Canada and the Iraq War
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[edit] Canada Opts Out of the Invasion
In 2003, Canada chose not to join the United States' "Coalition of the willing" during the invasion of Iraq.
It was somewhat shocking to the United States that Canada did not join them in Iraq and this caused slight tensions between the two countries. Canadian politicians who were not in favour of the invasion began publicly slandering Americans and acting out in unprofessional ways. Some American politicians stepped up their own anti-Canada campaign by pressing Canadian authorities on public security issues they knew little or nothing about. Some people believe Canada's position also indirectly led to the flaring up of trade disputes between the two countries, although this has never been questioned directly or proven.
[edit] US and Canada Remained Close Allies
Although the Canadian government did not join the invasion force, Canada has always stood by their closest ally even if it has been kept quiet and not widely publicized. Canada's official statement during that time was that they are involved in the War on terror, not the invasion of Iraq.
One little talked about fact was the Canadian Forces had been patrolling the Persian Gulf since the end of the first Gulf War, and worked side by side with other allied forces in enforcing the Oil for food program. Once the literal invasion of Iraq was over, the situation became part of the overall war on terror.
Canada has aided the United States in many ways aside from the actual invasion.
- Canada helps train police and army officers in post-war Iraq.
- Jean-Pierre Kingsley (a Canadian), served as head of the international team observing the 2005 Iraqi elections.
- In the summer of 2005, A group of Canadian experts was sent to help Iraq write its new constitution, including former Ontario premier Bob Rae. Both of these groups were based in Jordan due to security concerns.
Canada did allow its NORAD stationed Air Force members to fly combat missions and deploy with the USAF E-3 AWACS during the war and allowed its exchange officers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force to deploy and fight with their US units. 40-50 Canadian Military Members participated in the conflict, the majority flying on the E-3 AWACS, based out of Tinker AFB, OK, Where they are stationed as part of NORAD.
[edit] The Basis of Opposition
Canada's public position for not joining the invasion force was based on international law and allowing time for due process to take place. Although Canadian Intelligence Services stated they believed it was likely WOMD existed in Iraq, the (Liberal) Chretien government did not want to falsely accuse Iraq of the same charges the United States and United Kingdom had so quickly pressed to attack on.
Canadian citizens were largely in favor of the government's decision and the basis it was made on. Most Canadians want their country to be the great upholders of the United Nations. Public opinion polls showed that Canadians would have been more in favor of an Iraqi invasion had weapons inspectors found WOMD. The Canadian Alliance was the only party who was willing to send troops into Iraq without just cause and 50 Alliance Members of Parliament (or MPs) voted to support the US. Then opposition leader Stephen Harper stated that "in reading only the polls, indulging a juvenile and insecure anti-Americanism, this government has for the first time in our history left us outside our British and American allies in their time of need," however the war was never explicitly backed by the Alliance beyond that.
[edit] Iraq Reconstruction
When the war began, the United States was not going to offer Iraqi reconstruction deals to countries who were not part of the invasion force. Canada's initial pledge of $300 million dollars to help rebuild the war torn country faced no international scrutiny. The only way to explain this was that although Canada may not have officially been there in a military sense, Canada definitely played a supporting role.
[edit] Canadian Deaths in Iraq
To date, five Canadians, Ali Alwan, Bernard Gooden,Vatche Arslanian, Jonathan J. Simpson and Michael Seeley are known to have died in the conflict. An Iraqi-Canadian, Alwan had lived in Canada for eight years but chose to return to Iraq in August of 2004. He was killed in April 2005, with some reports of him being the victim of an American attack.[1]. Two other Canadians have been taken hostage by insurgents, but both were released. Cpl. Bernard Gooden immigrated to Canada in 1997, Gooden joined the Canadian Army Reserves (2 Field Engineers, Toronto) where he served for several years and took a number of combat engineering courses. He also attended Glendon College of York University for 2 years where he lived in Wood residence and studied Political Science. He was a serious and motivated student although short of money. When the 2000-2001 school year was interrupted by a strike at York and his money was running out, he joined the Marines with the belief that they would help with him with his education. Gooden was a member of the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division and died during a fire fight in April of 2003. [2]. Vatche Arslanian was a member of the Red Cross and was killed when his convoy was caught in a fire fight between American and Iraqi Forces. Sgt. Jonathan J. Simpson a marine was a dual Canadian and U.S. citizen was kill in combat operation on Oct. 14 and Michael Seeley a Mi'kmaq from New Bunswick, was killed in bomb attack on October 30 [3]
[edit] External links
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| Military history of Canada: Wars in the 20th century |
| Second Boer War |
| First World War |
| Russian Civil War |
| Spanish Civil War |
| Second World War |
| Korean War |
| Cold War |
| Vietnam War |
| Invasion of Afghanistan |
| Iraq War |
