Afghanistan andlingering resentment in Nova Scotia over the federal budget.

Harper was off to a rough start even before arriving in the port city after he apparently snubbed Nova ScotiaPremier Rodney MacDonald, who said he knew nothing about the visit less than 24 hours before it was slatedto begin.

"If it's good news for my province, I'd be very disappointed not to know what that news is," a bewilderedMacDonald told reporters in Bridgewater, N.S., during a spending announcement at the local Michelin tireplant.

"If it's good news for Nova Scotia, I'm quite surprised that I would not be aware."

The Prime Minister's Office confirmed late Wednesday that Harper will make an announcement at the city'ssprawling naval dockyard, where he will be joined by Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor and ForeignAffairs Minister Peter MacKay, Nova Scotia's representative in the federal cabinet.

Earlier in the day, a powerful roadside bomb killed six Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter, rippingthrough their armoured vehicle on a gravel road in southern Afghanistan as they were returning to a forwardoperating base.

No names were released, but the largest contingent of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan is from CanadianForces Base Gagetown in New Brunswick, a huge base that draws many recruits from Atlantic Canada.

Meanwhile, the confusion over the announcement in Halifax arose a few weeks after Harper and theConservative premier engaged in a public feud over offshore resources and the distribution of transferpayments handed out to have−not provinces like Nova Scotia.

MacDonald accused Harper of breaking a promise not to claw back revenue from the province's offshoreenergy sector when calculating payments under a revamped federal equalization formula.

The premier argues that under a new equalization system introduced in the March 19 federal budget, Ottawa isalso forcing Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to accept a cap on their offshore revenues, based on the fiscalcapacity of Ontario.

Prime minister coming to N.S., but reception could be chilly; Harper expected to bring cash for military, but federal budget still draws criticism69

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The provinces say the budget effectively negates the updated Atlantic accords, federal−provincial agreementssigned with Ottawa in 2005 that protect the two provinces from equalization clawbacks.

Prime minister coming to N.S., but reception could be chilly; Harper expected to bring cash for military, but federal budget still draws criticism70

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No allowance for femininity in Afghanistan

PUBLICATION: The Guardian (Charlottetown)

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: Opinion

PAGE: A7

COLUMN: Political analysis

BYLINE: Martin, Don

DATELINE: KANDAHAR, Afghanistan

WORD COUNT: 797

The way the Globe and Mail wrote it last weekend, female journalists in Afghanistan should wear a burka tokeep sand out of their hair, buy special bulletproof vests to accommodate their breasts, and wear mascara, thebetter to bat long feminine eyelashes at smitten checkpoint guards.

Good grief.

The story, under the headline 'Conflict isn't pretty, but you can be,' was circulating at military headquartersand Canadian women journalists embedded here were understandably unimpressed by the outrageous smear.

But since they won't write the Globe to protest the piece as fictional fashion advice that portrays female warcorrespondents as soldier sex objects, heck, allow me.

The writer of the drivel is one Jenn Gearey, who claims to have done time in Darfur, Afghanistan and Iraq asa Canadian reporter. Funny, but her name rang no bells in the media tent here and a Google search producedonly fluff stories on topics like the time she had an unwanted purple elephant tattoo removed from her ankle.

The harsh reality is that women journalists covering the Afghanistan war are in a gender−neutral workenvironment and every bit the hard−nosed match of their male colleagues. And looking at the lineup ofwomen in training for future military deployments, the day's clearly not far off when more females than menwill be here covering the Canadian troops fighting in Afghanistan.

The two women (there are only four men) journalists here this month − Mellissa Fung of CBC and StephanieLevitz of Canadian Press − join a long list of senior reporters volunteering at considerable personal risk tocover this conflict alongside soldiers. Both have successfully lobbied military brass to place them inharm's−way locations where bullets are being exchanged with the Taliban and rocket−launched grenades arelanding − hazardous spots this male has yet to tread. When they go out in public wearing a burka, it's not forhair protection but to stay alive in a region where female foreigners are prized kidnapping material. Even in aburka, they risk being exposed the minute they extend an uncovered arm or stumble in their unfamiliar attire.Besides, there's no allowance for femininity on this base − women share tents with snoring males at theairfield and crash on bumpy cots or hard ground while out with the troops. Never is the sound of a hair−dryeror leg shaver heard and I have yet to see the faintest hint of makeup on their faces.

As CBC's Fung pointed out sarcastically, the 50 C degree heat would quickly sweat off the makeup and turnmelting mascara into rivers of black even if women were inclined to coat themselves in the stuff, as the storyrecommended.

The parade of Canadian women reporting this 18−month conflict has posted a proud record of raising the barfor all male journalists to follow, if they dare.

No allowance for femininity in Afghanistan 71

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Calgary Herald reporter Renata D'Aliesio went on a patrol for 17 straight days at the height of some seriousTaliban activity last summer to get an up−close look at real military action. Nobody here can recall a longerstay outside the relatively safe confines of the Kandahar Air Field.

The Globe's Christie Blatchford is arguably the toughest, no−nonsense, get−me−to−the−front−line columnistto cover this conflict. Why she doesn't go apoplectic at her own paper making space for this hatchet job on herjournalistic sisters is beyond me. CTV's Lisa Laflamme was damn near hit by mortar fire while on patrol here− and soldiers on the scene still shake their heads at how she pushed them to go deeper into danger.

Canadian Press writer Sue Bailey travelled inside a very dangerous Kandahar City last fall on her own forhard−to−get interviews on the plight of women and slept with a knife under her pillow for protection on theadvice of her guest house host.

That's why, at first read, the 'story' in the Globe last weekend seemed more a feeble attempt at humour than aserious lifestyle piece. After all, suggesting female war correspondents paint their toenails to hide the dirt?Bringing mud masks and exfoliates to the battlefield? Wearing stud earrings to "feel feminine even whenyou're filthy?" Shaving legs and armpits because "war zones have army men who are fit and will look at youlike a goddess"? Alas, it wasn't meant to be tongue−in−cheek. Good grief. Again. So here's some unsolicitedadvice for Globe writer Jenn Gearey. Stick to writing about tattoo removals and know that serious womenreporters leave the beauty tips at home so they can cover the front line in their uniquely professional fashion.

Don Martin writes for the Calgary Herald.

No allowance for femininity in Afghanistan 72

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Opposition leaders say troops must leave in '09

PUBLICATION: The Guardian (Charlottetown)

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: Canada

PAGE: A5

SOURCE: CP

DATELINE: OTTAWA

ILLUSTRATION: Dion

WORD COUNT: 236

It's looking more like Prime Minister Stephen Harper's pledge not to extend Canada's combat role inAfghanistan without the consensus of all four federal parties means the combat mission will end in 19 months.

Two party leaders were unyielding in their positions Wednesday as news filtered back from Kandahar that sixmore Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter had been killed by a roadside bomb.

With Canada's death toll in Afghanistan reaching 66 soldiers and a diplomat since 2002, Liberal LeaderStephane Dion told a news conference that Harper should have informed NATO allies weeks ago that Canadawould not be renewing its combat commitment in the Central Asian country.

"The prime minister has said that he needs to have a consensus in order to extend the mission beyondFebruary of 2009," Dion said. "This consensus will never exist."

"You know what is the views of the other parties and what is the view of the official Opposition. So the primeminister should say that right away."

"It should have been done weeks ago."

Dion's news conference came a few hours after NDP Leader Jack Layton said Canada doesn't need to givenotice, it should just pull out now.

Citing a mounting military and civilian death toll, Layton said Harper should engineer an immediatescaledown of operations and take a lead role in developing a peace process with Taliban leaders. Layton saidHarper needs to show leadership by urging the United States to stop high−altitude bombing in the face ofmore than 270 civilian deaths.

Opposition leaders say troops must leave in '09 73

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Six Canadians killed as vehicle hit by roadside bombin Afghanistan; Major blast that ripped througharmoured vehicle Wednesday also kills an Afghan

PUBLICATION: The Guardian (Charlottetown)

DATE: 2007.07.05

SECTION: Canada

PAGE: A5

SOURCE: CP

DATELINE: KANDAHAR, Afghanistan

ILLUSTRATION:Brig−Gen. Tim Grant, the commander of the Canadiancontingent in Afghanistan relaysthe news that six Canadian soldiers were killed in the Panjwai district of Kandahar onWednesday. Canadian Press photo

WORD COUNT: 366

A powerful roadside bomb killed six Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter Wednesday, rippingthrough their sturdy armoured vehicle on a gravel road in southern Afghanistan.

The soldiers were returning to a forward operating base after a joint mission with Afghan security forcesaround 11 a.m. when their RG−31 struck the improvised explosive device, said Brig.−Gen. Tim Grant, headof Canada's mission in Afghanistan.

The soldiers were on a well−travelled path, used by army and locals alike, in an area of Kandahar provinceconsidered among the safer zones.

Their vehicle, a Nyala, is considered one of the military's strongest in protecting against the deadly scourge ofroadside bombs.

It's a South African−built armoured patrol vehicle the army uses widely in Afghanistan; its massive wheelsand undercarriage far higher above the dusty ground than the LAV III, a light armoured vehicle that's alsosupposed to provide strong protection against explosives.

The identities of those killed had not yet been released pending notification of relatives.

The soldiers had been on a cordon−and−search operation, following intelligence that Taliban militants were inthe area. They had been passing through the village of Salavat, 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city,when the bomb went off.

Grant said the incident is under investigation and until it is complete, it won't be clear why this particularbomb managed to defeat the Nyala's defences, or whether the vehicle's use should be questioned.

It's not the first time a Canadian soldier has been killed while riding in a Nyala.

In October, Trooper Mark Andrew Wilson died from injuries sustained when his Nyala was hit by animprovised explosive device − or IED − in the same district.

Though the military has said the rising use of roadside bombs is a sign of a desperate insurgency, their deadlyblasts have claimed more lives during the current rotation of Canadian troops than any other weapons − 19 of

Six Canadians killed as vehicle hit by roadside bomb in Afghanistan; Major blast that ripped through armoured vehicle Wednesday also kills an Afghan74

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the 22 soldiers killed so far.

"Clearly they have managed to kill six great young Canadians today which is an absolute tragedy, but theother parts of this is that they are killing lots of Afghans," Grant said.

"These are not the tactics of anything other than terrorists."

Grant pointed out while deadly IED explosions are widely reported, there are many that are discovered andneutralized by the military before causing any harm.

"We're not perfect and we do miss some, as we have seen today, but the battle against the Taliban and thebattle against their choice of weapons, IED, is successful," Grant insisted.

"And more often than not we do find them and we do disarm them."

Six Canadians killed as vehicle hit by roadside bomb in Afghanistan; Major blast that ripped through armoured vehicle Wednesday also kills an Afghan75

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BC−Cda−News−Digest

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: ADVISORIES

PUBLICATION: cpw

WORD COUNT: 802

TORONTO (CP) _ Lawyers acting for thousands of mentally disabled Canadian war veterans whose moneywas mismanaged by the federal government are considering yet another appeal after Ontario's highest court onWednesday overturned a $4.6−billion damages award in their favour.

The lawyers also urged the public to ``make a stink'' by writing Prime Minister Stephen Harper, otherpoliticians and newspapers to press for a political solution to the long−running, complex case.

``There is no doubt that a massive injustice has been inflicted on this vulnerable class,'' Ray Colautti, one ofthe plaintffs' lawyers, said hours after the decision came down.

``Stealing is stealing. You can dress it up however you want.''

In an emphatic decision Wednesday, the Ontario Court of Appeal threw out what would have been the largestdamages award in Canadian history. The court ruled that the Supreme Court of Canada had already decidedagainst the vets four years ago and the case should have been considered closed then.

Document leak against alleged Montreal terrorist to be probed by RCMP

MONTREAL (CP) _ Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day indicated he has confidence in any RCMPinvestigation into the leak of information about a man suspected of terrorism.

``When the RCMP says they are investigating a file then that is exactly what they would be doing and we'llawait the results of that investigation,'' Day said Wednesday, declining to be more specific.

The RCMP would not immediately comment on the news an investigation has begun into the leak ofclassified documents on Adil Charkaoui to a Montreal newspaper.

Recent published reports citing CSIS documents claimed Charkaoui was involved in a plot to fly a plane intoa foreign target, something he has denied.

The Coalition Justice for Adil Charkaoui said Charkaoui's lawyer had received a letter last Friday informingher of the investigation.

The coalition has released a statement praising the federal government's decision to proceed with an RCMPinquiry into the leak as well as an administrative inquiry.

An assessment of the impact on court proceedings will also take place, the group said.

Prime minister's Nova Scotia tour presents tough P.R. challenges

HALIFAX (CP) _ Prime Minister Stephen Harper had scheduled a series of good−news trips to shore upslipping political support in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, but the visits Thursday will likely beovershadowed by the deaths of six soldiers in Afghanistan and lingering resentment over the federal budget.

BC−Cda−News−Digest 76

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Harper, stung by an ongoing disputes with the two provinces over revenue from non−renewable resources,was off to a rough start even before arriving in Halifax, a military town with its share of young men andwomen serving overseas.

On Wednesday, Nova Scotia Premier MacDonald appeared miffed by Harper's visit, saying he knew nothingabout it less than 24 hours before it was slated to begin.

``If it's good news for my province, I'd be very disappointed not to know what that news is,'' a bewilderedMacDonald told reporters in Bridgewater, N.S., during an announcement at a tire plant.

The Prime Minister's Office later confirmed that Harper will make an announcement at Halifax's sprawlingnaval dockyard, where he will be joined by Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor and Foreign Affairs MinisterPeter MacKay, Nova Scotia's representative in the federal cabinet.

RCMP raid home of `central figure' in federal sponsorship scandal

SAINT−BRUNO−DE−MONTARVILLE, Que. (CP) _ Jacques Corriveau has been described as a crony offormer Prime Minister Jean Chretien, a liar and the ``central figure'' in the federal sponsorship scandal.

On Wednesday, RCMP very publicly added central figure in a criminal investigation to the list.

Police descended on the one−time businessman and Liberal fundraiser's swank suburban Montreal homearmed with a search warrant.

``They're looking for mainly documents and computer data and different things like that,'' said RCMP Cpl.Sylvain L'Heureux.

``It's a search in the course of an investigation. It's an investigation that started in October 2006, so it's afollow−up to the other investigations in the sponsorship file.''

The sponsorship program was designed to increase federal government presence in Quebec after the slimfederalist victory in the 1995 sovereignty referendum.

The search at the residence in Saint−Bruno−de−Montarville, southeast of Montreal, began at 7:30 a.m. Byearly afternoon, police had carted out about 50 boxes of documents.

Pickton defence lawyer attacks witness's credibility for fifth day on stand

NEW WESTMINSTER (CP) _ The key witness at the Robert Pickton murder trial didn't mention seeingPickton with a body in his pig slaughterhouse in two statements to police in 1999, a defence lawyer suggestedWednesday.

Lynn Ellingsen didn't tell the story of walking into the ``barn'' and seeing a woman hanging from a chain untilFeb. 24, 2002, two weeks after she was arrested, and after signing an agreement that she would only be awitness and not a suspect, the jury heard.

Defence lawyer Richard Brooks, who is questioning Ellingsen for the fifth day of her six days on the witnessstand, said she gave two statements to police in August 1999 and didn't mention seeing a dead woman in theslaughterhouse next to his trailer.

``I was afraid for my life,'' said Ellingsen, repeating again that Pickton had threatened her the night she saidshe walked into the building and saw him butchering a woman.

BC−Cda−News−Digest 77

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Brooks suggested that she related the ``barn incident`` three years after her first police statements _ on Feb.24, 2002 _ when she was told she was under consideration on 11 counts of conspiracy to commit murder.

BC−Cda−News−Digest 78

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Canadian death toll in Afghanistan: 66 soldiers, onediplomat

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE POLITICS

PUBLICATION: cpw

WORD COUNT: 480

Since 2002, 66 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have been killed in Afghanistan. Here is a list of thedeaths:

2007

July 4 _ Cpl. Cole Bartsch, Capt. Matthew Johnathan Dawe and Pte. Lane Watkins, all of 3rd BattalionPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton; and Master Cpl. Colin Bason, a reservist fromThe Royal Westminster Regiment based in New Westminster, B.C., killed by a roadside bomb west ofKandahar city.

June 20 _ Sgt. Christos Karigiannis, Cpl. Stephen Frederick Bouzane and Pte. Joel Vincent Wiebe, all of 3rdBattalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry killed by a roadside bomb west of Kandahar.

June 11 _ Trooper Darryl Caswell, 25, of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, by a roadside bomb north ofKandahar.

May 30 _ Master Cpl. Darrell Jason Priede, killed when a U.S. helicopter was reportedly shot down by theTaliban in Helmand province.

May 25 _ Cpl. Matthew McCully, 25, killed by an improvised explosive device in Zhari District.

April 18 _ Master Cpl. Anthony Klumpenhouwer, who served with elite special forces, died after falling froma communications tower while on duty conducting surveillance in Kandahar City.

April 11 _ Master Cpl. Allan Stewart and Trooper Patrick James Pentland killed when their Coyote vehiclestruck an improvised explosive device.

April 8 _ Sgt. Donald Lucas, Cpl. Aaron E. Williams, Pte. Kevin V. Kennedy, Pte. David R. Greenslade, Cpl.Christopher P. Stannix and Cpl. Brent Poland killed when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb.

March 6 _ Cpl. Kevin Megeney, 25, killed in accidental shooting at NATO base in Kandahar.

2006

Nov. 27 _ Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Girouard and Cpl. Albert Storm killed by suicide car bomber.

Oct. 14 _ Sgt. Darcy Tedford and Pte. Blake Williamson killed in ambush.

Oct. 7 _ Trooper Mark Andrew Wilson killed by roadside bomb.

Oct. 3 _ Sgt. Craig Gillam and Cpl. Robert Mitchell killed in series of mortar, rocket attacks.

Canadian death toll in Afghanistan: 66 soldiers, one diplomat 79

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Sept. 29 _ Pte. Josh Klukie killed by explosion in Panjwaii while on foot patrol.

Sept. 18 _ Pte. David Byers, Cpl. Shane Keating, Cpl. Keith Morley and Cpl. Glen Arnold killed in suicidebicycle bomb attack while on foot patrol in Panjwaii.

Sept. 4 _ Pte. Mark Graham killed when two NATO planes accidentally strafed Canadian troops in Panjwaiidistrict.

Sept. 3 _ Sgt. Shane Stachnik, Warrant Officer Frank Robert Mellish, Pte. William Cushley and WarrantOfficer Richard Francis Nolan killed in fighting in Panjwaii district.

Aug. 22 _ Cpl. David Braun killed in suicide attack.

Aug. 11 _ Cpl. Andrew Eykelenboom killed in suicide attack.

Aug. 9 _ Master Cpl. Jeffrey Walsh killed by apparent accidental discharge of rifle.

Aug. 5 _ Master Cpl. Raymond Arndt killed when his G−Wagon patrol vehicle collided with truck.

Aug. 3 _ Cpl. Christopher Reid killed by roadside bomb. Sgt. Vaughan Ingram, Cpl. Bryce Keller and Pte.Kevin Dallaire killed in rocket−propelled grenade attack.

July 22 _ Cpl. Francisco Gomez and Cpl. Jason Warren killed when car packed with explosives rammed theirarmoured vehicle.

July 9 _ Cpl. Anthony Boneca killed in firefight.

May 17 _ Capt. Nichola Goddard killed in Taliban ambush. She was first Canadian woman to be killed inaction while serving in combat role.

April 22 _ Cpl. Matthew Dinning, Bombardier Myles Mansell, Lt. William Turner and Cpl. Randy Paynekilled when their G−Wagon destroyed by roadside bomb.

March 29 _ Pte. Robert Costall killed in firefight with Taliban.

March 2 _ Cpl. Paul Davis and Master Cpl. Timothy Wilson killed when their armoured vehicle ran off road.

Jan. 15 _ Glyn Berry, British−born Canadian diplomat, killed in suicide bombing.

2005

Nov. 24 _ Pte. Braun Woodfield killed when his armoured vehicle rolled over.

2004

Jan. 27 _ Cpl. Jamie Murphy killed in suicide bombing while on patrol.

2003

Oct. 2 _ Sgt. Robert Short and Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger killed in roadside bombing.

2002

Canadian death toll in Afghanistan: 66 soldiers, one diplomat 80

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April 17 _ Sgt. Marc Leger, Cpl. Ainsworth Dyer, Pte. Richard Green and Pte. Nathan Smith killed when U.S.F−16 fighter mistakenly bombed Canadians.

Canadian death toll in Afghanistan: 66 soldiers, one diplomat 81

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Layton says civilian, military deaths in Afghanistantoo high a cost

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: DEFENCE INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

PUBLICATION: cpw

WORD COUNT: 374

OTTAWA (CP) _ The prime minister needs to engineer a scaleback of military operations in Afghanistan inthe face of mounting civilian and military deaths, NDP Leader Jack Layton said Wednesday as six moreCanadian troops were killed.

Layton said Prime Minister Stephen Harper needs to show leadership by urging the United States to stophigh−altitude bombing in the war−torn country and withdrawing Canadian troops from what he characterizedas a hopeless mission.

``It's the wrong mission; it's not working; it's not going to accomplish the goals,'' said Layton, adding his partywill ensure the issue is front and centre in coming federal byelections.

His warning came as six Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter were killed while returning to a forwardoperating base in the Panjwaii district west of Kandahar city.

Twenty−two soldiers have now been killed on this rotation alone; by this time last year only eight had died.Altogether, 66 Canadian soldiers have now lost their lives in Afghanistan since 2002, along with one diplomat

The latest deaths occurred in an area the Canadian military has been using as an example of their mission'sachievements in Afghanistan. The Taliban were thought to have largely left, and several reconstructionprojects are underway.

But three other soldiers were killed there on June 20 by an improvised explosive device.

NATO's presence in Afghanistan is only boosting Afghan support for the Taliban, Layton said, adding theonly way to peace is through negotiation. He urged Harper to take a lead role in establishing a peace process.

Layton said 270 Afghan civilians have been killed during military operations in Afghanistan this year alone.

The war is escalating and Ottawa is misguided in its commitment to provide troops to the NATO alliance inAfghanistan for at least two more years, Layton said.

He wants Liberal Leader Stephane Dion and Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe to reconsider theirpositions on Canada's role in Afghanistan and join the NDP in calling for Canada's immediate withdrawal.

He said Canadians should voice their opposition to the war by voting for his party in the byelections, expectedbefore summer's end.

``The strategy we're following is wrong; we should take our troops out,'' Layton said.

``Students of history will know that all major conflicts are resolved, ultimately, through peace−orienteddiscussions. . . . And that's what needs to happen here.''

