Finally, a real leader!
blue_tory @ Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:43 pm
(hmm, it wont let me post the link for the source, apparently I need at least 10 posts)
$1:
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Canada will not talk with the "genocidal" Islamic groups Hamas and Hezbollah even though he acknowledged that dialogue is the way to peace in the Middle East.
"We will not solve the Palestinian-Israeli problem, as difficult as that is, through organizations that advocate violence and advocate wiping Israel off the face of the Earth," Mr. Harper said yesterday in a wide-ranging year-end interview with CTV to be aired Saturday.
"It's unfortunate because with Hamas, and with Hezbollah in Lebanon, it has made it very difficult to have dialogue -- and dialogue is ultimately necessary to have peace in the long term -- but we are not going to sit down with people whose objectives are ultimately genocidal."
Many Canadians expressed discomfort with the strong pro-Israeli stand Mr. Harper took soon after his election and again this summer during Israel's bombardment of Lebanon. Previous Liberal governments have tried to walk a more neutral line, saying that permits Canada to be an honest broker in finding a resolution to the conflict.
But the Prime Minister said he doesn't believe Canada has ever played that role.
"My own assessment of Canada's role in the Middle East in the past decade or so is we have been completely absent," he said. "I don't see any evidence we were playing any role."
Mr. Harper said he has made it clear to allies in the region that Canada is prepared to talk to the various sides of the issue. He said his government wants to find ways of dealing with the Palestinian Authority through President Mahmoud Abbas, who belongs to the secular Fatah party.
"But I think all of the civilized world is agreed -- and it's not just Canada -- we can't deal with organizations whose principle and only objective is terrorism and the eradication of the other side."
Under the Conservatives, Canada was the first country, ahead of even the United States, to withdraw financial aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian government. As other countries questioned and in some cases condemned Israel's bombing of Lebanon this summer, Mr. Harper initially described the bombardment as a "measured response."
[...]
"We will not solve the Palestinian-Israeli problem, as difficult as that is, through organizations that advocate violence and advocate wiping Israel off the face of the Earth," Mr. Harper said yesterday in a wide-ranging year-end interview with CTV to be aired Saturday.
"It's unfortunate because with Hamas, and with Hezbollah in Lebanon, it has made it very difficult to have dialogue -- and dialogue is ultimately necessary to have peace in the long term -- but we are not going to sit down with people whose objectives are ultimately genocidal."
Many Canadians expressed discomfort with the strong pro-Israeli stand Mr. Harper took soon after his election and again this summer during Israel's bombardment of Lebanon. Previous Liberal governments have tried to walk a more neutral line, saying that permits Canada to be an honest broker in finding a resolution to the conflict.
But the Prime Minister said he doesn't believe Canada has ever played that role.
"My own assessment of Canada's role in the Middle East in the past decade or so is we have been completely absent," he said. "I don't see any evidence we were playing any role."
Mr. Harper said he has made it clear to allies in the region that Canada is prepared to talk to the various sides of the issue. He said his government wants to find ways of dealing with the Palestinian Authority through President Mahmoud Abbas, who belongs to the secular Fatah party.
"But I think all of the civilized world is agreed -- and it's not just Canada -- we can't deal with organizations whose principle and only objective is terrorism and the eradication of the other side."
Under the Conservatives, Canada was the first country, ahead of even the United States, to withdraw financial aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian government. As other countries questioned and in some cases condemned Israel's bombing of Lebanon this summer, Mr. Harper initially described the bombardment as a "measured response."
[...]
hwacker @ Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:49 pm
Hamas and Hezbollah are evil and harper is doing the right thing, those f'n Liberals would never do this cause it might cost them one arab vote.
It’s called ethics and a strong set of principals. Both the liberals never had.
ridenrain @ Thu Dec 21, 2006 11:59 pm
Saw this on another site as another reason to be a proud Canadian again. No weasle words or relative morality.. calling for the genocide of a country is wrong.
Blue-tory, Great start but please fill out you're profile.
lonewolf23k @ Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:26 pm
Kudos to you, Mr Harper. Don't negociate with terrorists.. Not when there are legitimate Governments for both the Palestinian and Lebanese people.
BluesBud @ Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:52 pm
hwacker hwacker:
Hamas and Hezbollah are evil and harper is doing the right thing, those f'n Liberals would never do this cause it might cost them one arab vote.
It’s called ethics and a strong set of principals. Both the liberals never had.
It’s called ethics and a strong set of principals. Both the liberals never had.
As a Canadian of Lebanese heritage can you explain to me exactly who are the Arabs? Are the Lebanese not Arab as well? The true people of this nation have no control over their own government and land. While I agree that Hamas and Hezbollah have a lot to answer for Israel is not blameless.
I have a great sadness about what has happened to Lebanon. I hate the fact that other countries in the region move their disputes from their land to battle it out in another land. This way they do not suffer the collaterol damage and their own people can be safer.
hwacker @ Sat Dec 23, 2006 7:05 am
BluesBud BluesBud:
hwacker hwacker:
Hamas and Hezbollah are evil and harper is doing the right thing, those f'n Liberals would never do this cause it might cost them one arab vote.
It’s called ethics and a strong set of principals. Both the liberals never had.
It’s called ethics and a strong set of principals. Both the liberals never had.
As a Canadian of Lebanese heritage can you explain to me exactly who are the Arabs? Are the Lebanese not Arab as well? The true people of this nation have no control over their own government and land. While I agree that Hamas and Hezbollah have a lot to answer for Israel is not blameless.
I have a great sadness about what has happened to Lebanon. I hate the fact that other countries in the region move their disputes from their land to battle it out in another land. This way they do not suffer the collaterol damage and their own people can be safer.
How do you feel about the 12K of Lebanese that are gone back to their home after Canada saved their ass?
I have lots of Lebanese Christian friends that live in Canada that tell me stories about what happened in that country, how’s it feel to be ousted by Palestine refuges that were welcomed in by a great country that had a city known as the Paris of the middle east. You can't say that anymore can you. Wonder who ruined that?
BluesBud @ Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:22 pm
hwacker hwacker:
BluesBud BluesBud:
hwacker hwacker:
Hamas and Hezbollah are evil and harper is doing the right thing, those f'n Liberals would never do this cause it might cost them one arab vote.
It’s called ethics and a strong set of principals. Both the liberals never had.
It’s called ethics and a strong set of principals. Both the liberals never had.
As a Canadian of Lebanese heritage can you explain to me exactly who are the Arabs? Are the Lebanese not Arab as well? The true people of this nation have no control over their own government and land. While I agree that Hamas and Hezbollah have a lot to answer for Israel is not blameless.
I have a great sadness about what has happened to Lebanon. I hate the fact that other countries in the region move their disputes from their land to battle it out in another land. This way they do not suffer the collaterol damage and their own people can be safer.
How do you feel about the 12K of Lebanese that are gone back to their home after Canada saved their ass?
I have lots of Lebanese Christian friends that live in Canada that tell me stories about what happened in that country, how’s it feel to be ousted by Palestine refuges that were welcomed in by a great country that had a city known as the Paris of the middle east. You can't say that anymore can you. Wonder who ruined that?
BTW you have Lebanese friends? For that matter YOU HAVE FRIENDS?
I hope they don't invite you for dinner. I know how you feel about Mid-east food.