(12 Apr 2007) SHOTLIST
FILE: Panjwai district, Kandahar province - November 2006
1. Various of Canadian troops on patrol
Kabul - 12 April 2007
2. Set-up of spokesperson for International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) in Afghanistan, Lieutenant Colonel Angela Billings
3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Lieutenant Colonel Angela Billings, Spokesperson for International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) in Afghanistan:
"Tragically last night NATO's (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) ISAF (International Security Assistance Forces) lost two members in the southern part of Afghanistan, in Kandahar, just west of the city. Certainly it's a loss for, not only Canada, but also for the larger NATO community as a whole. Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those members, as well as their unit that is now mourning their loss."
4. Cutaway, close-up of Billings' hands
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Lieutenant Colonel Angela Billings, Spokesperson for International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) in Afghanistan:
"It was an explosive device of some sort, there on the roadside, that exploded killing the two members unfortunately."
FILE: Panjwai district, Kandahar province - November 2006
6. Various of Canadian troops patrolling around villages
STORYLINE:
A bomb explosion in southern Afghanistan killed two Canadian soldiers and injured three others on Thursday, as NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) military leaders met in Canada to seek more resources for their fight in the volatile south, military officials said on Thursday.
A spokesperson for the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) in Afghanistan said the two soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb.
"It was an explosive device of some sort, there on the road side, that exploded killing the two members unfortunately," Lieutenant Colonel Angela Billings said.
"It's a loss for, not only Canada, but also for the larger NATO community as a whole. Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those members, as well as their unit that is now mourning their loss, she added."
The blast occurred three days after six Canadian troops were killed in a roadside bomb explosion, also in the south.
Those deaths were the single worst combat loss for the Canadians in Afghanistan, who have lost 53 soldiers and one diplomat since deploying to the country, according to the Canadian military.
Meanwhile US Defence Secretary Robert Gates was in Canada on Thursday to press allies to contribute additional forces, equipment and other resources in Afghanistan for that fight as NATO pushes forward with its biggest ever anti-Taliban offensive in southern Afghanistan.
Gates was to meet with military leaders from Britain, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Denmark and Romania, all partners in southern Afghanistan.
NATO and the US have made repeated calls for additional resources from allies, but have met resistance from some, including the French and Germans, who questioned the wisdom of sending more troops to Afghanistan.
Each year Taliban fighters have stepped up their attacks as the spring thaw began, but this year Gates said NATO should take the offensive and bring the fight first to the militants.
The initial phase of the assault began last month with Operation Achilles, sending more than 5,500 NATO and Afghan troops into opium-producing Helmand province to battle hardcore Taliban insurgents.
There are some 2,500 Canadian troops in Afghanistan in the 36-thousand-strong NATO force.
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