Peter MacKay has stepped into very treacherous terrain. Earlier this week the federal minister of Defence declared Iran was in some way connected to the export of weapons or other material of war to Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.
Ponder for a moment, that the military effort in Afghanistan is now half a decade old, and yet this is the first time a member of our national government has seriously attempted to make a connection between the formal power structure of Iran and the Taliban.
In MacKay's defence, there is an accepted link between Islamic extremists and the Taliban - and most certainly some of that support has originated within the borders of Iran. But it is far different to link Iran as a nation to the Taliban than to suggest the same link between the Taliban and individual Iranians. Moreover, the timing of the declaration seems a tad suspicious, given the recent revelation by U.S. intelligence that Iran is not - as previously declared with considerable confidence - attempting to develop nuclear weapons.
For several months, the United States has sought a foundation to invade Iran, or at least engage in some form of sabre-rattling against that Mideast nation.
To that end, then, one must wonder if MacKay's sources are our own, or are tainted by U.S. input - and if the latter is true, one must also wonder if that information is accurate.
There has been ample evidence showing that the U.S. will declare as fact that which is not in order to serve its own ends, as per the clearly specious claims of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
MacKay should not allow us to fall into the same trap. Further, we do not need Canada to stand so closely to the United States that we allow our foreign policy to become subsumed to that of our American neighbours.
MacKay ought to first address a long-overdue definition of our military role and objectives in Afghanistan. The continuing failure of the federal government to do so is of far greater importance.
Iran is not our nations problem
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Comments
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- Deb
- - November 18th, 2009
nice town, Ishmael; sounds like Potomkin. I have noticed that the Iranian community is split (two flags used in Canada) and not everyone is to be trusted.
and KB, its all the US's fault? then how do you explain that everywhere on the globe were Islam meets non-Muslim nations, there is violence; Sudan, the Phillipines, Kashmir, Chechnya, Indonesia, Thailand, Western China, Isreal, Lebanon, and increasingly, Western Europe. The US did not create this problem. ignoring it (hiding) will not help.
And the point I was making to Ken is that his moral-relativism (watch too many movies Ken? saying the West is sometimes to blame; according to Hollywood, its always to blame) is weak and vapid and ungrateful. -
- Deb
- - November 18th, 2009
Sean, how many churches are in Iran? How many Christians and Jews are there left? Do you really think that you could go over there and proseletyze? do homosexuals and athiests and alcoholics and bikini-vendors all live blissfully in Iran too? do young students in love get to socialize with MOTOS? Iran is a theocracy, and their version of Islam is a nasty one; they also engage in propaganda, and enjoy useful idoits in the West helping them. I have spent time with Iranians, I have broken bread with Iranians many times, and read extensively; and you?
re the ambassador; he never said there was no such evidence of such weapons, as you report; he said that he didn't know. someone is providing weapons, they are not left over Soviet or American; who do you think has better intellience? who do you think that Afghans are afraid of, us or the Iranians?
obviously made empty accusations? our boys are dying, for a righteous and largely selfless cause, and you attack our foreign minister. The new generations of IEDs are coming from somewhere; stingers took out Soviet helicopters with American help, Islamofascists will get their hardware rfom someone that hates the West, but is not strong wnough to be open about it.
do you know who funds Hezbollah? do you know who murders democratically elected leaders in Lebanon? The fact that we are there is a threat to the Iranian regime; they are not boyscouts (or Americans); blowback was to be expected. -
- Andrew
- - November 18th, 2009
You are approach is very naive. I would call freedom a system where its citizens can actively participate in the legal process and decision making of their countries. So far they decide for us, like it or not. What they sell to you as the free world is a financial system created to make sure the return on the investment is spread between a limited elite group, obviously neither you nor I, since we have time to debate those issues while they enjoy their winter holidays in Aspen :) This system is far from being my ideal. It doesn't mean that not liking this system makes me like everything opposed to this system. I have my own opinions and my own capacity of judgment.
I don't see the widespread of Islam as a treat but more as a result of fecondity. There are a limited group of extremists in every group within the society and they are necessary for the reigning elites in order to justify the actions taken.
My inheritance is my personal concern and i prefer to spend my time enjoying myself and having fun, rather than live in a state of frustration and denial.
Now back to what u forsee as the world in 20 years. It is people like you who create extremism. You ennemy today will be your friend tomorrow if he shares you point of view. But i prefer to have friends who can have different opinions from me otherwise i become a sociopath.
The world can only advance if you are ready to accept that people can think differently. It is not about being right or wrong. It is not about winning or losing. It is about making compromises and learning how to listen to others:)
On GWB. Do i really need to raise the subject ?:D:D:D I think one's global popularity translates his failures and achievements. I let you do the math hhh.
