Canada extends its Participation in the NATO-led War on Libya

By Global Research
Global Research, June 15, 2011
Xinhua News Agency 15 June 2011
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-Lewis MacKenzie, a former major-general with the Canadian Forces, said Canada’s goals in Libya have become murky since the mission began in February.

The objective has shifted from protecting civilians to an all-out war against Gadhafi and his supporters, MacKenzie said in an interview with local media.

MacKenzie told CTV’s Power Play Tuesday evening that continued bombing is only going to have negative impacts, such as destroying infrastructure, and won’t help secure a peaceful future in Libya.

OTTAWA: As a result of a day-long debate, the House of Commons Tuesday overwhelmingly voted to extend Canada’s participation in the NATO-led mission in Libya by three-and-a-half months.

The Conservative government’s resolution passed by a vote of 294-1, with Green Party Leader Elizabeth May being the lone member of parliament to vote against.

May said she was against giving “a blank cheque to a mission that doesn’t have an exit strategy.”

May, the only Green MP in Commons, said she was in favor of the original humanitarian mission, but does not support the shift toward a military mission to depose Gadhafi.

Canada has deployed about 650 armed personnel, assisted by CF-18 Hornet jet fighters and a Navy destroyer, working to enforce the no-fly zone as part of a NATO mission…

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said the mission isn’t over yet…
 
The vote came hours after Baird announced that the Canadian government is officially recognizing the National Transitional Council of Libya as the legitimate representative of Libyan citizens.

“Canada is embarking on an enhanced engagement strategy with the National Transitional Council of Libya,” Baird said, adding that Canada will provide governance expertise to the council.

The policy echoes similar announcements from Germany and Australia in recent days…

Lewis MacKenzie, a former major-general with the Canadian Forces, said Canada’s goals in Libya have become murky since the mission began in February.

The objective has shifted from protecting civilians to an all-out war against Gadhafi and his supporters, MacKenzie said in an interview with local media.

MacKenzie told CTV’s Power Play Tuesday evening that continued bombing is only going to have negative impacts, such as destroying infrastructure, and won’t help secure a peaceful future in Libya.

Articles by: Global Research

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