Harper says Canada must be more assertive Globally

Because of shared values such as democracy and close ties to the US we are to become more assertive in defending global security in such places as Afghanistan.
Translation: Because we buy into the US rhetoric of spreading democracy (by pre-emptive invasions)and the war against terror we are uniquely positioned to gain more world influence by sucking up to the US and providing aid to them in maintaining global hegemony. In return the US will continue to buy our natural resources at firesale prices and ensure that Harper wins the battle against the big bad monopoly Wheat Board. We will build up our military so as to help ease the military burden on the US. Where possible we will do this through the UN and NATO despite our close ties with the US. We need to appear independent.


Harper Says Canada Must Be More Assertive Globally (Update1)

By Theophilos Argitis

Sept. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Australia and Canada must become more assertive in defending global security in places such as Afghanistan.

Harper said the two middle powers are ``uniquely able'' to act as a force for positive change because of shared values such as democracy and close ties to the U.S. In the first speech by a Canadian leader to Australian lawmakers, Harper called Australia and the U.S. his nation's ``strategic cousins.''

``If we abandon our fellow human beings to lives of poverty, brutality and ignorance, in today's global village their misery will eventually and inevitably become ours,'' Harper told a joint sitting of the House of Representatives and Senate. ``We should underestimate neither our capacity to influence events nor to influence others.''

The speech today comes on the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, an event Harper has evoked to justify his efforts to extend Canada's mission in Afghanistan and raise the country's defense capabilities. Both countries have been ``bloodied'' by terrorism, Harper said, including two dozen Canadians who were killed in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Harper on Sept. 9 said he is in no ``rush'' to hold a vote in Canada's Parliament that may force him to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. The governing Conservatives have promised to seek approval from lawmakers before extending the mission past the February 2009 deadline. All three opposition parties, who combined hold a majority of seats in the legislature, have called for an end to the military mission.

Canadian Troops

Canada has about 2,500 soldiers in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar region as part of NATO's 37,000-troop mission to fight the former Taliban regime and hunt al-Qaeda terrorists.

Harper told reporters after his address that Canada needs to stop debating when to withdraw and focus discussions on the mission's objectives, adding the country has undertaken ``obligations'' in Afghanistan. Canada and Australia also have scope to cooperate in the Asian country, Harper said.

The two countries announced three joint initiatives in Afghanistan, including an agreement to help strengthen security along the border with Pakistan.

``In Afghanistan and elsewhere, both our countries are committed to working together,'' Harper said in his speech.

Australian troops in Afghanistan and Iraq have become a central issue for Prime Minister John Howard, who heads to an election by the end of this year and trails in the polls. Australia has about 1,500 soldiers in Iraq serving with U.S.-led coalition forces, and about 900 in Afghanistan.

To contact the report on this story: Theophilos Argitis in Sydney at targitis@bloomberg.net .

Last Updated: September 11, 2007 07:00 EDT