Layton says civilian, military deaths in Afghanistan too high a cost 82

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Ottawa has committed troops to Afghanistan through February 2009. Harper has said he will seek an all−partyconsensus in Parliament on Canada's future role with the NATO force, if any.

Layton says civilian, military deaths in Afghanistan too high a cost 83

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20 suspected militants killed in Afghanistan clashes,officials say

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE

PUBLICATION: cpw

WORD COUNT: 81

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) _ Twenty militants and one policeman are dead after three separate clashes insouthern Afghanistan.

Officials say militants battled Afghan and U.S.−led coalition troops.

The provincial police chief of Ghazni province says militants attacked at least three police checkpoints inGhazni Tuesday, and ensuing gunbattles left 13 militants and one officer dead.

A spokesman for Zabul province's governor says Afghan and U.S.−led coalition forces there clashed withsuspected Taliban militants Tuesday in Shahjoy district, leaving seven militants dead and six others wounded.

20 suspected militants killed in Afghanistan clashes, officials say 84

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(no headline)

DATE: 2007.07.04

PUBLICATION: cpw

WORD COUNT: 1589

Following is a list of graphics that have moved on GraphicsNet Wednesday, July 4. In this menu eachgraphic's file name (all caps) is followed by a brief description, time of input and the SAU column size anddepth in inches. For questions or retransmission requests please call CP Graphics in Toronto at (416)507−2172.

EDITORS: CP and AP Graphics are available in the CP Picture Archive for GraphicsNet subscribers.

PLEASE NOTE:

A problem with the creation date of graphics from AP has been discovered. This may cause them to sortincorrectly in your filing system. We are working with AP to correct the problem.

−−−−−−−−−−−−−CP SPOT NEWS GRAPHICS:

Market−Watch: 6 p.m.; 1c. Daily market graphics.

Copper−Fox−Stock: 5 p.m.; 1c. Stock on the TSX.

Great−Lakes−Pkg: 4 p.m.; 3gr. Map, diagram, logo to accompany Great Lake series. MOVED.

Afghan−CDA−Deaths: 3 p.m.; 3c. Canadians killed. MOVED.

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−Feature Graphics:

Music−Charts: 1 p.m.; 1c. 2c. Top 10. MOVED.

AP graphics expected:

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−National/World Graphics:

WOMEN COACHES: Graphic shows survey results for female college head coaches; three sizes; 3c x 3\inches; 146 mm x 83 mm; 2c x 3[ inches; 96.3 mm x 79 mm; 1c x 2| inches; 46.5 mm x 67 mm; MOVEDWednesday, Jul. 4.

AFGHAN VIOLENCE 2: Map locates Ghazni and Zabul provinces with Zhari in Kandahar, Afghanistan; 1cx 1} inches; 46.5 mm x 44 mm; with BC−Afghan−Violence; MOVED Wednesday, July 4.

AFGHAN VIOLENCE: Map locates sites of clashes which killed at least 20 in southern Afghanistan; 1c x 1}inches; 46.5 mm x 44 mm; with BC−Afghan−Violence; MOVED Wednesday, July 4.

PAKISTAN BOMBING: Map locates North Waziristan, Pakistan, where a suicide attack killed at least 10people; 1c x 1~ inches; 46.5 mm x 48 mm; with BC−Pakistan−Bombing; MOVED Wednesday, July 4.

CHINA CHRYSLER CHERY: Graphic shows company profile of China's Chery Automobile and keyfinancial figures for Chrysler Group; 1c x 3| inches; 46.5 mm x 92 mm; with BC−China−Chrysler Chery;

(no headline) 85

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MOVED Wednesday, July 4.

BRITAIN TERROR: Map locates terror plot arrests for failed bombings in the United Kingdom; 2c x 3}inches; 96.3 mm x 95 mm; with BC−Britain−Terrorism; MOVED Tuesday, July 3.

BRIT TERROR TIMELINE: Graphic shows timeline of developments in Britain's terror events since Friday;3c x 3\ inches; 146 mm x 83 mm; with BC−Britain−Terrorism; MOVED Tuesday, July 3.

INDIA MONSOON: Map shows monsoon−hit region in western India; 1c x 2} inches; 46.5 mm x 70 mm;with BC−India−Rain Deaths or related stories; MOVED Tuesday, July 3.

AFGHAN VIOLENCE: Map locates Zhari in Kandahar, Afghanistan, where NATO forces clashed withTaliban militants, killing at least 33; 1c x 1} inches; 46.5 mm x 44 mm; with BC−Afghanistan; MOVEDTuesday, July 3.

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−Business Graphics:

CHINA CHRYSLER CHERY: Graphic shows company profile of China's Chery Automobile and keyfinancial figures for Chrysler Group; 1c x 3| inches; 46.5 mm x 92 mm; with BC−China−Chrysler Chery;MOVED Wednesday, July 4.

URUGUAY PAPER: Map locates Fray Bentos, Uruguay, Botnia, pulp mill construction area; 1c x 3 inches;46.5 mm x 76 mm; with BC−Uruguay's Paper Hope; MOVED Tuesday, July 3.

DOLLAR: Graphic shows the euro against the dollar; 1c x 2~ inches; 46.5 mm x 73 mm; with BC−Dollar;MOVED Tuesday, July 3.

LATE LOANS: Graphic shows late payments on home equity loans and credit card bills; 1c x 4 inches; 46.5mm x 102 mm; with BC−Late Loans; MOVED Tuesday, July 3.

FACTORY ORDERS: Charts new factory orders in billions of dollars; 1c x 2] inches; 46.5 mm x 60 mm;with BC−Economy; MOVED Tuesday, July 3.

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−Sports Graphics:

CAR WATKINS GLEN GP: Graphic shows layout of the Watkins Glen International Speedway, site of theWatkins Glen Indy Grand Prix; two sizes; 1c x 3| inches; 46.5 mm x 86 mm, 2c x 2| inches; 96.3 mm x 67mm; MOVED Wednesday, July 4.

CAR PEPSI 400: Graphic shows layout of the Daytona Speedway, site of the Pepsi 400; two sizes; 2c x 2{inches; 96.3 mm x 64 mm; 1c x 4[ inches; 46.5 mm x 105 mm; MOVED Wednesday, July 4.

CAR BRITISH GRAND PRIX: Graphic shows layout of the Silverstone road course, site of the British GrandPrix; x 0 inches; 0 mm x 0 mm; with auto package and related stories; MOVED Wednesday, July 4.

BONDS WATCH: Graphic counts down Barry Bonds' chase of Hank Aaron's career home run record; twosizes; two sizes; 1c x 2~ inches; 46.5 mm x 73 mm; 2c x 1\ inches; 96.3 mm x 31.8 mm; stand−alone;MOVED Tuesday, July 3.

AMERICAS CUP: Graphic shows winner of America's Cup; 1c x 2] inches; 46.5 mm x 60 mm; withBC−SAI−−America's Cup; MOVED Tuesday, July 3.

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NEXTEL CUP TOP 12: Graphic lists NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Top 12 drivers; two sizes; 1c x 2{inches; 46.5 mm x 64 mm; 2c x 2] inches; 96.3 mm x 60 mm; with any related stories; MOVED Monday, July2.

MARINERS MCLAREN: Graphic profiles new Mariners manager John McLaren; 1c x 3| inches; 46.5 mm x92 mm; with BC−BBA−−Mariners−McLaren; MOVED Monday, July 2.

BONDS RECORD FPO: FOR PLACEMENT ONLY; page highlights Barry Bonds' career home runs; 6c x22 inches; 295.2 mm x 559 mm; with related stories; MOVED Wednesday, June 27.

TOUR DE FRANCE ROUTE: Graphic shows route of the Tour de France; 3c x 6[ inches; 146 mm x 156mm; with any related story; MOVED Friday, June 22.

−−−−−−−−−−−−Hurricane Season 2007:

HURRICANE HOUSE: ADVANCE FOR USE ANYTIME; graphic shows how to prepare a home for ahurricane; 3c x 6 inches; 146 mm x 152 mm; with any related story; MOVED Friday, June 1.

HURRICANE FORECAST NOAA: ADVANCE FOR USE ANYTIME; graphic shows forecast forhurricanes from NOAA since 2001 versus actual hurricanes; 1c x 3 inches; 46.5 mm x 76 mm; withBC−Hurricane Forecast and related stories; MOVED Friday, June 1.

HURRICANE YEARLY STORMS: ADVANCE FOR USE ANYTIME; graphic shows number of major andminor hurricanes for each year since 1900 and plots 10−year averages; 2c x 2~ inches; 96.3 mm x 73 mm;with BC−Hurricane Forecast and related stories; MOVED Friday, June 1.

HURRICANE NAMES: ADVANCE FOR USE ANYTIME; graphic shows storm names for the 2007Atlantic storm season; three sizes; 1c x 5\ inches; 46.5 mm x 133 mm; 1c x 4\ inches; 46.5 mm x 108 mm; 1{cx 2{ inches; 66.5 mm x 64 mm; with BC−Hurricane Forecast and related stories; MOVED Friday, June 1.

HURRICANE SEASON: ADVANCE FOR USE ANYTIME; graphic shows the number of named Atlanticstorms in the past 10 years; 1c x 2| inches; 46.5 mm x 67 mm; with BC−Hurricane Forecasts andhurricane−related stories; MOVED Friday, June 1.

HURRICANE PATHS: ADVANCE FOR USE ANYTIME; map shows hurricane paths since 1976; 4c x 7]inches; 195.7 mm x 187 mm; with BC−The Next New Orleans; MOVED Friday, June 1.

HURRICANE FORECAST CSU: ADVANCE FOR USE ANYTIME; graphic shows hurricane forecastsfrom Colorado State University since 2001; 1c x 2~ inches; 46.5 mm x 73 mm; with BC−Hurricane Forecast;MOVED Thursday, May 31.

COASTAL POPULATION: ADVANCE FOR USE ANYTIME; map shows U.S. population living in acoastal county; 3c x 4{ inches; 146 mm x 114 mm; with BC−The Next New Orleans; MOVED Wednesday,May 30.

HURRICANE LOGO: ADVANCE FOR USE ANYTIME; logo to accompany coverage of the 2007hurricane season; {c x | inches; 20 mm x 16 mm; with any related stories; MOVED Friday, May 25.

HURR INSURANCE: ADVANCE FOR USE ANYTIME; graphic looks at some statistics on recenthurricanes; 2c x 6 inches; 96.3 mm x 152 mm; with related hurricane stories; MOVED Thursday, May 24.

−−−−−−−Advance and Features Graphics:

(no headline) 87

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SUMMER BOX OFFICE: Graphic compares this summer's box office total gross and attendance to previousyears; two sizes; 1c x 4] inches; 46.5 mm x 111 mm; 2c x 2] inches; 96.3 mm x 60 mm; withBC−Film−Hollywood's Summer; Tuesday, July 3.

AGING ITALY: ADVANCE FOR JULY 8; graphic shows percentage of population age 65 and older andratio of retirees to active workers in Italy and other select countries; 2c x 3\ inches; 96.3 mm x 83 mm; withBC−Aging Italy; MOVED Tuesday, July 3.

CHILD OBESITY LAWS: ADVANCE FOR JULY 5; map shows states that have laws addressing obesity inchildren; 2c x 3~ inches; 96.3 mm x 98 mm; with BC−Failing to Fight Fat; MOVED Monday, July 2.

SUSTAINABLE WOOD: Graphic to accompany story about sustainable wood; 2c x 3 inches; 96.3 mm x 76mm; with BC−FEA−Homes−Sustainable Wood; MOVED Monday, July 2.

IWO JIMA HILL: ADVANCE FOR JULY 4; map locates the Japanese island of Iwo Jima, where a U.S. teamis looking for a Marine who filmed flag−raising; includes detail of Hill 362A; 1c x 4 inches; 46.5 mm x 102mm; with BC−Iwo Jima−Still Missing; MOVED Monday, July 2.

IWO JIMA MARINE: ADVANCE FOR JULY 4; graphic shows Iwo Jima and Hill 362A, where a Marinecombat photographer was believed to have been killed; 2c x 4{ inches; 96.3 mm x 114 mm; with BC−IwoJima−Still Missing; MOVED Monday, July 2.

HARRY POTTER: Graphic looks at number of books published in the Harry Potter series; two sizes; 1c x 4\inches; 46.5 mm x 108 mm; 1{c x 3\ inches; 66.5 mm x 83 mm; with BC−Potter the Phenomenon; MOVEDThursday, June 28.

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−Weekly Graphics:

NIELSENS: Graphic shows the top 10 weekly television shows for the week; 1c x 5} inches; 46.5 mm x 146mm; 2c x 2| inches; 96.3 mm x 67 mm; with BC−Nielsens; MOVED Tuesday, July 3.

BOX OFFICE: Graphic shows U.S. box office sales for the past weekend; 1c x 4} inches; MOVED Monday,July 2.

ON THE NET LOGO: Logo for placement with weekly On the Net column; multiple sizes; 1c x 1 inch; 46.5mm x 18 mm; half−column x 1.25 inches; 17 mm x 33 mm; with BC−On the Net; MOVED Monday, July 2.

IN THE PITS LOGO: Logo to accompany column on NASCAR racing; {c x 1] inches; 17 mm x 35 mm; {c x2 inches; 17 mm x 51 mm; 2c x } inches; 96.5 mm x 18 mm; 3c x } inches; 146 mm x 18 mm; with weeklyNASCAR column by Jenna Fryer; MOVED Monday, July 2.

CYBERTRIPS LOGO: Logo for use with BC−TRV−−Travel−CyberTrips; 1c; 46.5 mm; MOVED Monday,July 2.

SNAPSHOT: Weekly financial snapshot looks at major stock indexes; 2c x 4} inches; 96 mm x 121 mm;stand−alone; ETA Friday, July 6.

FANTASY BASEBALL LOGO: Logo for placement with weekly Fantasy Baseball column; {c x 1\ inches;20 mm x 32 mm; with BC−Fantasy Baseball; ETA Friday, July 6.

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CTV National News, Wednesday, July 4

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: ADVISORIES

PUBLICATION: cpw

WORD COUNT: 361

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan _ Six Canadian soldiers killed when their armoured vehicle hit a roadside bomb inAfghanistan; their Afghan interpreter also died; four of the six have been identified; they were travelling in anRG−31 or Nyala, which is considered the safest vehicle the military has; Brig.−Gen. Tim Grant says themilitary will look at what happened to see how it can decrease future risk; roadside bombs have become theTaliban's most effective weapon; Grant says more often than not though, the troops find the bombs beforethey go off. CVD.

UNDATED _ Fallen soldier Master Cpl. Colin Bason's mother, Ann, says her son was proud to serve hercountry; he only had six weeks before he was supposed to come home. PICKED UP.

OTTAWA _ NDP Leader Jack Layton says the Afghan mission is going in the wrong way and Liberal LeaderStephane Dion says adjustments must be made to the mission; the American ambassador urges Canada not toabandon Afghanistan. CVD.

LONDON _ British authorities now say some of the eight under arrest for the aborted terror attacks over theweekend had been to the secret service for some time; Islamic Jihad is trying to recuit doctors and otherprofessionals. CVD.

JERUSALEM _ Released BBC reporter Alan Johnston apologizes to British diplomats for the trouble hecaused them during 114 days of captivity by an extremist Palestinian faction.

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. _ The 13−year−old girl accused of murdering her family says she only accepted her23−year−old boyfriend's marriage proposal because she was still traumatized; she insists she didn't want tokill her parents and little brother. CVD.

OTTAWA _ Police in Ottawa search vehicles in connection with the murder of a former federal tax courtjudge; investigators won't say how the victims died; police are looking into reports that a delivery man cameto the home in the days before the murders but left saying he'd forgotten the package and would return.CHECKING.

TORONTO _ Canadian Avril Lavigne being sued by American songwriters who allege her hit ``Girlfriend''was plagiarized. CVD.

UNDATED _ Al Gore's son was arrested for the second time for the possession of marijuana. CVD.

GUATEMALA _ Russian resort Sochi was chosen as the venue for the 2014 Winter Olympics, beating outPyeongchang, South Korea.

CP Toronto

CTV National News, Wednesday, July 4 89

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CP Picture advisory for , , 2007

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: ADVISORIES

PUBLICATION: cpw

WORD COUNT: 131

CP Picture advisory for Wednesday, July 4, 2007. Daily coverage is provided by a combination of memberpapers and CP staff. Entries with an estimated photo transmission time are staffed by CP or APphotographers, all other events are requested coverage by member papers.

EAST

BRIDGEWATER, N.S.−− N.S. premier makes announcement at tire plant. (1400)

QUEBEC

Nil sighted.

CENTRAL

OTTAWA −− NDP Leader Jack Layton holds news conference on Afghanistan ``mission failures''. (1300)

OTTAWA −− U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins host Fourth of July Independence Day celebrations. (1800)

WEST

EDMONTON−− Canada's U20 World Cup soccer team practice. (2100)

BURNABY, B.C.−− U20 World Cup soccer − Uruguay vs. Jordan (2130)

BURNABY, B.C.−− U20 World Cup soccer −Zambia vs. Spain (2330)

VICTORIA, B.C.−− U20 World Cup soccer − Costa Rica vs. Japan. (2130)

VICTORIA, B.C.−− U20 World Cup soccer − Scotland vs. Nigeria. (2330)

NORTH

IQALUIT, Nunavut −− Western Premiers conference kicks off with a welcoming reception. (2000)

Coverage has been arranged on the following Canadian activities outside Canada:

OAKLAND, Calif. −− A's − Toronto Blue Jays American league baseball action. (1800)

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah −− Real Salt Lake − Toronto FC MSL action. (2330)

CP PICTURES, Toronto

CP Picture advisory for , , 2007 90

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Six Canadians, one Afghan killed as armouredvehicle hit by roadside bomb

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: DEFENCE INTERNATIONAL

PUBLICATION: cpw

WORD COUNT: 1033

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (CP) _ A powerful roadside bomb killed six Canadian soldiers and an Afghaninterpreter Wednesday, overwhelming the sturdy armour of a vehicle designed to withstand mine blasts as itwas moving along a gravel road in southern Afghanistan.

The RG−31 Nyala patrol vehicle is considered one of the military's strongest in protecting against the deadlyscourge of roadside bombs, but it failed to save the lives of the seven people inside its armoured body.

Brig.−Gen. Tim Grant, the top Canadian commander in Afghanistan, said it's not clear why this particularbomb managed to defeat the Nyala's defences.

An investigation is underway and until it's completed it won't be known whether the vehicle's use should bequestioned, he said.

Wednesday's blast was the deadliest for Canadians since Easter Sunday, April 8, when another roadside bombkilled six Canadian soldiers in what was then the worst single−day toll for the Canadian Forces inAfghanistan. Those six were inside a LAV−3, another light armoured vehicle.

The identities of four of the dead were released late Wednesday afternoon: Cpl. Cole Bartsch, of Whitecourt,Alta.; Capt. Matthew Johnathan Dawe and Pte. Lane Watkins, from Clearwater, Man., all of 3rd BattalionPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton and Master Cpl. Colin Bason, a reservist fromThe Royal Westminster Regiment based in New Westminster, B.C.

The next of kin of the other two killed have not yet agreed to the release of their names.

Dawe, 27, was identified by the Kingston Whig−Standard newspaper as the commanding officer of the 3rdBattalion's C company.

Dawe, midway through a tour of Afghanistan, was in charge of Pte. Joel Wiebe, Sgt. Christos Karigiannis andCpl. Stephen Bouzane when their unarmoured Gator vehicle was blasted by a roadside bomb June 20, theWhig−Standard reported. All three were killed.

Dawe's father, Peter, a Kingston resident, is a retired Canadian Forces lieutenant−colonel and two of Dawe'sbothers have also served in Afghanistan.

Ann Bason of Abbotsford, B.C., said in an interview with CTV News her son was probably one of the firstreservists to join when the call went out for volunteers for the Afghan mission.

``He was very proud that he got picked,'' she said.

``The sad thing is he only had six weeks left to go before he was on his way home. But how many people getto do the things they really love and he loved the infantry.''

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She expressed her condolences to the families of the other Canadian soldiers killed in the attack.

CTV said Bason leaves behind his partner of four years and a baby daughter who will be five months oldSunday.

A statement by 39 Canadian Brigade Group, to which Bason's Royal Westminister Regiment belonged, said:``Cpl. Bason was a seven−year member of the `Westies,' joining in April 2000.''

``During his career, Cpl. Bason attained the appointment of master corporal and relinquished his appointmentin order to participate in the (Afghan) tour. Cpl. Bason, as do all reserve soldiers, volunteered to go over toAfghanistan to help the Afghan people in their ongoing effort to establish a society founded on freedom,democracy and universally accepted human rights.''

``Cpl. Bason died doing what he wanted to do. Our heart−felt sympathies are with the Bason family and thefamilies of the other five soldiers killed with Cpl. Bason.''

Prime Minister Stephen Harper a statement in Ottawa saying: ``It is with deep sorrow that I have learned oftoday's tragic event in Afghanistan that took the lives of six Canadian soldiers.''

``On behalf of all Canadians, my most sincere condolences go out to the family, friends and colleagues...Theyare all in our thoughts and prayers''

Altogether, 66 Canadian soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan since 2002, along with one diplomat.

The six soldiers were returning to a forward operating base after a joint mission with Afghan security forcesaround 11 a.m. local time when their vehicle struck the improvised explosive device, Grant said.

The vehicle was on a well−travelled route, used by army and locals alike, in an area of Kandahar provinceconsidered among the safer zones.

The troops had been on a cordon−and−search operation, following intelligence that Taliban militants were inthe area. They had been passing through the village of Salavat, 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city,when the bomb went off.

It's not the first time a Canadian soldier has been killed while riding in a Nyala.

In October, Trooper Mark Andrew Wilson died from injuries sustained when his Nyala was hit by animprovised explosive device _ or IED _ in the same district.

Though the military has said the rising use of roadside bombs is a sign of a desperate insurgency, their deadlyblasts have claimed more lives during the current rotation of Canadian troops than any other weapons _ 19 ofthe 22 soldiers killed so far.

``Clearly they have managed to kill six great young Canadians today which is an absolute tragedy, but theother parts of this is that they are killing lots of Afghans,'' Grant said.

``These are not the tactics of anything other than terrorists.''

Grant pointed out while deadly IED explosions are widely reported, there are many that are discovered andneutralized by the military before causing any harm.

``We're not perfect and we do miss some, as we have seen today, but the battle against the Taliban and the

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battle against their choice of weapons, IED, is successful,'' Grant insisted.

``And more often than not we do find them and we do disarm them.''

Though IED strikes seem to have become one of the Taliban's preferred tactics in Kandahar province, theyhave not been used with the same regularity in other areas.

