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Question 5: SecurityHow does the military best serve Canada’s foreign policy objectives:
though national and continental defence; combat missions in support of international
coalitions; peacekeeping; all of the above?
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| Contributor: | CCIC |
| Date: |
2003-05-01 21:13:39 |
| Answer: |
Canada’s foreign policy objectives and values are clearly best served through peace-building and peacekeeping initiatives within the realm of multilateral fora such as the United Nations. This traditional role should be strengthened and funded accordingly.
Canadian foreign policy has, in the tradition strongly influenced by Lester B. Pearson, positioned the armed forces as “honest brokers” between two opposing sides when participating in international peacekeeping efforts. Canada, in historic and geopolitical terms, is uniquely positioned for peace- building and peacekeeping work.
Yet since the first Gulf War, Canada through participation in U.S. and NATO led military ventures has placed its armed forces in both potential and real conflicts of interest. This conflict of interest is both logistical and moral and can be summed up as follows: How can Canada having participated in combat missions led by the United States or NATO, then assume the role of a “neutral” party in a United Nations peacekeeping effort involving the same conflict? The short answer is that the Canadian military cannot be a credible peacekeeping force if Canadian foreign policy is inconsistent on Canada’s role in armed conflict outside its borders.
CCIC commends the Government of Canada’s decision not to participate in the recent war against Iraq. This is a return to Canada’s more traditional role and we welcome it.
Canada has had and can continue to have a significant influence in how peace-building and peacekeeping objectives are realized in international fora. Conversely, Canada’s influence when participating in combat coalitions is extremely limited.
Peacekeeping and peace-building involve not only participating in international missions, but ensuring that Canada’s foreign policy mandate supports through the UN and other multilateral bodies, a range of disarmament initiatives including nuclear non-proliferation, nuclear disarmament and the abolition of weapons of mass destruction. Especially in light of recent nuclear tensions, Canada should stop exporting nuclear technology including CANDU reactors.
Recommendations in response to Question 5
1. Strengthen and fund accordingly peace-building and peacekeeping initiatives within the realm of multilateral fora such as the United Nations.
2. Implement a common security defence policy, focusing Canadian military forces on international peacekeeping, domestic emergencies and coastal patrol.
3. Support peace-building, nuclear and small arms disarmament and military conversion.
4. Support, through the UN and other multilateral bodies, disarmament initiatives such as nuclear non-proliferation, nuclear disarmament and the abolition of weapons of mass destruction.
5. End export of non-medical nuclear technology, including CANDU reactors.
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