U.S. not best choice to run Iraq: Manley

The Toronto Star ^ | 4-6-03 | SANDRA CORDON

[Oldeconomybuyer]

OTTAWA — The United States may be the sole superpower in the world but that doesn't mean it's best suited to the lead the reconstruction of postwar Iraq, says Deputy Prime Minister John Manley.

As he prepared to head for meetings Monday in Washington on security and the Canada-U.S. border, Manley suggested it's important for global stability that the rogue state be rebuilt as a sustainable democracy.

And while Manley is careful to speak highly of Canada's largest trading partner, he said the U.S. likely isn't the best candidate to do that job.

With the U.S.-led coalition in its third week of war, British Prime Minister Tony Blair — a key Washington partner in the conflict — has said reconstruction must be broadly based.

That reflects Canada's position too, Manley said in an interview.

"Instead of having a rogue state that is trouble to its neighbours and which has fomented terrorism in other parts of the world, one would hope a country ... can be rebuilt with a modern economy and a civil government that is no longer a problem in its region but which is a constructive and positive force.

"Tony Blair has indicated that he would have concerns as to whether that could work in the long term. I think he's probably right — the United States wants to be seen in this case as a liberator, and not an occupier."

Manley has recently emerged as a key Liberal spokesman in trying to soothe ruffled U.S. feathers following Canada's decision not to participate in the war against Iraq.

Making matters worse, some Liberals have made anti-American remarks, adding to a perception that Canada isn't much of a friend or ally to Washington.

But the Liberal government is trying to repair matters, planning to pass a motion next week declaring Canada's support for a U.S. victory over Saddam Hussein and affirming the "unbreakable bond" between the neighbours.

Manley, who is responsible for border security, has insisted he won't be doing any fence-mending in Monday's meeting with Tom Ridge the U.S. secretary of homeland security.

Instead, the pair will focus on border issues, although they intend to meet with a group of Canadian business leaders who will also be in Washington attempting to mend some fences.

Manley has also denied there's any real strain between the two governments.

"I don't think we should try to create a problem where there isn't necessarily a problem," he said outside the Commons recently in discussing Monday's meeting with Ridge.

The minister said that in his relations with the U.S., he has been trying to "be positive and supportive ... making it clear that Canada is in no way indifferent to the outcome of the conflict."

He said he would remind Americans that Canada "hopes that the U.S. is successful with as few casualties as possible," in the war, now two weeks old.

And he said he intends to point out that Canada is playing an important role in the fight against terrorism, with ships in the Persian Gulf and troops headed to Afghanistan this summer.

[mhking]

Instead of having a rogue state that is trouble to its neighbours and which has fomented terrorism in other parts of the world, one would hope a country

I didn't know that we were in trouble; that we were a "rogue state"; we had fomented terrorism in other parts of the world...

I guess you learn something every day...

[goldstategop]

Sure. Let's nominate Canada to run Iraq. <sarcasm

[cebadams]

"Instead of having a rogue state that is trouble to its neighbours and which has fomented terrorism in other parts of the world, one would hope a country ... can be rebuilt with a modern economy and a civil government that is no longer a problem in its region but which is a constructive and positive force.

Is Manely speaking of Canada?

[Normal4me]

I agree, lets give it to Isreal to run.

/sarcasm

[whadizit]

Yeah, like we are going to listen to anything Canada has to say since they are such a power.

[ApesForEvolution]

Candastan can rot. They don't have a peg left to stand on...

[AgThorn]

Sure ... perhaps he has a point .. I mean the US only "ran" Japan and Germany and built them to some pretty formible countries via the Marshall plan prior to departing.

And Canada built? well, maybe he was hinting at some other country that did better? Well, if not, perhaps he was suggesting that the UN track record was better? amazing how silent the competitive candidate list is that has any resume in doing something like this.

Besides, who are they expecting to pay for the reconstruction? Uh huh, I thought so.

Nuff said ..nothing here.

[goldstategop]

LOL! John Manley's country can't even get a handle on SARS in Toronto and he's lecturing us about not being able to run Iraq?? Sheesh, he's as deluded as Baghdad Bob and needs to get a life!

[Billthedrill]

The ultimate arbiter of what will become of Iraq is the Iraqi people - the rest of the world can help in transition and that's all. A lot of these folks with big ideas on how to mold Iraq seem to forget that point. Here, ironically, it is not the U.S. position that is colonial in nature, but that of Canada, France, Germany, and the UN.

[Normal4me]

Isreal=Israel

sheesh.

[Jim Noble]

The United States may be the sole superpower in the world but that doesn't mean it's best suited to the lead the reconstruction of postwar Iraq, says Deputy Prime Minister John Manley.

Eat me.

Who's gonna do it, "Man"ley?

You?

[saluki_in_ohio]

Tell you what, Manley, when you and the other socialists strangling your country are gone, we'll listen.

Otherwise, pound sand...

[lilylangtree]

"Manley has recently emerged as a key Liberal spokesman in trying to soothe ruffled U.S. feathers following Canada's decision not to participate in the war against Iraq."

Wouldn't believe anyone coming out of Chretien's govt. To do so would be supporting Chretien and France. It's killing the govts of France, Germany and Russia that the US refuses to let them take a part in post-war Iraq. Looks like they're working overtime, especially France and Germany, behind the scenes to put pressure on the US. Stay the course US!

[Nick Danger]

There certainly is no shortage of guys who wanted nothing to do with the work, but who now want to come around and supervise.

[Mister Magoo]

Attention: Canada

We (the US) doesn't really give two hoots about your opinion. You sat on your collective socialist Quebecois ass during the war, so you have no input now. Put a sock in it.

[Mears]

The advisors are coming out of the woodwork,aren't they?

As my mother used to say"Another country heard from".

Let's all go to the U.K. for vacation this year and avoid our neighbor to the north.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

See this:

US begins the process of 'regime change' - NEW GOVERNMENT FOR IRAQ, EARLY AS TUESDAY

[Geostorm]

Please have Canada, France, and Germany read "The Little Red Hen"

[Delta 21]

As soon as Canada can muster their military and come and kick us out they can just shut the hell up.