Canada to debate Afghan role vote

OTTAWA, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- The government debate over whether Canada should continue its military role in Afghanistan may last for weeks before a possible vote in March, a report says.

The Harper government said debate on a motion calling for an extension of the 2,500-troop mission is expected to start a next week, the Canwest News Agency reported Wednesday. Officials in the prime minister's office indicated the back and forth on the issue could go on for weeks, Canwest said.

"If we believe our NATO allies will be forthcoming with the assistance we have asked for, the vote will take place in late March," Carolyn Stewart-Olsen, press secretary to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, said in an e-mail to the news agency.

The motion is expected to follow recommendations by a panel led by former Liberal Cabinet Minister John Manley, which suggest extending the mission beyond February 2009, the current expiration date, provided more equipment is secured and other countries commit roughly 1,000 more troops.

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion said he was told by Harper the issue could lead to a confidence vote on his government.

Polls have shown Canadians are divided over their country's military involvement in the war-torn country, Canwest said.