Harper rejects pleas to raise Khadr's plight with Obama

[struggle4progress]

Source: Toronto Star

Official says talk of accused terrorist not planned as opposition urges return of Gitmo prisoner
Feb 12, 2009 04:30 AM
Tonda MacCharles in Ottawa
Paola Loriggio in Toronto

Prime Minister Stephen Harper does not intend to raise the Omar Khadr file nor does he expect it to be raised by U.S. President Barack Obama next week, a senior government official says.

Obama's office has not yet signed off on an agenda for next Thursday's meeting, which is slated to focus on the economy, and include discussions of energy, the environment and Afghanistan, said Harper spokesperson Kory Teneycke.

Yesterday, Canada's three opposition leaders released an open letter calling on Harper and Obama to act to bring Khadr, 22, back to Canada from the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Harper's office says it has received no indication Obama wants to discuss Khadr, given Obama's appointment of a high-level task force to recommend "the prompt and appropriate disposition" for detainees at Guantanamo ...

Read more: http://www.thestar.com/SpecialSections/OmarKhadr/article/586349

[snake in the grass]

1. Harper really needs to be retired...

...so as to spend more time with his family.

[irislake]

2. He is totally lacking in compassion.

Too bad so many Canadians agree with him. But apparently they are softening.