Posted on 03/26/2003 10:34:02 AM PST by quidnunc
In Washington, it is open season on Canada. We are going to feel the consequences, in everything from the possible cancellation of a state visit to new restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border.
We're in trouble.
Paul Cellucci, U.S. ambassador to Canada, laid out yesterday the extreme displeasure with which the U.S. government has viewed Canada's decision to oppose the United States, Britain and Australia in their campaign to oust Saddam Hussein. And he warned that there would be "short-term strains" in consequence.
One of the first consequences might be the cancellation of President George W. Bush's state visit, planned for May 5. "We'll have to see how things are going with the war," Mr. Cellucci replied, when asked whether the visit was still on, which was an answer several yards short of a yes. In fact, Canadian officials have been getting increasingly nervous that the Americans will cancel the trip.
The original agreement for Mr. Bush to venture north came in the opening days of this year, when our relations, though already strained, were in considerably better shape. After all, Canada agreed with the United States that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was a menace, both nations backed Security Council Resolution 1441, and Canada was not ruling out the idea of supporting action against Iraq in the absence of a second resolution.
So much poisoned water has passed under the bridge since then. And relations got still worse yesterday, when Prime Minister Jean Chrétien kneecapped Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham, who had suggested that Canada — gasp! — actually hopes Saddam Hussein is deposed.
In fact, Mr. Chrétien said, Canada opposes the war and the very idea of regime change. We're not even neutral any more.
Under the circumstances, it's amazing the Americans haven't cancelled the trip already. After all, what would be the point? So that Mr. Bush can offer his thanks for Canada's steadfast support in this time of trial? So that the two leaders could personally work through problems in trade and border security? Hardly.
Not only is there little to be achieved now by a state visit, it could actually do more harm than good. NDP MP Svend Robinson has already warned that he will disrupt Mr. Bush's speech to Parliament. (Mr. Robinson has been heckling presidents since the days of Ronald Reagan.) He might not be alone. And the antiwar demonstrations that will inevitably accompany the visit would threaten to overshadow the event itself.
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at globeandmail.com ...
We once entertained hope that Canada's cop-out on Iraq would pass under Washington's radar screen. In the lead-up to war, U.S. officials focused most of their anger on France, which threatened to use its Security Council veto to quash any resolution authorizing military force. The Congressional cafeteria renamed its french fries "Freedom Fries." Last time we checked, though, Canadian bacon still hadn't become Patriot Pork.
But that may change. Speaking in Toronto yesterday, U.S. ambassador Paul Cellucci made it clear that Canada's non-contribution to the war had been duly noted. "A lot of people in Washington are upset that Canada is not fully supporting us," he said. Asked about repercussions, he added Canada would have to "wait and see," and that "security trumps trade." Later in the day, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien downplayed the ambassador's comments, declaring vaguely that relations between the two countries are "important for both of us." But Mr. Cellucci's message can't be dismissed so lightly. Notwithstanding his diplomatic language, he is clearly signalling that the United States is fed up with Canada.
If Mr. Chrétien wants to heal the rift, his short-term priority must be ending the slew of juvenile anti-U.S. posturing issued from within his party. Various Liberals have declared recently that Americans are "bastards," and that Mr. Bush is a "moron" who is "not a statesman." The last quote came from Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal on March 19, the same day the United States began sending its airmen and soldiers into Iraq.
Till now, Mr. Chrétien has been unwilling to denounce such ad hominems: Apparently, he sees them as an escape valve for the anti-American sentiment that pervades his party. Indeed, he's taken some shots of his own — implying, for instance, that U.S. greed was at the root of terrorism, and suggesting in Mexico last month that controlling the United States was a more important goal for the UN than containing Iraq. All of this sniping is taking a toll in Washington. "We find [it] ironic … that when [Alberta Premier Ralph] Klein issues strong support for the United States, the Canadian government comes down hard on him," said Mr. Cellucci yesterday. "When Mr. Dhaliwal makes totally inappropriate remarks about the President of the United States, they kind of ignore it."
In the long term, though, Ottawa must do more than simply watch its mouth. What we need is nothing less than a full-blown overhaul of our government's institutional attitude toward the United States.
-snip-
(The National Post editorial, March 26, 2003)
To Read This Article Click Here
One has to wonder what more Mexico has to do to America before it too joins the ranks of Black Sheep of the WH.
Why would they care, they don't seem to like us yankee bastards any more anyway. I feel sorry for those Canadians that are on our side, seems they have been effectively silenced.
Not for long. Resentment is building. We are having pro America, Pro Freedom rallies here next week. In a way, I'm hoping Washington turns the heat up on Canada, it is a surefire way to get the Liberals ousted, should they decide they've had enough of them. I can't wait. There's a lot of angry Canadians who love and support the US and our time is approaching.
As well as Marines and sailors. Let's not forget them.
"Mr. Chrétien speaks for the Canadian government, but he does not speak for all Canadians. Contrary to the Prime Minister's Natural Resources Minister, Herb Dhaliwal, we do not believe Mr. Bush lacks "statesmanship." Nor do we think he is a "moron" or "bastard" as other Liberals would have it."
"Many of us, rather, agree with Stephen Harper, who declared on Tuesday that Ottawa's position embarrasses the country. "The Prime Minister's behaviour is gutless," the Opposition leader said. "We have historically as a country stood beside our best friends and allies, the United States and Britain, whenever they have been together. This is where we should be now." We also applaud Ernie Eves, who similarly declared that "The United States of America is our greatest neighbour [and] our greatest trading ally," and that ... "you have to be there in times of need for your friends and allies." (( National post // FR thread ))
"The Ontario Premier has spent this week watching the lines at the U.S. border getting longer, and rightly wonders what effect Ottawa's position will have on trade relations."
How True.
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.