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Canadian Defense Minister Backs Missile Defense
Canada should join the U.S. government’s ballistic missile defense program, Defense Minister Bill Graham told the Ottawa Citizen yesterday (see GSN, Aug. 11). “This is not Iraq, this is not an engagement somewhere else. This is about North America. I think it’s very important for us to be associated in any program that deals with the defense of North America,” Graham said. “I think Canada will regret it if we don’t participate.” Graham said Canadian involvement in the plan was crucial regardless of the outcome of the November U.S. presidential election. “Whether it’s Republican or Democrat down there, we want them to look us in the eye and say, ‘we’re your partner’,” said Graham. “In my view, it diminishes our sovereignty significantly by not being a participant.” Questions over the system’s effectiveness will be answered over time as the technology improves, Graham said. “While there is a significant debate among experts as to how successful or effective the program might be, the Americans intend to do it. And, in my view, when it comes to continental defense, we should be associated with the Americans when they chose to do something. We should work with them on it,” Graham said. “You can make an argument it isn’t working today. But we don’t know where it’s going to go 10 years from now.” Graham’s statements were a strong indication that the Liberal government plans to support missile defense efforts, the Citizen reported. Graham said Canadian officials have not made a final decision and that negotiations with the United States are continuing. Canada wants a guarantee from the United States that the system would not lead to weapons in outer space, Graham said (Mike Blanchfield, Ottawa Citizen, Sept. 23).
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