Posted on 09/01/2005 8:24:03 PM PDT by NorthOf45
Canadian troops on standby to help U.S. relief effort: Hillier
Thursday, September 1, 2005
Updated at 1:52 PM EDT
Globe and Mail
Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier says the Canadian Forces have been put on standby to help the United States deal with the aftermath of hurricane Katrina if the neighbour asks.
Gen. Hillier says he spoke to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Myers and the commander of the U.S. Northern Command.
Canadian Forces are capable of helping out in emergency relief by delivering goods and generating drinking water among other things, he said. He also said the Disaster Assistance Response Team would also be ready to respond.
"And I told them this. That whenever there is a need, wherever there is a need be it a nearby niche capability or augmentation to an existing capability they have but to ask and we in the Canadian Forces would have it rolling or sailing or flying southward as quickly as possible," he told reporters Thursday.
"Their message back to me was very clear. Firstly it was a heartfelt thanks from their part."
Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Paul Martin called U.S. President George W. Bush, offering his condolences for the hundreds and perhaps thousands of those who died in hurricane Katrina.
Gen. Hillier said that if his U.S. counterparts need help, they will ask. He said the Canadian Forces are building contingency plans to deploy relief help. "In short, we want to be ready to go as soon as any need is identified that we may be able to fill," he said.
He said he also made the offer to the U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins.
The call from Mr. Martin to Mr. Bush was originally supposed to be on the topic of the softwood lumber dispute but as evidence of the depth of devastation became clear this week, Mr. Martin changed the tone of the telephone call.
Melanie Gruer, a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister's Office, told The Globe and Mail that the Prime Minister began the call by offering condolences on behalf of himself all Canadians.
The phone call had originally been scheduled for Monday evening but was cancelled because all attention was on the hurricane.
On Wednesday, Mr. Martin said Canada is prepared to help out in any way it can as the full effects of the disaster become clear.
Ping
Canada has troops?
Geez, never heard THAT one before.
Evidently the Germans have made numerous offers too. Nice.
We can surely handle it on our own but the offers are great gestures.
If Hillier had his way, we'd be there already.
;)
I have no doubt that the US can handle it. However, IMHO, the situation dictates that the US mobilize an unimaginable amount of resources very quickly. I'd also be thinking about burnout of the current first responders ... they'll need reinforcements.
"If Hillier had his way, we'd be there already."
Canada has been asked to get an emergency medicine inventory available in case a quick supply of meds required. I suppose these could include antibiotics, and cholera type meds, that could be quickly flown to the disaster area.
I heard at least one search-and-rescue team was flying out, and more could be available. The Canadian govt is saying whatever you need, we will do. It's time to put the hard-feelings aside and work as partners and neighbors. About time. The scope of the disaster makes the softwood lumber dispute seem rather silly now.
My country says, "Thank you," to your country.
New Orleans needs talented snipers right now like Helen Thomas needs a facelift.
I was kinda hopin helen Thomas would get breast implants!!
Thank you Canada!!!!!
Tell'um to leave their guns at home.
Oh my mistake, the Canadian Army was disarmed two years ago
when they tried to register the guns but ----- well you know they were "soldiers" and may be violent at timesx!
I think some Canadian power-workers could be of use to get the grid going again.
They've gone south many times before. I suspect we'll see them do so once again.
A tip of the hat to our Neighbors to the North.
Thank You Canada!
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