Harper has joined a war against Muslims? Mr. Bousquet, I think you have read too much into a few misplaced cultural gestures. “Onward, Christian Soldiers” was played at a war veterans gathering, and Mr. Harper has said on occasion, “God Bless Canada”. Umm, I guess that shows insensitivity, and I bet one could find even greater Manichean jabs at the Muslim world from Canadian officials. However, during the 13 year run of Liberal governments, which came to close a year and a half ago, there was in fact a far greater and open animosity directed at the United States. To my knowledge we were never at war with America and our relations were fairly cordial. My point: action speaks louder than words.
In regards to the very real Canadian participation in the “war” in Afghanistan (a Muslim nation), almost all Canadian forces are operating within the command of the International Security Assistance Force – a NATO operation with a mandate from the UN. Being a NATO mission, the Canadians are there along side the Muslim Turks, who are themselves one of the largest contributors of troops to the mission. Furthermore, the UN mandate (UNSCR 1386) has near unequivocal support from world leaders and was passed unanimously by the 2001 Security Council, which contained Bangladesh, Mali and Tunisia: three Muslim nations. Of the less than fifty troops outside the NATO mission (still operating under the US led Operation -Enduring Freedom), they are in fact remnants of missions authorized by the Liberal Party.
By Brendan Brisco