Re: National Missile Defense
Some time ago, I sent the Honorable Art Eggleton a mail regarding the proposal in the US for their National Missile Defense (NMD) strategy. I was concerned that Canada would be supporting their disastrous course, and received a reply that Canada had no position as of yet.
Now, however, I have seen it reported that Canada will probably be supporting the NMD proposal. This is alarming.
Before speaking for Canada and Canadians about this vitally important public policy announcement, one must wonder why Canadians aren't being consulted; deciding to support NMD would fly in the face of Canada's traditional support of disarmament, not re-armament. NMD has the very real potential to re-start the Cold War, according to US intelligence.
If America wishes to bolster their defense industry by building a ``shield'' from so-called ``rogue nations'' with weapon systems which don't work, then let them. Canada, like other members of the international community such as Russia and the European Union, should rightly condemn America's breaking of international arms treaties. Instead of offering support, we should offer derision.
A safer world is not made my building more weapons, but by the continued de-commission of current weapons of mass destruction. Russia has made overtures in this direction, and this is where Canada should offer support, especially given the uncertain political and economic conditions there.
The US is currently cuttingfunding which supported the tracking of nuclear arsenals inRussia, and the encouragement of Russian nuclear scientists to notsell their expertise to the very ``rogue nations'' America claims tofear. Why is Canada not condemning *this* action?
``Retro'' may be cool with the kids, but it is certainly not a solidfoundation for foreign policy; Canada should clearly and loudly rejectBush's apparent desire to return to the Cold War era.
Yours,
Mike Warren
Calgary, Alberta
(403) 282-7030
Response from John Manly
From: min.dfaitmaeci [at] dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Subject: A-08558-01 IN REPLY TO YOUR E-MAIL OF MAY 28, 2001
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 11:35:06 -0400
Mr. Mike Warren
mike [at] mike-warren.com
Dear Mr. Warren:
Thank you for your e-mail of May 28, 2001, concerning the United States proposed plans for missile defence.
I agree that the intent of the new US administration to pursue a ballistic missile defence system raises important questions for Canada, as well as for our NATO allies and others. Canada shares many of the concerns of the US and other allies about new threats to both national and global security, including threats from intra-state conflict, from terrorist attacks and from the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. As such, the Canadian government continues to place a high priority on engaging in constructive dialogue with the United States as well as other allies on how best to address these threats, be it through negotiated bilateral and multilateral agreements, diplomatic efforts or some form of missile defence approach.
Any proposed US missile defence system will have implications beyond the US border. Canada, like many of our allies, is concerned about the possible implications for global strategic stability, and about the potential for missile defence to spark a new arms race and undermine the existing non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament regime. Canada believes the US-Russia relationship is key to overall strategic stability and international peace and security. The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty is one embodiment of that relationship. As such, Canada's concern is to ensure that any approach taken in relation to this treaty would maintain the gains of the past 30 years in global strategic stability, arms control and disarmament, and will provide for enhanced international peace and security in future.
President Bush's speech to the National Defense University on May 1 helped clarify a number of issues surrounding his administration's plans for managing the existing security and defence environment, as well as for missile defence. We expect to have a clearer picture of US intentions once the new administration's security and defence reviews have been concluded. In this context, we welcome the President's commitment to consult closely with US allies, including Canada, and with other concerned states such as Russia and China.
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Yours very truly,
John Manley