Canadian deaths provide grim postscript to G8 statement

[tuvor]

ST PETERSBURG, Russia, July 16 (Reuters) - Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper had barely finished praising a Middle East statement he had crafted with other world leaders when news emerged of Canadian deaths in an Israeli strike in Lebanon.

(snip)

The deaths were especially poignant in light of the fact that Harper, who was elected in January, had qualified Israel's response as measured and as self-defence, when he was flying towards the G8 summit on Thursday.

Harper's predecessor, Liberal Paul Martin, had begun to shift Canada away from wholesale criticism of Israel. But Harper's remarks were seen by commentators as striking in their absence of criticism of Israel. The G8 statement did refer to Israel's right to defend itself, but Harper would not answer reporters' questions about whether his assessment of Israel's actions still stood on Sunday.

Demonstrators on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sunday protested Harper's policy, one placard declaring: "Killing children is not a 'measured response'."

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L16105830.htm

[Spazito]

1. Oh, doncha just "love" this tidbit...

"Harper would not answer reporters' questions about whether his assessment of Israel's actions still stood on Sunday."

Friggin chicken-shit, guess he hasn't got the memo from the bush admin on what to say yet. Geez, I despise that man and his government, despise it.

[daleo]

2. I can't recall Canada ever being that critical of Israel

"Harper's predecessor, Liberal Paul Martin, had begun to shift Canada away from wholesale criticism of Israel."

That's just incorrect.

"The G8 statement did refer to Israel's right to defend itself, but Harper would not answer reporters' questions about whether his assessment of Israel's actions still stood on Sunday."

And PM that won't condemn the killing of his own citizens by a foreign country isn't going to be PM for long.

[CHIMO]

3. Sounds

Like Stevie is going to have to make a visit to Rome. He hasn't even had the 22nd involved in Afghanistan yet!

And my gosh, the lumber interests are being so unpatriotic.

Bloody...

Had to censure my thoughts.