Canada may be Incapable of Self-Rule
Thursday, February 24, 2005
(SNN) Speaking in French, Canadian Prime Ministers Paul Martin announced today that Canada will not be participating in the U.S. Missile Defense shield. The prime minister said the decision was made following extensive discussions with Foreign Affairs and National Defence.
Canada will not be participating in the U.S. Missile Defense shield
The missile defense shield has proven unpopular among Canadians. Its detractors believe that the shield will lead to a new arms race and the weaponization of space. “Canada will continue to work with the U.S. for the common defence of North America, but our efforts won't be concentrated on missile defence,” the prime minister said.
United States Ambassador to Canada, Paul Cellucci was quick to point out that if Canada did not join the program, it would be signing away the ability to make its own decisions. "We simply cannot understand why Canada would in effect give up its sovereignty - its seat at the table - to decide what to do about a missile that might be coming towards Canada,” Cellucci said. He went on to repeat several times that Canada had given up a piece of its sovereignty. "I personally don't think it's in Canada's sovereign interest to be outside of the room when a decision is made about a missile that might be incoming towards Canada."
"We really don't get it," Ambassador Cellucci told reporters in Ottawa.
It is unclear after this de facto surrender of their sovereignty, if Canada will be allowed to make its own decisions in the future. Indeed, they must be crazy not to put time and energy into a program that spends $9 billion a year and may someday have a successful test, but for some reason insist on protecting their country though better border security and a larger military. "We really don't get it," Ambassador Cellucci told reporters in Ottawa.
U.S. officials have indicated they didn't really need Canada's help. The U.S. is not seeking to base missiles in Canada and is not looking for a financial contribution to the program. It also does not need Canada's participation to continue with the program. But political support to sell the plan abroad would have been appreciated. It is estimated that because of their lack of participation, over 2000 ballistic missiles will hit Canada this year.
