Canada still says no to troops in Iraq

Reuters ^ | 3/17/04

[areafiftyone]

TORONTO, March 17 (Reuters) - Canada, which opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, said on Wednesday it will not send troops to the country, even if Spain pulls its soldiers out.

Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham told a press conference in Toronto that Canada would not have a "military presence" in Iraq, but would continue to provide humanitarian aid to help rebuild the country.

"Canada has committed itself to some C$300 million ($225 million) for the reconstruction of Iraq," he said. "We are doing our best to make sure the conditions for stability in Iraq are established."

Ottawa refused to contribute troops to the Iraq war because it was not sanctioned by the United Nations. Canada does have about 2,000 soldiers in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led stabilization force.

Spain's prime minister-elect, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, has pledged to withdraw his county's 1,300 troops from Iraq if the United Nations does not take charge there by July 1.

Zapatero's promise is widely seen as being the key to his election victory last week, days after bomb attacks on Madrid's rail system killed 201 people.

[areafiftyone]

Who the heck asked them to???

[Pikamax]

what military?

[tjg]

A quarter of a billion is a handsome gift. I think we should be gratefull and thank our Canadian neighbors for the help that they did give us, not bad mouth them for the help they did not.

It's so French to do the later.

[Don W]

What this article fails to mention is WHY Canada won't send troops to Iraq.

It's really quite simple: years of malicious neglect and inadequate funding of the armed forces by the LiEberals, along with over-extending the few troops we have in places like Afghanistan, the Balkans etc. have decimated our once proud and feared military into a pathetic parody of itself.

In short, Canada won't send troops to Iraq because WE DON'T HAVE ANY LEFT TO SEND!

[Pikamax]

yep, they got sent to afghanistan and the condition of the equipment they have is said to be horrible.

[Dog Gone]

Gee, thanks Canada, for needlessly reminding us that you don't support us. Appreciate that.

[areafiftyone]

I have nothing against the Canadian people or their miltary but who the heck asked this Question? This question is very suspicious. I am sure the Bush administration is well aware of Canada's military or lack of and wouldn't ask them to send troops. This question was asked by the liberal anti-Bush/anti-Iraq media to prove to the public that Bush is losing allies!

[gipper81]

... not bad mouth them for the help they did not."

Well, that's a nice civilized thought. But, I don't think we have bad mouthed Canadians 10% of what was originally bad mouthed in our direction. Are you also suggesting Canadians just can't handle any bad mouthing? Or, is it a censorship thing?

[Don W]

The vast majority of Conservative Canadians are fully behind the US in its war on terror. The problem is that the left wing has been so long in power here that conservative voices are drowned out.

If you think that your media is skewed left, take a good look at the tripe that passes for "objective journalism" in your neighbour to the north.

There's the CBC (state owned and operated to the tune of $1B annually)

CTV/Global (owned and operated by a very Liberal family)

The papers are owned by 2 or 3 liberals, and that's about it.

[Eva]

The Canadians are probably holding their breath waiting to see what Saddam's papers have to say about the Canadian connection to Total Fina Elf.

[MD_Willington_1976]

I am behind the war, I know for a fact that Canada can't send troops because they can't afford to and the gear is in really bad shape in some cases, the snipers in afghanistan were getting 50cal ammo from the US troops...

There is a real shortage of trained individuals and skilled technicians for vehicle upkeep...they are also at a low for fighter pilots...

You guys seem to forget that Canada has only about 1/10 the population of the US...and with all of the social welfare teet programs going on, it's almost like trying to get blood from a stone when it comes to military funding for DNDCA...most of the money has been put into the newer missile frigates that are cruising around with the US navy over in the ME...

Most of the bad mouthing comes out of the EAST, liberals and frenchies...they would Sh!t their pants if there was ever a terrorist attack in the eastern cities...

Canada's military is in a real p!ss poor state at this time...

Just My $0.02 guys

later

[Don W]

The Canadians are probably holding their breath waiting to see what Saddam's papers have to say about the Canadian connection to Total Fina Elf.

Jean Chretien (former PM ) is blood related to at least one TFE board member, and has several other relatives through marriage heavily involved in that company.

[Dog Gone]

I wonder if they ever got a replacement helicopter for the Sea King that crashed as the HMCS Iroquois was headed to the Middle East last year. Somehow, I doubt it.

[kellynla]

"I know for a fact that Canada can't send troops because they can't afford to"
and we can?
Have you looked at the list of countries that have sent troops to Iraq? I didn't think so. If you had you wouldn't have made such a ridiculous statement. Here's your one cent change...

Let's be clear here, America is in debt up to it's eyeballs with this war and it's about damn time that other countries contributed! Americans certainly buy enough products Made in Canada! I have one sitting in my garage. Semper Fi, Kelly

[boxerblues]

This question was asked by the liberal anti-Bush/anti-Iraq media to prove to the public that Bush is losing allies!

Allie? Canada who never sent troops in the first place, cant lose what you never had in the first place.

[upcountryhorseman]

What's left of their military doesn't constitute a presence.

[TonyInOhio]

Time to free Western Canada. Given the current state of Canada's Armed Forces, I'd guess the Wisconsin and Minnesota National Guard could do the job. Drive north on Winnepeg, east To Lake of the Woods.

Everything west of Lake of the Woods is Free Canada; everthing to the East, the Frenchies can continue to take straight to Hell.

[chronotrigger]

We should just go aheand and take B.C. and link it to Alaska and Washington.

[geedee]

Great homepage!

Great looking wife, great looking kid . . . uhhhhh . . . you? Uhhhhh . . . hey, at least the kid resembles the wife. Nice to know your genes didn't overpower hers. LOL.

You, sir, are the kinda immigrant we need. I know it's late . . . but welcome to the U.S.

[Bringbackthedraft]

Can't send troops? Ok, just send a dozen RCMP as a token, we'll understand, hey.