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Canada Would Consider Basing U.S. Missile Interceptors
Canada has not ruled out the possibility of allowing the United States to deploy missile interceptors on Canadian territory, Canadian Defense Minister David Pratt said Sunday, although he acknowledged that the United States has not made such a request (see GSN, Jan. 16). “We do not know at this point” what the United States is planning, he told the House of Commons. The United States has not yet requested money or territory for missile defense efforts, said James Wright, assistant deputy minister for global and security policy at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. “We have not been presented with a bill,” Wright said. “We have not been presented with a wish-list of Canadian territory,” he said (Graham Fraser, Toronto Star, Feb. 24). Canadian lawmakers are scheduled to vote today on a motion calling on Canada to end missile defense talks with the United States. The nonbinding motion says that “the government should oppose the proposed American antimissile defense shield and, therefore, cease all discussions with the Bush administration on possible Canadian participation” (Fraser, Toronto Star). “Now he [Pratt] tells us he may approve American-controlled missile bases on Canadian soil,” said lawmaker Alexa McDonough. “This flies in the face of Canadian independence and Canadian values,” McDonough said (CBC News, Feb. 23). Australia to Upgrade RadarMeanwhile, Australia is set to spend almost $50 million to upgrade a radar network that could serve as Canberra’s contribution to U.S. missile defense efforts, according to SBS.com (see GSN, Jan 16; SBS.com, Feb. 24).
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