Canadians want to ensure foreign policy is developed with Canadian values

[Spazito]

OTTAWA - Public support for Canada's military involvement in Afghanistan will be affected by a complex interplay of issues, from events in Lebanon to how Canadians feel about Prime Minister Stephen Harper, say pollsters.

Bruce Anderson of Decima Research said the challenges the government is facing are broader than Afghanistan.

Foreign policy has emerged as a more significant set of risks for this government, he said. At first, Canadians liked the idea of participating in the war on terror. Since then, many Canadians have lost faith in the way the United States has proceeded, including the war in Iraq.

"They approach the idea with a foot on the gas and a foot on the brake," said Anderson. There is also increasing pressure to illustrate that there has been progress in the mission in Afghanistan and it has been hard to assess those achievements.

more

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=cba4c8be-38b8-4b25-9b29-cda125dfdc8b&k=60179

(Interesting read, some protection of harper but, overall, a good analysis, imo)

[CHIMO]

1. Liberals demand Tories call for immediate Mideast ceasefire

Liberals demand Tories call for immediate Mideast ceasefire
Last Updated Fri, 04 Aug 2006 13:12:59 EDT
CBC News

The Tories must demand an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, the Liberal foreign affairs critic said Friday, warning more civilians will die unless the humanitarian crisis in the region isn't resolved.

"We, in the Official Opposition, demand that the Conservative government engage in pursuing and supporting a ceasefire immediately in the area, " Keith Martin said.

The Harper government has resisted calls for an immediate ceasefire, saying any agreement to halt hostilities between Israel and Lebanese-based Hezbollah militants must be a lasting one.

Martin, who just returned from meeting humanitarian officials in Geneva, said Harper's current Middle East policy is out of step with the opinion of most Canadians and is not enhancing Canada's reputation internationally.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/08/04/martin-lebanon.html

Now here's an election call Stevie.

[Spazito]

2. LOL, any bets on him making a vote on Canada's position re

the current Middle East crisis a confidence vote? I think I can make book on it that he will avoid any vote, period, and if he can't, it sure won't be a confidence vote.