In neighbouring Helmand province, British forces regularly engage in firefights with insurgents and say theyhaven't seen the same use of the explosives as their Canadian counterparts.

Lt.−Col. Jean Trudel, chief of staff for the National Command Element of Joint Task Force Afghanistan, saidthe growing use of IEDs represents a loss of control by Taliban in Afghanistan.

``They are incapable of success, they are incapable of winning,'' Trudel said in French.

``For every successful attack by insurgents with these devices, there are dozens of successful missions againstthe Taliban using conventional tactics and we find and detonate these explosives.''

Grant maintained Panjwaii is still much safer than the nearby district of Zhari, despite Wednesday's attack andthe one in June that killed the three Canadian soldiers.

Canadian forces have been conducting a series of operations in Zhari for months, trying to flush out thestubborn Taliban insurgency. But Panjwaii is often heralded as a military−reconstruction success story afterheavy fighting last fall.

``Panjwaii is an area we are comfortable in travelling in, we have great relationships with local elders and thedistrict leadership and the people on the ground,'' he said.

``So this is an area that while the Taliban operate in it, they do not operate freely.''

The current rotation of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan is due to return home at the end of this month.

Grant said that as professional soldiers they know they'll need to grieve and move on.

``They understand that their work here is not done yet,'' Grant said.

``It won't be done till they get on the plane to go home.''

The next Canadian battle group due to arrive in August are some 2,000 soldiers of the Royal 22nd Regiment,known as the Van Doos, from Valcartier, Que.

Six Canadians, one Afghan killed as armoured vehicle hit by roadside bomb 93

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CP News Budget, Wednesday, July 04, 2007.

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: ADVISORIES

PUBLICATION: cpw

WORD COUNT: 973

Here are CP's coverage plans for top Canadian news as of 19:30 ET. An updated advisory will move at 23:00ET. If you have any questions, contact CP Main Desk at 416−507−2150.

All times ET.

For queries about non−CP syndicated copy, call the Specials Desk at 416−507−2152.

AFGHAN DEATHS

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan _ A powerful roadside bomb killed six Canadian soldiers and an Afghaninterpreter Wednesday, ripping through their sturdy amoured vehicle on a gravel road in southernAfghanistan. The explosion happened just before 11 a.m. as the soldiers were returning to a forward operatingbase, Brig.−Gen. Tim Grant told reporters at Kandahar Airfield. 700 words. By Stephanie Levitz. See CPPhoto KANDX101BC−Afghan−Cda−Deaths, 4th Writethru. Moved World (W).

UNDATED _ The Nyala armoured patrol vehicles operated by the Canadian military in southern Afghanistanare designed to resist two simultaneous blasts from anti−tank mines. However, one such vehicle failed to savethe lives of six soldiers who died Wednesday along with an Afghan interpreter when it hit a roadside bomb.570 words. By Merita Ilo. BC−Afghan−Cda−Nyala. Moved World (W).

TORONTO _ As another roadside bomb claimed the lives of six more Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan,military analysts say NATO forces are locked in a deadly game of one−upmanship with insurgents that willlead to higher casualties. 550 words. By Jered Stuffco. BC−Afghan−Cda−IED, 1st Writethru. Moved.

See also:

_ BC−Afghan−Cda−List. Moved.

_ BC−Afghan−Cda−Opposition, 1st Writethru. Moved.

CANADIAN

HALIFAX _ Prime Minister Stephen Harper has scheduled a good−news trip to Halifax _ likely toreannounce funding for the military _ but the visit Thursday could be overshadowed by lingering resentmentin a province over the most recent federal budget. As well, Harper's cause wasn't helped by the fact thatPremier Rodney MacDonald was feeling miffed about a visit he knew nothing about. 1,000 words. By AlisonAuld and James Kellar. See CP Photo HAL101−103. BC−NS−Harper−Visit, 6th Writethru. Moved.

SAINT−BRUNO−DE−MONTARVILLE, Que. _ The RCMP began searching the home Wednesday ofJacques Corriveau, described during the sponsorship inquiry as a high−ranking member of the federal Liberalparty with ties to Jean Chretien. Justice John Gomery wrote that Corriveau was the central figure in anelaborate kickback scheme under which he enriched himself personally and provided funds and benefits to theQuebec wing of the Liberal party. 650 words. By Dene Moore. See CP Video, See CP Photo MTLP101.

CP News Budget, Wednesday, July 04, 2007. 94

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BC−RCMP−Corriveau, 3rd Writethru. Moved.

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. _ A girl accused of killing her parents and younger brother says she was stilltraumatized by their vicious deaths when she accepted a jailhouse marriage proposal from the much−olderman she blames for the murders. The 13−year−old, on the witness stand at her trial Wednesday for the secondstraight day, was grilled repeatedly about her actions in the hours and days after her family members wereslaughtered in their Medicine Hat home. 800 words. By James Stevenson. BC−CRIME−Family−Slain, 1stWritethru. Moved.

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. _ Lynn Ellingsen, a key witness in the Crown's case against accused serialmurderer Robert Pickton and the only person to testify to seeing Pickton with a body, was expected toconclude her testimony Wednesday after six days on the witness stand. 800 words. By Greg Joyce.BC−CRIME−Pickton, 2nd Writethru. Moved.

HOUSTON, B.C. _ An inquest into the police shooting of a young man after he was arrested with an openbeer heard Wednesday that Ian Bush was not heavily intoxicated the night he died. 700 words. By ScottSutherland. BC−Police−Shooting−Inquest, 2nd Writethru. Moved.

MONTREAL _ A coalition representing Adil Charkaoui, a Montreal man suspected of being a terrorist, saysthe RCMP is going ahead with an inquiry into the leak of secret information in his file. 500 words. By NelsonWyatt. BC−Alleged−Terrorist, 1st Writethru. Moved.

OTTAWA _ One of the Canadians at the centre of a federal inquiry into his alleged torture in the Middle Eastis challenging the secrecy of the probe in court. Ahmad El Maati's lawyer has applied for a judicial reviewinto the terms of reference for the inquiry, led by former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci. 770 words.By Jennifer Ditchburn. BC−Torture−Probe−Secrecy, 1st Writethru. Moved.

TORONTO _ A $4.6−billion award to mentally disabled veterans for Ottawa's decades−long mismanagementof their pensions cannot stand, Ontario's highest court ruled Wednesday. In upholding Ottawa's appeal of thelargest damages award in Canadian history, the Appeal Court unanimously ruled that the Supreme Court ofCanada has already decided against the vets. 725 words. By Colin Perkel. BC−Veterans−Pension−Lawsuit,4th Writethru.

FREDERICTON _ A fisheries advisory group is sounding an alarm about the future of Atlantic Canada'svaluable lobster fishery. The Fisheries Resource Conservation Council issued a report Wednesday that saysthere are ``high risks'' associated with current strategies for fishing lobster in many areas of Eastern Canada.650 words. By Chris Morris. BC−Lobster−Warning, 1st Writethru. Moved.

FOR THE WEEKEND

UNDATED _ While a large chunk of the world grows increasingly parched and desperate for fresh water,most Canadians don't think twice about turning on the taps for a drink or shower, and having an instant,abundant supply. Meanwhile, an estimated 1.1 billion people lack access to clean water and shortages plagueAustralia, parts of Africa, the Middle East and the United States. Advocates are now worried that Canadianshave taken those vast bodies of water for granted, and they're particularly concerned that there's a lack ofalarm over serious, growing problems in the Great Lakes. 1,200 words. By Mike Oliveira. See CP Photos. Foruse any time but intended mainly for Weekend Editions; first of a four−part weekly series.BC−Great−Lakes−Threats. Moved.

CP News Budget, Wednesday, July 04, 2007. 95

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Sochi, Russia awarded 2014 Winter Olympics aheadof Pyeongchang, Salzburg

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: SPORTS

PUBLICATION: cpw

WORD COUNT: 1029

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) _ Vladimir Putin pulled off for Russia what Tony Blair did for Britain in the latestOlympic vote.

Backed by the Russian president's personal lobbying, charisma and government support, the Black Sea resortof Sochi was elected Wednesday as the host city of the 2014 Winter Games.

Sochi defeated the South Korean city of Pyeongchang by four votes in the final round of a secret ballot by theInternational Olympic Committee, taking the Winter Games to Russia for the first time.

The result was a personal triumph for ``the captain,'' who put his international prestige on the line by comingto Guatemala to lobby IOC members and lead Sochi's final formal presentation.

``Putin being here was very important,'' said French IOC member and former ski champion Jean−ClaudeKilly. ``He worked very hard at it. He was nice. He spoke French _ he never speaks French. He spoke English_ he never speaks English.

``The Putin charisma can explain four votes.''

The Austrian resort of Salzburg was eliminated in the first round, unable to compete with the political andeconomic might of its Russian and Korean rivals.

Pyeongchang led the first round with 36 votes, followed by Sochi with 34 and Salzburg with 25. Sochi pickedup 17 votes in the second round to secure the victory.

``The captain of our team today raised our team to a completely different level,'' Russian sports chiefVyacheslav Fetisov said of Putin.

He had left Guatemala by the time the result was announced but called IOC president Jacques Rogge from hisplane when he heard the news. Putin expressed his ``deep gratitude'' and confirmed Russia will complete allthe Olympic projects ``in due time and budget,'' Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov said.

The Putin magic matched Blair's influence on London's victory in the race for the 2012 Summer Olympics.Blair was instrumental in wooing IOC members in Singapore in 2005, helping London defeat Paris, Madrid,New York and Moscow. Putin did not travel to Singapore for Moscow's bid, which lost in the first round.

``If Putin is not here, I think it would be different results,'' said IOC executive board member Sergei Bubka, aUkrainian who won a pole vault gold medal for the Soviet Union at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. ``He did afantastic presentation _ his speeches, his communication with people these last few days. They were veryimpressed about his personality, his intelligence. I think this final touch made the difference.''

U.S. member Jim Easton also said Putin might have swung the decisive votes _ including by making hispresentation in English, breaking with his practise of speaking in Russian.

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``I think people were surprised; I was surprised he came out and spoke in English,'' Easton said. ``It's thoselittle things that sometimes switch some people who are on the line over. This reminds me of the Tony Blairscenario.''

Rogge also spoke of the importance of Putin's backing.

``This is very reassuring for the International Olympic Committee,'' he said. ``It guarantees us the support ofthe public authorities of the country. ... Today a successful bid is a bid that entails the whole country andpopulation.''

Sochi bid chief Dmitry Chernyshenko called the victory a ``key moment in Russian history.''

``You have decided to play a major role in Russia's future. The games will help Russia's transition as a youngdemocracy,'' he said. Zhukov said the decision was a reward for the ``largest winter country in the world,''where winter sports is ``part of our soul and heritage.''

``The whole of Russia will be celebrating these days,'' he said. ``We understand lots of (work) is waiting forus once more.''

Putin's government has pledged US$12 billion to develop Sochi into a world−class winter sports complexlinking the palm−lined Black Sea coast _ the so−called ``Russian Riviera'' _ to the soaring Caucasusmountains nearby.

Putin praised Sochi's natural setting, saying, ``On the seashore you can enjoy a fine spring day, but up in themountains, it's winter ... a real snow is guaranteed.''

Although most venues must be newly built, Putin assured: ``We guarantee the Olympic cluster in Sochi willbe completed on time.''

``No traffic jams, I promise,'' he said with a smile.

Noting that athletes would have a short walk to their venues, Putin said, ``Five minutes' walking distance, notbad.''

Russia, an Olympic power which has won 293 Winter Games medals, has never hosted the Winter Games.That was a strong point in Sochi's favour with the IOC, which likes to spread the Olympics to new hostcountries. Moscow hosted the 1980 Summer Games, which were hit by the U.S.−led boycott following theSoviet invasion of Afghanistan.

The Sochi bid won out over the appeals of its rivals _ Salzburg, presenting itself as a safe, no−risk wintersports mecca at the heart of Europe with world−class venues already in place; and Pyeongchang, offering thepotential for peace and reconciliation on the divided Korean peninsula and promoting winter sports in Asia.

It's the second time in a row that Pyeongchang has lost by a handful of votes after leading in the first round.The Koreans lost 56−53 to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics four years ago.

Austrian officials struggled to maintain a diplomatic tone but clearly felt they were bulldozed by richer rivals.

``I said from the very beginning, if it is a decision for the Olympic ideal, then we have a chance,'' AustrianChancellor Alfred Gusenbauer said. ``If it is a decision on geopolitics and money, then we have no chance.We have no chance to participate in that type of power play.''

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This time, ninety−seven IOC members were eligible to vote in the first round, with 95 casting valid ballots.Members from bidding countries are ineligible to vote as long as their cities remain in contention. WithSalzburg out, 100 delegates were eligible in the second round, with 98 casting valid votes.

The Russian delegation erupted in cheers, jumped to their feet and hugged each other after Rogge opened asealed envelope and read the words: ``The International Olympic Committee has the honour of announcingthe 22nd Olympic Winter Games in 2014 are awarded to the city of Sochi.''

Many of the winning delegation headed across the street to Russia House, where they waved the Russian flag,played the national anthem and celebrated on a specially constructed ice rink.

In Sochi, cheers erupted from the crowd of more than 15,000 that had gathered for a pop concert and theannouncement in a main square.

``We did it all together. We won,'' the concert's announcer said from the stage as fireworks flashed andboomed in the sky.

People hugged and waved their hands in the air. Some appeared to have tears in their eyes.

``It is great. I've never been so happy in my life,'' said Marina Matveyeva, 23, who works in a bank. ``It meansthat Russia has reached the level of Europe, and we can be proud of our country.''

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Suicide attack kills 5 soldiers, 5 civilians in northwestPakistan: officials

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE

PUBLICATION: cpw

WORD COUNT: 184

MIRAN SHAH, Pakistan (AP) _ A suicide car bomber rammed an explosives−laden vehicle into a Pakistanarmy convoy near the Afghan border on Wednesday, killing five soldiers and five civilians, officials said.

Several more soldiers and civilians were injured the attack in North Waziristan, a tribally governed region ofnorthwest Pakistan where Taliban and al−Qaida militants operate, two intelligence officials said on conditionof anonymity because of the sensitivity of their work.

The soldiers were on their way to the town of Bannu from Miran Shah, North Waziristan's main town, and thedead and injured have been taken to a hospital, one of the officials said.

``It was a suicide attack, and we think that local militants are responsible for it,'' the official told TheAssociated Press.

A second official confirmed the attack. He said five youths were playing cricket near the road when the bombexploded and were killed.

Pakistan, a key ally of the United States in its war on terror, has deployed about 90,000 troops in its tribalregions near Afghanistan to combat militants.

The government struck a peace deal supposed to empower tribal leaders to contain militancy, but a string ofmilitary operations and attacks on troops suggest the accord is breaking down.

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Halifax Chronicle Herald fronts for Thurs., July 4:

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: ADVISORIES

PUBLICATION: cpw

WORD COUNT: 48

Above fold:

KANDAHAR (CP−Stephanie Levitz) _ Six soldiers killed.

BRIDGEWATER, N.S. (staff) _ Michelin gets $6−million grant for expansion. MAIN ELEMENTSCOVERED.

Below fold:

HALIFAX (staff) _ Underneath this Halifax cop's tortoise shell in a soft spot for wildlife. UNMATCHING.

Main Photo:

Pictures of four of the six soldiers killed in Afghanistan (DND).

CP Major Play:

Chris Morris on lobster concerns (A3).

Colin Perkel on veterans' award (A4).

James Stevenson on Alberta murders (A4).

Nelson Wyatt on terrorism leak (A4).

Dene Moore on fundraiser raid (A4).

CP Halifax

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Prime minister's Nova Scotia tour presents toughP.R. challenges

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: DEFENCE FINANCE OILPOLITICS

PUBLICATION: cpw

WORD COUNT: 791

HALIFAX (CP) _ Prime Minister Stephen Harper had scheduled a series of good−news trips to shore upslipping political support in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, but the visits Thursday will likely beovershadowed by the deaths of six soldiers in Afghanistan and lingering resentment over the federal budget.

Harper, stung by an ongoing disputes with the two provinces over revenue from non−renewable resources,was off to a rough start even before arriving in Halifax, a military town with its share of young men andwomen serving overseas.

On Wednesday, Nova Scotia Premier MacDonald appeared miffed by Harper's visit, saying he knew nothingabout it less than 24 hours before it was slated to begin.

``If it's good news for my province, I'd be very disappointed not to know what that news is,'' a bewilderedMacDonald told reporters in Bridgewater, N.S., during an announcement at a tire plant.

The Prime Minister's Office later confirmed that Harper will make an announcement at Halifax's sprawlingnaval dockyard, where he will be joined by Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor and Foreign Affairs MinisterPeter MacKay, Nova Scotia's representative in the federal cabinet.

No details were released from Ottawa, but a statement from navy officials in Halifax indicated Harper willannounce details of a plan to modernize Canada's 12 Halifax−class frigates.

The good news for the military will be largely muted by fact the Canadian Forces is once again mourning theloss of comrades in Afghanistan.

Early Wednesday, a powerful roadside bomb killed six Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter, rippingthrough their armoured vehicle on a gravel road in southern Afghanistan as they were returning to a forwardoperating base.

Meanwhile, Harper's itinerary Thursday also includes visits to two small towns in Saskatchewan, where hewill surround himself with members of his caucus in a bid to revive Tory fortunes in a province where theparty's popularity is also skidding.

Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert has rallied his province against the federal Tories, promising to takelegal action to challenge the fairness of the most recent federal budget.

Calvert has said the budget imposes an arbitrary cap on the province's equalization payments, which meansthe province's oil and gas revenues will be effectively clawed back.

In Iqaluit for the Western Premiers conference, Calvert said he didn't know anything about Harper's visit untilhe read it in the newspaper.

``It's an odd way to do business,'' he said.

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In Nova Scotia, the confusion over the announcement in Halifax arose a few weeks after Harper andMacDonald engaged in a public feud over offshore resources and the distribution of transfer payments tohave−not provinces like Nova Scotia.

MacDonald and Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams have accused Harper of breaking a promise not toclaw back revenue from the provinces' offshore energy sectors when calculating payments under a revampedfederal equalization formula.

The premiers argue that under a new equalization system introduced in the March 19 federal budget, Ottawa isalso forcing Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to accept a cap on their offshore revenues, based on the fiscalcapacity of Ontario.

The provinces say the budget effectively negates the updated Atlantic accords _ federal−provincialagreements signed with Ottawa in 2005 that were meant to protect the two provinces from equalizationclawbacks.

Harper and federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty have dismissed the assertions, saying the two provinces canstick with the old equalization formula if they don't like the new one.

But Ottawa's position doesn't sit well with Atlantic Canadians, according to a recent poll that indicated votersin the region were particularly disappointed with Harper's handling of the matter.

The survey of 1,000 people by Decima Research showed that 69 per cent of those surveyed in the region sidedwith the premiers of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, with only six per cent saying they feltcloser to Harper's position.

The poll's margin of error was 3.1 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

Nationally, only 27 per cent of respondents leaned toward Harper's position, while 32 per cent sided with thepremiers.

One pundit said that makes it even more important for Harper to smooth the waters and eliminate theperception that he cares little for the region.

``He certainly wants to give the sense that he does pay attention to what's going on here and he is interested inbeing responsive to our concerns,'' said Michael MacMillan, a political science professor at Mount St. VincentUniversity in Halifax.

``He certainly can't afford to have any part of the country thinking that he has simply written them off.''

Harper's swing through Atlantic Canada does not include a stop in Newfoundland, where Williams has strucka harder line than MacDonald and Calvert, launching an concerted effort to have Conservative MPs defeatedin the next federal election.

Peter Stoffer, a New Democrat MP from Nova Scotia, said it will take more than one swing through Halifaxto reverse Harper's slip in the polls.

``He's obviously going to make some sort of an announcement, and if it helps the economic drivers of ourregion, then that's a good thing,'' he said from his largely rural riding east of Halifax.

``But the fact is he still has made a major faux pas in terms of the Atlantic Accord and the distrust is there.''

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MacDonald said he hoped that a visit by Harper would include an attempt to resolve the high−profiledisagreement over the federal budget.

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6 NATO soldiers, Afghan interpreter, killed byroadside bomb

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: DEFENCE INTERNATIONAL

PUBLICATION: cpw

WORD COUNT: 133

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) _ NATO says a roadside bomb tore through a NATO vehicle in southernAfghanistan today, killing six soldiers and their Afghan interpreter.

Afghan police say the attack happened in a volatile region of Kandahar province.

NATO did not release the nationalities of the dead soldiers.

In Canada, the Defence Department says it's aware of an incident but has no information to release.

``We are aware of an incident but it's still being investigated,''said spokeswoman Lieut. Carole Brown at theDepartment of National Defence in Ottawa. ``We don't have any further details.''

The latest attack was the deadliest against foreign troops in Afghanistan since May 13, when seven militarypersonnel were killed _ five Americans, a Canadian and a Briton. The Chinook helicopter they were riding incrashed in Helmand province, and officials at the time said it appeared a rocket−propelled grenade may havebrought it down.

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Aunt of Cdn. soldier killed in Afghan friendly fireincident awaits apology

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: DEFENCE INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

PUBLICATION: cpw

WORD COUNT: 342

THUNDER BAY, Ont. (CP) _ The aunt of a Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan in a friendly−fire incidentsays she is disappointed with a recommendation that no charges be filed in the case.

A U.S. Army investigator has recommended that the American machine−gunner who killed Pte. RobertCostall, 22, and a U.S soldier during a heated nighttime battle last year in Afghanistan not be charged.

The recommendation is in documents released Tuesday in the deaths of Costall and Vermont National Guard1st Sgt. John Thomas Stone.

Costall's aunt, Colleen McBain, says it's her understanding that no statements were taken from Canadianwitnesses despite the fact it was Canadians who first indicated her nephew's death was the result of friendlyfire.

Costall also told Thunder Bay, Ont., radio station CKPR in an interview that she is still waiting for an apologyfrom the U.S. military.

``Apologies for the mistake, to my knowledge, haven't been issued from the U.S. military to the familymembers,'' she said. ``We're just getting more and more disappointed, I suppose.''

McBain also said she is anxious to know what steps are being taken to prevent this incident from happeningagain.

``It's not going to bring my nephew back, but I want for the other soldiers over there now, how are theyreassured that's not going to happen again?'' she said.

One document, written by an American army officer whose name was blacked out, said the deaths, ``whileregrettable, are understandable in the context of this firefight.''

The officer said Costall and 37 other Canadian soldiers were sent to reinforce Forward Operating BaseRobinson for an expected attack on March 28, 2006.

