| Subject: Canada refuses U.S. use of it's sovereign air space |
Author:
Betty
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Date Posted: 06:56:42 02/26/05 Sat
In reply to:
Tammie
's message, "The War" on 08:12:21 03/22/03 Sat
TORONTO -- A day after opting out of the U.S. ballistic missile defense shield, Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin reiterated Friday that Washington must get permission from Ottawa before firing on any incoming missiles over Canada.
"This is our airspace, we're a sovereign nation and you don't intrude on a sovereign nation's airspace without seeking permission," Martin said.
He was responding to comments by departing U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci, whowarned on Thursday that by not signing on to the continental missile shield, Canada was in effect giving up its sovereignty and would be "outside the room" when the United States faced shooting down an incoming missile.
Martin acknowledged that it was the Americans who would ultimately decide whether to shoot down such a missile fired by a terrorist group or rogue state.
Canada decided not to participate in President Bush's plans for a missile defense shield. But it did pledge Wednesday to spend $10.3 billion over five years to beef up its military.
Martin made his as the fallout from Canada's decision to not take part in the development and operation of President Bush's nascent anti-ballistic missile shield continued to roil relations between with Canada.
Relations between the North American neighbors have been deeply strained since Ottawa not only declined to join the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, but condemned it.
Martin reiterated Friday that Canada had reaffirmed its commitment to continental security through NORAD, the joint U.S.-Canadian military operation that monitors and warns of threats to the continent, and by pledging Wednesday to spend $10.3 billion over five years to beef up its military.
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