Canada Edges Closer to U.S. Missile Defense System

[xpanda]

I cannot even begin to describe how horrified I am by this ... un****ing believable. The Conservatives, even more inclined to shove their nose right up Bush's arse, will do the same thing if elected. Can't vote for the NDP, far too left wing for me. **** **** **** ****



Canada Edges Closer to U.S. Missile Defense System
Thu Apr 29, 2004 11:25 AM ET

By David Ljunggren

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada said on Thursday it would take a step closer to joining a controversial U.S. missile defense system, but denied it had already decided to sign up for the system, a move opposed by many in the ruling Liberal Party.

After a decade of hesitation, time is fast running out for Ottawa to decide whether to formally take part in the planned Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system, the first stage of which is due to be in place by the end of this year.

The United States plans to run BMD from the binational North American Aerospace Defense Command and the Canadian military fears that if Ottawa refuses to take part, Washington will marginalize Canada by expelling it from NORAD.

The United States now wants to amend the original NORAD agreement to formally cement the institution's leading role in missile defense and an aide to Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin said Ottawa was likely to agree.

"We're pretty positively inclined toward it because failure to agree harms Canadian interests in a couple of ways. One, it probably leads to the collapse of NORAD, which doesn't make sense from our perspective, and secondly, it forecloses the capacity to make a decision on BMD," the aide told Reuters.

"There's no question it moves us one step closer (to signing up for BMD)...but it does not obligate us to make a final decision," the aide added, saying Ottawa would tell Washington in June or July it will agree to the NORAD amendment.

The issue is extremely sensitive for Ottawa, even though experts says the United States would not want to station missiles or radar stations on Canadian soil.

Critics say BMD is a waste of money and fear Washington could expand its current concept of a system that uses ground- and sea-based interceptors into one that would see weapons deployed in space -- something Canada implacably opposes.

Some Liberal legislators have threatened to try to bring down their own government if Canada signs up for BMD and the issue will undoubtedly feature in the federal election that is now expected to be held some time in June, with Martin's opponents trying to paint him as a U.S. lapdog.

Martin is due to meet Bush in Washington on Friday but officials say BMD -- designed to fend off attacks from what the United States calls "rogue states" such as North Korea -- is not on the agenda.

The two sides agreed in January to study the question further and the Martin aide said a final decision on whether to sign up to BMD would be taken this autumn.

"We'll make a decision, we'll take it to Parliament, and we'll need to satisfy ourselves that it doesn't contribute to the weaponization of space before we agree," the aide said, shrugging off critics who say Ottawa should not even be talking to Washington about missile defense.

"We believe we need to be at the table in order to evaluate whether participation in BMD is in Canada's interests," the aide said.

Link: http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle....storyID=4988452

 

[jointpleasures]

I highly doubt Canada will partake in any portion of the United States Missile defense program. My take on it is that the United States is giving Canada a "chance" to approve it. It's really no big deal. Furthermore, the United States really doesn't give a rats ass whether Canada approves it or not.

 

[xpanda]

I don't give a shit what Bush thinks of Canada's participation or lack of in any of its military programs. My problem with this is that it is a move away from peacekeeping, costs us money, and will cement a stronger (rather than weaker) military connection than we currently have with the US, a move that I consider to be borderline suicidal, given the rampant anti-Americanism around the world. "Approving" of the BMD program is absolutely positively most definitely NOT something Canadians (for the most part) agree with.

Simply put, this is NOT who we are, and for Martin to sneakily (the Globe and Mail reports that this was not to be made public before the election) move in this direction not only undermines our electoral process, but undermines the Canadian value system.

 

[jointpleasures]

"I don't give a shit what Bush thinks of Canada's participation or lack of in any of its military programs"

Neither does Bush. It's all for show.


"My problem with this is that it is a move away from peacekeeping, costs us money, and will cement a stronger (rather than weaker) military connection than we currently have with the US, a move that I consider to be borderline suicidal, given the rampant anti-Americanism around the world."

Don't worry x, Canada will never be seen by any country, other than itself, as being a force to be reckoned with.

"Approving" of the BMD program is absolutely positively most definitely NOT something Canadians (for the most part) agree with."

Again, The US really doesn't care whether you Canadians agree with the program or not. It really all just for show to make your leaders take a stand on something.

"Simply put, this is NOT who we are, and for Martin to sneakily (the Globe and Mail reports that this was not to be made public before the election) move in this direction not only undermines our electoral process, but undermines the Canadian value system."

Who's Martin?



"

 

[noital]

It sounds like you might have a bush junior on your hands up there,be afraid,very afraid.


I am Noital and i approved this message.

 

[xpanda]

JP: Patronise all you like, this is NOT a good idea. Not for you, not for me and most certainly not for the generations to follow us. Have a fvcking conscience, for christ's sake.

Noital: I don't think I knew what dissent really meant until right now.

 

[angusr]

joint pleasure . . . . In all probability the U.S. cares a great deal about whether Canada signs on to the program. It's obvious that the U.S. will provide the bulk of the technology etc.. required to implement the missile defence shield, but it's also obvious that geography plays a big part too. All the fancy anti-missile equipment in the world means jack unless you have a useful place to put it.

 

[jointpleasures]

Angus,

You think we will need Canadian property to use this system, to defend the United States?

 

[angusr]

I think so. These systems are far from fool proof. If someone lobs a missile at the U.S. via Canada it would be better if they could attempt to intercept the missile before it enters Canadian airspace. If they miss, they can take another crack at it while it's in Canada, and again as it enters the U.S. - you get the idea.

Secondly . . . a nuclear warhead that landed smack dab in Toronto would result in a lot of damage on the opposite shore of Lake Ontario. Blowing up Vancouver would have severe implications for Seattle. The good people of Vermont wouldn't like a missile to land in Montreal (just ask them).

 

[Oceans11]

Right enough, a missile from N.Korea or China would take a great circle course over Canada on its way to the US.

If you could shoot it down over Canada, the US would be much safer.

Hang on....I'm confused, what is it that the Canadians get out of this deal?

 

[Oceans11]

Quite liked Canada, although I always left before it got too cold.

Docked in St Johns one time, a small port.
It was cold (about zero celcius) but you could see a nice inviting Bar just outside the harbour, only five minutes brisk walk away.

So we got cleaned up and scampered up the road in our shirts to this place, warmth, beer, food.

Got inside..and it was fuxxing freezing. Those crazy bastards had the air-conditioning going full blast.
Asked for a round and the barman opened up a cooler and laid out ice frosted glasses on the bar! I swear your fingers stuck to the glass as you touched them.
Then the ice-cold beer got poured in...

It was too cold to even taste the beer properly.

It must have been the tough guys bar, no wussies allowed, the next place was ok.

 

[barman]

Maybe cooperation on the military boondoggling will help reduce the amount of flak they are getting from W.D.C. about their 'supporting terrorism' thru their more mature attitude towards marijuana.

 

[xpanda]

Eek: the Liberals who favour this do so out of fear of being 'marginalised' by the U.S. Who fvcking cares? If it ever came down to it, the US would always have our backs -- that is one long border to defend from a hostile enemy. They need an ally to the north. On trade, Canadians' principle concern, the WTO won't allow the U.S. to unfairly punish us for ignoring their military agenda .. there is no need whatsoever for Canada to get involved in this. Some worry that NORAD may be dismantled -- again, so what? The Canadian military is in dire need of funding and over 80 percent (according to an Ipsos-Reid poll released last month) of Canadians support our military being used for peacekeeping purposes only. Not only will this prove to be a misappropriation of funds, but it is a blatant disregard for the opinion of the people who will pay for it.