CBC News PM says 'it's possible' Canadian soldiers in Iraq.htm

[Don Mac Lean]

Title: CBC News: PM says 'it's possible' Canadian soldiers in Iraq

PM says 'it's possible' Canadian soldiers in Iraq Last Updated Thu, 27 Mar 2003 21:55:23 OTTAWA - Ottawa now admits that some Canadian soldiers are in Iraq, even though Canada refused to join the U.S.-led war against Saddam Hussein. INDEPTH: Iraq: Canada's Perspective Thirty-one Canadians are with U.S. and British troops in the Gulf as part of a military exchange, and a British army officer told CBC News that some of the Canadians are in combat. Canadian troops in Afghanistan But the prime minister continues to deny any Canadians are directly involved in the fighting. For days the federal government has refused to disclose any information about the Canadian soldiers in the Gulf. On Thursday, Bloc Qu�b�cois Leader Gilles Duceppe asked the prime minister to finally admit that having soldiers alongside coalition troops is the same thing as formally entering the war against Iraq. Prime Minister Chr�tien says Canada isn't at war with Iraq. But he conceded that some Canadian soldiers could be with U.S. and British troops inside the country. "It's possible," he said, "but they are not in combat roles." But Lieut.-Col. Ronnie McCourt told CBC News, in an interview at command headquarters in Doha, Qatar, that some Canadians are in the front lines. "They are in combat," he said, "and there's always a risk there." Duceppe says five U.S. soldiers captured in Iraq were assigned to maintenance units. He says it's ludicrous to suggest that the Canadian soldiers in the region aren't involved. "When you are at war, you are at war. If you're in maintenance, or if you're in combat directly." NDP Leader Jack Layton says having even some soldiers in combat means Canada is at war, in violation of its stated policy. "They've told us that we're not involved. The House of Commons adopted a motion saying we're not to be involved. Now it's clear that we are involved. It's outrageous," he said. The New Democrats are demanding that Defence Minister John McCallum be held in contempt of Parliament unless he discloses where the soldiers are. McCallum has refused. The federal government is apparently prepared to accept the risk that some of its soldiers could be killed or captured, in a war that Canada refused to join. Written by CBC News Online staff H e a d l i n e s : C a n a d a Ontario issues new orders: 'We're not taking any chances with SARS' SARS outbreak may lead to airport screenings PM says 'it's possible' Canadian soldiers in Iraq Cellucci was delivering message from White House Report recommends virtual shutdown of northern cod fishery Ontario budget opens purse for seniors, students Newfoundland budget: spending up, higher sin taxes, bigger deficit Nova Scotia throne speech promises more spending Report clears pilots in Swissair crash MacKay takes early lead in Tory race Terms of Use | Privacy | Copyright | Other Policies Copyright � CBC 2003 VIDEO: Eric Sorensen reports for CBC TV (Runs 2:25) AUDIO: Chris Hall reports for CBC Radio (Runs 2:00)  RealVideo  Quicktime  RealAudio Download Players MILITARY MOVEMENTS: Latest troop deployments Text Version KURDS: FORGOTTEN PEOPLE? The fifth estate investigates PHOTOGALLERY: Residential damage in Raghiba Khatoon ISSUES AND ANALYSIS: Psychological operations WebOne Feature ISSUES & ANALYSIS: Legalities of War REALITY CHECK: Saddam's fedayeen CANADIAN VIEWS: A Canadian view of the Iraq war from Turkey ISSUES & ANALYSIS: Post-Saddam Iraq AMERICAN VOICES: Talking to U.S. citizens about the war ISSUES & ANALYSIS: War and the Mood of America ARMED FORCES: Military Terms PRISONERS OF WAR: PoWs and unlawful combatants A CANADIAN IN KUWAIT: Friends and family will call me crazy MAPS AND INTERACTIVES: Stages of an attack IRAQI FORCES: What's left after the last war 3 EXILES: Uncertain times for Iraqi-Canadians CHILDREN AND WAR: Dealing with the issues IRAQI REFUGEES: The inevitable humanitarian disaster of war MILITARY STRATEGY: The Buildup TAKING IT TO THE STREETS: The pros and cons of fighting an urban war KEY FIGURES: Profiles of Iraq and U.S. senior players SADDAM'S DECISION: Fight or flight? Notable leaders who have lived in exile WRITE TO US: Send your comments to [EMAIL PROTECTED] JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Share your thoughts on this and other news stories! Email This Story Printable Version