They were moved into the field of fire of a machine−gunner, who was at a Special Forces compound insidethe base.

Costall was a machine−gunner with 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. He was born inThunder Bay, Ont., and grew up in Gibsons, B.C.

The U.S. documents released Monday marked the first official confirmation that friendly fire caused thedeaths.

The Department of National Defence in Ottawa released a statement Tuesday saying: ``The Canadian Forcesacknowledges a recently released U.S. army report in regard to the death of Private Robert Costall killed in

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Afghanistan.''

It notes the Canadian Forces convened an administrative Board of Inquiry and commenced an investigationwithin weeks of the 2006 incident.

It said the investigations have been completed and authorities are reviewing the findings.

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Roadside bombs getting bigger and more powerful,says military expert

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: DEFENCE POLITICS

PUBLICATION: cpw

WORD COUNT: 410

TORONTO (CP) _ As another roadside bomb claimed the lives of six more Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan,military analysts say NATO forces are locked in a deadly game of one−upmanship with insurgents that willlead to higher casualties.

``In effect, we're in a kind of arms race with the insurgents,'' said Steven Staples, director of the RideauInstitute, an Ottawa−based think−tank.

``They develop more sophisticated bombs and we try to put more armour out there, but they always seem tobe able to overcome what we can deploy.''

Staples said that like the direction of the insurgency in Iraq, the Taliban in Afghanistan are becoming moreadept at taking NATO lives.

Out of 66 Canadian military deaths in Afghanistan since the mission beban in 2002, at least 26 have now beena result of roadside explosions.

The latest six Canadian troops were killed Wednesday while riding in an RG−31 Nyala, which was designedspecifically to withstand mine blasts.

Canadian Brig.−Gen. Tim Grant said afterward that the Nyala is one of the military's most ``trusted'' vehicles.

Grant added that the military, with the help of Afghan locals, manages to find most roadside bombs and getdisarm them before they can do any harm.

``We dismantle them and we're able to exploit them so that we learn how to defeat them.''

But he conceded that, ``We're not perfect and we do miss some, as we have seen today.''

However, bolstering the armour on Canadian military vehicles and supplying troops with newer,better−protected vehicles isn't the answer, said Staples, because Canada is now sending tanks to a mission thatshould be about winning hearts and minds.

``Either way, it's a no−win situation for Canadian troops,'' he concluded.

Simply by combining explosive shells, many of which are still available from the 1980s−era Afghaninsurgency against the Soviet Union, Taliban fighters can overcome even the most advanced technology, saidStaples.

Eventually, NATO forces will have to open a dialogue with insurgents who are ready to talk, which will helpdivide their ranks, he said.

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The current policy of pursuing air strikes, which can lead to civilian deaths, and doing the type ofsweep−and−destroy missions that Canada has been engaged in, help to unify the insurgency, said Staples.

John Thompson, president of the Mackenzie Institute, said insurgents in Afghanistan are using a new breed ofdeadly Iranian−built bombs specifically designed to destroy NATO and U.S.−allied armoured vehicles.

Some reports state that Iranian−built bombs started appearing in Afghanistan about two months ago, saidThompson.

Four years ago, Canadian troops guarding the Afghan city of Kabul regularly encountered old−fashionedlandmines planted on roads.

``Now, you're getting things that are activated by cellphones,'' said Thompson, who added that changingtactics and strategies are an effective way to overcome the increasing insurgent fire power.

Like a high−stakes chess game, military planners have to outsmart and outwit the enemy, said Thompson,adding that good intelligence with locals is also key.

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−−Seventeenth NewsWatch−−

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: ADVISORIES

PUBLICATION: bnw

WORD COUNT: 317

The military has released the names of four of the six Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan today.

Captain Matthew Johnathan Dawe, Corporal Cole Bartsch and Private Lane Watkins are all with the 3rdBattalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton.

Master Corporal Colin Bason is with the Royal Westminister Regiment based in New Westminister, B−C.

The names of the other two dead soldiers have not yet been released.

The six soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb. (17)

(Afghan−Cda−Opposition) (Audio:P07)

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion says Prime Minister Harper must tell NATO that Canada will not keep soldiersin Afghanistan beyond February, 2009.

He says it's not a question of supporting the soldiers −− he thinks everyone supports the troops, especiallytoday.

But Dion says there's no way the four parties in Parliament will reach a consensus on extending the mission.(17)

(Veterans−Pension−Lawsuit) (Audio: 172)

Lawyers acting for thousands of mentally disabled Canadian war veterans are considering an appeal afterOntario's highest court overturned a 4.6 (b) billion dollar award in their favour.

It's related to Ottawa's decades−long mismanagement of the vets' pensions and other allowances.

The lawyers say they are bitterly disappointed by the ruling that threw out, what would have been the largestdamages award in Canadian history. (17)

(CRIME−Family−Slain) (Audio: 160)

A 13−year−old southern Alberta girl accused of killing her parents and younger brother faced hard questionson the witness stand today.

The youngster was asked why she didn't call police or go for help.

But the girl's lawyer, Tim Foster, says his client's young age is more important than what she didn't do afterthe killings.

The girl says it was her older boyfriend who actually killed her parents and eight year−old brother by slashing

−−Seventeenth NewsWatch−− 109

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his throat.

He's also charged but has not yet entered a plea. (17)

(Johnston's Ordeal)

Freed B−B−C correspondent Alan Johnston spoke to the media today about his four harrowing months ofcaptivity at the hands of Palestinian gunmen.

Gaunt, but smiling he said he was unsure if he was going to live or die and had only one link to the world −− aradio that picked up B−B−C reports on the frantic efforts to free him.

Johnston was released today. (17)

(Hot Dog Champ)

An American is the new world hot dog eating champion.

Californian Joey Chestnut inhaled a record 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes today to defeat six−time winner TakeruKobayashi (tah−kah−roo koh−bee−yah−shee) in the annual Fourth of July contest in New York.

Kobayashi won every Nathan's hot dog competition from 2001 through last year, but was hampered this yearby a sore jaw. (17)

(NewsWatch by Phil Godin)

−−Seventeenth NewsWatch−− 110

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−−Thirteenth NewsWatch−−

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: ADVISORIES

PUBLICATION: bnw

WORD COUNT: 296

The road where an armoured vehicle carrying six Canadian soldiers and their interpreter hit a roadside bombtoday was considered relatively safe.

Still, Brigadier−General Tim Grant admits NATO forces are not perfect, and sometimes they miss finding anddestroying roadside bombs.

Today's blast has killed everyone inside the vehicle.

Some of the soldiers were just weeks from returning home to Canada.

Sixty−six Canadian soldiers have now been killed in Afghanistan. (13)

(Britain−Threat−Level)

British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith cautions there is still a real and serious threat of terrorism.

But authorities believe the imminent threat related to last week's incidents in London and Glasgow has passed.

They're lowering their terror alert status from critical to severe.

Smith urges everyone to remain vigilant. (13)

(CRIME−Family−Slain)(Audio:126)

An Alberta teenager charged with killing her entire family insists she was in a dream−state and could notbelieve what was happening.

Under cross−examination today, the 13−year−old continues to insist it was her adult boyfriend who killed hermother, father and little brother.

The crown points out the girl did nothing to get help after the stabbings.

Instead, the girl called a taxi, took money from her mother's bank account, and went to her boyfriend's house.(13)

(Slain−Woman−Trial)(Audio:137)

No fewer than 22 victim impact states have been entered in court in Newmarket, Ontario where a judge isconsidering a murder sentence.

Alicia Ross's mother has been in tears, telling the court how she once laid down on a pile of photos of herdaughter −− trying to be close again.

−−Thirteenth NewsWatch−− 111

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Next door neighbour Daniel Sylvester has been convicted of second−degree murder. (13)

(NS−Icebreaker)

A coast guard icebreaker is heading north on a four−and−a−half month mission to patrol and explore in theArctic.

The Louis St−Laurent is carrying an international team of scientists who will conduct 44 experiments onwildlife, human health, and the atmosphere.

In addition to waving the flag for Canadian sovereignty, the mission is part of Canada's program for theInternational Polar Year. (13)

(Lavigne−Lawsuit)(Audio:137)

Avril Lavigne is being sued for plagiarism.

California songwriter Tommy Dunbar claims Lavigne's hit ``Girlfriend'' sounds suspiciously like his 1970'shit ``I Wanna be Your Boyfriend'', recorded by the Rubinoos.

Lavigne's manager, Terry McBride, calls the suit groundless −− but says he may settle out of court to avoidrunning up legal bills. (13)

(NewsWatch by Paul Cross)

−−Thirteenth NewsWatch−− 112

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INDEX:Defence, International, Politics

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: DEFENCE INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

PUBLICATION: bnw

WORD COUNT: 137

OTTAWA − NDP Leader Jack Layton is urging the prime minister to engineer a scaleback of militaryoperations in Afghanistan in the face of mounting civilian and military deaths.

Layton says Prime Minister Stephen Harper needs to show leadership by urging the United States to stophigh−altitude bombing in the war−torn country.

Layton says 270 Afghan civilians have been killed during military operations in Afghanistan this year alone.

He says the war is escalating and Ottawa's commitment to provide troops to the NATO alliance inAfghanistan for at least two more years is ill−conceived.

He wants Liberal Leader Stephane Dion and Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe to reconsider theirpositions on Canada's role in Afghanistan and join the NDP in calling for Canada's immediate withdrawal.

He says NATO's presence in Afghanistan is only boosting Afghan support for the Taliban and that the onlyway to peace is through negotiation.

(BN)

INDEX:Defence, International, Politics 113

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INDEX:Defence, International, Politics

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: DEFENCE INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

PUBLICATION: bnw

WORD COUNT: 153

OTTAWA − Liberal Leader Stephane Dion says there is no chance the four main political parties can reach aconsensus on Canada's future role in Afghanistan.

And he's urging Prime Minister Stephen Harper to inform NATO allies now that Canada will not extend itsmilitary mission beyond 2009.

Dion expressed condolences to the families and friends of six Canadian soldiers − and an Afghan interpreter −killed by a roadside bomb near Kandahar today.

Dion says no other NATO country now in Afghanistan has had it any harder than Canada and there will be noshame in ending the mission as scheduled in February 2009, even if the country's security is not yet achieved.

Dion's declaration suggests that Canada's military mission in Afghanistan will end on schedule − the primeminister has said he will extend the mission only with all−party consensus in the House of Commons.

The Liberal leader says Harper should have informed NATO Canada would not renew its commitment weeksago.

(BN)

INDEX:Defence, International, Politics 114

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Afghan−Cda−Deaths−Update (mother of casualty,Harper)

DATE: 2007.07.04

PUBLICATION: bnw

WORD COUNT: 128

ABBOTSFORD, B−C −− The mother of one of Canada's latest casualties in Afghanistan says he died doingsomething he believed in.

Ann Bason of Abbotsford, B−C, tells C−T−V News her son Colin was among the first reservists to sign upwhen the call went out for volunteers for the Afghan mission.

She says he was ``very proud'' to be picked and ``loved the infantry.''

The master corporal was with the Royal Westminister Regiment based in New Westminister, B−C.

Ann Bason says it's sad that her son had only six weeks left on the mission before he was to head home.

C−T−V says the solider leaves behind his partner of four years and a baby daughter who will be five monthsold Sunday.

Bason was among six Canadian troops and an Afghan interpreter killed when their armoured vehicle was hitby a roadside bomb west of Kandahar.

In a statement, Prime Minister Harper expressed his condolences to the families.

Sixty−six Canadian soldiers have now died in Afghanistan since 2002.

(CTV−CP)

sw

Afghan−Cda−Deaths−Update (mother of casualty, Harper) 115

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URGENT−Afghan−Cda−Deaths−Update (Names) (Alta,BC note)

DATE: 2007.07.04

PUBLICATION: bnw

WORD COUNT: 93

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan −− The military has released the names of four of the six Canadian soldiers killedin Afghanistan today.

Captain Matthew Johnathan Dawe, Corporal Cole Bartsch and Private Lane Watkins are all with the 3rdBattalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton.

Master Corporal Colin Bason is with the Royal Westminister Regiment based in New Westminister, B−C.

The hometowns and other details of the four have yet to be released.

The military has also not released the names of the other two soldiers.

The six soldiers and an Afghan interpreter were travelling in an armoured vehicle west of Kandahar Citywhen a powerful roadside bomb detonated.

Sixty−six Canadian soldiers have now died in Afghanistan since 2002.

(BN)

SAF

URGENT−Afghan−Cda−Deaths−Update (Names) (Alta, BC note) 116

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INDEX:Advisories

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: ADVISORIES

PUBLICATION: bnw

WORD COUNT: 346

(Afghan−Cda−Deaths (Alta note) (watch for dating)

Three of six Canadian soldiers killed today in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan were based in Edmonton.

Captain Matthew Johnathan Dawe, Corporal Cole Bartsch and Private Lane Watkins were all with the 3rdBattalion Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry.

The names of the other dead soldiers have not been released.

The Canadian military says the soldiers and an Afghan interpreter were travelling in an armoured vehicle westof Kandahar City when a powerful bomb detonated. (BN)

(Harper−Visit) (Sask note)

Prime Minister Harper is paying a good−will visit to Saskatchewan tomorrow as he attempts to shore uppolitical support in the province.

Harper will drop into Kenaston and Strongfield, accompanied by his agriculture minister and some other topTories.

The Saskatchewan government has said it's not getting its fair share of resource revenue and has threatenedOttawa with legal action over the issue.

Harper is also visiting Nova Scotia tomorrow −− another province that's squabbling with Ottawa overresource revenue. (BN)

(Sask−Health−Strike)

Two patients have been airlifted out of Saskatchewan following the start of a strike by health−careprofessionals in the province.

Saskatchewan Health says 124 elective surgeries have been cancelled in the Regina and Saskatoon healthregions.

The department also says hospitals will discharge patients no longer in need of acute care.

The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan went on strike yesterday to back contract demands, butmediated talks are scheduled for Friday and Saturday. (BN)

(Alta−Prison−Lockdown)

A large prison in southern Alberta is being searched for weapons and drugs.

INDEX:Advisories 117

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A lockdown is in place as guards and police dog teams scour Drumheller Institution.

The Correctional Service of Canada says the lockdown began around 6 p.m. last evening and was triggered byunease in the prison population and reports of jail−made weapons.

The search is expected to take a few more days and visits to the institution will be suspended for theduraction. (BN)

(Mba−Immobilizers−Theft)

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says all provinces −− not just Manitoba −− should enjoy the benefits of carignition immobilizers.

It's becoming mandatory for Manitobans to install the devices if their vehicles are considered a prime targetfor car thieves.

The bureau says immobilizers can help lower insurance costs.

Bureau figures show that the top five stolen cars are three Honda Civic models, the Subaru Impreza and theAcura Integra −− none of which have the equipment built in. (CBC−S)

(Mba−Screwed−Up−Road)

Several drivers in Winnipeg may be in a screwy situation after a mishap on a city street.

Witnesses say about 30 vehicles suffered flat tires or other damage when several screws were accidentallydumped near an intersection on the city's south side over the noon hour.

Police are investigating but they don't know who is responsible.

Manitoba Public Insurance says affected vehicle owners will only have their deductibles reimbursed if thatperson is found. (CJOB−S)

(Prairie Update by Ken Trimble)

INDEX:Advisories 118

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−−Eleventh NewsWatch−−

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: ADVISORIES

PUBLICATION: bnw

WORD COUNT: 287

All six NATO soldiers killed in a roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan today are Canadian.

Brigadier−General Tim Grant says the Canadians and their Afghan interpreter were riding in an armouredvehicle in the Panjwaii district.

Grant says Canadian officials are ``greatly saddened'' by the loss of the soldiers, whom he calls ``exceptional''young men.

He calls the bombing the work of terrorists.

But he says the attack will not diminish Canadian resolve to bring peace to Afghanistan for the children of thecountry. (11)

(Afghan−Cda−Layton)

The war in Afghanistan is escalating and NATO's presence is boosting local support for the Taliban.

That's what N−D−P Leader Jack Layton is saying today, as he calls on the prime minister to scale downCanada's military operations there.

Layton was speaking just before word of the latest deaths of Canadian soldiers. (11)

(Britain−Terrorism)

It appears a British Anglican minister was given a warning about terrorist attacks in Britain and failed to passit on.

Andrew White, who ran a church in Baghdad, says an al−Qaida chief he met in Jordan told him ``Those whocure you are going to kill you.''

White says he relayed the general threat to the British Foreign Office.

But he did not specifically tell the office about the comment hinting at doctors. (11)

(Veterans−Pension−Lawsuit)(Audio:109)

Ontario's appeals court has set aside a 4.6 (b) billion dollar award to mentally−disabled veterans for federalmismanagement of their pensions.

The court says the issue had been resolved by the Supreme Court in 2003 −− two years before a SuperiorCourt judge issued the award.

The class action suit had been filed on behalf of a Second World War veteran who came home shell−shocked

−−Eleventh NewsWatch−− 119

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and spent most of his life in mental institutions.

(Torture−Probe−Secrecy)

One of the three Canadian men at the centre of an inquiry into torture oversees wants to make sure the storyunfolds in public.

Ahmad El Matti wants a judicial review of the terms of the inquiry into the abuse.

The inquiry is scheduled to be held mainly behind closed doors −− partly over government concerns aboutnational security. (11)

(BC−Western−Premiers−Campbell)

B−C Premier Gordon Campbell expects environmental issues to dominate the agenda as western premiersmeet in Nunavut starting tonight.

Campbell says global warming is more urgent in the Arctic than anywhere else in Canada.

He hopes the meeting will result in a consensus to present to a meeting of all premiers next month. (11)

(NewsWatch by Paul Cross)

−−Eleventh NewsWatch−− 120

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−−Twelfth NewsWatch−−

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: ADVISORIES

PUBLICATION: bnw

WORD COUNT: 307

Six more Canadian soldiers, all described as ``exceptional young men'', have been killed in a roadsidebombing in southern Afghanistan.

Brigadier−General Tim Grant says the soldiers and their Afghan interpreter all died when their armouredvehicle hit a roadside bomb in the Panjwaii district as they were returning to base.

Grant says the explosion happened on a gravel road that soldiers had been using regularly in the past month.

He calls today's bombing a terrorist attack. (12)

(CRIME−Family−Slain)(Audio:122)

A 13−year−old girl who has already admitted to stabbing her eight−year−old brother is continuing to testify inMedicine Hat, Alberta.

She insists it was her adult boyfriend who actually killed her mother, father and brother.

She admits today she did nothing to try to stop him but says she was in a dream−like state.

The Crown points out that after the killings, she did not call for help but stole her mother's purse, called a taxi,and withdrew money from her mother's bank account. (12)

(Britain−Threat−Level)

Britain is reducing its terror alert status from critical to severe.

Authorities have been saying they believe all suspects are arrested, and there is no further risk from lastweek's series of incidents.

But Home Secretary Jacqui Smith says the public should remain vigilant, and there is still an ongoing real andserious threat. (12)

(Russia−US−Missiles)

Russia is repeating a warning it will set up new missiles in western Russia if the U−S puts up a missiledefence system in eastern Europe.

First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov says Russia will have no alternative if the Bush administrationdoes not accept President Putin's proposed compromise.

Putin says rather than have U−S installations in eastern Europe, Russia could set up bases to allow morecoverage for NATO countries. (12)

−−Twelfth NewsWatch−− 121

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(Breast−Cancer−Test−Error)(Audio:110)

Terms of reference have been set for a judicial inquiry into bungled breast−cancer testing in Newfoundlandand Labrador.

Justice Margaret Cameron is to determine how more than 300 women got incorrect results from hormonereceptor tests between 1997 and 2005.

Gerry Rogers, who is among them, hopes the inquiry will restore confidence in the public health care system.(12)

(Gore's−Son−Arrested)

The son of former U−S vice−president Al Gore is facing charges of possession of marijuana, and prescriptiondrugs −− with no prescription.

Police say they pulled over Al Gore the Third on the San Diego freeway for driving about 160 kilometres anhour.

They say they smelled pot when they approached his car. (12)

(NewsWatch by Paul Cross)

−−Twelfth NewsWatch−− 122

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−−Fourteenth NewsWatch−−

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: ADVISORIES

PUBLICATION: bnw

WORD COUNT: 286

The number of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2002 has risen by 10 per cent in one single day.

Six Canadian soldiers and their Afghan interpreter have been killed in a roadside bombing west of Kandahar.

Some of them would have returned home in just a few more weeks.

But Brigadier−General Tim Grant says soldiers know and understand the risks they take, and today's tragedydoes not weaken their resolve.

Canada has now lost 66 soldiers in Afghanistan. (14)

(Afghan−Cda−Friendly−Fire)

A woman whose nephew was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan last year is disappointed the U−S militaryhas no plans to charge anyone.

Colleen McBain is also disappointed U−S military investigators did not take statements from any Canadiansoldiers.

Private Robert Costall was part of a group sent out to help U−S forces expecting a Taliban attack.

He and an American soldier were shot and killed by U−S special forces. (14)

(Afghan−Cda−Opposition) (Audio:P08)

Opposition Leader Stephane Dion says there's no way the four main political parties can reach a consensus onCanada's future in Afghanistan.

Dion wants Prime Minister Stephen Harper to tell NATO allies Canada will not extend its mission beyond2009.

He says no other NATO country now in Afghanistan has been hit harder than Canada. (14)

(Veterans−Pension−Lawsuit)

Lawyers acting for up to 30−thousand Canadian veterans of the wars of the last century are consideringappealing a ruling by the Ontario Court of Appeal.

It has struck down an award of 4.6 (b) billion dollars to veterans who suffered mental disability.

The court says the government's handling of soldiers' pensions had already been settled by the Supreme Courtof Canada back in 2003. (14)

−−Fourteenth NewsWatch−− 123

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(CRIME−Family−Slain)

A young teenaged girl has testified she was traumatized after her adult boyfriend killed her entire family intheir home in Medicine Hat, Alberta last year.

She says that's why she accepted a jailhouse marriage proposal from him.

The 13−year−old is being cross−examined, a day after admitting to stabbing her eight−year−old brother onetime.

The Crown is focusing on the fact she did nothing to get help. (14)

(Treaty−Courts)(Audio:157)

Just three weeks before the Tsawwassen First Nation is to vote on the first treaty in the Lower Mainland ofB−C, another group is asking a court to block the deal.

The Semiahmoo (sem−ee−am−oo) First Nation says the land under the agreement overlaps its territory.

A lawyer says signing the treaty as it stands could have long−term consequences. (14)

(NewsWatch by Paul Cross)

−−Fourteenth NewsWatch−− 124

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6 NATO soldiers, Afghan interpreter, killed byroadside bomb

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: DEFENCE INTERNATIONAL

PUBLICATION: bnw

WORD COUNT: 132

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan − NATO says a roadside bomb tore through a NATO vehicle in southernAfghanistan today, killing six soldiers and their Afghan interpreter.

