EvanL
07-21-2004, 11:39 AM
Graham shifted from foreign affairs
Missile shield, helicopters top agenda
BRUCE CAMPION-SMITH
OTTAWA BUREAU
OTTAWA—Has Paul Martin swapped a hawk for a dove to head Canada's fighting forces?
Bill Graham made the jump yesterday from the foreign affairs department to national defence, replacing David Pratt, who had expressed support for the war in Iraq and was a fan of joining the controversial U.S.-led missile defence program.
With his background in foreign affairs, military analysts are wondering whether Graham's appointment will mean an emphasis on diplomacy rather than defence when it comes to deciding Canada's role in helping to resolve international crises.
"I think there will be some differences there," said Martin Shadwick, political science professor at York University. "The two departments do have different ways of viewing the world."
But on the first big defence question to confront the Liberals — the decision whether to join the missile defence project — Graham has repeatedly argued that Canada opts out at its own peril.
U.S. officials have been pushing Ottawa to make a decision but NDP Leader Jack Layton has called on the Liberals to hold off until the issues can be debated in the House of Commons, which doesn't resume sitting until Oct. 4.
But despite Layton's plea, there's wide speculation that Canadian participation is a near certainty with the formal announcement expected sometime over the summer.
Another top priority facing Graham in his new portfolio will be finalizing the choice of a new maritime helicopter to replace the aging fleet of Sea King choppers, which at times are barely airworthy. Word is an announcement will come before the end of the month.
As well, during the election, Martin promised more money for armed forces peacekeeping; 5,000 more regular troops and 3,000 more reserves.
And in an April speech to troops at CFB Gagetown, Martin vowed to transform underfunded Canadian troops into a well-equipped, modern, mobile security and defence force — a pledge that falls to Graham to make happen.
Analysts were quick to credit Graham's strong showing in foreign affairs, saying it will give him a running start on the big issues facing the defence department. And he'll be familiar with global hot spots, such as Afghanistan and Haiti, where Canadians troops have helped keep the peace.
"It's not as if a complete neophyte has landed in defence," Shadwick said. "Some of the issues that he's going to confront were both foreign and defence policy issues anyway."
Despite a strong performance leading foreign affairs, Graham was shuffled aside to make room for Pierre Pettigrew, the former health minister, who has long coveted the position.
While Graham was reportedly not happy at being moved, "he's a team player. He did what was asked," one government official said of his agreement to make the jump.
Yesterday, Pettigrew said it's almost as if he's spent 30 years of his life preparing for the job that was handed him.
"This is the very subject, international relations, that I went to study 30 years ago at Oxford University," he said
Missile shield, helicopters top agenda
BRUCE CAMPION-SMITH
OTTAWA BUREAU
OTTAWA—Has Paul Martin swapped a hawk for a dove to head Canada's fighting forces?
Bill Graham made the jump yesterday from the foreign affairs department to national defence, replacing David Pratt, who had expressed support for the war in Iraq and was a fan of joining the controversial U.S.-led missile defence program.
With his background in foreign affairs, military analysts are wondering whether Graham's appointment will mean an emphasis on diplomacy rather than defence when it comes to deciding Canada's role in helping to resolve international crises.
"I think there will be some differences there," said Martin Shadwick, political science professor at York University. "The two departments do have different ways of viewing the world."
But on the first big defence question to confront the Liberals — the decision whether to join the missile defence project — Graham has repeatedly argued that Canada opts out at its own peril.
U.S. officials have been pushing Ottawa to make a decision but NDP Leader Jack Layton has called on the Liberals to hold off until the issues can be debated in the House of Commons, which doesn't resume sitting until Oct. 4.
But despite Layton's plea, there's wide speculation that Canadian participation is a near certainty with the formal announcement expected sometime over the summer.
Another top priority facing Graham in his new portfolio will be finalizing the choice of a new maritime helicopter to replace the aging fleet of Sea King choppers, which at times are barely airworthy. Word is an announcement will come before the end of the month.
As well, during the election, Martin promised more money for armed forces peacekeeping; 5,000 more regular troops and 3,000 more reserves.
And in an April speech to troops at CFB Gagetown, Martin vowed to transform underfunded Canadian troops into a well-equipped, modern, mobile security and defence force — a pledge that falls to Graham to make happen.
Analysts were quick to credit Graham's strong showing in foreign affairs, saying it will give him a running start on the big issues facing the defence department. And he'll be familiar with global hot spots, such as Afghanistan and Haiti, where Canadians troops have helped keep the peace.
"It's not as if a complete neophyte has landed in defence," Shadwick said. "Some of the issues that he's going to confront were both foreign and defence policy issues anyway."
Despite a strong performance leading foreign affairs, Graham was shuffled aside to make room for Pierre Pettigrew, the former health minister, who has long coveted the position.
While Graham was reportedly not happy at being moved, "he's a team player. He did what was asked," one government official said of his agreement to make the jump.
Yesterday, Pettigrew said it's almost as if he's spent 30 years of his life preparing for the job that was handed him.
"This is the very subject, international relations, that I went to study 30 years ago at Oxford University," he said