Canuck troops to Iraq?

[leftchick]

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/WinnipegSun/News/2004/12/06/767647.html

~snip~

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Paul Martin opened the door yesterday to deploying Canadian soldiers to Iraq once he follows through on a promise to boost military ranks. The PM said the Canadian Forces are too stretched at the moment to contribute to a new mission.

But when pressed during an interview on CNN's Late Edition on whether Canada could deploy to Iraq once it bulks up the military, Martin responded: "That's going to depend on where we're asked to go."

And when asked whether Canada is outright against contributing a military force in Iraq, Martin answered that Canada simply doesn't have the soldiers to staff a mission.

"Our commitments are such that it would be very hard for us to commit troops into Iraq," the PM said.

Martin said Canada is stretched too thin to even contribute 1,000 troops to provide security during the upcoming Iraqi election.

[SidDithers]

1. I don't think Martin could do this with a minority government...

and still hope to remain PM, though many Conservatives would support him, and he could probably strongarm enough of his own backbenchers into supporting such a policy. I think he would lose any support he has from the NDP, and that would come back to bite him on some other issue.

If Canada sends troops to Iraq, look for our government to fall soon after.

Sid

[democracy eh]

2. there will never be enough Canadian troops to go to Iraq

a) always be stretched
b) Afganinstan comes first, right now there are only 750 Canadian troops on the ground I think (or lower) but that will likely increase for the next rotation.

Wolfie was whoring for the Admin

[leesa]

3. Come on Canada. Don't play Bush's games. You're better than that!

[Branjor]

4. What is this??

One week Bush visits Canada and the next week Canada is going to deploy troops to Iraq??