Posted on 03/26/2003 11:03:46 PM PST by albertabound
Editorial: Canada is helping our American ally
Few Canadians expected bouquets from U.S. President George Bush when we chose not to be part of his attack on Iraq.
So it's no great surprise that U.S. ambassador Paul Cellucci turned up in Toronto yesterday to let us know that "many in the United States are so disappointed and upset that Canada is not fully supporting us now."
Fair enough. Friends can disagree sometimes.
But Cellucci didn't stop there.
He cautioned Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to slap down "inappropriate" (i.e. anti-American) sentiment in government. He urged Canada's media to self-censor coverage to avoid offending U.S. sensibilities. And he said "we'll have to wait and see" whether Canada pays an economic price for sitting out this war.
Canadians don't need this hectoring. We don't deserve it.
We have been there for our friends and allies, where it counts.
Through two world wars, before the Americans, and in Korea, the Cold War, the Gulf War, the Balkan conflict, Kosovo and other crises.
Our troops fought, and some died, with U.S. forces in Afghanistan, driving the terror-friendly Taliban from power after 9/11. We're sending 2,000 troops to Kabul to help the Americans redeploy. Our warships protect U.S. vessels in the Persian Gulf, chasing down terrorists.
We've earmarked $10 billion to bolster our military and anti-terror defences, rather than cut taxes or feed more poor kids. We've toughened laws, tightened borders and stepped up security co-operation with allies.
At the United Nations we put forward a "Canadian compromise" that proposed Saddam Hussein be given a few weeks to disarm, or face war. Had Bush signed on, he could have had the world behind him. But he craves regime change in Baghdad, not disarmament. When the Security Council balked, Bush walked.
In refusing to follow Bush out, Chrétien drew a principled line.
Canada's decision not to attack Iraq without U.N. approval is a watershed in our relations with allies, and a healthy assertion of independence. It repudiates "pre-emptive" war, and recommits us to the U.N.'s consensual approach to threats to peace. Some 70 per cent of us support it.
Bush's war is unwise, ill-timed and reckless. It is damaging America's image, straining alliances and fanning fanaticism. The U.N. could have disarmed Saddam within months, without loss of life. Instead, we have a "pre-emptive" attack of dubious lawfulness, and an anarchic precedent.
Moreover, few believe ousting Saddam will put Al Qaeda out of business. If anything, a U.S. occupation of Iraq will create new recruits.
These are all good reasons for saying No to this war, and focusing on fighting terror. There is nothing anti-American or pro-Saddam about it.
Clearly, there is an overwhelming sense in the country that relations between Canada and the U.S. could be better, but that doesn't mean we should park our principles at the door.
Cellucci's demand that Canada fall into line glosses over the fact that Americans, British and Australians were all deeply divided before war was declared, and remain so. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair are holding a hasty summit today to reassure their jittery publics this war was not a tragic mistake. They are under pressure to deliver a fast victory, with minimal casualties. Otherwise, the war's costs may outweigh its benefits.
Which is what Canadians have been concerned about from the start.
So, I can't resist asking the question: What is that American? Aboot $950?
The article bleeds liberal bias.
I love my conservative Canadian friends, but their government has made themselves into our enemy, and the friend of those who hate America and all she stands for.
I read this as a legitimate OpEd up until this point. Can't quite understand the support the UN continues to receive after performing so abysmally in Iraq. We gave Tony his shot and it didn't work, ergo "Iraqi Freedom". Now our liberal Canadian neighbors will just have to get over it (notice I didn't say "ALL" Canadians, just the liberal ones).
Does he mean the same UN that couldn't do it in 12 years? Hussein was not going to give up his weapons without fight, a military fight.
Right...
We know who our friends are, and Canada ain't one of 'em.
Ah, let Vancouver in. Portland is filled with outright Communists, but no one's talking about kicking Oregon out of the Union... yet. Heck, at least they'll let you pump your own gasoline in Canada.
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