Afghan police say the attack happened in a volatile region of Kandahar province.

NATO did not release the nationalities of the dead soldiers.

In Canada, the Defence Department says it's aware of an incident but has no information to release.

`We are aware of an incident but it's still being investigated,'said spokeswoman Lieut. Carole Brown at theDepartment of National Defence in Ottawa. `We don't have any further details.'

The latest attack was the deadliest against foreign troops in Afghanistan since May 13, when seven militarypersonnel were killed − five Americans, a Canadian and a Briton. The Chinook helicopter they were riding incrashed in Helmand province, and officials at the time said it appeared a rocket−propelled grenade may havebrought it down.

(AP)

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6 NATO soldiers, Afghan interpreter, killed byroadside bomb

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: DEFENCE INTERNATIONAL

PUBLICATION: bnw

WORD COUNT: 48

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan − NATO says a roadside bomb has hit a military vehicle in southern Afghanistan,killing six soldiers and their Afghan interpreter.

Afghan police say the attack happened in a volatile region of Kandahar province.

NATO did not release the nationalities of the dead soldiers. The majority of soldiers in Kandahar areCanadian.

(AP)

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CP News Agenda for Wednesday, July 4

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: ADVISORIES

PUBLICATION: bnw

WORD COUNT: 964

12:20 a.m. ET: x−denotes CP Wire, y−denotes CP Picture, z−denotes CP Graphics coverage. Copy from otherevents based on merit and availability. All times local unless otherwise noted. Queries about these events andstories in the CP report should be directed to the departments listed below (all phone numbers 416 area code):Main Desk (National News) 507−2150 World Desk 507−2165 Sports Desk 507−2154 Ontario Desk507−2159 Photo Desk 507−2169 Specials Desk (Syndicated Copy) 507−2152 Communications Desk(Technical Trouble) 507−2099 or 800−268−8149 ATLANTIC

x−MONCTON, N.B. _ Fisheries Resource Conservation Council releases advice to minister on lobstersustainability. (10 a.m. at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Westmorland Room)

CORNER BROOK, N.L. _ Loyola Hearn, federal minister representing Newfoundland and Labrador, andprovincial Finance Minister Tom Marshall make an infrastructure funding announcement. (3 p.m. at PepsiCentre)

xy−BRIDGEWATER, N.S. _ N.S. premier makes announcement at tire plant. (9 a.m. at Michelin tire plant,233 Logan Rd.)

DARTMOUTH, N.S. _ Media availability with ship's captain and leading scientists as icebreaker leaves onInternational Polar Year expedition. (9:15 a.m. at Dartmouth Coast Guard base)

QUEBEC

MONTREAL _ Quebec Premier Jean Charest holds news conference to discuss the creation of three Liberalcommittees. (9:30 a.m. at 7240 Waverly)

x−MONTREAL _ Fonds de solidarite FTQ head Yves Bolduc holds conference call to discuss results. Dial514−861−2255/1−866−696−5910. Code:3226818 followed by sign. COPY EMBARGOED UNTIL 6 p.m.(9:30 a.m.)

MONTREAL _ Cardinal Jean−Claude Turcotte attends news conference to announce Just for Laughsfestival's support for charity. (11 a.m. at 500 boul. Rene−Levesque East)

MONTREAL _ Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day and Guy Ouellette (parliamentary assistant to theQuebec minister of public security) makes an announcement related to crime prevention in Quebec. (11:30a.m. at The Black Community Resource Centre)

MONTREAL _ The commission into last fall's fatal collapse of an overpass near Montreal resumes. (1 p.m. at500 Boul. Rene−Levesque West, Room 17.304)

MONTREAL _ Singers Zachary Richard and Francis Cabrel hold news conference as part of the MontrealInternational Jazz Festival. (1:30 p.m. at Hotel Hyatt, Salon Mont−Royal)

PORT−DANIEL, Que. _ Federal Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon makes several announcements in

CP News Agenda for Wednesday, July 4 127

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Port−Daniel, Matane and Baie−Comeau. (9 a.m. at Port of Port−Daniel)

OTTAWA

OTTAWA _ NDP Leader Jack Layton holds news conference on Afghanistan "mission failures". (11 a.m. atNational Press Theatre)

OTTAWA _ U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins host Fourth of July Independence Day celebrations. (4 p.m. atU.S. Ambassador's residence, 500 Lisgar Rd., Rockcliffe Park)

ONTARIO

x−NEWMARKET, Ont. _ Sentencing for Daniel Sylvester, 33, convicted of second−degree murder in thedeath of Alicia Ross. (50 Eagle St.W.)

NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. _ Jay Cochrane performs first skywalk of the year over Niagara Falls. (4 p.m.)

THUNDER BAY, Ont. _ Premier Dalton McGuinty makes an unspecified announcement. (2:30 p.m. atThunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Auditorium A, 980 Oliver Rd.)

TORONTO _ Blind lawyer David Lepofsky argues that the Toronto Transit Commission violated his humanrights and those of other blind passengers by refusing to require drivers to announce all bus and streetcarstops. (9:15 a.m. at 400 University Ave. 7th floor)

UNDATED _ Itinerary for Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman: announcement about increasingaccess to primary health care for Port Hope residents (9:30 a.m., Community Health Centre construction site,parking lot, 99 Toronto St., Port Hope); visits family health team (12:30 p.m., Prince Edward CountyMemorial Hospital, 403 Main St. E., Pickton); announcement on hospital infrastructure (2:30 p.m., Lennoxand Addington County General Hospital, 8 Richmond Park Dr., Napanee).

UNDATED _ Itinerary for Ontario NDP Leader Howard Hampton: holds health−care roundtable (1 p.m., 151Ontario Ave., Algo Room, Elliot Lake); meets with families about water quality problems (3 p.m., home ofAdrien Patoine, 1017 Short St., Pronto Subdivision, Township of North Shore).

PRAIRIES

EDMONTON _ FIFA under−20 world cup of soccer, to July 22. (Commonwealth Stadium)

EDMONTON _ Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel and Alberta Tourism Minister Hector Goudreau announcedetails of partnership agreement that impacts Edmonton's film and television industry. (10 a.m. at RiverValley Room, Main Floor, City Hall)

EDMONTON _ News conference to present results of a meeting between National Farmers Union leaders andAlberta Agriculture Minister George Groeneveld. The meeting is from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at thelegislature. (11:15 a.m. at No. 35 9912 106 St.)

EDMONTON _ United Nurses of Alberta hand out free tickets to Michael Moore's new documentary Sicko.(11:30 a.m. at Southwest corner of Sir Winston Churchill Square)

x−MEDICINE HAT, Alta. _ First−degree murder trial for girl charged with killing her parents andeight−year−old brother. Through July 13. (10 a.m.)

CP News Agenda for Wednesday, July 4 128

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x−REGINA _ Saskatchewan's privacy commissioner releases his annual report. (10 a.m. at Room 8Saskatchewan Legislative Building)

BRITISH COLUMBIA

BRILLIANT, B.C. _ Daniel Ellsberg, Tom Hayden, Arun Gandhi and others speak at the Our Way Homeconference. Schedule available at www.ourwayhomereunion.com. Through July 6.

x−HOUSTON, B.C. _ Coroner's inquest into the death of Ian Bush in Houston, B.C. on Oct. 29, 2005 aftersustaining a gunshot wound while in RCMP custody. The first week of inquest was held May 22−25, andreconvene's for four days (as required). Through July 6. (9:30 a.m. at Houston Community Hall, 2302 ButlerAvenue)

x−NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. _ Robert Pickton on trial for six counts of first−degree murder in deaths ofwomen from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. (10 a.m.)

VANCOUVER _ Dangerous offender hearing for Trevor James Fontaine, convicted of aggravated assault andassault with a weapon in 2006. Fontaine was paroled a full year before completing a five−year sentence hereceived in 2003 for sexual assault and attempted murder. Through Aug. 6. (10 a.m. at B.C. Supreme Court)

VANCOUVER _ Hal Allan McLeod, David John Vaughan, Kenneth Robert McMordie, Dianne SharonRosiek and Robert Murray Perkinson B.C. Securities Commission hearing on fraud, and making falsestatements allegations. (10 a.m. at 12th floor Hearing Room, 701 West Georgia St. )

NORTH

IQALUIT, Nunavut _ Western Premiers conference kicks off with a welcoming reception at 18:00 Wed.Session begins 9:00 a.m. Thurs. and concludes with a closing press conference at 11:30 a.m. Fri. (FrobisherInn, Baffin Room)

CP News Agenda for Wednesday, July 4 129

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−−Eighteenth NewsWatch−−

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: ADVISORIES

PUBLICATION: bnw

WORD COUNT: 308

A powerful roadside bomb killed six Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter in southern Afghanistantoday.

The military has released the identities of four of the soldiers.

They include, Corporal Cole Bartsch, Captain Matthew Johnathan Dawe and Private Lane Watkins −− allbased in Edmonton −− and Colin Bason, a reservist from The Royal Westminster Regiment based in NewWestminster, B−C.

The families of the other two dead soldiers have not yet agreed to release their names.

Altogether, 66 Canadian soldiers and a diplomat have lost their lives in Afghanistan since 2002. (18)

(Afghan−Cda−Deaths) (Audio: 183)

The U−S ambassador to Canada says Americans' thoughts and prayers are going out to the families of the sixCanadians killed in Afghanistan today.

But, David Wilkins says Canadians should reflect on the positive things that have been accomplished inAfghanistan, like dismantling terrorist training camps. (18)

(RCMP−Corriveau)

The R−C−M−P descended on the suburban Montreal home of a Liberal fundraiser today as a follow−up toinvestigations in the sponsorship scandal.

Armed with a search warrant, they entered the swank residence of Jacques Corriveau, described as a crony offormer Prime Minister Jean Chretien.

Police removed about 50 boxes of documents.

Five people have been convicted in connection with the scandal and all have received jail terms. (18)

(Britain−Terrorism) (Audio: 184)

``Those who cure you are going to kill you.''

That, says a British cleric working in Baghdad, was the cryptic warning made to him by an alleged al−Qaidachief months before this week's failed bombings in Britain.

They've been linked to several foreign doctors working in Britain.

Many of the young physicians were from the Middle East.

−−Eighteenth NewsWatch−− 130

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Canon Andrew White, runs Baghdad's only Anglican parish.

He says at the time, he did not understand the significance of the warning. (18)

(Lobster−Warning) (Audio: 138)

A fisheries advisory group is sounding an alarm about the future of Atlantic Canada's valuable lobster fishery.

The Fisheries Resource Conservation Council, an independent group that advises the federal FisheriesDepartment, says while lobster stocks are generally in good shape, there are areas where numbers aredwindling.

The East Coast lobster fishery brings in about 600 (m) million dollars a year. (18)

(Brazil−Concert−Cancelled)

A Brazilian judge has cancelled Saturday's worldwide Live Earth concert in Rio because police said they donot have enough officers to guarantee crowd safety.

The music concerts aimed at drawing attention to global warming, are promoted by former U−SVice−President Al Gore.

They are scheduled for London, Tokyo, Johannesburg, Shanghai, Sydney, Hamburg, and East Rutherford,New Jersey. (18)

(NewsWatch by Phil Godin)

−−Eighteenth NewsWatch−− 131

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ADVISORY−Central−Canada−Calendar

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: ADVISORIES

PUBLICATION: bnw

WORD COUNT: 441

Here is the Central Canada calendar for Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Good Morning from the Ontario Desk of Broadcast News in Toronto.

The Ontario Editor is Alan Black

The phone number is (416) 507−2185.

Stations wishing to file by fax can dial (416) 364−1325 or 1−800−561−0297.

The email address is newsbroadcastnews.ca

The Quebec Editor is Peter Ray

The phone number is (514) 985−7235.

Stations wishing to file by fax can dial (514) 849−7693.

QUEBEC

MONTREAL −− Quebec Premier Jean Charest holds news conference to discuss the creation of three Liberalcommittees. (9:30 a.m. at 7240 Waverly)

MONTREAL −− Fonds de solidarite FTQ head Yves Bolduc holds conference call to discuss results. Dial514−861−2255/1−866−696−5910. Code:3226818 followed by sign. COPY EMBARGOED UNTIL 6 p.m.(9:30 a.m.)

MONTREAL −− Cardinal Jean−Claude Turcotte attends news conference to announce Just for Laughsfestival's support for charity. (11 a.m. at 500 boul. Rene−Levesque East)

MONTREAL −− Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day and Guy Ouellette (parliamentary assistant to theQuebec minister of public security) makes an announcement related to crime prevention in Quebec. (11:30a.m. at The Black Community Resource Centre)

MONTREAL −− The commission into last fall's fatal collapse of an overpass near Montreal resumes. (1 p.m.at 500 Boul. Rene−Levesque West, Room 17.304)

MONTREAL −− Singers Zachary Richard and Francis Cabrel hold news conference as part of the MontrealInternational Jazz Festival. (1:30 p.m. at Hotel Hyatt, Salon Mont−Royal)

PORT−DANIEL, Que. −− Federal Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon makes several announcements inPort−Daniel, Matane and Baie−Comeau. (9 a.m. at Port of Port−Daniel)

ADVISORY−Central−Canada−Calendar 132

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OTTAWA

OTTAWA −− NDP Leader Jack Layton holds news conference on Afghanistan "mission failures". (11 a.m. atNational Press Theatre)

OTTAWA −− U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins host Fourth of July Independence Day celebrations. (4 p.m. atU.S. Ambassador's residence, 500 Lisgar Rd., Rockcliffe Park)

ONTARIO

NEWMARKET, Ont. −− Sentencing for Daniel Sylvester, 33, convicted of second−degree murder in thedeath of Alicia Ross. (50 Eagle St.W.)

NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. −− Jay Cochrane performs first skywalk of the year over Niagara Falls. (4 p.m.)

THUNDER BAY, Ont. −− Premier Dalton McGuinty makes an unspecified announcement. (2:30 p.m. atThunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Auditorium A, 980 Oliver Rd.)

TORONTO −− Blind lawyer David Lepofsky argues that the Toronto Transit Commission violated his humanrights and those of other blind passengers by refusing to require drivers to announce all bus and streetcarstops. (9:15 a.m. at 400 University Ave. 7th floor)

UNDATED −− Itinerary for Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman: announcement about increasingaccess to primary health care for Port Hope residents (9:30 a.m., Community Health Centre construction site,parking lot, 99 Toronto St., Port Hope); visits family health team (12:30 p.m., Prince Edward CountyMemorial Hospital, 403 Main St. E., Pickton); announcement on hospital infrastructure (2:30 p.m., Lennoxand Addington County General Hospital, 8 Richmond Park Dr., Napanee).

UNDATED −− Itinerary for Ontario NDP Leader Howard Hampton: holds health−care roundtable (1 p.m.,151 Ontario Ave., Algo Room, Elliot Lake); meets with families about water quality problems (3 p.m., homeof Adrien Patoine, 1017 Short St., Pronto Subdivision, Township of North Shore).

ADVISORY−Central−Canada−Calendar 133

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INDEX:International, Defence

DATE: 2007.07.04

KEYWORDS: INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE

PUBLICATION: bnw

WORD COUNT: 82

KABUL, Afghanistan − Twenty militants and one policeman are dead after three separate clashes in southernAfghanistan.

Officials say militants battled Afghan and U.S.−led coalition troops.

The provincial police chief of Ghazni province says militants attacked at least three police checkpoints inGhazni Tuesday, and ensuing gunbattles left 13 militants and one officer dead.

A spokesman for Zabul province's governor says Afghan and U.S.−led coalition forces there clashed withsuspected Taliban militants Tuesday in Shahjoy district, leaving seven militants dead and six others wounded.

(AP)

INDEX:International, Defence 134

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Capt. Dawe's sad fate; A beloved officer and proudfather, Matthew Dawe lost three of his men to a bomblast month. Yesterday, an explosion killed him andfive other soldiers in Afghanistan

IDNUMBER 200707050177

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Met

SECTION: News

PAGE: A01

BYLINE: Daniel Girard and Rosie DiManno

SOURCE: Toronto Star

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 605

Capt. Matthew Dawe lost three of his soldiers just two weeks ago, victims of a roadside bomb in an area ofsouthern Afghanistan that Canadian troops believed they had secured.

Yesterday, Dawe, 27, died in a blast along with five other soldiers and an Afghan interpreter.

The attack not only equalled the worst single−day death toll for Canadians in Afghanistan but left the captain's1−year−old son orphaned, wife widowed and a family of military men grief−stricken.

"We're not talking to anybody right now. It's not the time," Peter Dawe, Matthew's father and a retiredlieutenant−colonel, told the Star from Kingston last night.

A woman answering the phone in Edmonton, where Matthew lived with his wife, Tara, and son, Lucas, said:"We have no comment to make at this time."

But last week, Peter Dawe offered a glimpse of his son's turmoil since the June 20 attack in which three of thesoldiers under his command with C Company, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry werekilled when their unarmoured vehicle was blasted by a roadside bomb.

The elder Dawe told the Kingston Whig−Standard he had been spending more time on the phone with his sonsince the bombing. The young man was feeling anger at the deaths, his father said.

"We're supposed to be helping but I don't know how you can do that when they're sneaking in at night andplanting bombs," Peter Dawe said last week. "They're in around us. It doesn't take many traitors' eyes to figureit out.

"If that's paranoia, so be it."

Two of Dawe's other sons also served in Afghanistan with the Edmonton−based 3rd Battalion of PrincessPatricia's.

They were in Kandahar in 2002 when a friendly fire incident killed four from the battle group.

Capt. Dawe's sad fate; A beloved officer and proud father, Matthew Dawe lost three of his men to a bomb last month. Yesterday, an explosion killed him and five other soldiers in Afghanistan135

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Brig.−Gen Tim Grant, the top commander of the Canadian contingent in Afghanistan, said yesterday'sexplosion happened on a gravel road "that we have travelled regularly in the past month."

Matthew Dawe, who returned to Afghanistan last month after a vacation in Portugal with his wife and son wasto finish his tour in about a month.

When the Star met Dawe in Afghanistan in late April, he was a card, a natural entertainer, expert at crackingup his troops.

He also spoke proudly of his son, his first child, and how he longed to see the toddler again, hold him.

"My wife tells me he's a big eater already. Says I wouldn't believe the stuff coming out of him," Dawelaughed. Yet he ached to change diapers, do all the daddy−stuff with his boy.

A further joke, he suggested that the boy's overactive digestion might be improved with a few of thenotoriously constipating meals−ready−to−eat.

His troops, save for some rapidly diminishing food packages from home and goodies purchased beforedeparture from Kandahar Airfield, had been essentially subsisting on rations, the least popular items tossedinto an expanding pile.

"Yup, that would bung the kid right up."

In that meeting, Dawe was welcoming a convoy of Canadian soldiers − 1 Platoon, Charlie Company, 3rdBattalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry − newly rotated into the Panjwaii District fromneighbouring Zhari.

"Welcome to paradise!" he declared, in his best Borat−impersonation, keeping up the faux−accent mimicry ashe pointed out the delights of Checkpoint 5, a dismal and lonely outpost substation where his unit had spentthe previous 10 weeks.

Genial and clearly beloved by his men, Dawe enthusiastically played the role of host, delighted by thepresence of a fresh audience.

He even joked to the Star about slingshot attacks the Canadians had occasionally absorbed from local Afghanchildren.

"Throwing rocks very accept in Afghan culture," he absorbed, still in Borat mode.

Tongue firmly in cheek, Dawe said that was just the Afghan way of showing their appreciation for theCanadian presence. "Hey, we like you!"

At that point, Dawe and his troops had not yet encountered any worrisome hostility from Afghan citizens.Then, before losing three men in the June 20 attack, Dawe said the Taliban had been mostly a rumour aroundCheckpoint 5.

"We're keeping them away from the main routes and mostly in their houses, I guess."

Yet he claimed to love it all, the mission and the adventure and the soldiering.

It had been no severe adjustment, he said, acclimatizing to primitive living conditions at the checkpoint."When you picture coming to Afghanistan, this is what you think of − very austere. But the best thing about

Capt. Dawe's sad fate; A beloved officer and proud father, Matthew Dawe lost three of his men to a bomb last month. Yesterday, an explosion killed him and five other soldiers in Afghanistan136

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being out here, on our own, is the freedom and the independence."

Capt. Dawe's sad fate; A beloved officer and proud father, Matthew Dawe lost three of his men to a bomb last month. Yesterday, an explosion killed him and five other soldiers in Afghanistan137

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Winter Olympics are headed to Russia, with love, in2014

IDNUMBER 200707050147

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Ont

SECTION: Sports

PAGE: S02

SOURCE: Associated Press

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 279

GUATEMALA CITY

Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi was awarded the 2014 Olympics yesterday, rewarding President VladimirPutin and taking the Winter Games to his country for the first time.

Sochi defeated the South Korean city of Pyeongchang 51−47 in the final round of voting by the InternationalOlympic Committee.

The Austrian resort of Salzburg was eliminated in the first round of the secret ballot, setting up the decisivehead−to−head contest between Sochi and Pyeongchang.

Pyeongchang led the first round with 36 votes, followed by Sochi with 34 and Salzburg with 25. Sochi pickedup 17 votes in the second round to secure the victory.

The result was a triumph for Putin, who put his international prestige on the line by going to Guatemala tolobby IOC members and lead Sochi's final presentation to the assembly. Putin had left by the time the resultwas announced.

IOC president Jacques Rogge opened a sealed envelope and read the words:

"The International Olympic Committee has the honour of announcing the 22nd Olympic Winter Games in2014 are awarded to the city of Sochi."

Russian delegates in the hall erupted in cheers and hugged each other. Korean delegates bowed their heads,some in tears.

"It was a historic decision for all countries," Sochi bid chief Dmitry Chernychenko said. "Russia will becomeeven more open, more democratic."

In Sochi, cheers erupted from the crowd of more than 15,000 that had gathered for a pop concert and theannouncement in a main square.

"It is great. I've never been so happy in my life," said Marina Matveyeva, 23, who works in a bank. "It meansthat Russia has reached the level of Europe, and we can be proud of our country."

