Posted on 03/22/2003 8:36:27 PM PST by carla007
One more reason to move to Alberta (for those of us in Canada)
Klein thanks Bush for going to war against 'tyranny' Chrétien aide says Alberta Premier's views out of line with majority
Sheldon Alberts, Deputy Ottawa Bureau Chief National Post
OTTAWA - Ralph Klein, the Alberta Premier, yesterday took the extraordinary step of writing the Bush administration to applaud the United States for leading the war on "terrorism and tyranny."
In an apparent act of protest against Jean Chrétien's decision to keep Canada out of the war on Iraq, Mr. Klein wrote to Paul Cellucci, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, saying "the President and your nation have exemplified leadership."
He also thanked U.S. troops for risking their lives to preserve freedom and global security. "We join with Americans and people around the world in praying for a quick, successful end to hostilities, and a safe return home for American troops," Mr. Klein wrote. "Above all, we extend our thanks to the United States for its leadership in the war on terrorism and tyranny. Future generations will owe a great debt to those who fight today."
John Manley, the Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, yesterday criticized parliamentarians for their vocal anti-American sentiments.
"It's unfortunate when members of the House of Commons or members of the Canadian Senate, as we've seen reported in some of the debates that have occurred, personalized their criticism of U.S. action," said Mr. Manley, who is running in the Liberal leadership race.
"We don't have to walk in the shoes of the largest superpower in the world and we also didn't face the destruction of the World Trade Center on our own soil," he told reporters in British Columbia after speaking to the Victoria Chamber of Commerce. "For us to impose our view of morality in a way on them is not appropriate."
Mr. Klein's letter does not specifically mention the conflict in Iraq. But he expresses thanks for Mr. Bush's efforts to destroy weapons of mass destruction -- a key goal in the campaign to oust Saddam Hussein's regime.
"The war on terrorism and weapons of mass destruction is not a war the U.S. sought. In accepting this sombre challenge, however, the United States has shown clarity in setting its goals and patience and resolve in achieving them," he wrote. Mr. Klein's letter comes days after he criticized Mr. Chrétien for refusing to join the U.S.-led attack, a decision he said is a snub to the United States.
The Prime Minister's office issued a terse statement in response to Mr. Klein's letter, defending Mr. Chrétien's decision and reminding the Alberta Premier the federal government sets Canada's policy on international affairs.
"This wouldn't be the first time that Mr. Klein's views don't reflect the views of the majority of Canada," said Jim Munson, Mr. Chrétien's director of communications. "He is entitled to his opinion. On foreign policy, the Prime Minister speaks for Canada."
Mr. Klein's letter also highlights a sharp regional divide in Canadian political opinion over the war.
Bernard Landry, the Parti Quebecois Premier of Quebec, has been a vocal opponent of the war, as has the separatist Bloc Québécois in Parliament.
Ernie Eves, the Premier of Ontario, said earlier this week he believed Canada should have joined the U.S.-led war.
Alberta, with its oil riches and strong business links to the United States, is heavily dependent on strong economic relations with it. "The people of Alberta enjoy a great friendship with the United States -- a friendship built on common interests, much common history, and shared values," Mr. Klein wrote.
Despite Canada's decision to stay out of the war, Mr. Chrétien has attempted to put an end to anti-U.S. rhetoric among members of the Liberal government caucus out of concern it will damage relations with the United States. Earlier this week, several Liberal MPs characterized Mr. Bush as arrogant, a criminal and a dangerous religious zealot. Herb Dhaliwal, the Natural Resources Minister, later said the President was "not a statesman."
Mr. Chrétien's own attitude to the United States has shifted from defiance to deference since he announced Canada's decision to stay out of the war last Monday. After initially calling the war unjustified, Mr. Chrétien later said he respected the U.S. decision. He wished U.S. and coalition troops well and said America had the sovereign "privilege and right" to attack.
Bill Graham, the Foreign Affairs Minister, also sought yesterday to downplay the significance of the break between Canada and the United States. "We have chosen to take another path. That does not mean that we criticize the path chosen by our American colleagues," Mr. Graham said in the House of Commons.
"The Prime Minister's comportment in this matter has been very careful and very wise. This is not a wisdom that comes from anything except for a respect of our United States colleagues."
But Monte Solberg, a Canadian Alliance MP, said Mr. Chrétien should discipline Mr. Dhaliwal and other Liberal MPs if he is serious about putting an end to U.S. bashing in Liberal ranks.
"The fish rots from the head down. What we have seen from the caucus across the way is the Prime Minister giving tacit approval to what some of his caucus members are saying by not taking them to task for it," Mr. Solberg said. "Very often, the Prime Minister will dress down his members when they hurt his party. When is he going to start to dress them down when they are hurting his country?"
Are provincial elections parlimentary as well similar to the federal system?
Excellent comments by the Premier of Alberta. I guess, he is the only decent politician in Canada.
Pretty close to it. At least among the ones you hear about down here in the States.
That's because Alberta is damned near the only place worth living in Canada.
Once the place attracts enough folks from back east, it will be no different than anywhere else. Here's hoping it takes a very long time for that to happen.
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