Harper, in response to the comments made by Condoleezza Rice today, stated that he was encouraged by them. Why?All she said is that the US didn't communicate well with the Canadians. That could mean anything from they didn't make their case clear, they didn't tell Canadian officials or they basically did not care what Canada thought.
What is new about that? What is encouraging about that? From Arar's perspective, I can understand that he would be pleased that Rice has finally said something but the Canadian Government has no reason to be encouraged. Indeed, the Canadian Government already knew that. They signed a deal, with the US, (with Bill Graham), that said in the future they would notify Canada if they were deporting a citizen. Isn't that comforting? I've no doubt it is the best that Graham could hope to achieve at the time, but time has moved on.
It's quite clear that the US has an interest in continuing to believe that Arar is either a terrorist or associated with terrorism. It certainly tells us that they are prepared to accept faulty evidence over fact and furthermore, they know that their evidence will not hold up to scrutiny . Think about that for a second and think of all the measures that have been put in place to limit a fair trial in that country, let alone access to information in the US.
It also should give us pause here in this country. While I'll say that our system has proved more transparent, with new legislation being brought back by the con's, there is reason to be concerned.
For Harper to say he is encouraged, tells me they are past this issue and have no interest in pursuing it further. Apparently there was a meeting with US Ambassador Wilkins today and this was not mentioned.
Given that we will all be subject to our personal information being given to the US when we fly certain routes over the US, we should not find comfort here. Our Government has been unable to convince the US of anything, even the protection of our Charter rights. Given the apparently low threshold of evidence required by the paranoid government in the US, our Government is not doing enough.
8 comments:
He continues to get a free ride on what he said and did in the past- as tho the PM hat suddenly made him generous and wise, at least in the media's eyes.
How can someone go from such extremes, from declaring in parliament that a Canadian illegally shipped overseas for torture and that the gov't that tries to defend him is 'friends of terrorists' to be the so-called beacon of social justice and a defender of Canadians' rights and freedoms?
I'm completely gobsmacked by that fact.
Someday someone in the MsM will wake up to this faux wallpapering of this small-minded defacto dictator...
Burl: Someday someone in the MsM will wake up to this faux wallpapering of this small-minded defacto dictator
Will we live long enough to see that?
If I'm a giggly old dame in a wheel chair, I hope so.
What Rice said meant absolutely nothing and they will never apologize or take him off the list.
What is encouraging about that? From Arar's perspective, I can understand that he would be pleased that Rice has finally said something but the Canadian Government has no reason to be encouraged.
Good for you nailing Harper on saying this was "encouraging". He doesn't know of what he speaks. Except that out of Arar's very own mouth the same day came the same words: Arar said in a statement that he is pleased that the U.S. administration has taken the encouraging step of acknowledging that my case was mishandled.
I guess both Harper and Arar are clueless since they both found Rice's words "encouraging". Good thing you are here to set them both straight.
Silly anon@12:18, you completely miss the point.
Of course Arar and his legal team are encouraged that the hearings in the US have finally pushed Rice and the Bush administration to say something,anything on the issue. It goes to their future litigation of the US Gov't.
Harper on the other hand has a duty to push further. He has a duty, at a minimum, to confront the US for more information, request a apology and have him deleted from the no fly list.
Perhaps he still believes he's a terrorist as he and his Party stated in the past. Perhaps you do too.
Perhaps he still believes he's a terrorist as he and his Party stated in the past. Perhaps you do too.
You are too dense. Harper paid him compensation. Harper apologized to him on behalf of Canada. Still the best you can come up with is another lame snipe against Harper? If you have indeed emptied out your pool for the winter, you should take a hearty dive into it.
Charming...you'd prefer me dead than have a chance to speak my voice.
Typical Con.
Thankfully, we believe in free speech. You don't even think it's necessary in the caucus you support.
Gawd, you just wished me dead.
Who are you people?
Gawd, you just wished me dead.
Who are you people?
Get over yourself.
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