Opposition wants government to stop Canadians joining Iraqi insurgency
(CBC) - The opposition parties pressed the government on Friday to do something about reports that Canadians have joined the insurgents fighting in Iraq.
Conservative foreign affairs critic Stockwell Day wanted to know why the prime minister hasn't "condemned the actions of Canadians who have joined this band of terrorist thugs and murderers who are murdering and killing innocent people in Iraq?"
Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan said the government does "condemn any Canadian who would choose to become an insurgent and join the insurgency in Iraq." The problem is there isn't much it can do about it.
On Thursday reports surfaced about the ranks of the insurgents being bolstered by Canadians. Not many, fewer than 10, according to the head of Canada's spy agency, but more are planning to go.
James Judd, the director of Canadian Security Intelligence Service, or CSIS, revealed Thursday that some of the foreign fighters in Iraq battling coalition troops are Canadians. He said there aren't many, but more are expected to join.
Speaking to reporters at a break during a security conference in Montreal, Judd said there weren't many in Iraq, "we're talking single digit numbers." But he said "we're aware of several others who are contemplating leaving."
Outside the House of Commons, McLellan wouldn't get specific about what can be done.
"People who go there and participate in various kinds of acts of violence are terrorists. And if they choose to try and return home, we will determine to the fullest extent of the law how we deal with them and how we protect the safety of Canadians," she said.
mytelus.com |
