"Canada’s Position on the Use of Force Internationally (1)"

Major-General Andrew Leslie, Couchiching Summer Conference, August 2005

An interesting speech, part of a conference entitled "Handcuffs and Hand Grenades: The Use of Force Within and Between Nations", on the threats of the future, and how Canada's government and military can respond.

"Canadians, both uniformed and civilian, have historically proven themselves to be particularly good at the sorts of complex and dangerous stabilization missions that require superbly trained and robust ‘boots on the ground.’ In the absence of almost unlimited funding, it would seem to make sense to focus on an activity at which the nation excels, and for which there is an ever increasing demand." Link

"Canada’s Position on the Use of Force Internationally (2)"

Paul Heinbecker, Director of the Centre for Global Relations, Governance and Policy at Wilfrid Laurier University, Couchiching Summer Conference, August 2005

How the heck do we go our own way, while still backing our neighbour to the south?

"So, in acquitting ourselves of our responsibilities for defending North America in partnership with the US, we need to do everything reasonably possible to help safeguard American homeland security, and we need to do nothing to undermine our capacity to act, and be seen to act, independently abroad." LLink

(Posted 13 Aug 05)