Winter Olympics are headed to Russia, with love, in 2014 138

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Russia, an Olympic power which has won 293 Winter Games medals, has never hosted the Winter Games.That was a strong point in Sochi's favour with the IOC, which likes to spread the Olympics to new hostcountries. Moscow hosted the 1980 Summer Games, which were hit by the U.S.−led boycott following theSoviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Winter Olympics are headed to Russia, with love, in 2014 139

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nato soldier deaths

IDNUMBER 200707050131

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Ont

SECTION: News

PAGE: A16

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 29

Following are the NATO countries with major death totals in Afghanistan:

U.S. − 408

Canada − 66

United Kingdom − 63

Germany − 21

Spain − 21

France − 9

Netherlands − 8

nato soldier deaths 140

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Chances of graceful retreat slim

IDNUMBER 200707050126

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Ont

SECTION: News

PAGE: A16

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 554

In one of those mistakes that expose inexperience, a new prime minister just months into the job declared inOctober 2006 that dying in Afghanistan is the price Canadians pay for world leadership. Then the cost was 39lives, today it's 67. High and rising fast, that total is a tragedy for families facing what every parent, wife,husband and child fears most. But on a distant end of the scale of human horrors there's also a politicalpredicament growing with each heartbreaking dispatch.

A war Stephen Harper inherited from Liberals and chose to make his own is expanding exponentially to fillthe space a government that labels itself "new" now needs for renewal. Required for redefinition and a returnto the basics of family values, law and order and tax cuts, that elbow room will shrink if climbing casualtieskeep Conservatives on the defensive.

Sadly for those serving their country, that's the forecast. All the optimistic talk about reconstruction isn'tmaking Afghanistan any safer, a reality certain to have even greater political implications in August whenQuebec's Van Doos regiment rotates into enemy range.

As if that isn't worrying enough for a minority prime minister hunting a majority among Quebec voters, sixmore deaths in a single incident yesterday is another blow to already slim Canadian hopes of a gracefulKandahar retreat. Those few NATO members militarily able to do the job aren't willing to take the politicalrisks of filling a breach that opens in February 2009 when the current mission ends.

There's no obvious escape from that dilemma or from the coming debate. As the Prime Minister insists,Canada can't walk away without replacements or stay longer without Parliament's approval.

NATO needs to know Ottawa's decision by early 2008 at the latest, a collapsing time frame forcing an autumndeconstruction of the mission, its defining purpose and its chances of success. Having avoided a full debateonce by threatening an unwanted election, Harper now must find political cover in an elusive consensus.

There's rough justice in the Prime Minister's problem. Instead of using the war to drive a wedge between hisopponents, Harper could have built broad support around extending the mission, something that would nowserve him well.

But that's not this prime minister's style. Playing to his core constituency, Harper consistently looks forpolitical advantage by publicly doubting the patriotism of those who question the mission.

That was more effective in October last year. Canadians knew less about Afghanistan's complexities andcorruption while a death total still below 40 somehow seemed more manageable if no less wrenching.

Today, jingoism is a failed substitute for analysis and for the compelling narrative that's always been missingand mandarins are now struggling to write. Taliban tactics imported from Iraq are evolving dangerously and

Chances of graceful retreat slim 141

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the expectation here is that more fatalities are inevitable and demand a detailed explanation of what canreasonably be achieved at what cost.

Canada has legitimate security and human rights interests in Afghanistan. Even if it never becomes the modelAsian democracy of Western fantasy, a less violent, more stable country is a worthy objective.

But interests, like world leadership, have a price. It's paid in lives as well as political capital and at some pointexceeds what leaders dare ask and democracies are willing to pay.

James Travers' national affairs column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Chances of graceful retreat slim 142

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Triple explosive defeats blast−resistantvehicle; Taliban adopting guerrilla tactics used inIraq, retired general says of Afghanistan bombing

IDNUMBER 200707050125

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Ont

SECTION: News

PAGE: A15

BYLINE: Allan Woods

SOURCE: Toronto Star

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 551

The bomb blast that killed six Canadian soldiers was designed to defeat the military's supposedly blast−proofarmoured vehicles, and points to a more resilient insurgency that has adopted the tactics being used in Iraq,says a retired Canadian general.

Alain Pellerin said the roadside bomb was a "triple mine" − three explosive devices stacked on top of oneanother − designed to penetrate the heavy armour that usually protects coalition forces travelling and fightingin Afghanistan.

Pellerin said he was not sure if yesterday's incident marked the first time the triple mine had been used inAfghanistan.

"I've read about similar things in Iraq. The same sort of principle has been used so that you have more of animpact on the vehicle that you want to hit or destroy."

The RG−31 Nyala that the Canadian soldiers were travelling in was one of 75 that the Canadian Forcespurchased between 2005 and 2006 to replace the Mercedes G−Wagon and provide better protection.

The deaths yesterday were not the first inside an RG−31. A Canadian soldier was killed on Oct. 7, 2006, inone.

The Nyala is the vehicle of choice for American forces in Iraq, and is favoured by the Canadians as well,Pellerin said.

"They're one of the best vehicles built specifically for that purpose," he said, explaining that they were built inthe 1980s by the South Africans who were fighting against Cuba in Angola.

The Nyala is designed with a 'V' shaped bottom and as few angles and protrusions as possible to allow theforce of the blast to flow around the structure of the vehicle.

"Parts of the vehicle likely to be in the path of the blast are designed to be sacrificed," said a review by SimonFraser University researcher Stephen Priestley. "Wheels and axles are easily blown off, but such running gearparts can be just as readily re−attached."

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"It is vehicles such as these that can properly be defined as 'blast− resistant.' While tanks were shaped todeflect shells from the front and sides, the Nyala specializes in deflecting blasts and fragments from below."

Yesterday's deadly blast occurred in Panjwaii district, a region that saw fierce fighting last summer and fallbetween Canadian soldiers and Taliban insurgents. Since then, about 6,000 families have returned to theirhomes in the area and resumed a semblance of normal life. But the recent spate of Canadian deaths byroadside bombs suggests Taliban fighters are determined to take back an area known as their spiritualheartland, Pellerin said.

"The Taliban and Kandahar province were defeated during Operation Medusa last December and will notfight one−on−one against the Canadians again. They will not give up the province so the tactics that theyemploy are the tactics of the weak to the strong, which so far have been successful," he said.

Brigadier−General Tim Grant, speaking to reporters at the Kandahar Airfield, said yesterday's incidentoccurred when a 12−vehicle convoy was returning to an outpost in Panjwaii after a search for Taliban fightersin a small village.

The gravel road on which the convoy was travelling was used frequently by coalition forces and by localAfghans, and while there had been roadside bombs found in the past, none had been discovered in recentmonths, he said.

Grant said an investigation would determine whether Canada should increase protection for soldiers to"mitigate the risk," but Pellerin said that risks are inherent in the job and unlikely to be completely overcome.

"Every time you build a shield that is stronger, someone will come up with a spear that is better or longer. It'sthe old Roman principle."

With files from Canadian Press

Triple explosive defeats blast−resistant vehicle; Taliban adopting guerrilla tactics used in Iraq, retired general says of Afghanistan bombing144

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PM faces more pressure over mission; OppositionMPs, retired major− general question why Canadataking brunt of NATO casualties

IDNUMBER 200707050124

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Met

SECTION: News

PAGE: A01

BYLINE: Allan Woods

SOURCE: Toronto Star

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 649

The rising death toll among Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan − six more were killed yesterday − is againprovoking questions about when this country's mission there should end.

The soldiers and their Afghan interpreter were killed when the armoured vehicle they were in hit a landmineabout 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city. Sixty−six soldiers and one Canadian diplomat, Glyn Berry,have died since the mission began in 2002.

Names of four of the six soldiers were released last night. They are: Master Cpl. Colin Bason, based in NewWestminster, B.C., and Capt. Matthew Dawe, Cpl. Cole Bartsch and Pte. Lane Watkins, all based inEdmonton.

Canada now has surpassed the total number of Britons who have died since that country began participating inthe North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) operation in Afghanistan in 2001.

Sixty−three British soldiers have died there.

Twenty−two Canadian soldiers have died so far this year, compared with eight during the same period lastyear. Thirty−six died in 2006.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has committed Canada until February 2009, and said recently he would need aconsensus among MPs and Canadians to extend the mission.

About Canadian 2,500 troops are deployed in southern Afghanistan, where Taliban terrorists are most active.The soldiers who died yesterday were set to return at the end of the month to be replaced by troops based inQuebec.

Yesterday's toll is the highest since six soldiers were killed on April 8.

Retired Canadian major−general Lewis MacKenzie says it will be the end of NATO if other members don'tstep up instead of letting Canada take the brunt of casualties.

"In 2009, if people haven't showed up to the party, I am not going to be the one standing at the head of theparade saying we got to stay," MacKenzie told the Star yesterday.

PM faces more pressure over mission; Opposition MPs, retired major− general question why Canada taking brunt of NATO casualties145

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Late last night, about nine hours after Canadians learned of the most recent deaths in Afghanistan, Harperissued a statement:

"It is with deep sorrow that I have learned of today's tragic event in Afghanistan that took the lives of sixCanadian soldiers. On behalf of all Canadians, my most sincere condolences go out," to the families, he said.

"The legacies of our fallen soldiers will be carried on by the men and women in uniform who continue toserve Canada valiantly, and remain committed to creating a stable and self−sustaining democratic society forthe Afghan people, " Harper said in the statement.

NDP Leader Jack Layton said the deaths are another reminder why Canada should get out of Afghanistan assoon as possible.

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion called on Harper to make it clear to Canada's NATO partners that the Canadianmission will end as scheduled in February 2009 and not a minute longer.

"No other country has more burden on its shoulders ... than Canada," said Dion, adding that Canada "willwelcome other countries to do more."

"The Prime Minister has said that he needs to have a consensus in order to extend the mission beyondFebruary of 2009," Dion said. "This consensus will never exist."

Layton told a news conference Canada should pull its troops out now before the loss of any more lives in awar he says can't be won.

"What they are being asked to do now is participate in a mission that has no prospect of military success ... itwill simply escalate and prolong itself until we realize that it is not going to accomplish its goals," Laytonsaid.

The soldiers who died yesterday were returning to their forward operating base in the Panjwaii−Zhari districtof Kandahar province, travelling in a convoy along a frequently used gravel road when their RG−31 armouredvehicle − which is designed to withstand up to two simultaneous anti−tank mines − struck a roadside bomb,Canadian Forces Brigadier−General Tim Grant told reporters at Kandahar Airfield. All of the dead weretravelling in the same vehicle.

James Appathurai, a NATO spokesperson, told the CBC from Brussels the deaths were a "very heavy blow"to NATO. Panjwaii was the scene of fierce fighting by Canadian soldiers last summer in a bid to clear Talibanfighters out of what has been described as their "heartland."

The region has been considered a success story after locals began moving back into the area when last year'sfighting subsided. But in recent weeks the insurgency appears to have popped its head up in a flurry ofactivity.

With files from the Star's wire services

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Whirlwind trips pose PR challenge forHarper; Premiers of Nova Scotia, Saskatchewangiven no advance itinerary

IDNUMBER 200707050122

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Ont

SECTION: News

PAGE: A18

BYLINE: Alison Auld and James Keller

SOURCE: Canadian Press

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 297

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has scheduled a series of trips for today to shore up slipping political supportin Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, but the visits will likely be overshadowed by the deaths of six soldiers inAfghanistan and lingering resentment over the federal budget.

Stung by ongoing disputes with the two provinces over revenue from non− renewable resources, Harper wasoff to a rough start even before arriving in Halifax, a military town with its share of young men and womenserving overseas.

Yesterday, Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald appeared miffed by Harper's visit, saying he knewnothing about it less than 24 hours before it was to begin. "If it's good news for Nova Scotia, I'm quitesurprised that I would not be aware," he said in Bridgewater, N.S.

Later came word that a roadside bomb killed six Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter in southernAfghanistan.

No names were released, but the largest contingent of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan is from CFBGagetown in New Brunswick, which draws many recruits from Atlantic Canada.

The Prime Minister's Office confirmed Harper would make an announcement at Halifax's naval dockyard. Nodetails were released from Ottawa, but a statement from navy officials in Halifax indicated Harper wouldannounce details of a plan to modernize Canada's 12 Halifax−class frigates.

Harper's itinerary also includes visits to two small towns in Saskatchewan, where he will surround himselfwith members of his Saskatchewan caucus in a bid to revive Tory fortunes in a province where the party'spopularity is also skidding.

Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert has rallied his province against the federal Tories, promising to takelegal action to challenge the fairness of its most federal budget.

In Iqaluit for the Western Premiers conference, Calvert said he didn't know anything about Harper's visit untilhe read it in the newspaper.

"It's an odd way to do business," he said.

Whirlwind trips pose PR challenge for Harper; Premiers of Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan given no advance itinerary147

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Taliban tactics primitive, tragically effective

IDNUMBER 200707050119

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Ont

SECTION: News

PAGE: A16

BYLINE: Rosie DiManno

SOURCE: Toronto Star

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 664

Most Canadians have the luxury of feeling comfortably remote from death.

It is not, except for the grievously ill, a constant and alarming presence, always on the mind.

For Canadian troops in Afghanistan, the reverse is true. While the likelihood of dying − being killed − is stillstatistically slight, the threat is incessant.

Six soldiers met their end yesterday, as have scores of their mates, violently, without ever seeing the enemy orbeing afforded the chance to fight back: slain by a roadside bomb, a lethally powerful device hidden, it wouldappear, in the gravel of a well−travelled thoroughfare.

Gravel is always frightening, so easy to secret an IED − improvised explosive device − so that wires can't beseen, even by those looking for the telltale signs, disturbed soil and prongs.

But the victims must have felt relatively safe, traversing an area of the Panjwaii District that has been largelybecalmed since heavy and traditional combat last year, most especially by the Taliban−clearing efforts ofCanadian troops.

Convoys remain enticing targets, however, and insurgents don't have to take much risk. Such an IED can bedetonated remotely or left to quietly bide its time, until set off by the weight of a passing vehicle, a militaryconveyance with sufficient heft to activate the pressure plate.

And there's a victory for the neo−Taliban right there, not in tactical terms but strategically effective, not onlyin terms of lives − the main thing, to us, as it should be − but also as a moral setback, for the troops and thecountry that sent them overseas.

It was a huge loss of life, equalling the half−dozen killed in another IED blast on Easter Sunday.

Everyone riding in the Nyala RG−31 died, including an Afghan interpreter, a hardy breed without which thetroops couldn't function.

There would have been some sense of reassurance for the soldiers in the fact they were inside that particulararmoured vehicle − a Nyala, built in South Africa and considered one of the military's strongest protectionsagainst the scourge of roadside bombs. The Nyala has massive wheels and an undercarriage that rides highabove the ground.

Taliban tactics primitive, tragically effective 148

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It was designed to withstand two simultaneous blasts from anti−tank mines, its hull−shaped bottom crafted todraw the blast outwards rather than upwards, the shock reverberating to the sides, lessening the likelihood ofcatastrophic structural damage and fire.

Visually, the Nyala doesn't look as sturdy as the LAV−III, the workhorse of the Canadian military vehiclefleet. Set side by side, those non−versed in such things would pick the LAV as a ride because of its bulk andbristle.

For one thing, the Nyala has windows, which eliminate the claustrophobic feel of being inside a LAV, butrenders it as fragile−appearing as the lightly armoured Mercedes G−Wagon that proved so unfit for the taskwhen Canadians first arrived in Afghanistan.

Appearances are deceiving. The Nyala's aerodynamics allow a blast to flow along its edges, while pieces ofthe vehicle − wheels and axles, easily replaced − are intended to be blown off, leaving the core chassis intact.Crucially, the machine−gun on a Nyala is operated remotely, from inside the cabin. This protects the gunner,who operates the barrel with a sort of joystick and instrument panel.

Although it may look less impregnable than a LAV, some things have to be taken at faith, the assumption thatdesign experts know what they're about. And the Nyala does encourage a sense of lesser vulnerability.

Four Canadian soldiers credited the Nyala with saving their lives in a suicide attack last September. But it'snot death−proof. Nothing in Afghanistan, or anywhere else, is death−proof.

While it takes years to design, road−test and manufacture an improved, more fortified armoured vehicle, onebetter suited to the sly environment of a low− tech insurgency − and the Canadian Forces has recently ordered10 new American− made models specifically schematized for the task − the enemy has only to respond bybuilding more powerful bombs, packing in extra explosives or stacking them.

It's primitive stuff but tragically effective. The Taliban's objective is to shred soldiers, opportunistically, andkill political will, broadly. At this black art, they've proven their sophistication.

Taliban tactics primitive, tragically effective 149

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Does the latest British terror threat make you uneasyabout air travel?

IDNUMBER 200707050087

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Ont

SECTION: Opinion

PAGE: AA08

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 518

It makes me mindful that danger may be at hand. However, this entire so−called "terror threat" ordeal wasorchestrated by George Bush and his administation (and his backer, former British prime minister TonyBlair), following 9/11.

Bush's invasion of Iraq (based on lies and deception) and his attack on Afghanistan, has made it tough forMuslims, who are now trying to fight back in any way they can. Unfortunately, that includes taking the livesof innocent people.

John Missios, Toronto

More of these terror activities are likely to happen and if it happens to you it's too late to say, "I shouldn't havebeen there."

Larry Muzzin, Richmond Hill

No more than usual. I am more concerned about what will happen on the ground − subways, trains, highwaysetc. − than on planes. I honestly believe this will be the target, not airports or planes.

Robert Reeson, Pontypool

It's been so hard to take these alerts seriously. With five years of American alarmist media overkill for piddlyincidents, and speculations of "possible links," we are now unprepared for something truly significant. Goodon the Brits for foiling this plot. In fact, I feel safer about air travel knowing that there is at least oneintelligent government able to credibly anticipate and deconstruct REAL terror plots.

Erica Holloway, Toronto

I feel safer with air travel than I do walking or biking to work, with the way people drive in this city.

Cam Johnson, Toronto

Acts of Kindness

Every day I look forward to reading the Acts of Kindness column in the Star. This is what the media need tofocus on − the good, not the bad! Bravo!

Amalie Muncaster, Toronto

Does the latest British terror threat make you uneasy about air travel? 150

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In 1963, I left China to start a new life in Canada. I didn't know anyone here and spoke little English.However, I was hopeful about the road ahead.

I took a taxi to downtown Toronto, and asked the cabbie to leave me in a place with lots of Chinese people.However, the driver dropped me off in Korea town instead. I was unable to communicate with anyone in theneighbourhood and felt quite lost and scared. I was 18 and alone in a new place.

Two young brothers walking their dog stopped to ask if I was all right. I explained my situation. They broughtme home with them and told their parents of my plight. I stayed with them for a few days, and eventuallyfound a job with the bakery they owned. I also rented the room above the bakery.

If it wasn't for the kindness of the McClarens, I wouldn't be here today. When I reflect upon my arrival inCanada, I think back to how a young kid was guided and taken in by a kind family. Thank you for giving me anew life.

John Tang, Toronto

I was studying the piano and bought an upright to practise on. The day it was delivered I fainted from hunger,because I had no money left for food. My late teacher brought bags of food to keep me alive. Thanks, AlbertoGuerrero.

Vera Leinvebers, North York

While standing in line at the grocery store today, my two children went over to watch a lady using the coinchanger. They were fascinated with the "cool machine" and how it was used. She let them help push the coinsin and then let them keep the "rejects" that came out! I appreciate her kindness to them.

Caroline LeBel,

Toronto

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Many plots are foiled in U.S., FBIsays; Suicide−bombing threat remains 'greatchallenge' despite counterterror successes, officialwarns

IDNUMBER 200707050086

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Met

SECTION: World And Comment

PAGE: AA05

SOURCE: Associated Press

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 341

Suicide bombers have not hit the United States since the 9/11 terrorist hijacking attacks, but they remain aconstant concern because of their prevalence around the globe and determination to die for their causes,according to Joseph Billy, the FBI's chief of counterterrorism.

Billy says "a significant number" of attacks have been thwarted since airliners were crashed into the WorldTrade Center, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania farm field on Sept. 11, 2001.

While declining to divulge the nature of the averted plots, Billy credited intelligence that led to either fortifiedsecurity around potential targets or identification of suspected terrorists.

Authorities recently stopped homegrown plots targeting the Fort Dix military base in New Jersey and a jetfuel pipeline at New York's Kennedy International Airport.

Billy, the FBI assistant director in charge of counterterrorism, made his comments during a rare wide−ranginginterview with the Associated Press, days before the failed car bombing in London and the airport bombing inGlasgow.

Billy stressed the need for diligence, saying people plotting against the U. S. from within are more familiarwith potential targets than foreign terrorists and can move around more easily.

The FBI and other law enforcement and intelligence agencies continue to raise the nation's already "vigorousvigilance," hunting individuals who may want to use explosives to make a statement or further a cause, hesaid.

"Martyrdom and suicide bombers are a great challenge because of their commitment, their willingness to diefor sheer belief. Any explosive device, particularly suicide bombs, creates a real challenge to learn about itand then interdict or disrupt it."

Billy said the FBI regularly scrutinizes intelligence on new devices and tactics tested by insurgents in Iraq andAfghanistan, wary that they could surface in the United States.

Police in New York recently put emphasis on screening shipments of chlorine after learning it had become a

Many plots are foiled in U.S., FBI says; Suicide−bombing threat remains 'great challenge' despite counterterror successes, official warns152

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favoured component of homemade bombs in Iraq.

"The enemy is very real," Billy said. "We operate every day as if we are the target...

"You can go from neutral to extreme to becoming someone who is committed to terrorism and blowingsomeone up in a short period of time. You can't leave any of it unchecked."

And Osama bin Laden is still No. 1 on the FBI terrorism list.

"It is very important to capture him and bring him to justice," Billy said.

"It may take a while, but we remain optimistic."

Many plots are foiled in U.S., FBI says; Suicide−bombing threat remains 'great challenge' despite counterterror successes, official warns153

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Radical cleric nabbed sneaking out in burqa; Morethan 1,100 followers surrender but hundreds remainbarricaded in Islamabad's Red Mosque

IDNUMBER 200707050083

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Ont

SECTION: World And Comment

PAGE: AA01

ILLUSTRATION:

AAMIR QURESHI afp A group of radicals surrenders to authoritiesyesterday inIslamabad. MIAN KHURSHEED reuters Female students board a bus after surrenderingto authorities near the Red Mosque in Islamabad yesterday. MIAN KHURSHEED reutersFemale students board a bus after surrendering to authorities near the Red Mosque inIslamabad yesterday. ;

BYLINE: Mubashir Zaidi and Laura King

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 590

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

After months of whipping his followers into a frenzy of anti−government sentiment, the head cleric at aradical mosque was caught yesterday trying to slip out of his besieged compound clad head−to−toe in awoman's burqa, police said.

The arrest of Maulana Abdul Aziz came as police and paramilitary troops backed by armoured vehicles andhelicopters surrounded the mosque, which Tuesday was the scene of a shootout that left as many as 16 peopledead. More than 1,100 of Aziz's followers surrendered to the authorities yesterday.

