Canada willing to send Mounties to Iraq, PM says

Toronto Star ^ | Apr. 11, 2003 | CP (uncredited)

[No Truce With Kings]

Canada willing to send Mounties to Iraq, PM says

OTTAWA (CP) — Canada is willing to send RCMP officers to help restore order in Iraq but nobody's asked for them, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said today.

"We've sent RCMP officers to Haiti and elsewhere," Chrétien said during a news conference. "If it is a contribution that we can make, we will do it. If they want us to do something else, we will do something else."

But Chrétien said Canada can't just send police officers without some preparation and planning.

Looting continued in Baghdad for a third straight day today. Marines were starting to enforce a dusk-to-dawn curfew in parts of the city, but officials said they were not going to take on policing duties.

Looting and lawlessness spread to other Iraqi cities as the last remnants of Saddam Hussein's regime fell.

Chaos is not unheard of in the immediate aftermath of war, Chrétien pointed out.

"In Kosovo, there wasn't an easy transition either," he said. "When there's that kind of change that occurs, there is chaos for a certain period of time. I don't know exactly what they intend to do or what kind of intervention they are planning. We are certainly prepared to help out as soon as possible."

In a television interview, Deputy Prime Minister John Manley said more than Mounties could be involved in such a contribution. Municipal officers have also been involved in establishing and training police forces.

"This is something that we have some experience and expertise in and it's something that if the world community judges that that's where we can best help, then Canadians should be prepared to do it," Manley said.

The prime minister said he has been given no reason to believe U.S. President George W. Bush will cancel his planned visit in May, when he is scheduled to address Parliament.

While reaffirming his decision not to support the war, Chrétien said it would be understandable if the trip were postponed, given Bush's agenda these days.

[No Truce With Kings]

Victory has 1000 fathers.

That said, the RCMP would be a useful addition towards rebuilding an honest law enforcement service in Iraq.

[gov_bean_ counter]

... and the horse your Mountie rode in on.

[mlbford2]

>JUMPING ON BANDWAGON ALERT!!!!!!!<

Everyone loves a winner.

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[Luke]

Thanks... but no thanks. Canada can keep their 'redcoats' at home.

[ambrose]

[Bahbah]

Never mind.

[Puppage]

[Gefreiter]

I'll believe it when I see it.

[ijcr]

However, due to budget limitations they will be armed with sharp sticks and clad in loin clothes. No tattooed RCMP volunteers will be accepted.

[San Jacinto]

Send Canadian bacon instead.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Send Canadian bacon instead.

No, no more women at the front.

[No Truce With Kings]

Ping.

[Beck_isright]

Dudley Do-Right to direct traffic in Baghdad????????

V

[conservativecorner]

More from our "Johnny Come Lately" allies. Personally, I think they can go fly a kite!

[BureaucratusMaximus]

Canada willing to send Mounties to Iraq, PM says

Too little, too late a-hole canucks!

[RJL]

Canada is willing to send RCMP officers to help restore order in Iraq but nobody's asked for them, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said today.

"We've sent RCMP officers to Haiti and elsewhere," Chrétien said during a news conference. "If it is a contribution that we can make, we will do it. If they want us to do something else, we will do something else."

Sounds to me like Mr Chrétien got the busy signal when he dialed the White House.

[carl in alaska]

Not a bad idea. But they will have to lose the red jackets, buy them body armor, and arm those guys with assault rifles.

[Jambe]

Canada willing to send Mounties to Iraq, PM says

Right, just as soon as it snows in Baghdad for the Mounties to use their dog-sleds!

[dead]

I have nothing against the mounties, but I really don't see where their training, equipment, and experience would be of much use in Iraq.

We'll give them a call after we invade Finland.