[Bloquez l'empire!] Canadian soldier opens fire, disables Afghan taxi

[mfoster at web.ca]

Canadian soldier opens fire, disables Afghan taxi
Driver was trying to overtake convoy

CANADIAN PRESS
Aug. 19, 2005.


KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - A Canadian soldier opened fire today to disable a 
vehicle that was trying to overtake a military convoy, out of concerns
that it  might be a suicide attack.

It was the first time the Canadian Forces have fired shots since being
deployed  on their current mission to Kandahar, in southern Afghanistan.
Lt.-Col. David  Anderson, the Task Force Afghanistan chief of staff in
Kabul, said the incident  happened during a routine patrol.

The soldier who fired at the yellow-and-white taxi had warned off the
vehicle  several times, Anderson said. But when it tried to pass the
convoy, the soldier  let loose with four machine-gun rounds into the car's
engine, disabling the  vehicle.

No one was injured, officials said, although the convoy didn't stop to
check on  the driver out of concerns that it might have been a suicide
bombing attempt.

Afghan national police were informed of the incident but haven't said
whether  anyone complained about their vehicle being shot.

The rear vehicles in Canadian Forces convoys in Kandahar carry large signs
that  use local language and symbols to warn drivers to stay well back and
not to  pass military vehicles.

Anderson said the incident was well within Canada's rules of engagement
for the  Kandahar provincial reconstruction team mission.

Canada has about 250 soldiers in Kandahar. Another 700 Canadians are with
the  NATO security force in Kabul, the capital.