Three MPs, including Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day, made a surprise visit to Afghanistan Monday on a trip that is expected to focus on ways to improve the Afghan National Police.
Day is accompanied by Treasury Board President Vic Toews and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Helena Guergis.
"The ministers' portfolios all have interest in Afghanistan," said CTV's Paul Workman from Kandahar Air Field.
Day announced that another 12 Mounties will be sent to Afghanistan to help train Afghan National Police, bringing the total number of Canadian military and civilian police officers in Afghanistan to 36.They RCMP will teach the Afghan police how to conduct road blocks, provide weapons training and how to respond to roadside bombs.
Workman said building up the police force is essential to bettering the security in the region.
"The other two ministers will be dealing with issues in their portfolios -- meetings with World Bank officials in Kabul for example," said Workman.
The ministers will also visit the Provincial Reconstruction Team in downtown Kandahar, confirmed Workman.
As usual, a large team has been compiled to ensure the safety of the ministers.
"Security is always a big concern when you have ministers visiting a base like this," said Workman.
Workman said there is also a period of increased Taliban activity to worry about.
"One Taliban leader promised this morning that there would be 5,000 suicide bombers available in the next while."
The visit comes as clashes and an air strike in southern Afghanistan killed 13 suspected Taliban militants and three police.
