Posted on 02/23/2008 9:18:08 AM PST by BGHater
Canada and the U.S. have signed an agreement that paves the way for the militaries from either nation to send troops across each other's borders during an emergency, but some are questioning why the Harper government has kept silent on the deal.
Neither the Canadian government nor the Canadian Forces announced the new agreement, which was signed Feb. 14 in Texas.
The U.S. military's Northern Command, however, publicized the agreement with a statement outlining how its top officer, Gen. Gene Renuart, and Canadian Lt.-Gen. Marc Dumais, head of Canada Command, signed the plan, which allows the military from one nation to support the armed forces of the other nation during a civil emergency.
The new agreement has been greeted with suspicion by the left wing in Canada and the right wing in the U.S.
The left-leaning Council of Canadians, which is campaigning against what it calls the increasing integration of the U.S. and Canadian militaries, is raising concerns about the deal.
"It's kind of a trend when it comes to issues of Canada-U.S. relations and contentious issues like military integration. We see that this government is reluctant to disclose information to Canadians that is readily available on American and Mexican websites," said Stuart Trew, a researcher with the Council of Canadians.
Trew said there is potential for the agreement to militarize civilian responses to emergency incidents. He noted that work is also underway for the two nations to put in place a joint plan to protect common infrastructure such as roadways and oil pipelines.
"Are we going to see (U.S.) troops on our soil for minor potential threats to a pipeline or a road?" he asked.
Trew also noted the U.S. military does not allow its soldiers to operate under foreign command so there are questions about who controls American forces if they are requested for service in Canada. "We don't know the answers because the government doesn't want to even announce the plan," he said.
But Canada Command spokesman Commander David Scanlon said it will be up to civilian authorities in both countries on whether military assistance is requested or even used.
He said the agreement is "benign" and simply sets the stage for military-to-military co-operation if the governments approve.
"But there's no agreement to allow troops to come in," he said. "It facilitates planning and co-ordination between the two militaries. The 'allow' piece is entirely up to the two governments."
If U.S. forces were to come into Canada they would be under tactical control of the Canadian Forces but still under the command of the U.S. military, Scanlon added.
News of the deal, and the allegation it was kept secret in Canada, is already making the rounds on left-wing blogs and Internet sites as an example of the dangers of the growing integration between the two militaries.
On right-wing blogs in the U.S. it is being used as evidence of a plan for a "North American union" where foreign troops, not bound by U.S. laws, could be used by the American federal government to override local authorities.
"Co-operative militaries on Home Soil!" notes one website. "The next time your town has a 'national emergency,' don't be surprised if Canadian soldiers respond. And remember - Canadian military aren't bound by posse comitatus."
Posse comitatus is a U.S. law that prohibits the use of federal troops from conducting law enforcement duties on domestic soil unless approved by Congress.
Scanlon said there was no intent to keep the agreement secret on the Canadian side of the border. He noted it will be reported on in the Canadian Forces newspaper next week and that publication will be put on the Internet.
Scanlon said the actual agreement hasn't been released to the public as that requires approval from both nations. That decision has not yet been taken, he added.
Perfect picture......it tells the entire story about why we are losing our country..............piecemeal.
Wait Till The Boys Hear About This Krap !
I’d like to know their exact thoughts about THIS KRAP!
~~~
It will be UN-Printable !
Then,,,Cannons Speak With Voice Like Drums,,,
When Something Stupid This Way Comes...:0(...grrrrrrrrrrrr!
The exact form of resolution, I haven’t given much thought to, but there needs to be one.
Here’s an “official” website with info on this agreement:
http://www.northcom.mil/News/2008/021408.html
LOL!
See post #57.
State Militias
These are stipulated in each state’s constitution as to how it forms and any other functions as stipulated.
Do a search on state militias and you will find that there are about 20 or so already in existence. They are fully deputizable by the governor and can fully train and operate in a quazi mode as a military unit if so designated.
Because they are local they can have a legal precedence over the state police or any other gov agency because they serve diredctly under the governor /state government.
Because they are locally formed and operated, they have a relationship that is not subject to much outside influence.
I have an agreement, too. Blue helmets are targets.
Well if we're powerless to stop it at least we should get to name it.
I prefer Americanamex.
(Perhaps it's already been named.
Americanamex didn't get flagged by the spell checker! :-O )
I take it they aren’t subject to nationalization as the National Guard is then.
Perfect picture......it tells the entire story about why we are losing our country..............piecemeal.
~~~
Canada, U.S. agree to use each other’s troops in civil emergencies
~~~
Seems to me not a week goes by that Arbusto does not give
away something that does not belong to him,,,
I do believe that is the case as they are not in that category of legitamacy.
exactly, pathetically, correct.
Thank you. Your suggestion warrants more thought for sure.
Look what we have stooped to, outsourcing our security. Maybe we could ask China, they would do it cheaper.
If this is how at risk we are, it’s past time to bring our own troops home. The Administration has gone bonkers.
Your afraid of Canadians? At least they stay in they’re own country. We will be the ones going there. Only they won’t shoot back because they have nothing but gun control! The oil will help pay for all the protection they get from us to!
Why not just send the Mexicans straight through to Canada?
GLOBALISM PING!
I think most of you are here already, but late ping anyway.
I don’t think he mentioned going door to door. But for sure, the Mexican Army is used country wide at mobile road and highway checkpoints. And at these checkpoints, what are they searching for? Guns and drugs. Even guns owned by Pedro Valdez for pure self defense.
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.