PM adopts softer tone on Mideast conflict

[CHIMO]

CORNWALL, Ont. — Prime Minister Stephen Harper softened his tone on the Middle East Friday in an interview on Quebec television, saying a lot has changed in the three weeks since he called the Israeli attacks on Lebanon a “measured response.”

“We were talking about three weeks ago when Hezbollah took Israeli soldiers hostage, and an initial response,” Mr. Harper told the TVA network in French.

“But now we have a completely different situation from three weeks ago, as I've said many times. We have a full-blown conflict, almost a war. And it's hard to say whether a response is proportional to another. It's a war.

Mr. Harper struck a decidedly different tone in another interview taped Friday for CTV's Question Period, to be aired tomorrow, and at a meeting of the Conservative Party caucus in Cornwall, Ont.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060804.wharper05/BNStory/National/home

Harper remains firm on Mideast crisis, softwood
Last Updated Fri, 04 Aug 2006 22:33:16 EDT
CBC News

Principles not polls will govern how the Conservatives establish policy, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said at a Friday news conference in Cornwall, Ont., when asked about his stance on the Middle East and the softwood lumber agreement.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/08/04/harper-caucus.html

So much for his principles.

So much for his beliefs.

It's all ideology.

Charest calls for immediate ceasefire in Lebanon

Meanwhile, Quebec Premier Jean Charest called Friday for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East.

Mr. Charest said before entering a meeting with his provincial Liberal caucus that his position is similar to that of the G8 member states, including Canada, on July 16.

When asked about Prime Minister Stephen Harper's view that Israel had made a measured response to attacks by Hezbollah, Mr. Charest said it is up to Mr. Harper to explain his comments.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060804.wtoryprot0804/BNStory/Front

So I guess all the Reformers have to take note that Stevie is dancing to Quebec's tune. Now put that in your reform pipe!

[Spazito]

1. Hmmm, I wonder if that couple that quit the Libs because they liked

harper's stance on Israel will still be so complimentary. harper is talking out of the many sides of his mouth, saying one thing to Quebecers, another thing to his caucus and, I bet, yet another version on Question period.

Slimy piece of cow dung that he is, I knew it would only be a matter of time before he would react to his dropping poll numbers by trying to lie his way out of trouble.

[tuvor]

2. Last Harper statement in the G&M article shows his priorities.

"There's not only a lot of lives at stake, there are a lot of long-term strategic interests of this country, and of the world, at stake here."