Posted on 02/21/2005 7:07:47 PM PST by iso
MURRAY BREWSTER, Canadian Press
OTTAWA (CP) - Canada will contribute up to 30 soldiers to a NATO-led force that will help train the new Iraqi army, senior federal officials confirmed Friday.
The formal announcement will be made when Prime Minister Paul Martin gathers with other leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization meeting Tuesday in Brussels.
Ottawa also plans to contribute $1 million towards a NATO-managed trust fund that will help pay the expenses of Iraqi officers who take part in the program.
The troops will likely not conduct the training in Iraq itself, but in neighbouring Jordan, said the officials, who asked not to be named.
Even though free elections have been held in Iraq, "most NATO members are still reluctant to send troops directly into the country" given the level of violence, said one official.
NATO leaders agreed in June to establish a training program, the size and scope of which has yet to be determined.
Media reports earlier this month suggested that the United States had directly asked Canada to send training troops directly to Baghdad.
The officials, who spoke Friday, denied that Washington issued a direct bilateral request and emphasized the plan has always been to base the training operation in Jordan, where RCMP members are already educating Iraqi police officers.
Details, such as when the instructors will be deployed and how long they'll be away, have to be finalized.
Martin will also discuss with other NATO leaders the alliance plan to expand its peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan.
Troops, including a Canadian provincial reconstruction team of up to 250 members, will be sent to the southern part of the war-torn country.
Agreement on the Afghan mission came this week after Italy, Spain and Lithuania committed hundreds of troops to support U.S. forces that will switch to NATO command.
Canada already has 700 troops in Kabul as part of the international force meant to bring stability to the country.
During the NATO summit, Martin will also meet Victor Yushchenko, the newly elected president of Ukraine.
The Canadian Press, 2005
At last!! We're saved!! The Mighty Canadians will rescue us from the quagmire.
Wow 30, amazig, they are sending their entire army...
Wow 30, amazig, they are sending their entire army...
And I bet not one a French Canadian.....
Isn't this akin to the "Mouse that Roared", except Canada continues to SQUEAK?
LOL...30 soldiers and a million bucks is all Canada can spare. Talk about a poor country!
Canadian officials rescinded their pledge of 30 troops after discovering a lack of air-lift capacity to get their troops into theatre
I've got a couple of toy bathtub boats, can I make a donation to the Canadian Navy? :P
I'm so ashamed. Our government is such an embarrassment.
I think sending 30 is more of a slap in the face than sending none.
Unfortunately for the Canuk's, it's their entire reserve forces as well.
I gotta go with ya on this one Pilot. Sending none would be ignored. Sending 30 will be laughed at around the world.
This is REALLY silly.
I don't believe it! Canada committing its entire Rapid Reaction Platoon to support the US in Iraq! But then again they can commit such a large percentage of their military when they know that the United States will protect them against invasions from nations with superior militaries to Canada. You know -- the Maldive Islands, Naurua, and Andorra.
Does that mean, men, women, frogs, and mad cows?
I agree...
Laughs is probably exactly why they're doing it.
This effort will fall into the category of "symbolism over substance"; however, 30 is better than none. Maybe, just maybe others will follow suit. First it starts as a trickle, then maybe the flood gates will open? At least, I hope.
I call it a start. At least one of our so-called long-time friends is taking the first steps to help. More is needed, but I congratulate our northern neighbors and applaude their beginning.
I did not vote Libs. My MP, Russ Hiebert, is a wonderful conservative that listens to his riding. If only all Canadians had such luck.
We have a very overwhelming task up here.
I live in the Peoples Republic of Illinois. Wholly owned by Dick Daley and the Democrat Party.
My only salvation is the conservative representative my district has sent to the congress.
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