O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
To the tune of several billion a year, I'm sure.
Posted on 02/23/2005 5:59:27 PM PST by srm913
U.S. perplexed by Canada on missile defence
FROM CANADIAN PRESS
Canada's apparent decision to stay out of a North American missile-defence system has dumbfounded Americans as an unnecessary giveaway of sovereignty, Washington's envoy to Ottawa said today.
"We don't get it," Paul Cellucci said in Toronto.
"If there's a missile incoming, and it's heading toward Canada, you are going to leave it up to the United States to determine what to do about that missile. We don't think that is in Canada's sovereign interest."
Despite strong pressure from the U.S. to sign on, Prime Minister Paul Martin was expected to pull the plug on Canada's participation in the missile program on Thursday.
However, reaction from American officials suggested the decision had already been made.
Regardless, said Cellucci, Washington would press ahead with its plans.
"We will deploy. We will protect North America," he said.
"We think Canada would want to be in the room deciding what to do about an incoming missile that might be heading toward Canada."
In Washington, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Canada had yet to inform the U.S. of its decision.
He refused to speculate on the effect a negative decision would have on relations between the two neighbours or whether it would cause a rift.
"We have a very solid basis of co-operation in many areas and we'll see how that sees us through," said Boucher.
A senior Canadian official who requested anonymity said today that Canada's decision was relayed at this week's NATO summit in Brussels attended by Bush and Martin.
But Canada's interest in Norad, the joint Canada-U.S. air defence command, remains paramount, said the official.
"The key for Canada is preserving the Norad relationship. It's such an important command that losing it would not be in Canada's best interests."
Boucher noted Canada and the U.S. amended an agreement last August to allow Norad to track any incoming rogue missiles.
Washington had hoped Canada would go further and participate in building the continental defence shield, an elaborate system that some worry could lead to weapons in space and an international arms race.
Cellucci compared the situation to one that occurred during the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. He noted that it was a Canadian general at Norad who scrambled military jets under orders from U.S. President George W. Bush to shoot down a hijacked commercial aircraft headed for Washington.
Had that plane been flying over Canada, it would have fallen to the prime minister to make the decision to shoot it down, Cellucci said.
That's why Americans were "perplexed" as to why Canadians would want to leave it up to the Americans to decide what action to take in the event a missile was aimed at Canada.
David Biette, director of the Canada Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars in Washington, agreed with Cellucci's assessment that Canada is giving up sovereignty.
"I fear that it risks marginalizing Canada and Canada is ceding sovereignty by not being there when the decisions are being made," said Biette.
"It's making people unhappy in this administration that Canada is happy to take a free ride."
However, Biette said he didn't think the issue would ultimately hurt Canada-U.S. relations.
Unpopular with most Canadians, the multibillion-dollar program to shoot down incoming missiles has been a political nightmare for Martin's minority government.
There's been intense pressure from Bush, who unexpectedly raised the issue during his visit to Canada last December and reportedly was blunt with Martin in a private meeting.
Some U.S. analysts were shaking their heads at the intrigue and confusion stirred this week by Frank McKenna, who takes over as ambassador to the United States next week.
McKenna told a Commons committee Tuesday that Canada is effectively already part of the missile-defence program, given Norad's increased responsibility.
"We're part of it now and the question is what more do we need?" he asked. "What does `sign on' mean?"
Behind closed doors today, Martin indicated Canada hadn't joined the missile program and suggested McKenna erred by saying otherwise.
"Did Frank express himself badly? Perhaps," is the way one Liberal described the prime minister's message at today's caucus meeting. Another Liberal confirmed the account.
Liberal MPs have also been sent speaking notes from party brass, urging them to get out and toe the government line on missile defence.
"Canada is obviously not participating in BMD," said a copy of Tuesday's Liberal Research Bureau message obtained by The Canadian Press.
"The government has not taken that decision yet and the ambassador never intended to leave the opposite impression."
U.S. defence analyst Dwight Mason said Canada's refusal to get more involved would be "unfortunate in a symbolic sense."
"It's the first time since 1938 that Canada would have refused to participate in continental defence. It's a turning point. But the impact would be much greater if Canada pulled back from where it is now."
The Liberal know about it, they aint dumb. It's all about beating the conservatives. It's politic.
I'm interested in hearing your repartee.
"If there's a missile incoming, and it's heading toward Canada, you are going to leave it up to the United States to determine what to do about that missile. We don't think that is in Canada's sovereign interest."
Thank you. I thought the same thing should be said and I am glad that we have people on top of this.
Unpopular with most Canadians, the multibillion-dollar program to shoot down incoming missiles has been a political nightmare for Martin's minority government.
"Unpopular with most Canadians"..??????? Toronto Star at it again.
Canada knows that no matter what they do it's in the US interest to protect Canadian soil. End of story. They can do whatever they like and know in the end they will be protected.
Washington had hoped Canada would go further and participate in building the continental defence shield, an elaborate system that some worry could lead to weapons in space and an international arms race.
We ARE in an arms race. China with W88. IRan. Syria. NK. Terrorists.
Gesh, what do these people want?
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
To the tune of several billion a year, I'm sure.
What if we change the name to Ballistic Missile Diverter?
If a missile is coming at Canada, I think that we should first ask the Canadian authorities for payment in full before we engage it. :p
worry [it] could lead to weapons in space and an international arms race
when you know there are no real-world repercussions.
I guess Canadians now consider OUTER SPACE a precious resource we must conserve? Might run out of it some day, so we don't wanna pollute it with weapons... (eye roll)
There is a theme developing, or repeating itself these last few days. The EU and Canada would like to run the world and our military missions. Our role is to pay for and develop all of the equipment that will be used only as they judge necessary.
My take is that Martin is playing both sides of the fence. Through our participation in NORAD, which it would appear will be an integral pard of this system, we are and will continue to be involved. We probably wouldn't put any money into it anyway, even if we did "sign up." But for public consumption in Canada, where people have apparently bought into the hysteria over the weaponization of space, we won't be "officially" participating.
Say what you want about the Liberals and Paul Martin, but they're not stupid - corrupt, cynical, and so on maybe, but not stupid.
I'm never perplexed by the "natural leanings" of the blind and incompetent.....like I wrote on a similar thread, we don't have the luxury of being idealistic; we are saving the world instead of a hockey season.......
they have gone from tree huggers to moonbat star huggers....
Canada is on the dole now for missle defense welfare from the US
I kid Canada because I have Canadian friends, so I have a special dispensation. ;)
They just do not get it. We need to militarize space before somone else militarizes space. In addition to rendering China's and North Korea's ICBM forces obsolete.
If a missile is coming into Canada, we should ignore it. After the first one, they may come around...
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