To conclude on martydom, Im not sure how you can know about it sitting in Canada :D Going to the supermarket when its snowing doesn't make you a martyr :D:D The only true martyrs are the palestinians, the weakest state, fighting against the strongest entity. I give them all the due respect but I will never be able to understand their sorrow. -
- Ismael
- - November 18th, 2009
Deb, I was in Iran this summer and I was in a city called Orumiyeh were there was a christian village over looking the city. Muslims are only allowed to travel through the village on saturdays leaving the christians to do and worship as they please without having to wear the traditional muslim dress. And I saw at least two churches and one synagogue in the city, this is in a city of about 600,000. In Tehran there were many more. And this is a country that oppresses christians and jews? Once again you are an ignorant fool.
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- Deb
- - November 18th, 2009
yes, peace on one side; and radical Islam on the other; Andrew, what have you to say about the challenge; come on, moral relativism, smug self-satisfaction, feels good with no risk, tsk tsk; sounds like you like Iran; I think its becasue you don;t understand.
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- Deb
- - November 18th, 2009
AThe point I was making in one of my postst that were erased is that some brave Canadians are fighting so that some people can attack the west from within; some know better, others do not.
Jalal, I'm flattered that you care; but how about denouncing redical Islam instead of me? how about denouncing the insane murderers of B Bhutto. tell the truth about the Iranian regime; not propoganda and lies, Ishmael and Jalal.
Its ok to be gay; say it out loud! its ok to drink! sway it! its not a crime to draw a cartoon of Mohamad, or name a teddy bear after him; say it! women and men are equal; say it! that women should not have to viel; say it! all religions are valid and deserve equality; not repression or dhimmitude: say it! that music and movies should not be prohibited: say it! say that Isreal as a nation has the right to exist; come on!!! say that it is a criminal and cowardly act to kill Canadian soldiers that are in Afghatnistan doing humanitarian and nation-building work; say it!
say some, if not all! come on! or tell me what I have wrong. -
- Sean
- - November 18th, 2009
Deb, there are dozens of churches in Iran.
But your negative opinion of Iran is beside the point.
You are wrong about the Afghan ambassador to Canada, he is cited by CTV news as saying there is no evidence that weapons used by insurgents came from Iran.
Just because weapons are coming from somewhere , as you say, is no reason to point the finger at Iran. Doing so without evidence is irresponsible. If our MoD has evidence, let him present it or describe it as best he can without divulging sensitive material. Otherwise, he should stfu, because he's just making himself appear as a useful parrot for the USA, who certainly has been drumming for war with Iran. -
- Ken
- - November 18th, 2009
Deb, I, and probably most people who read your comments realize you sound so angry. Pay attention to people like Ismael who have first hand experience with Iran and comment like Let's all take a deep breath and see it for what it is by Sean. Please stop this obsession with pushing to war against Iran. West is also capable of wrong doing ...
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- Gord
- - November 19th, 2009
David you people from Ontario have to quit whining about the US, if it wasn't for the US trade oppotunities Ontario would not even have an economy. All you people from Ontario do is whine & complain, always blaming someone else, quite frankly the rest of the country is getting a little tired of you whiney Liberals. If you hate the Americans so much quit doing business with them. Close all the borders, don't export anything to them. Those damm Americans, letting us run a billion dollar trade deficit with them thats not fair.., we will close the borders because the whiney people from Ontario don't like the way they do things that will teach them for being the cause of all our problems... Debs comments have being factual & correct, take note she never once blamed anyone else for our problems with Iran.
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- Deb
- - November 19th, 2009
Ken, ignoring or appeasing will not work.
And there is a difference (albeit not as distinct as most would like) between the Mulsim world, as you call it, and radical Islam.
When they are weak, they will sue for peace; when they are strong, they will not show mercy; and I'm not talking about teh Americans!!
and a mess? Dieppe was a mess, Vimy was a mess, Afganistan is a walk in the park by comparison; but we have changed, not war.
You are a fool and an ingrate to blame the US; the Ayatollas have been at war with the US since at least 1978; sadly for all, including the Iranian people, the US and the West in general lacks the will to win. this will make things worse later on.
Iran is not demonized in teh press; if anything, it is subjected to constant moral relativism, its propoganda accepted, and it's faults excused or ignored, while those of the US are amplified and fixated upon.
And to refer to a Holy war (perhaps you mean Jihad) is also imprecise; because the West is not holy; it is mostly craven, weak, devided, selfish, dwindling, unsure of itself; the West is also the least bad form of government; it is free, it offers hope; it is wrong to refer to a holy war when only one side envokes God (aka god) when killing.
