Tone it down, Ottawa tells top soldier
'Marching orders' issued over Hillier's controversial remarks
OTTAWA — Canada's Chief of the Defence Staff, Rick Hillier, has been told to tone down his political interventions after he spoke out last week on the direction of the Afghanistan military mission, sources have told The Globe and Mail.
“He got his marching orders,” a senior government official said Wednesday. “He was reminded what his role is. His role is not to be the chief spokesperson for the mission.”
Gen. Hillier sparked controversy last week by saying it will be at least a decade before Afghanistan is able to field a professional military capable of managing its security. He also called on European countries to take a bigger role in the violent Kandahar region of Afghanistan, where Canada has committed 2,500 troops. Earlier in the week, the government's Speech from the Throne said Afghans will be able to defend their sovereignty by 2011.
The general immediately went to the airwaves to say he wasn't disagreeing with the government.
Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier listens to Canadian troops from the NATO-led coalition at Masum Ghar camp in Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan.
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“He pulled in his horns, but there has to be a recognition that he may have gotten away with this once, he's not going to do it again,” the source said.
“He needs to do his job and leave the politics to those who are assigned to that task and who have the elected mandate behind him.”
Although Gen. Hillier was unavailable for comment Wednesday, he said through a spokeswoman that the government has not asked him to change his message or the way he communicates.
“He has received no direction to change his course on his public comments,” said Major Holly Apostoliuk, the general's public affairs officer.
“There is no need because he and the government of Canada are of one view and of one approach re the mission.”
Asked later whether the general had had a conversation with senior officials about his remarks and was reminded to stay out of the political realm, Major Apostoliuk said the general would have no further comment. She noted, however, that his statements were never political in the first place.
The official said concerns came from “several directions” within the government.
“He's on a bit of a leash, or a trial if you will,” the official said.
The general has come under increased scrutiny during the past few months as some senior officials become concerned with his blunt nature. The general's relationship with former defence minister Gordon O'Connor is often cited as one reason the latter lost his job in the summer cabinet shuffle. However, sources said the general gets along well with the new Minister of Defence, Peter MacKay.
The government's ability to contain Gen. Hillier is circumscribed by the fact that he is extremely popular among the troops and with Canadians who support the war.
The general was appointed in February, 2005, and, although chiefs of defence staff usually serve terms of around three years, rumours have circulated that Gen. Hillier would like to serve at least another two years. Government officials would not confirm Wednesday whether Gen. Hillier has expressed a wish to stay on.
Last week, Gen. Hillier issued a statement saying that he was not disagreeing with the government.
“There is no contradiction – I believe we are absolutely on the same page,”he said, adding that the Afghan National Army will have the lead on operations in the province in the next two to three years.
He added that, “Canada does not have responsibility for the long-term professionalization, professional development and major equipping of the Afghan National Army, which in my view, will take a significant period of time.”
With a report from Alan Freeman
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