[R-G] Cabinet shuffle: little change in Harper's war policy (Canada)

[james m nordlund]

Cabinet shuffle indicates little change in Harper's war policy
Gordon O'Connor Removed as Defence Minister, but Shuffle Indicates Little
Change in War Policy

http://ceasefire.ca/

Steven Staples contributed to this news report which aired last night
on CBC TV's The National: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skDyOs20XEw

Dear James M,

Gordon O'Connor is no longer Minister of Defence! The former
Brigadier-General and arms industry lobbyist was shuffled out of his
post yesterday by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

More than 1,000 Ceasefire.ca supporters have written to the Prime
Minister, urging O'Connor's removal - especially after the
revelations about the possible torture of detainees transferred by
Canadian soldiers to Afghan officials.

Now, former foreign affairs minister Peter MacKay takes up the role
as Defence Minister and Maxime Bernier moves into MacKay's old job.

Harper's shuffle yesterday was almost entirely focused on the
unpopular war in Afghanistan, which is dragging the Conservatives
down in the polls.

In MacKay’s appointment, Stephen Harper has chosen someone who has
shown he will toe the party line at any cost.

For instance, Peter MacKay, whose riding is in Nova Scotia, supported
the federal government’s controversial position on the Atlantic
Accord at a time when the region’s Conservative premiers were
urging him to vote against the federal budget.

And as the new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Maxime Bernier’s job
will be to sell the war to Quebeckers.


Harper's clinging to his "Titanic" Afghanistan policy.

Together, the appointments to National Defence and Foreign Affairs
indicate that the Harper government does not intend to alter its
policy on the war. This is a huge mistake.

By passing up an opportunity to change direction on Afghanistan to
increase public support, the appointments of MacKay and Bernier show
that Stephen Harper is climbing out of the lifeboat and back onto the
deck of the Titanic !
When Parliament resumes next month, the main item on the agenda will
be whether to extend Canada's mission beyond the current commitment
which ends in 2009.

Ceasefire.ca will be helping you to make your voice heard by Stephen
Harper, his new ministers, and all of Parliament. This war must end,
and it is up to us.

Best,

Steven Staples

Rideau Institute
and founder of Ceasefire.ca

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