Posted on 03/28/2003 3:51:00 PM PST by Black Powder
PM finally admits Canucks are fighting alongside U.K. in Iraq
OTTAWA -- The navy is almost doubling the number of warships it has in the Persian Gulf as Prime Minister Jean Chretien denied, then admitted, Canada is participating in the war against Iraq.
Chretien's denials came the same day a high-ranking British officer publicly confirmed that at least six Canadian soldiers are on an exchange program in the Iraq combat zone.
British Lt.-Col. Ronnie McCourt told CBC in Doha, Qatar, that the Canadians are seeing action with the First U.K. Armoured Division leading the ground offensive in Iraq.
When asked whether Canadians could be wounded or killed, McCourt said, "Oh yeah, I mean they're in combat. There's always a risk there."
That forced Chretien to admit yesterday that Canadian soldiers could be inside Iraq with coalition forces.
"It is possible that they are currently on the ground in Iraq," the PM told the Commons, adding they can only fire their weapons in self-defence. "They are not in combat."
Defence Minister John McCallum refused to pinpoint the Canadians' locations or which units they're serving under, citing national security.
"We will not go down this slippery slope and risk the lives of the men and women of the Canadian Forces," he said. "I do not want to share with the world at large exactly the whereabouts of our people."
McCallum routinely releases the location of missions manned by Canadians and often offers up their names. Only last week a press release listed Canadians heading to Kabul, Afghanistan, on a reconnaissance mission.
Early next month a Canadian destroyer and frigate will join the three frigates now patrolling the Gulf, boosting Canada's contribution to five warships and sailors to almost 1,200.
Two of those frigates will eventually sail back to their Canadian ports after an undefined transition period.
Canadian Alliance Leader Stephen Harper said he's not interested in the exact location of Canadian troops, but finds it inexcusable that the government isn't supporting them.
"It's contemptible to send people in harm's way, to deny they're there, to not fully support their action," he said.
The Commons yesterday unanimously voted to support international efforts to bring Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his officials to justice for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Commons Speaker Peter Milliken shot down an NDP request that the PM be held in contempt for voting to keep Canada out of Iraq, while knowing that Canadians were part of the coalition ground force.
"That is absolutely in contempt of Parliament and of the Canadian people," NDP Leader Jack Layton said. "It's absolutely outrageous."
Senate Speaker Daniel Hays also stamped out a controversy over anti-American comments attributed Tuesday to Liberal Senator Laurier LaPierre.
The Senate debates transcript had LaPierre shouting, "Screw the Americans!" But LaPierre argued he said, "So did the Americans."
Hays said he couldn't make out exactly what LaPierre said from a recording of the Senate debate, but is taking LaPierre at his word and ordered the transcript changed.
I mean, thanks....but...uh...six?
This means that they are shooting a lot.
I agree, but I really would prefer, after what all they have said, for them to stay home. We don't need people like them.
What is it about leftists? They are masochists? You get the feeling that Bill Clinton wanted to get caught, Bill Clinton wanted to "take America down a notch", and Bill Clinton wanted to lose wars. We are fortunate that 8 years of Clinton hell is over in the US, but it looks like it's just starting over there in Canada.
Please, keep them out of battle until they decide which side they are on.
That's it. No more entries, send everyone else home. The single stupidest story of the war has now been published.
I hope that isn't their entire Navy. what will be left to defend Canada from the evil American imperialists?
as Prime Minister Jean Chretien denied, then admitted, Canada is participating in the war against Iraq.
It's not something to be ashamed of, Chretian...
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