On a visit to Mexico, Chretien told the United States to limit its ambitions in Iraq to disarmament. Posted on 03/01/2003 8:24:02 PM PST by mhking
Fri Feb 28, 8:07 PM ET
By Pav Jordan
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Prime Minister Jean Chretien on Friday criticized U.S. calls for "regime change" in Iraq (news - web sites) in the latest episode of friction between the North American neighbors over U.S. foreign policy.
On a visit to Mexico, Chretien told the United States to limit its ambitions in Iraq to disarmament.
"If you start changing regimes, where do you stop, this is the problem. Who is next? Give me the list, the priorities," a visibly agitated Chretien told reporters.
He said there was nothing about ending Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s rule in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1441, the legal and diplomatic basis for much of the international pressure on Baghdad.
"I think that if I read 1441, it's talking about disarmament of the government of Saddam Hussein. That is the resolution that we are working on. If you read it, it is not talking about a regime change," said Chretien, whose country is not a Security Council member.
Speaking to reporters at his hotel, Chretien clenched his fists in the air. He said Iraq's promise to destroy al-Samoud 2 missiles in line with U.N. arms inspectors' requests was "a positive development."
His remarks were in reaction to comments earlier in the day by White House spokesman Ari Fleischer (news - web sites) that President George W. Bush (news - web sites) wanted disarmament and a regime change in Iraq, meaning the end of Saddam's government.
Reached by Reuters, Fleischer said: "The president has made it clear his policy remains to settle this peacefully. He hopes it can be done peacefully, but the goal remains disarmament and regime change."
U.S.-CANADA TENSIONS
After Chretien met Mexican President Vicente Fox (news - web sites) on Thursday, Mexico gave partial backing to a Canadian proposal that Baghdad be given a March 28 deadline to complete certain disarmament tasks or face the possibility of military action. The United States poured cold water on the plan.
Differences over Iraq have led to tensions between Canada and the United States.
A junior member of Parliament for Chretien's Liberal Party, Carolyn Parrish, who opposes conflict with Iraq, said on Wednesday she hated American "bastards." She said later she deeply regretted the comments.
Chretien, commenting on the incident, said: "Well, she apologized, she said she was sorry. We should have somewhat the right to have a personal reaction toward something."
In November, Chretien's director of communications resigned after telling a reporter during a NATO (news - web sites) summit that Bush was "a moron."
We do? I don't recall seeing any Canadian being critical of your system . Maybe from the millions of Americans Medicare and Medicaid doesn't help. The fact that here are 72 million Americans on socialized medicine is your problem. We only have 31 million on ours
They rely on the United States and Britain for protection
We do?
Name one time that Canada has asked either of these countries for help defending herself. On the other hand...well , read a history book....
And if memory serves me correct.....your Republicans won the last election in a 'photo-finish', followed by a foiled left-wing political coup/snowjob, of your great Nation.
CNN...the NAACP....Al Sharpton.....the Klintoons & thronging admirer's......NY TIMES....Ted(hero)Kennedy.....Dasshole...
These are just some of the "gutless" types you 'house' in your backyard. Your socialist traitor list is never-ending, and it's an 'iconic'inspiration to our Liberal loonie's up here....thanks for the export!
And just because I think you have narrow thinking, I don't expect it of your entire country.
You're right too that not all Canadians are cut from the same cloth, but your loonies are in charge. Ours were in charge, but we have the adults back in the power seats now---Whew! Just in time. They got there right before it really hit the fan.
You folks (The Good Guys) are just going to have to get busy and get rid of "Cretin" et. al.
By the way, I like your screen name.
You're so right about the reliance of other's on the USA. This is sure to be re-evaluated, and with good reason.
And its great that you "have the adults back" in charge. It's bound to rub-off on us, and if not.....at one point or another, your country will deem it in it's best interest to help solve the issues here. I do not doubt this.
A lot of us are with you in heart and spirit, despite the voice of our Liberals.
Stay the course.....and thanks.
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