41.   Canadian troops also were taking part, but not in large numbers, Canadian military spokesman Lt. Navy Luc Charron said.

42.   Chretien has so far refused to commit Canadian troops to any ground fighting that may take place, drawing criticism from opposition leader Stockwell Day of the Canadian Alliance.

43.   Foreign Affairs Minister Andre Ouellet said withdrawing Canadian troops is a possibility.

44.   Frechette assumed the deputy defense post three months after Canada began its inquiry into torture by Canadian troops serving with the United Nations in Somalia.

45.   He also said he and Chretien would discuss having Canadian troops take over peacekeeping operations in the Balkans to free up U.S. troops there.

46.   He dismissed reports that Canada had already decided to commit Canadian troops to the British- and French-led effort.

47.   He quoted villagers as saying one man from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, had prayed at the graves the night before Canadian troops arrived.

48.   He will meet Friday with senior British commanders and visit British and Canadian troops around the country.

49.   However, movement by Canadian troops within the zone has been increasingly restricted in recent weeks, making it more difficult to ensure aid reaches remote villages.

50.   In April, a U.S. plane mistakenly bombed Canadian troops in Afghanistan, killing four soldiers and wounding eight.