To undo damage by US official’s belittling remark, American embassy commends Canada’s “service and sacrifice” in Afghanistan war

On Thursday, the American embassy in Ottawa issued a statement commending the “service and sacrifice” of Canadians during the war in Afghanistan. The statement was released as a quick-fix with regard to the ties of two countries, after a US President Donald Trump’s top made disrespectful remarks towards Canadians, hundreds of whom incurred deaths and casualties during the war against terrorism in Afghanistan.

“The United States deeply values the service and sacrifice of our Canadian allies in support of the defense of freedom and global security,” said Richard Mills, the embassy’s chargé d’affaires.

The embassy’s statement also made mention of what US Vice-President Mike Pence said during his visit to Canada last year.

The United States and Canada have stood shoulder to shoulder in the defense of freedom for generations. Our ancestors fought side by side in the great conflicts of the 20th century,

US Vice-President Mike Pence

He added, “And in recent years, our armed forces have fought against the scourge of radical Islamic terrorism across the Middle East. And both of our nations have endured great sacrifice… The United States will always honor this alliance — this alliance for freedom. And we will always honor the sacrifice of soldiers of both of our nations.”

The controversy was sparked after Peter Navarro, trade advisor to US President, was quoted in a new book on the Trump administration’s foreign policy. In the interview, he said that the reason Canada participated in the deadly war in Afghanistan as a “curry favour” to the US administration at the time.

“Were they doing us a favour, or were they brought into the idea they needed to do that as part of the global effort against terrorists?” he was quoted as saying.

I mean, if they were just doing us a favour, maybe their government should have been thrown out of office. I mean, every time that a Canadian shows up in a uniform, it’s doing us a favour? How’s that work?

Peter Navarro, trade advisor to US President

He also added: “What’s good about Canada?”

Canadian officials fired back comments condemning Navarro’s statement and highlighted the ‘sacrifices’, and support their country showed after 9/11 attack. As per reports, in the decade-long bloody war in Afghanistan, Canada lost 158 of its Armed Forces members and seven Canadian civilians: a diplomat, a government contractor, four aid workers and a journalist.

Besides, over 1,800 Canadians got injured in the conflict, enduring both the psychological and physical injuries — including stress-related injuries.

A senior Canadian government official, said that the US top official’s comments were “disappointing”, showing complete disregard to the support Canada and its citizens offered in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to Washington, in her a tweet stressed how Canada has been supporting Americans and other allies in conflicts.

You’ve left behind sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, to stand by our U.S. partners and allies around the world . Many of your brothers and sisters never returned. We remember your sacrifices. We’re grateful for your service, [Canadian Armed Forces].

Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to Washington