We stand for secularism, for tolerance, sexual and otherwise, for freedom, for multiculturalism, if you will, for equality between the sexes; and something is building, and has been building for years (centuries?) that is inimical to these things; once again, it is not the US! -
- David
- - November 19th, 2009
Deb, I think you need to look at the recent statement made by the Afghan ambassador to Canada who refuted Mackay's claim and said there is no evidence of such weapons. Unfortunately, our PC government is willing to do anything, including the Americans' dirty work ir order to regain the lucrative trade deals (lumber, beef) that have already been made, but now being breached by the Americans.
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- Jalal
- - November 19th, 2009
Dear Deb
I am also an Iranian/Canadian for about 28 year and left iran after revolution so i am not a fan of the regim over there, I am not going to go point to point about your comments because others have already mentioned it to no avail, but almost everthing that you are saying is a total lie, are you living in dreamland?
you have access to internet and these are the kind information you are coming up with.
The only thing that is worst than ignorance is being ignorant of ignorance.
and why are you so hateful toward iranian in particulare and moslems in general.
As it is Xmas time and new year is coming, you should put ((a little love in your heart)) -
- Andrew
- - November 19th, 2009
To Deb:
-There are 73 churches in Iran.
-Hezbollah is an elected political instiution.
-You don't know who killed BB. Might be Pakistan's ISI.
-Iran was the first country ever to fight the talibans.
-There are wild forms of extremism (the talibans) and constitutional forms of extremism (you and GWB). The end result is the same. The widespread of ignorance and hatred.
-You can't impose your point of view by force. Your heaven might be someone else's hell.
-Don't follow your heart please and specially not your mind. They are both dangerous.
-Peace -
- Deb
- - November 19th, 2009
Iran is presently a repressive Islamofascist state, one that represses women and kills people for being athiests, or Jews or Christians, or homosexuals, or for being a Canadian journalist, in the case of Ms Kazemi.
Iran's leader has threatened repeatedly to wipe Isreal off the face of the earth .
The US has rebuilt Japan and Germany, is doing so in Iraq, and fighting the Iranians there; US soldiers are dying, as are our Canadian, and who do you think is helping the Taliban Islamofascists? an Islamofascist neighbour, perhaps? look at a map.
the Western press can attack the US without fear of retribution; but it is not brave or wise or compassionate to do so. Ms Bhutto was just murdered; Pakistan has nuclear weapons already; you reporters have no idea who we (the free world) are up against. -
- ab
- - November 19th, 2009
It is nature of every failure to blame everyone and everything except own foolishness. Westerns media have bombarded Iran since their puppet overthrown by people and they are manipulating the reality to fit their fact and some ignorance accepts the manipulation and looking for someone or something to blame. Iran oppose to the Saddam and Taliban since earliest day that westerns countries supported them and Iran suffer casualty from both evil. There is no justification to blame Iran for your own mistake.
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- Deb
- - November 19th, 2009
Welcome to PA crazy trolls; evil killed Theo Van Gough, kills Canadians in Afghanistan, kills in Sudan, Madrid, London, Bali, Kashmir, New York, the Phillipines, Iran etc...
re the Palistinians; victims of thier own bad government, corruption, and officially induced hatred of Isreal; and evil kills in Hamasastan, Gaza.
And funny Ishmneal and Jalal never accepted my challenge! -
- Ismael
- - November 19th, 2009
Deb, let me set some things straight for you. Iran is the Shiite powerhouse of the middle east and is abhorred by most of the Sunni nations around it because of it's Shiite religeous veiws. Al-Quida and the Taliban Are devoutly Sunni and hate Iran. Iran almost went to war with Afghanistan which was under Taliban control in 1999 because the Taliban was shipping massive amounts of drugs into Iran and repeatedly attacking and killing Iranian border troops, a process that is still going on. The only Sunni groups that Iran supports are the Palestinian resistance groups, not the Taliban and Al-Quida. As for the wiping Israel off the map quote, it is completely wrong and has been used to intentionally misquote Ahmadinijad. How do I know this? I am Iranian and speak fluent Farci. I have seen this particular speach in question many times and not once did I hear the man say wipe Israel off the map. What he did say was that the chapter of the Israeli regime should be torn from the pages of history . This is directed to the Isreali regime and not it's people or the country. Israel constsntly threatens Iran and Iran has no choice but to threaten them back. I suggest that you do your homework before you start talking out your behind. You sound like an idiot.
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- Deb
- - November 20th, 2009
David, provide a link; here's a link to McKays comments:
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/12/25/mackay-afghanistan.html
I'm sure the CBC would love to report the comments you attribute to the Afghan ambassador.
