Title: Canada's 'No' To Iraq War A Defining Moment For Prime Minister, Even 10 Years Later
Category: Political
Posted By: Zipperfish
Date: 2013-03-19 09:13:38
Canadian

   

Tomorrow (Mar 20) is the 10th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Here is a good article interviewing some of teh Canadian players, including Jean Chrtien, on their decision to forego the war, how it played out and the repercussions of that decision.

   

That was my opinion exactly in the run-up to the war. As the saying goes, "I hate to say I told so..."

   

Indeed.

   

while I agree with the comments and the decision not to get involved as a nation, I would just say at the time what could we have done?? ...?? send 500 soldiers to guard the mess? ..basically nothing.

   

We were already in Afghansitan at the time. But the US wanted the credibility from Canada joining the "Coalition of the Willing" than much in the way of military assistance.

   

We were done in Kandahar in 2002 and didn't begin in Kabul until May of 2003. Chretein opted out after initially hinting that he would assist. In hindsight not a bad decision but at the time it soured Canada/US relations for some time.

   

Even without hindsight it was a good decision. Chretien was mocked for his "A Proof is a Proof" statement, but it was poignant in that there was not one shred of evidence to go along with the allegations the Bush Admin were shouting.

Sometimes you have to hurt some feelings in order to do what is Right.

   

   

My bad.

   

There wasn't much fallout politically. The Bush administration decided to scapegoat France. Canada, like Germany, was basically ignored for not joining the Coalition. Bush cancelled a state visit. Some folks boycotted maple syrup. But pretty soon they had their hands full with internal dissent over the war, and hen they had their hands full just trying to protect their own political skins by 2005 or so, due to the disastrous prosecution of teh war.

   

No problems.

   

I wish more Canadians would take this to heart.

We constantly hear through the media (and from some members on this board)hand-wringing that the Americans will 'close the border' and cut off trade if we hurt their feelings or disagree with them on this issue or that. The $2Bn dollar of daily trade goes both ways and the US companies who trade across the border profit just as much (or more) than the Canadian companies do. No US corporation is just going to voluntarily decide to make millions in losses just out of political principle nor would their politicians attempt to do so either.

   

Well, the least Iran can do is mark the occassion with a thank you to America for giving them a new ally.