Prime Minister Harper Going to Afghanistan?

Fri Feb 17, 6:30 PM ET Yahoo News

OTTAWA (CP) - Stephen Harper is considering one of the most chaotic corners of Afghanistan for his first foreign trip as prime minister.

The Taliban stronghold of Kandahar is being weighed against a more genteel option - visits with the presidents of the U.S. and Mexico - for Harper's first trip abroad in office. Harper began considering Kandahar late last month after his federal election win, at the urging of senior military brass.

He was told that such a visit would send a strong message about his commitment to the Armed Forces and about Canada's desire to make a difference in the world.

Canada's military presence in Kandahar is being increased to 2,200 this month in an effort to improve security in the longstanding Taliban bastion.

A suicide bomber killed a Canadian diplomat there and seriously injured three Edmonton-based soldiers when he attacked their convoy last month.

What a great idea!