This has nothing to do with a trade dispute between democracies, nothing to do with your interpretation of those disputes, but has something to do with our (Canadian) support for democracy and human rights and self-preservation of our soldiers and some principals that define us. -
- Sean
- - November 20th, 2009
And in response, Deb asks for a link.
It's not surprising she wouldn't be aware of this development. I get the sense she ignores whatever is not convenient to her narrow bias.
Here's a link Deb:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071226/afghan_ambassador_071226/20071226?hub=Canada
No doubt you'll dismiss that ambassador as an Islamic-extremist.
Obviously Minister Mackay got caught making empty accusations. -
- Ali
- - November 20th, 2009
Let me set things straight for the people who defend the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Right now you are enjoying democracy in Canada, you can express yourself freely and surely about anything you want. You have soldiers fighting for a right cause. Why? Because of what you stand for, your duty towards mankind. You can enjoy all forms of freedom as long as it doesn't break the law that are approved by your people, you can also change them if required..
That is part of democracy..
Then you have Iran. Leaders that deny women the very basic rights they should have. Leaders who without any exaguration values them half compared to men. Leaders who masskilled political opponents only for their views (over 300 000) and still does.
Leaders who believe a muslim savior (Mahdi) will come to clean the world from infidels once and for all. The list can go on for a while and their Sharia law as well.
There might be churches and synagoges in Iran. However, all of them are strictly under supervision and if they would be enjoying exactly the same rights as Iranians there would still be around one million jews left in the country as of just 25 000 today. Can you guess what would happen if a muslim would convert to Christianity? Please keep defending Islam my muslim friends...
I visit the country regurarly and I have witnessed women being beaten up by their patrols only for showing to much hair.
As bizzare as it sounds, that is the reality of Iranians and the ideology of leaders pursuing their chase for the deadliest weapon of all time.
I dont want to offend peoples intellect but it amazes me that Iranians who fled the country actually can find ways to defend this regime.
I leave all you all with a question.
How do you convince Islamic fundamentalist leaders to give up their brutal power and let people decide their own fate?
Respectfully,
Al -
- Gord
- - November 20th, 2009
I can assure you as long as we are in NATO Iran is most certianly our problem. How can it not be our problem if they are supplying the weapons killing ours and other NATO serviceman. Ken has to get his head out of the sand, we have been in a war with extremist Muslims for years and as long is there is a western world we will be targeted by these extremist factions.
Ken has the typical central Canadian attitude of blaming everything on the US that is just a cop out. If you think you can negotiate with people that believe you should kill a person for naming a Teddy bear Mohamed and have zero tolerance for Christains & jews whom they refer as infodels then you are gravely mistaken....of course Iran is our problem.. -
- KB
- - November 20th, 2009
If the US and former Soviet Union had not backed different adversaries during the 60's, 70's and 80's, and let nature run its course, things would have long ago been settled in the Middle East. It was the US's own foreign policy that inevitably led to them being in the crosshairs of Islamic extremists. Hopefully we don't follow suit and end up with a bullseye painted on us.
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- Sean
- - November 20th, 2009
Deb from PA, you are ignorrant of the geo-political realities over there.
To suggest that Iran is helping the Taliban is to not understand the situation on multiple levels.
As well, Jews & Christians live peacefully in Iran, so you're accusation that Iran kills Jews & Christians is nonsense.
Peter Mackay is aping garbage for his US friends. Let's all take a deep breath and see it for what it is. -
- Gord
- - November 20th, 2009
Sean with all due respect to your insight on this issue but when IED's are pulled from the ground from tha Afghan desert that are clearly products made in Iran it becomes most difficult to exclude them as the source. You also cannot honestly expect small tribal conflicts along the border to be construed as war between two countries. And for you to make the statement as if you actually know that Iran is not helping the Taliban is quite frankly galactically idiotic... talk about not understanding the issue on multiple levels, its astonishing you have the gall to jump up on your hind legs and accuse Deb of being narrow minded and call her ignorant. Your comments here only echo your shallow hatred towards the US who's skirt people like you you will quickly hide behind when the going gets tough. My advice to you is make a post from the perspective of not hating the US who BTW is our greatest ally and trading partner.
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- Ken
- - November 20th, 2009
Deb, the moment Western nations started following US policies starting in Afghanestan, we should have expected this mess we are currently in. Iran can't be any more demonized than was it is in Western media. If West want to go ahead and continue this saber rattling with Iran, we may as well prepare for a holy war with Muslim world. And if that is indeed your intention, what don't you just say it. Are you a warmonger?
