Posted on 03/25/2003 10:47:52 AM PST by saluki_in_ohio
U.S. ambassador chides Canada
By GLORIA GALLOWAY Globe and Mail Update
Toronto — Washington delivered a stern message to Canada on Tuesday, saying Americans feel disappointed and betrayed by the Canadian decision to stay out of the war in Iraq.
At a breakfast speech to the Economic Club of Canada, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Paul Cellucci said "there is a lot of disappointment in Washington and a lot of people are upset" about Canada's refusal to join the United States in its efforts to depose Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Although the relationship between the two countries will endure in the long-term, he said, "there may be short-term strains here."
When asked what those strains will be, Mr. Cellucci replied: "You'll have to wait and see." But he cryptically added that it is his government's position that "security trumps trade," implying possible ramifications for cross-border traffic.
The United States believes that the war is a necessary step in the global war on terrorism, said the ambassador, arging that any nation such as Iraq that possesses weapons of mass destruction that could be given to terrorists poses a direct threat to the people of the United States.
So Americans are hurt and upset that Canada would not join in the fight against that threat, he said.
"There is no security threat to Canada that the United States would not be ready, willing and able to help with. There would be no debate, there would be no hesitation," Mr. Cellucci said. "We would be there for Canada, part of our family, and that is why so many in the United States are disappointed and upset that Canada is not fully supporting us now."
He said recent displays of anti-Americanism had not helped the Canada-U.S. relationship. The labelling of Americans as "bastards" by Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish, the booing of the U.S. national anthem at a hockey game in Montreal, and the suggestion by Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal that U.S. President George W. Bush is a failed statesman have all received much press south of the border.
"When [Alberta Premier Ralph] Klein issues strong support for the United States, the Canadian government comes down hard on him. When Mr. Dhaliwal makes totally inappropriate remarks about the President of the United States, they kind of ignore it," Mr. Celluci said.
It would help the relationship, he said, if Prime Minister Jean Chrétien would address that problem.
I only hope that Canadian conservatives pull together and defeat them...
BTTT
If Uncle Sugar puts on trade restrictions, it's hard to see how Cretin will finance his World Moral Self-Indulgence Crusade. Maybe he can sell some of that gaily-colored money to France for toilet paper.
Gee, there we go bullying our neighbors again...
.68 cents.
Personally, I wish there was more of it. Maybe that's what's needed to wake some of my fellow countrymen out of their delusional Liberal slumber. The damage Chretien is doing to this country in his dying months in office is incredible.
The funny thing is that is still true, even after all this. We would help.
However, that doesn't mean that we're not going to take a pretty hard line with Canada in the near future on other matters.
The liberal government of Canada will cause Canada to pay a price. Actions do have consequences.
Chretien is acting out of the same delusional mentality, as is France. This is a very French attitude...let others do the heavy lifting and then plan on picking up a share of the spoils afterwards regardless. Disgusting and will have unpredictable consequences for Canadians, but what the heck does Sir Jean care? He's set for life with his pension and couldn't care less about the citzens or the country.
Sure, NORAD stands for NOrth American Aerospace Defense...but what do the canucks really bring to the table?
Syrup for our pancakes, bacon for our Egg McMuffins and paper products aren't enough.
When Canadians find it to be more difficult to come across the border (to get away from their "glorious" Socialized Medicine), or peddle their wares to the largest market in the world...then we'll start hearing them say "le fèces saint, nous vraiment avions le sexe avec le pooch cette fois!" (Holy crap, we really scewed the pooch this time!)
It doesn't work that way, of course. We have to treat nations as entities. Consider our staunchest allies in this war, Britain and Australia. The leaders there took stands unpopular at home to stand with the US. You can say the same for Spain, although that is a somewhat different situation.
The point is that long-standing alliances and friendships should not be sacrificed to popular opinion. The US no longer has any assurance that Canada will be there to help us in anything ever again. That's a significant development.
It also was incredibly dumb. Canada's contribution would have been minor in any event. It could have been equivalent to the current Polish contribution, and the US would have been grateful.
Instead, we have this mess.
I respectfully disagree. There is a lot of opposition to the war in Quebec, but they have opposed EVERY war we've ever been involved in. The effect of passing the conscription bill in WWII was the banishment of the Conservatives in Quebec for a generation. The Libs don't want the same to happen to them. Opposition exists in Ontario, much in the larger centers like Toronto, fuelled by the rabidly anti-US CBC and Toronto Star. Personally, I know far more people who support the U.S. than don't, and my friends come from across the political spectrum. Go further West and you'll find fairly solid support throughout the prairies, somewhat less in BC. I'm not as clear on the Maritimes but Newfoundland is very pro-Brit and Nova Scotia has Halifax, a city rich with military traditons (home of the Atlantic fleet).
My guess is that if you take Quebec out of the mix the picture of Canadian opinion would change dramatically. Unfortunately the stupid distribution of constituencies guarantees Quebec can pull the nation's tail constantly as it's very difficult to win a majority government without them.
Interesting tidbit...I have several friends who were staunchly against the war at first, complete with all the "dumb Bush" baggage and mindless blather. To a one, they've all shifted in the past week. A couple out of disgust at the protesters, another based on the conduct of the war so far ("What are those idiots screaming about...they bombed the heck out of Bagdhad and only killed 1 person! Where's the barbaric slaughter that was supposed to happen? These anti-war protesters don't know what they're talking about!" - Two days ago from my [formerly] most anti-war friend).
Please recall that Canadian citizens have no effective counter to the power of a majority government, less over a power-drunk idiot like Chretien. Further, we have none of the checks and balances in our system that can exert pressure on a wayward regime. Even our Supreme Court is appointed, without any sort of oversight, by the Prime Minister. It's disgusting.
I'm just wondering how bad it will have to get before I find myself at the consulate on University Aveenue asking for political asylum. One more Liberal majority might just do it. Anyone looking a Six Sigma Management specialist with SAP configuration, programming and training expereince?
For starters the back up facility is in North Bay, Ontario. Most Canucks have no idea that we were very much on the first strike list for any Soviet attack on the West. Plus, until not long ago (pre-Chretien) we actually had some semblence of a military. Sadly, Chretien gutted it to pay for his social programs and bribery to Quebec. I utterly loathe what that "man" has done to my country.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.