Will Zimbabwe contribute troops for WAT-WOT and whatnot?
newsday.com
Canada May Not Back Attack on Iraq
By Associated Press
August 20, 2002, 3:25 PM EDT
TORONTO -- Canada is unlikely to join a U.S.-led invasion of Iraq unless proof emerges that Saddam Hussein plans to attack the Western world, Defense Minister John McCallum said.
In comments published Tuesday with the Globe and Mail newspaper and Maclean's magazine, McCallum said the government had yet to decide whether to take part in a military campaign against Iraq, but he believed there was insufficient evidence now to justify Canadian participation in an invasion.
Shane Diaczuk, a defense ministry spokesman, confirmed the accuracy of the comments attributed to McCallum.
"While we continue to support the war on terror, the Canadian government hasn't taken a position on Iraq except to indicate nervousness," the Globe and Mail quoted McCallum as saying. "As it stands now, it seems very unlikely that we would participate in a war against Iraq."
In the Maclean's interview, McCallum responded to a question about where Canada would stand by saying: "From what we know today, I would be very skeptical about us having any participation."
"At the same time, we can't be entirely saying no right now because it depends on incontrovertible evidence the Americans provide that Saddam Hussein is poised to attack the Western world with smallpox or some terrible weapon," he said.
If such proof came out, an invasion of Iraq could occur "under U.N. auspices," McCallum said.
His comments reflected growing Canadian unease with the U.S. war on terrorism since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
While Canada pledged "shoulder-to-shoulder" backing for its neighbor and largest trade partner in response to the Sept. 11 attacks, it has scaled back participation in the Afghanistan military campaign.
More than 800 soldiers taking part in the U.S.-led campaign left Afghanistan at the end of their mission last month, with no more Canadians sent to replace them.
Four Canadian soldiers were killed when accidentally bombed by a U.S. jet fighter during a life-fire exercise in April. Canadian officials say the friendly fire deaths had nothing to do with the decision not to replace the departing soldiers.
Canada still has an unspecified number of special force fighters in Afghanistan, and continues to provide naval and air transport support.
Copyright © 2002, The Associated Press |
