About 1,000 Canadian soldiers were ordered to be ready to head for Afghanistan on 48 hours' notice. Warning orders went out Wednesday evening to members of the 3rd battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton, Alberta.
The Canadian troops would be part of a multinational force that may be established to help stabilize the war-torn country and escort humanitarian aid convoys.
Anticipating a U.N. resolution authorising such a force, Britain said Wednesday "several thousand" of its soldiers were ready to deploy in areas taken by the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, and New Zealand also pledged to send troops. Bureau Report