Bush Praises Canadian Forces in Afghanistan During Call with Karzai

US President George W. Bush spoke by telephone with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, commending the performance of Canadian troops operating in southern Afghanistan, the White House confirmed Tuesday.

Spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters the two leaders reviewed the overall security situation and discussed ongoing NATO troop deployments expected through the summer months.

Bush also congratulated Karzai on winning National Assembly approval for his cabinet, and the two discussed progress on counter-narcotics efforts as well as continued cooperation with Pakistan.

Canada sent 2,300 soldiers to the troubled Kandahar province in February, assuming command of coalition operations targeting Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters in the region.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in May 2006, in its own words.