Council condemns Cellucci's linking of war and Canadian energy

Catholic New Times, April 20, 2003

OTTAWA -- The Council of Canadians strongly condemned the U.S. Ambassador, Paul Cellucci, for raising the spectre of deteriorating U.S.-Canada relations to extract energy concessions from our governments. Cellucci has again called for increased energy integration as he continues to publicly chastise the Canadian position on the unsanctioned attack on Iraq.

Since first publicly censuring Canada for its stance on the Iraqi invasion, the U.S. Ambassador has consistently tied the U.S. disappointment with Canada to a call for greater continental energy integration. In every subsequent speech, Cellucci has used the issue of Canada's lack of involvement n the war to forward his primary agenda, which is securing Canadian rapport for the Bush Energy Plan.

"This is a classic bullying tactic, Cellucci is using threats of a trade backlash because of our anti-war stance, but the implication is that if we hand over our energy, we may still get away without a drubbing," said Anil Naidoo, Campaigner with the Council of Canadians. "It's like we're in fourth grade again: it reflects the new schoolyard subtlety of America's foreign policy. Sadly, it seems to be working on our CEOs who are off on their own "Washington Peace Mission" next week."