Canada won't join U.S. missile defense system

0 Comments | Asian Political News, Feb 28, 2005

NEW YORK, Feb. 24 Kyodo

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin announced Thursday Canada will not participate in the U.S. ballistic missile defense system.

Martin said in a statement that the Canadian government made the decision after ''an extensive discussion'' about the U.S. initiative.

''It is in respect of that discussion that we are announcing today that Canada will not take part in the proposed ballistic missile defense system,'' he said. ''Ballistic missile defense is not where we will concentrate our efforts.''

The prime minister said Canada will act -- both alone and with its neighbors -- on defense priorities including strengthening the security of the common border, bolstering security at points of entry and increasing support for intelligence.

Martin said Canada's strong defense ties with the United States remain unchanged.

''Canada remains steadfast in its support of NORAD, which is essential to continental security and our national sovereignty,'' he said, referring to the North American Aerospace Defense Command. ''That's why we agreed last summer to enhance our longstanding commitment to track missiles through NORAD. We stand by that commitment.''

Martin also tried to minimize a potential diplomatic fallout from Canada's latest decision by pointing to areas of mutual interests, including the war on terrorism, the Middle East peace process and Iraq's democratization.

''We are also collaborating on efforts to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons to powers such as Iran,'' he added.