By nightfall, hundreds of students remained barricaded inside the Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, some of themvowing to seek "martyrdom." Aziz previously threatened suicide attacks by his followers.

Early this morning, Pakistani forces detonated explosive charges as a warning, prompting those inside tothrow hand grenades and open fire, security officials said. There were no immediate reports of casualties fromthe flare−up.

Police also fired tear gas shells and smashed down one of the doors of the mosque, but had not yet entered, asenior security official near the scene told Agence France−Presse.

"They were explosive charges. This was another warning," said the official, who did not want to be identified.

State television said the hardline students in the mosque were being told over loudspeakers to lay down theirarms "or you will be responsible for any losses."

The official said armoured personnel carriers were brought up to the wall of the mosque.

Radical cleric nabbed sneaking out in burqa; More than 1,100 followers surrender but hundreds remain barricaded in Islamabad's Red Mosque154

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Many of those who left the compound were women seminary students, and Pakistani authorities brought infemale officers to search them. When the officers lifted one long black veil, they found Aziz.

The cleric, together with his brother Abdul Rashid Ghazi, has long been a wanted man. But the pair rarely leftthe compound, and the government of President Pervez Musharraf apparently had not entered the site to arrestthem earlier for fear of enraging Islamic militants.

It was not immediately known whether Ghazi had escaped, or remained inside the mosque. Disciples of thebrothers had challenged the government's authority over the past six months with a series of increasinglyprovocative actions, including kidnapping police officers and seeking to impose a Taliban−style code ofbehaviour in the tranquil and relatively liberal Pakistani capital.

The vigilante campaign by Aziz's followers began in February with women students' seizure of a publiclibrary adjacent to one of the compound's two madrassas, or Islamic seminaries. They initially demanded thatthe government drop plans to raze illegally built mosques in the capital, but later expanded their demands,saying they sought the imposition of sharia, or Islamic law.

The mosque compound has for months been an incongruous presence in a leafy, well−off residentialneighbourhood, not far from the capital's diplomatic enclave and the president's office.

Masked men brandishing clubs and sometimes rifles stood guard atop its walls. Women students wore burqas,the all−encompassing black veils that are relatively unusual in the capital.

Police sealed off the area, but also offered amnesty to any women and children inside, together with any menwho had not taken part in armed attacks.

Musharraf had said previously that he did not order the compound stormed and emptied because he did notwant to set off large−scale bloodshed. But he was criticized in some circles for appeasing the militants − anecho of allegations that his government has turned a blind eye to a buildup of Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters inPakistan's tribal lands bordering Afghanistan.

Other critics, however, pointed out that the dramatic standoff has diverted public attention from a politicalcrisis over Musharraf's efforts to sideline Pakistan's chief justice, who has presented himself as a potentialimpediment to the president's plans to have himself re−elected by a rubber−stamp parliament this year beforepermitting general elections to take place.

With files from AFP

Radical cleric nabbed sneaking out in burqa; More than 1,100 followers surrender but hundreds remain barricaded in Islamabad's Red Mosque155

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Bush duplicity hinders battle against extremism

IDNUMBER 200707050081

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Ont

SECTION: World And Comment

PAGE: AA02

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 596

So, it is the terrorist Hamas that gets the kidnapped BBC correspondent Alan Johnston released. That's justone of many ironies of the American−Israeli − and Canadian − approach to the Arab−Israeli conflict.

George W. Bush "invested the heart of my presidency" to bring democracy to the Middle East. Yet he rejectedthe result of the Palestinian election won by Hamas, and browbeat the allies into starving the Palestinianpeople.

The West has swung its support for Mahmoud Abbas now that he has replaced the Hamas government with ahandpicked prime minister. As Daniel Levy, a former Israeli peace negotiator, suggests, the West has helpedimpose one−party rule on the Palestinian body politic.

Hamas is a terrorist organization because it uses violence. Yet in the last 18 months, the U.S. and its allieshave helped Abbas's security forces use violence and goon tactics to create anarchy and undermine Hamas.

Since taking over Gaza June 15, Hamas has restored order, banning even the firing of celebratory gunfire, thatrevolting Arab custom. And it has secured Johnston's release from a clan close to Abbas's security chief.

Similarly, America's other allies across the Middle East − in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, etc. −continue their authoritarian rule. Yet Bush singles out Iran and Syria as oppressor states. He said last weekthat the Iranian and Syrian peoples "yearn for freedom and liberty" and wish to "say what they think (and)travel where they wish." So do the Egyptians, the Jordanians, the Saudis, the Kuwaitis and, of course, thePalestinians. But there's nary a mention of them.

Syria's Bashar al−Assad, who succeeded his father, Hafez, recently won a presidential election in which hewas the only candidate. In Egypt, too, the path is being paved for Hosni Mubarak's son, Gamal, to assume thepresidency.

Ayman Nour, the most likely challenger to Gamal, rots in jail on trumped−up charges. When Bush recentlyissued the obligatory call for his release, Cairo mocked him by reminding him of Guantanamo Bay.

Assad cracks down on the Muslim Brotherhood. So does Mubarak. The long and short of it is that Mubarak,Abbas and others can terrorize their own people as much as they like, so long as they do their job of ensuringthe Americans and Israelis are not. Washington's need for moderation is highly selective.

"The U.S. administration's double−speak is breathtakingly shameless," notes Irene Khan of AmnestyInternational.

The range of it was evident in a Bush speech last week at the Islamic Centre of Washington, where he namedan American envoy to the Organization of Islamic Conference, the 57−nation group representing Muslims.

Bush duplicity hinders battle against extremism 156

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He claimed that Iraq and Afghanistan are central to the war on terrorism, even as those two failed venturescontinue to spawn radicalism and terrorism, including in the West, such as the failed/foiled plots this week inBritain.

Bush also reduced terrorism to nothing more than a by−product of a battle between moderate and extremistMuslims. Events in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Israeli occupied territories have nothing to do with it. Hetherefore lectured Muslims to condemn "radical extremists" and their "murderous movement."

Never mind that the U.S. and other members of NATO have been far more "murderous" since 9/11, Muslimshave already repeatedly condemned the terrorists amidst them. That, however, hasn't and won't reduceterrorism. For that to happen, the world needs to address its causes.

Muslims also agree on the need, as Bush said, to help "the forces of moderation win the great struggle againstextremism." What they object to is his methodology, his duplicity, double standards and hypocrisy. So dopeople everywhere, even if our governments don't.

Haroon Siddiqui, the Star's editorial page editor emeritus, appears Thursday in World and Sunday in theA−section. Contact him at hsiddiq @ thestar.ca

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PM says 'we're back,' but from where?

IDNUMBER 200707050044

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Ont

SECTION: Editorial

PAGE: AA06

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 222

Stephen Harper conveyed a robust and somewhat self−congratulatory message to the country during hisCanada Day address on Sunday.

"The news is spreading throughout the world: Canada's back," the Prime Minister said on Parliament Hill."Canada's back as a vital player on the global stage."

Really? When did we ever go away?

It's not as though the missions in Afghanistan and Haiti began during the watch of Harper's Conservativegovernment. The Conservatives inherited those deployments from the Liberals.

Celebrity activists such as U2's Bono continue to chide Canada for not providing sufficient foreign aid to suitthem. Unlike predecessor Paul Martin, who courted celebrities, Harper gives them the brush−off. Perhapsthat's another sign that Canada's back.

Is Canada back in the good graces of the United States? Relations between the two countries went into an iceage when former prime minister Jean Chretien kept Canada out of the American−instigated war in Iraq.Harper has a better relationship with U.S. President George W. Bush but that thawing hasn't prevented theAmericans from tightening the border.

Canada continues to play a role in international organizations such as NATO, the British Commonwealth, theFrancophonie and the Organization of American States, among others. We never went away from them.

Canada's participation in international affairs has always ebbed and flowed. It's somewhat of an exaggerationto say "we're back" just because of what we're doing in Afghanistan and Haiti.

This is an edited version of an editorial in yesterday's Halifax Daily News.

PM says 'we're back,' but from where? 158

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Canada's mission costly but worthy

IDNUMBER 200707050042

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Ont

SECTION: Editorial

PAGE: AA06

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 579

Is Canada on the "wrong mission" in Afghanistan, as New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton chargedyesterday when six more Canadian troops and an Afghan interpreter were killed by a roadside bomb?

No. Canada is on the right mission, costly as it is, to buy time for President Hamid Karzai's democraticallyelected government to gather its strength, and hopefully thwart a Taliban comeback that would seeAfghanistan again become a haven for 9/11−style terror.

Courageous women and men in the Canadian Forces, including the 66 who have now died, are doing theirbest in strife−torn Kandahar region, under a lawful United Nations mandate, to ensure the Taliban do notprevail there, at least not on our watch.

They deserve Canada's wholehearted thanks and support.

In Parliament, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives and Stephane Dion's Liberals may spar overjust when to serve notice to the United States and other allies that we plan to call it a day in Kandahar whenour mission ends in February 2009. But that is a political sideshow, largely. Absent a consensus to extend themission, it will inevitably wind down. Our allies must accept that.

Yet when Parliament assented to Harper's push, soon after becoming Prime Minister, to extend Canada'scombat tour by two years, it made a solemn pledge to Afghans and allies alike that we would break if weheeded Layton's call for an immediate pullout. The Taliban, who aim to shake Canada's resolve with roadsidebombings, would like nothing better. But an early pullout would dishonour the nation, and betray those whohave fallen in this cause.

If Canadian support for the mission is faltering as our own casualties rise, and concern for Afghan civiliancasualties grows, it is little wonder. The Taliban are a stubborn, determined foe. Nearly 3,000 Afghans, mostof them insurgents, have been killed this year.

But those who expected an easy victory were misguided. The Taliban were never likely to be "defeated" by2,500 Canadian troops in Kandahar. They have not been "defeated" by 50,000 American and allied troopsfrom 37 countries. That is a job the slowly developing Afghan national army and police will have to shoulder,over time, unless the Taliban set aside their weapons and join the political process. The insurgency maypersist long after our Kandahar tour is over.

By now, Canada already has pulled more than its weight in the strife−torn south of the country, along with theAmericans, British and Dutch. Other allies must soon step up to the plate.

When Parliament resumes in the fall, Harper must seek consensus on a new role for our troops. Barring awholesale Canadian pullout, our forces might usefully help police the capital, Kabul, train the Afghan military

Canada's mission costly but worthy 159

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or provide security for aid efforts. Any of these roles would reflect our interest in peacekeeping and aid.

As we mourn the loss of our soldiers, let us remember, too, that Afghans are freer than before. They voted inthe millions for their new government. Communities are rebuilding roads, clinics, schools, water systems,hydro lines and other services. Slowly, life is improving.

In a recent survey, the Asia Foundation reported that despite the slow progress and insurgency, twice as manyAfghans believe the country is headed in the right direction than believe otherwise. And people were moreconcerned about weak government, unemployment and lack of reconstruction than about security. In manyregions, people feel safer than before. Most Afghans know how far they have come.

Canada's troops can take pride in helping make that happen.

Canada's mission costly but worthy 160

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Canadian mourns the loss of six fellow soldiers,killed when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb

IDNUMBER 200707050040

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Ont

SECTION: News

PAGE: A15

ILLUSTRATION:FINBARR O'REILLY reuters Cpl. Rikk Lewis, right, embraces anunidentified soldierupon his safe arrival at Ma'sum Ghar base in southeastern Afghanistan yesterday. ;

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 29

FINBARR O'REILLY reuters Cpl. Rikk Lewis, right, embraces an unidentified soldier upon his safe arrival atMa'sum Ghar base in southeastern Afghanistan yesterday.

Canadian mourns the loss of six fellow soldiers, killed when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb 161

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Roadside bomb blasts have claimed 19 of the 22soldiers killed in the current Canadian troop rotation

IDNUMBER 200707050039

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Ont

SECTION: News

PAGE: A16

ILLUSTRATION:FINBARR O'REILLY reuters A soldier atop a tank heads out from Ma'sumGhar militarybase on a recovery mission after six Canadian soldiers were killed in Afghanistanyesterday. ;

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 34

FINBARR O'REILLY reuters A soldier atop a tank heads out from Ma'sum Ghar military base on a recoverymission after six Canadian soldiers were killed in Afghanistan yesterday.

Roadside bomb blasts have claimed 19 of the 22 soldiers killed in the current Canadian troop rotation162

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Families devastated; 'He only had 6 weeks left to go,'says the mother of one of the six Canadians who diedyesterday

IDNUMBER 200707050028

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Met

SECTION: News

PAGE: A17

ILLUSTRATION:FINBARR O'REILLY reuters Pte. Mark Amos looks for Taliban insurgentsafter shotswere fired near a lookout post at Ma'sum Ghar yesterday. ;

BYLINE: Simona Siad

SOURCE: Toronto Star

COPYRIGHT: © 2007 Torstar Corporation

WORD COUNT: 599

Jarrett Edwards even missed his own graduation because he wanted to be more like him: Lane Watkins wasjust that kind of guy.

"He was the one who talked me into joining the Canadian Forces in the first place," Edwards, 19, now aprivate stationed at Canadian Forces Base Borden, said of his friend Pte. Watkins, who died yesterday inAfghanistan.

Watkins, born 20 years ago in the small town of Clearwater, Man., stood out to his friends as someone whoshould not only be admired, but also emulated.

"He was always the guy you looked to for leadership," said Edwards.

Watkins was one of the six Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter who were killed when their vehiclehit an improvised explosive device southwest of Kandahar City.

The identities of four of the dead were released late yesterday afternoon: Watkins, Cpl. Cole Bartsch, 23,Capt. Matthew Jonathan Dawe, 27, all of 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based inEdmonton; and Master Cpl. Colin Bason, 28, a reservist from The Royal Westminster Regiment based in NewWestminster, B.C.

The next of kin of two of the soldiers have not yet agreed to the release of their names.

But devastated families and friends are now left with the monumental task of trying to describe their lovedones.

"Clearwater is a small town. Everybody knows everybody. He's been on everybody's mind. It's been hard oneverybody. We're all just devastated," said Ashley Falk, one of Watkin's high school friends.

To his friends he was hard working and funny. To those who knew him around town, he was seen as anathlete and as a leader.

Families devastated; 'He only had 6 weeks left to go,' says the mother of one of the six Canadians who died yesterday163

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And so the story goes that it was because of Lane, Edwards did not attend his own graduation.

"Lane didn't want to do anything but join the army," said Edwards, who fast tracked through his last year ofhigh school so he could enter the Canadian Forces earlier in 2006.

"I missed my own graduation because I looked up to this guy so much and wanted to do what he was doing."

He was just that kind of guy.

Cole bartsch also died yesterday in Afghanistan.

For the small town of Whitecourt, Alta., some of the last memories of Bartsch can be found in a newspaperarticle. Only five months ago, the hometown newspaper wrote a story about how excited and scared the youngsoldier was about his upcoming mission in Afghanistan.

"Back then it was still peacekeeping so the mission has changed a little bit, " Bartsch said in the February2007 article in the Whitecourt Star.

He said he was worried about his family worrying about him on this, his second tour.

But he also said he hoped to learn more of the native languages in Afghanistan. "It's so much easier to learn itwhen you are over there and everyone's speaking it."

His hopes, he told the newspaper, were to see Afghan children be allowed to go back to school, and bringstability to the country.

Bartsch said he believed he would be back home in Canada in August sometime.

He was the first to go. Words from the grieving mother of Colin Bason, a reservist who was one of the sixsoldiers killed yesterday.

In an interview with CTV News, Ann Bason told the media he was probably one of the first reservists to joinwhen the call went out for volunteers for the Afghan mission.

"He was very proud that he got picked," she said. "The sad thing is he only had six weeks left to go before hewas on his way home. But how many people get to do the things they really love − and he loved the infantry."

Bason grew up in Abbotsford, B.C., and served with The Royal Westminster Regiment based in NewWestminster, B.C.

39 Canadian Brigade Group, to which Bason's Royal Westminister Regiment belonged, said this of Bason:"During his career, Cpl. Bason attained the appointment of master corporal and relinquished his appointmentin order to participate in the (Afghan) tour. Cpl. Bason, as do all reserve soldiers, volunteered to go over toAfghanistan to help the Afghan people in their ongoing effort to establish a society founded on freedom,democracy and universally accepted human rights.

"Cpl. Bason died doing what he wanted to do. Our heartfelt sympathies are with the Bason family and thefamilies of the other five soldiers killed with Cpl. Bason."

He leaves behind his partner of four years and a baby daughter who will be five months old Sunday.

With files from Canadian Press and CTV

Families devastated; 'He only had 6 weeks left to go,' says the mother of one of the six Canadians who died yesterday164

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Six soldiers die

IDNUMBER 200707050109

PUBLICATION: The Leader−Post (Regina)

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: News

PAGE: A1 / FRONT

ILLUSTRATION:Colour Photo: Reuters / Canada's Cpl. Rikk Lewis (right)from the NATO−led coalitionembraces an unidentified soldier upon his safe arrival at Ma'sum Ghar base, insoutheastern Afghanistan, on Wednesday. ;

DATELINE: KANDAHAR, Afghanistan

BYLINE: Don Martin

SOURCE: CanWest News Service

NOTE: Politics increasingly heated in debate about Canadiantroops.Page A8

WORD COUNT: 797

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan −− The Canadian military casualty count in southern Afghanistan reached 66early Wednesday after six soldiers died when their armoured vehicle was demolished by an improvisedexplosive device planted in a gravel road, killing everyone on board.

"This was a convoy that was returning from a forward operating area to their home base," said Brig.−Gen.Tim Grant, the Canadians' commanding officer, adding the attack occurred about 20 kilometres southwest ofKandahar City.

Four of the dead are: Capt. Matthew Johnathan Dawe, Cpl. Cole Bartsch and Pte. Lane Watkins, all of 3rdBattalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, and Master−Cpl. Colin Bason, areservist from The Royal Westminster Regiment.

The soldiers, who would have finished their deployment in Afghanistan at the end of the month, weretravelling in an RG−31 Nyala armoured vehicle, he said.

"Clearly they have managed to kill six great young Canadians today and that is a tragedy. These are not thetactics of anything other than terrorists.

"This part of Afghanistan, the Panjwai area, is one of the safer areas in the province. It is an area we arecomfortable travelling in. We have great relationships with the local elders and the leadership and with thepeople on the ground," Grant said.

"The attacks on us and our Afghan colleagues will not diminish our resolve and determination to bring toAfghanistan a peaceful land for the children of this country."

The identities of the other two Canadians, who are part of the 37−nation International Security AssistanceForce (ISAF), have not been released. An Afghan interpreter also died in the blast.

The incident occurred while the soldiers were returning from joint operations with the Afghan National Army,according to a Defence Department statement.

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"This joint operation was dubbed Operation Luger," the statement said and "was completed without incident,and the attack occurred as the patrol returned to a nearby forward operating base."

Continued from Page A1

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, the deadliest since Easter Sunday when six Canadiansoldiers were killed in a similar incident.

Sgt. Donald Lucas, Cpl. Aaron E. Williams, Cpl. Brent Poland, Private Kevin Vincent Kennedy and PrivateDavid Robert Greenslade, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Gagetown, N.B., werekilled in the April 8 blast when the vehicle they were travelling in hit an explosive device. Cpl. ChristopherPaul Stannix, a reservist from the Princess Louise Fusiliers, based in Halifax, also died. One other soldier wasseriously injured.

The insurgents have now claimed a record heavy toll of Canadian lives in the last three months, with fiveexplosions killing a total of 19 soldiers amid the usual summer jump in attack activity. This particularlyrotation of soldiers has suffered 22 deaths with four weeks to go before they return to Canada.

Improvised explosive devices or homemade roadside bombs continue to inflict casualties on the NATOmission in Afghanistan and the U.S. military in Iraq. To date, IEDs have been responsible for 27 of the 66Canadian military fatalities in Afghanistan since 2002, including 19 of the 22 who have died this year.

Wednesday's deaths come just a few days after three Canadians killed in Afghanistan were laid to rest.

Funerals were held Saturday for Sgt. Christos Karigiannis, Cpl. Stephen Bouzane and Pte. Joel Wiebe, whodied June 20 when their unarmoured Gator transport vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Kandahar.

There are 2,500 Canadian troops deployed in the southern part of Afghanistan. Some 2,000 soldiers fromQuebec's Royal 22nd Regiment are due to begin a six−month rotation in August, replacing the bulk of theforce now there.

A recent poll shows that whether they are for or against Canada's military mission in Afghanistan, Canadiansare highly skeptical about its chances for success.

In a national survey conducted for Policy Options magazine, the company found that only about one in fourCanadians believes that either the military mission or the efforts to promote the rule of law and human rightsin the troubled Asian country have a strong probability of success.

Even so, soldiers on the ground here argue passionately that Canada must remain firmly engaged in a battle toeliminate the Taliban.

"Every soldier's death makes us more determined to stay, otherwise their sacrifice will be in vain," Sgt. PaulPay, a member of the Hotel Company platoon that suffered the six Easter Sunday casualties, said recently.

Senior officers with regional command predict this year will exceed the 2,853 "significant activities" ofcombat against the enemy recorded in Kandahar during 2006. They openly admit Kandahar is one of only twoprovinces classified as unstable.

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion offered his support to the Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan in the wake of thelatest deaths.

"We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the men and women of the Canadian Forces as they risk their lives

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to create a safer and more secure world for Canadians and people the world over," he said.

"A tragedy of this magnitude drives home the very real risks Canadian Forces members face in Afghanistanevery day, as they serve their country and the people of Afghanistan by working to bring hope and stability tothis troubled region."

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Politicians using troops to buy votes

IDNUMBER 200707050087

PUBLICATION: The Leader−Post (Regina)

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: News

PAGE: A8

DATELINE: OTTAWA

BYLINE: Mike Blanchfield

SOURCE: CanWest News Service

WORD COUNT: 663

OTTAWA −− How many is too many?

That is a question Canadians will be asking themselves today in the aftermath of six more soldiers' deaths inAfghanistan. Sixty−six soldiers and one diplomat have now died since the boot of a regular Canadian soldierfirst touched Afghan soil in early 2002.

So, with all this carnage, is it time to bring the troops home?

Canadian politicians are asking themselves that question, too, and while the answers may vary depending onthe colour of their party stripes, all of the country's political combatants are united by one imperative: Howtheir stand on the war in Afghanistan translates into votes at home.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper wants Parliament to reach a consensus on whether to extend the missionbeyond February 2009, the Liberals want NATO put on notice that Canada is done with combat operations bythen, the NDP wants Canada's 2,500 troops brought home immediately, and the Bloc Quebecois is vaguelycalling for a "recalibration" of the mission's focus from combat operations to development.

