Getting a Boost

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has acted decisively in concert with other Western world leaders in determining that it is an imperative to come to the aid of an embattled population whose own government appears intent on solving internal dissent by annihilating its opposition.

In committing Canada to sending along 150 personnel in support of six CF-18 fighter jets to assist in the United Nations' mandated no-fly zone over Libya, he has recognized this country's commitment to its allies and to the protection of a vulnerable population. The UN-mandated no-fly zone is, as Prime Minister Harper stated, effectively an action representing an "act of war".

This is not a decision to be taken lightly. But it is a decision that had to be made. Canada, like the United States and other NATO countries, is already committed and its resources stretched, in its presence in Afghanistan. To commit to yet another conflict in yet another Muslim country with no clear exit strategy nor vision of what the future may bring, is a grave decision.

Made more complex by the global, and Canada's still-weak financial resurgence. Added to which is the very real concern of how the Arab and the Muslim world will view yet another intervention in Arab and Muslim affairs on the part of the Western world. Despite that the Arab League gave its hesitant assent. The African Union has the polar reaction.

We're dealing with an individual and with a regime that will not be satisfied with the mere re-imposition of authority. The nature of this leader and the nature of his regime is they will massacre every single individual they even remotely suspect of disloyalty. This is an intolerable situation", explained Mr. Harper.

Which situation more than adequately explains the decision that had to be made, and made on the side of university morality residing in the UN's R2P. Dragging us yet again into an future-indecipherable morass from which we will be obliged eventually to disengage ourselves. This time, we can hope, without loss of Canadian life.

In the final analysis, Canada's prime minister has demonstrated yet again, his political and humanitarian mettle. Despite which, the Liberal foreign affairs critic, Bob Rae, while indicating that the Liberals had no issue with Canada's participation per se, it will not hesitate in its mission to bring the Conservative-led government down to parliamentary defeat.

In which event, the public will respond, in the polls, by a significant vote for the Prime Minister who has given reason to trust his judgement and that of his ministers.