THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF AMERICAN BASES

Toronto Star April 29, 2003

Ottawa eyes U.S. missile defence plan

Canada may be poised to sign on; circumstances changed: Graham
Allan Thompson, Ottawa Bureau

Ottawa - After years of sitting on the fence, Canada may be poised to join the U.S. military's missile defence program, government sources say. A decision to join U.S. President George W. Bush's controversial National Missile Defence plan could come as soon as next week and in conjunction with Canada's contribution to U.S.-led reconstruction efforts in post-war Iraq, would mark another foreign policy move to improve relations with Washington.

Liberal leadership frontrunner Paul Martin said in an interview yesterday that as prime minister, he would commit Canada to becoming part of the missile shield, not least to protect Canadian sovereignty as the shield is being developed.

"What possible benefit is it for us to stay away from the table?" Martin
told the Star's Les Whittington. Both Defence Minister John McCallum and Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham signalled to reporters that Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's government will deal with the issue soon at the cabinet level and the ministers dropped hints that they favour Canada joining the missile shield.

"What we're all concerned about, of course, is the security of Canada and Canadians. And we have a proud tradition of co-operating with our American allies on the security of the continent," Graham told reporters.

He said the scene on the world stage has shifted from a year or so ago, when Russia and other major powers were vehemently opposed to the creation of a missile shield.

"I think we obviously have to look at it in a serious way and decide what is in the best interest of Canada," he said.

McCallum went even further.

"The geopolitics have changed radically, the Americans are moving ahead anyway and a case can be made for Canadian security and for our joint defence of the continent that this might be a good idea for Canada," McCallum said.

One government source said the proposal to join the missile defence plan could be brought before cabinet as early as next week. It is not on the agenda for today's special cabinet meeting in Toronto.

Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci told reporters yesterday the U.S. believes Canada should join the missile defence program.

"We hope that the Canadian government will make a positive decision on participation," he said.

In a formal announcement just before Christmas, Bush committed the U.S. to having a limited missile defence shield up and running by the fall of 2004, with interceptor missiles on land in Alaska and at sea and sensors in space as the first outposts of Bush's Fortress America.

With files from Les Whittington and Graham Fraser