As news of the deaths of six more Canadians was emerging Wednesday, NDP Leader Jack Layton wasalready making a political pitch about the war in Afghanistan. With byelections looming in five ridings −−including three in traditionally war−weary Quebec −− Layton positioned those votes as a referendum on theAfghan mission.

"The choice is going to be very clear: They can vote for parties that got us into this mission, extended themission or who want it to go on for another two years, or they can vote for the NDP," Layton said.

Layton is playing a cynical brand of domestic politics on the backs of Canadian soldiers by putting forth the"rather foolish and unsupportable" premise that Canada could walk away from its 25 NATO allies and 11other international partners in Afghanistan without serious long−term consequences, said Douglas Bland,chair of the defence management studies program at Queen's University in Kingston, Ont.

Bland said the Taliban insurgency is aware of the ambivalence within Canada, and that "reckless people" likeLayton are playing to it for partisan purposes. The insurgents, he said, are emboldened to attack Canadiansoldiers to weaken the country's resolve.

On Wednesday, Liberal Leader Stephane Dion reiterated his party's latest position on Afghanistan −− thatCanada should immediately serve notice to NATO of its intention to withdraw from combat operations by

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February 2009, so that the alliance has time to find a replacement country.

Dion criticized Harper over his decision in May 2006 to call a snap debate on extending the mission toFebruary 2009. Dion voted against the extension, as did three−quarters of the Liberal caucus. But thetwo−dozen Liberals who supported the extension enabled the motion to pass. The exposure of divisionsamong Liberals left Harper looking decisive.

In fact, there was no need for the vote: Canadian prime ministers don't need the permission of Parliament tosend troops to war, sign treaties or conduct any other foreign policy business.

"I think the prime minister tried to have (it) both ways," said Dion. "Traditionally it's a decision of theexecutive, where to send the troops."

Dion said last year's six−hour debate pales in comparison to the months of thoughtful consideration thatoccurred in the Dutch parliament before it approved its deployment of 2,000 soldiers to southern Afghanistanlast year.

"You don't take this kind of decision in six hours, unless you have an emergency," he said. "But there was noemergency."

Still, Dion said he welcomes Harper's decision to hold a further debate on extending the mission beyondFebruary 2009 and to seek a consensus within Parliament. He argues that by that time, Canada will have beenon the front lines of heavy fighting for three years and can walk away, head held high, with little negativeimpact on its NATO membership or international standing.

Bland disagrees: "That would be the termination of our NATO alliance."

As for the Conservatives, Bland says they are not doing enough to explain to Canadians that there is a credibleend game to the mission −−training enough Afghan soldiers and police to provide their own security so thatinternational troops can leave.

"They need to get out there and say that more clearly to people because it seems to be a reasonable strategy."

Ottawa Citizen

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Pakistan blast kills 10

SOURCETAG 0707050516

PUBLICATION: The Winnipeg Sun

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: News

PAGE: 14

BYLINE: AP

DATELINE: MIRAN SHAH, Pakistan

WORD COUNT: 135

A suicide car bomber rammed an explosives−laden vehicle into a Pakistan army convoy near the Afghanborder yesterday, killing five soldiers and five civilians, officials said.

Several more soldiers and civilians were injured in the attack in North Waziristan, a tribally governed regionof northwest Pakistan where Taliban and al−Qaida militants operate, two intelligence officials said oncondition of anonymity.

The soldiers were on their way to the town of Bannu from Miran Shah, North Waziristan's main town, and thedead and injured have been taken to a hospital, one of the officials said.

"It was a suicide attack, and we think that local militants are responsible for it," the official said.

A second official confirmed the attack. He said five youths were playing cricket near the road when the bombexploded and were killed.

Pakistan, a key ally of the United States in its war on terror, has deployed about 90,000 troops in its tribalregions near Afghanistan to combat militants. KEYWORDS=WORLD

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Your Call Column

SOURCETAG 0707050502

PUBLICATION: The Winnipeg Sun

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Editorial/Opinion

PAGE: 10

COLUMN: Your Call

WORD COUNT: 22

TODAY'S QUESTION

Should operations in Afghanistan be scaled back?

− Yes

− No

− Unsure

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

Should the student loan system be revamped?

84% Yes

8% No

8% Unsure

Your Call Column 171

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Six Canadians killed Roadside bomb overwhelmsarmoured vehicle

SOURCETAG 0707050490

PUBLICATION: The Winnipeg Sun

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: News

PAGE: 5

ILLUSTRATION:

photo by Fin Barr O'Reilly, Reuters Canadian Cpl. Rikk Lewis from theNATO−led coalition embraces an unidentified soldier yesterday upon his safearrival at Ma'sum Ghar base, in southeastern Afghanistan. Six Canadian soldierswere killed there yesterday.

BYLINE: CP

DATELINE: KANDAHAR, Afghanistan

WORD COUNT: 625

A powerful roadside bomb killed six Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter yesterday, overwhelmingthe sturdy armour of a vehicle designed to withstand mine blasts as it was moving along a gravel road insouthern Afghanistan.

The RG−31 Nyala patrol vehicle is considered one of the military's strongest in protecting against the deadlyscourge of roadside bombs, but it failed to save the lives of the seven people inside its armoured body.

Brig.−Gen. Tim Grant, the top Canadian commander in Afghanistan, said it's not clear why this particularbomb managed to defeat the Nyala's defences.

INVESTIGATION

An investigation is underway and until it's completed it won't be known whether the vehicle's use should bequestioned, he said.

Yesterday's blast was the deadliest for Canadians since Easter Sunday, April 8, when another roadside bombkilled six Canadian soldiers in what was then the worst single−day toll for the Canadian Forces inAfghanistan. Those six were inside a LAV−3, another light armoured vehicle.

The identities of four of the dead were released late yesterday afternoon: Cpl. Cole Bartsch, of Whitecourt,Alta.; Capt. Matthew Johnathan Dawe and Pte. Lane Watkins, from Clearwater, Man., all of 3rd BattalionPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton and Master Cpl. Colin Bason, a reservist fromThe Royal Westminster Regiment based in New Westminster, B.C.

The next of kin of the other two killed have not yet agreed to the release of their names.

Watkins' parents declined an interview request last night when contacted at their home.

Numerous aunts and uncles requested privacy for the family. Friends did, however, create a memorial groupfor the much−loved young man on Facebook, a social−networking website.

Six Canadians killed Roadside bomb overwhelms armoured vehicle 172

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Group members were asked to submit photos and "funny memories" of the baby−faced soldier. More than 70people joined in the group's first five hours.

A picture of Watkins, clad in camouflage, sits under the headline "R.I.P Lane Watkins ... we'll miss youbuddy," while other photographs portray his civilian life.

One photo depicts Watkins, who a friend writes "hated pictures," grinning at a rural bar. Another shows ayounger Watkins celebrating in front of a ditch sign announcing "Rebels win 2005." Perhaps the mostpoignant, an out−of−uniform Watkins modelling a rifle in what appears to be army barracks.

A young woman wrote, "You will always and forever be in my heart Laners."

Another stated, "The death of another young soldier breaks all our hearts. Lane will be remembered with thehonour he deserves by all who knew him."

Dawe, 27, was identified by the Kingston Whig−Standard newspaper as the commanding officer of the 3rdBattalion's C company.

Dawe, midway through a tour of Afghanistan, was in charge of Pte. Joel Wiebe, Sgt. Christos Karigiannis andCpl. Stephen Bouzane when their unarmoured Gator vehicle was blasted by a roadside bomb June 20, theWhig−Standard reported. All three were killed.

Dawe's father, Peter, a Kingston resident, is a retired Canadian Forces lieutenant−colonel and two of Dawe'sbothers have also served in Afghanistan.

Ann Bason of Abbotsford, B.C., said in an interview with CTV News her son was probably one of the firstreservists to join when the call went out for volunteers for the Afghan mission.

'VERY PROUD'

"He was very proud that he got picked," she said.

CTV said Bason leaves behind his partner of four years and a baby daughter.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper a statement in Ottawa saying: "It is with deep sorrow that I have learned oftoday's tragic event in Afghanistan that took the lives of six Canadian soldiers."

"On behalf of all Canadians, my most sincere condolences go out to the family, friends and colleagues...Theyare all in our thoughts and prayers"

The six soldiers were returning to a forward operating base after a joint mission with Afghan security forcesaround 11 a.m. local time when their vehicle struck the improvised explosive device, Grant said.

The vehicle was on a well−travelled route, used by army and locals alike, in an area of Kandahar provinceconsidered among the safer zones.

The troops had been on a cordon−and−search operation, following intelligence that Taliban militants were inthe area. They had been passing through the village of Salavat, 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city,when the bomb went off.

Though the military has said the rising use of roadside bombs is a sign of a desperate insurgency, their deadlyblasts have claimed more lives during the current rotation of Canadian troops than any other weapons −− 19

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of the 22 soldiers killed so far.

"Clearly they have managed to kill six great young Canadians today which is an absolute tragedy, but theother parts of this is that they are killing lots of Afghans," Grant said.

"These are not the tactics of anything other than terrorists." KEYWORDS=CANADA

Six Canadians killed Roadside bomb overwhelms armoured vehicle 174

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As each blow bruises the national psyche a littleless,we are in danger of falling into national battlefatigue

SOURCETAG 0707050489

PUBLICATION: The Winnipeg Sun

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: News

PAGE: 4

ILLUSTRATION:photo by Stephanie Levitz, CP Brig−Gen. Tim Grant, commander of the Canadiancontingent in Afghanistan, relays the sad news that six Canadian soldiers were killedyesterday.

BYLINE: MIKE STROBEL

WORD COUNT: 366

Let us not grow numb to this.

Six dead in a flash, in a dusty timeline of deaths that now numbers 66.

In the past three months alone, 21 killed. Sad, sad regularity. April 8, April 11, April 18, May 25, May 30,June 11, June 20 ...

July 4.

The worst, in toll, was the first, April 8. A roadside bomb, what an ugly phrase, took six that day, too.

So yesterday's attack is not even a new high, or low, however you put it.

But we should be as shocked as we were in April 2002 when our first soldiers died.

Are we? Will coverage be wall−to−wall? Will it last as long? Will knots of people gather to talk in sombretones?

Not so much. Human nature, I guess. Each blow bruises the national psyche a little less. Each bad newsbulletin seems a little less harsh, a little more, well, normal.

We are in danger of falling into national battle fatigue.

Don't let that happen.

Look around as you read. At work. On the street. In your Tim Hortons.

Count 66 people nearest to you. Those six laughing by the water cooler. Those two doling out Timbits behindthe counter. The cop at the corner.

ALL GONE

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See their faces, their smiles, their fears, their pains, their hopes. Now imagine them all gone, in a cloud ofroadside dirt. Imagine even just the six.

Three hours after first word of yesterday's attack near Kandahar, CNN had yet to mention it, though frankly itrarely even reports American deaths in Iraq these days.

When I switched over to CTV Newsnet, it was airing a story about a hotdog eating contest. Chance timing. Ofcourse, that network and its Canadian rivals covered the news from Kandahar.

But not with the blanket reporting of earlier combat deaths.

Blame the media, if you wish, but we reflect you. Maybe more Canadians prefer to know about hot dog eaters.

My friend and shrink, Dr. Irvin Wolkoff, calls it "signification and designification." We each decide what'simportant.

"You think it's fixed in stone, but it isn't. It changes.

"That's how we can ignore AIDS, poverty, hunger, all that stuff."

Irv says the problem in Canada is even worse than I thought.

"More like a national coma," he says. "People in this country are asleep. The war is not real to them."

Except, of course, to families, friends and neighbours of those six. And to families of the 66. And to familiesof the 2,500 who serve in Afghanistan. Even to parents, like me, with kids who want to join the military.

We cannot feel what they feel, those families.

STUDY THE NAMES

Least we can do is study the 66 names on these pages, plus that of diplomat Glyn Berry. And remember theywere, are, more than numbers.

Remember Marc Leger rebuilt a village in Bosnia. Robert Short was a Maple Leafs fan. Jamie Murphyplanned to propose to his gal when he got home. Bryce Keller was a Humane Society worker. Mark Grahamwas on our Olympic track team.

Do this, all of us, and last month's bid to quietly pull yellow ribbons off our firetrucks could not happen. Noneed for my colleague Joe Warmington to save the day.

Our Thane Burnett collected baby photos to go with his moving feature on our fallen. We got complaintsThane made them too real, that we risked undermining our resolve to keep Afghanistan al−Qaida−free.

Baloney.

Flipside are those who use each new casualty to push their politics of cut−and−run.

Baloney, too.

You need not support our mission in Afghanistan, as I do, to support our troops there.

As each blow bruises the national psyche a little less,we are in danger of falling into national battle fatigue176

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Either way, let us hope our shock at their deaths never wears off. KEYWORDS=CANADA

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Mission not likely to be extended

SOURCETAG 0707050488

PUBLICATION: The Winnipeg Sun

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: News

PAGE: 4

BYLINE: CP

DATELINE: OTTAWA

WORD COUNT: 230

It's looking more like Prime Minister Stephen Harper's pledge not to extend Canada's combat role inAfghanistan without the consensus of all four federal parties means the combat mission will end in 19 months.

Two party leaders were unyielding in their positions yesterday as news filtered back from Kandahar that sixmore Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter had been killed by a roadside bomb.

With Canada's death toll in Afghanistan reaching 66 soldiers and a diplomat since 2002, Liberal LeaderStephane Dion told a news conference that Harper should have informed NATO allies weeks ago that Canadawould not be renewing its combat commitment in the Central Asian country.

"The prime minister has said that he needs to have a consensus in order to extend the mission beyondFebruary of 2009," Dion said. "This consensus will never exist."

"You know what is the views of the other parties and what is the view of the official Opposition. So the primeminister should say that right away."

"It should have been done weeks ago."

Dion's news conference came a few hours after NDP Leader Jack Layton said Canada doesn't need to givenotice, it should just pull out now.

Citing a mounting military and civilian death toll, Layton said Harper should engineer an immediatescaledown of operations and take a lead role in developing a peace process with Taliban leaders.

That suggestion has been ridiculed in the past by Harper. The prime minister has said he will not riskundercutting the mission by contemplating an extension of Canada's combat role in Afghanistan beyond 2009unless there is a consensus to do so. KEYWORDS=CANADA

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Winnipeg Sun Online Poll

SOURCETAG 0707050484

PUBLICATION: The Winnipeg Sun

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: News

PAGE: 2

WORD COUNT: 24

TODAY'S QUESTION

Should Canada extend its Afghanistan commitment beyond 2009?

Cast your vote at winnipegsun.canoe.ca

or call 632−2661 to agree

or 632−2662 to disagree

Yesterday, we asked "Do you think terrorists will target Winnipeg?" Out of 1,846 responses, 33% said yes, 67said no.

Winnipeg Sun Online Poll 179

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frontpage Numb with pain 6 more of our boys killed inAfghanistan

SOURCETAG 0707050483

PUBLICATION: The Winnipeg Sun

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: News

PAGE: 1

ILLUSTRATION:4 photos 1. CORPORAL COLE BARTSCH 2. MASTER CORPORAL COLIN BASON3. CAPTAIN MATTHEW JONATHAN DAWE 4. PRIVATE LANE WATKINS

WORD COUNT: 0

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Your Call Column Canoe online poll

SOURCETAG 0707050814

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Sun

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: Editorial/Opinion

PAGE: 16

COLUMN: Your Call

WORD COUNT: 22

Today's question

Should operations in Afghanistan be scaled back?

− Yes

− No

− Unsure

Yesterday's results

Should the student loan system be revamped?

84% Yes

8% No

8% Unsure

Your Call Column Canoe online poll 181

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No escaping war, even in Chicago

SOURCETAG 0707050811

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Sun

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: News

PAGE: 13

BYLINE: JOE WARMINGTON

DATELINE: CHICAGO

WORD COUNT: 434

Everywhere you go there are reminders that a war on terrorism is still going on.

Police boats in the harbour and police cars in front of everything that could be attacked.

Sure it was July 4th and sure people here had a great time, but this country is still at war.

It's a great country and it's a free country. But there are still people out there wanting to harm it and its people.

In Canada, we have done our part in this war on terrorism. And nobody down here knows it.

If not for some e−mails from Canada yesterday, I would not have known about the latest six casualties inAfghanistan.

My heart goes out to their families. It may not be news here but there is at least one Canadian down herewhose prayers are with the families and feeling awful about it.

This is the land of Oprah, Eliot Ness, Clarence Darrow, Al Capone, Michael Jordan, Mike Ditka, Bobby Hull,Fergie Jenkins, Barack Obama, the Cubs, the White Sox, the Bears, the Bulls and the Blackhawks.

No one here gives a damn what happens with Conrad Black. In fact, there's a Sopranos− style mob trial goingon in the same courthouse that is getting way more headlines.

They have their own unique way of life here in Chicago.

It's a terrific city. It has its severe crime and murder like all big cities do. But it has its charms, its amazingwaterfront, architecture and history, deep−dish pizza, backribs, culture and people.

It's what happens when a place is run right. Barb intended.

Chicago has the right mixture of old and new. Great shopping, excellent planning and vision. It's a gift to getto come here all−expenses paid as a reporter. You get to partake in all of this fun, especially on IndependenceDay.

The celebration actually is on all week and there seems to be fireworks every night. It's fantastic.

I took in the baseball game at U.S. Cellular Field in south Chicago and saw the Sox. What a neat stadium −− afar cry from the old Comiskey Park, which was at the same location.

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People here know more about the Black Sox scandal of 1919 than the Black trial of 2007. They also knowabout Canadian Fergie Jenkins of Chatham, Ont. Inside the famous Miller Tavern, I heard some guys talking.

"The greatest hurler in Cubs history," said one.

They never mentioned anything about the Hall of Famer being Canadian.

The thing I like about Americans is their patriotism. They are so proud to be American. Even the homelessguys here have American flags and you see people wearing American flag clothing everywhere.

Not just on July 4th either. All the time.

We should do more of that with our great country. We have a wonderful country and we need to boast more.And be thankful we have so many brave men and women willing to die to defend it.

We support the troops but Prime Minister Stephen Harper better start putting some heat on the other NATOcountries to chip in too. That's his job. Mine is to watch and make sure he does it.

This time when those latest troops come home, I hope we get it right. Maybe Harper could help.

Those six hearses should travel south along Yonge St. and there should be a million people out along thesidewalk to say thanks.

I invite the PM to be one of them. And our Canadian flag should fly at half mast every time a Canadian iskilled in a Canadian military uniform.

Meanwhile I hope we can talk our city officials into letting fire trucks on those bridges −− not to support thewar but to acknowledge that the people of Canada are solidly behind those Canadian soldiers.

The TTC should put those yellow ribbons on busses too.

I may be in Chicago right now but I know what side I am on.

Freedom's side. The troops' side. Our side. KEYWORDS=WORLD

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Pakistan blast kills 10

SOURCETAG 0707050808

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Sun

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: News

PAGE: 10

BYLINE: AP

DATELINE: MIRAN SHAH, Pakistan

WORD COUNT: 135

A suicide car bomber rammed an explosives−laden vehicle into a Pakistan army convoy near the Afghanborder yesterday, killing five soldiers and five civilians, officials said.

Several more soldiers and civilians were injured in the attack in North Waziristan, a tribally governed regionof northwest Pakistan where Taliban and al−Qaida militants operate, two intelligence officials said oncondition of anonymity.

The soldiers were on their way to the town of Bannu from Miran Shah, North Waziristan's main town, and thedead and injured have been taken to a hospital, one of the officials said.

"It was a suicide attack, and we think that local militants are responsible for it," the official said.

A second official confirmed the attack. He said five youths were playing cricket near the road when the bombexploded and were killed.

Pakistan, a key ally of the United States in its war on terror, has deployed about 90,000 troops in its tribalregions near Afghanistan to combat militants. KEYWORDS=WORLD

Pakistan blast kills 10 184

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No consensus, no mission Liberals to PM: Troopsshould count on return in February 2009

SOURCETAG 0707050795

PUBLICATION: The Toronto Sun

DATE: 2007.07.05

EDITION: Final

SECTION: News

PAGE: 5

ILLUSTRATION:2 photos 1. photo of STEPHANE DION Tell NATO 2. photo of JACK LAYTON Bring'em home photo by Finbarr O'Reilly, Reuters A Canadian soldier heads out atop a tankfrom Ma'sum Ghar base after six countrymen were killed in Afghanistan yesterday.

BYLINE: CP

DATELINE: OTTAWA

WORD COUNT: 341

It's looking more like Prime Minister Stephen Harper's pledge not to extend Canada's combat role inAfghanistan without the consensus of all four federal parties means the combat mission will end in 19 months.

Two party leaders were unyielding in their positions yesterday as news filtered back from Kandahar that sixmore Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter had been killed by a roadside bomb.

With Canada's death toll in Afghanistan reaching 66 soldiers and a diplomat since 2002, Liberal LeaderStephane Dion told a news conference that Harper should have informed NATO allies weeks ago that Canadawould not be renewing its combat commitment in the Central Asian country.

"The prime minister has said that he needs to have a consensus in order to extend the mission beyondFebruary of 2009," Dion said. "This consensus will never exist."

"You know what is the views of the other parties and what is the view of the official Opposition. So the primeminister should say that right away."

Dion's news conference came a few hours after NDP Leader Jack Layton said Canada doesn't need to givenotice, it should just pull out now.

Citing a mounting military and civilian death toll, Layton said Harper should engineer an immediatescaledown of operations and take a lead role in developing a peace process with Taliban leaders.

That suggestion has been ridiculed in the past by Harper.

The prime minister has said he will not risk undercutting the mission by contemplating an extension ofCanada's combat role in Afghanistan beyond 2009 unless there is a consensus to do so.

Aides to Harper said the prime minister does not expect unanimity on the issue. The NDP has been consistentin its opposition to the current role Canadian troops are playing in Afghanistan.

But the prime minister might have been hoping for support from the Liberals.

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Dion's reiterated opposition to extending the mission gives Harper a way to draw down Canada's military rolein Afghanistan while insisting he had little choice in doing so.

NATO's presence in Afghanistan is only boosting Afghan support for the Taliban, Layton said.

The war is escalating and Ottawa is misguided in its commitment to provide combat troops to the NATOalliance in Afghanistan for at least two more years, he said.

"It's the wrong mission; it's not working; it's not going to accomplish the goals," Layton said.

He wants Dion and Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe to reconsider their positions on Canada's role inAfghanistan and join the NDP in calling for an immediate withdrawal.

Dion dismissed that possibility −− and he refused to discuss the domestic political implications on a day thatsix more Canadians died. KEYWORDS=WORLD

No consensus, no mission Liberals to PM: Troops should count on return in February 2009 186