While the Janjaweed Throw Deadly Spears, Paul Martin Throws a Ditherer's Desperate $$$ & Diplomatic Support to the African Union in Darfur

There is an update post below this first section with the PM's latest on what he is so concerned about in Darfur, Sudan, and what he is planning.

Dithering, desperate, dangerous, distressed and probably depressed, Paul Martin faced the mainstream news media outside the House of Commons at noon, avoiding the topic of the day. Instead of discussing the topic uppermost in democratically-challenged Canada, that is, the fractured Canadian Parliament inside the House, PM had obviously flailed around to find a way to get a vote from David Kilgour.

Diverting attention from the House, in facing the mainstream media, Paul Martin hid behind discussing the atrocities in Darfur. Buttressed by Senator Mobina Jaffer, Senator Romeo Dallaire (General's book "Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda") and supported by Canada's Ambassador to the African Union, the PM talked of Canada's newly-discovered need to do something about the atrocity in Darfur. Belatedly, he decided to take action by sending aid to the African Union in southern Sudan.

Desperately seeking David Kilgour's one vote to cling to power, Paul Martin stated--promised is too ephemeral a word for this man and his government--that he would do the following:

* PM will provide, maybe--up to--100 troops--sorry, "military experts"

* In the interest of "achieving peace in Darfur", PM promised that he would be "investing"--which always means spending Canadians' tax money--$170-MILLION, atop the $90-MILLION he promised previously in April. Remember, PM's promises are like blowing kisses--virtually meaningless--though they may garner votes. Have you forgotten his pre-election promises last year?

* Democratic deficit?

* Universal day care promised by JC in 1993 and now, in 2005, PM is promising ANYTHING to cling to his precipice--as long as it doesn't help stay-at-home-mothers. [They might teach their children something about God, independence from government and not trusting Big Brother.]

* Get to the bottom of the Sponsorship / ADSCAM / Liberal Slush Fund Scandal? He desperately wants it to end before more is revealed.

* PM announced that this forced initiative would be $$$ spread over two years--will it be backloaded? Note that the UN has not sent in a military force; to PM it is acceptable to take unilateral action when he needs votes.

* This is not a US endeavour, so sending troops to Darfur without the UN imprimatur is now ethically acceptable to this ethically-challenged government; no US to bash in this action.

* Remember the $$$ Paul Martin promised to the tsunami victims? It never got to the recipients in Sri Lanka, and possibly other places. CIDA connection? (Check Canada Free Press) Is it possible some had to go to supporting Jack Layton's socialist agenda?

* Some of these troops will be slated to provide diplomatic support to the African Union in the south of Sudan.

* How do you suppose our troops will fare? Yesterday, I read somewhere that the place is so dangerous that it is folly to send in 60 troops (yesterday's promise) so how will upping the ante to 100 make any difference? In an area the size of France?

Paul Martin--suffering the loss of confidence of the House of Commons--is demeaning himself and the office of Prime Minister with this weeks's giveaways--BILLIONS to buy votes--and now, this painfully obvious degrading display of debased dignity.

Is it possible Paul Martin has even more massive "interests" to protect than Canadians know? What is causing him to act in such an undignified manner?




Update: A new press release has emanated from the PMO with caring and details. (thanks to a friend for this).

Prime Minister Paul Martin today announced that Canada is significantly increasing its contribution in Darfur to support international efforts toward peace and stability in Sudan. This pledge includes up to $198 million for more humanitarian aid and increased support for the African Union (AU) Mission in Sudan (AMIS), as well as the creation of a special advisory team to coordinate and promote Canada’s initiatives on the ground.

“I remain deeply and personally concerned about . . . . .

Canada intends to increase its engagement in three areas:

• Nearly $170 million in military and technical assistance to the AU to strengthen its capacity to fulfill its mandate. The contribution includes a renewed commitment and expansion of Canada’s helicopter support, other leased aircraft and a variety of additional Canadian military support, including strategic planning experts, in response to specific needs identified by the AU.

• $28 million out of the total $90 million announced at the April 2005 Oslo Donors' Conference, in further humanitarian and peace support in Darfur and Chad through UN agencies.

• Enhanced diplomatic support for the AU-led mediation, to achieve a peaceful solution to the conflict in Darfur.

Prime Minister Martin has asked the Prime Minister’s Personal Representative for Africa Ambassador Robert Fowler, Canada’s Special Envoy for Peace in Sudan Senator Mobina Jaffer, and Senator Roméo Dallaire to focus Canada’s efforts and resources in Darfur.

“The advisory team, led by Ambassador Fowler, will report directly to me, and will work with the Sudanese government, the AU and the international community to support the peace process in Darfur,” added the Prime Minister.

The enhanced AMIS is designed to increase stability in Darfur and to protect civilians, while assisting international efforts to encourage Darfuri rebels to return to the AU-sponsored peace talks.

Protecting civilians in armed conflict and ensuring that the international community is equipped to deliver effectively on its responsibility to protect are top priorities of Canada’s foreign policy. The enhanced Canadian contribution being announced today will help the AU bring more stability to the Darfur region, protect civilians and help them restart the Darfur peace talks.

AMIS is separate from the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), which is supervising the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by representatives of the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army on January 9, 2005. That agreement resolved the separate, long-running conflict in southern Sudan. Canada, as part of its holistic approach to Sudan, already participates in UNMIS. The mission includes 31 Canadian Forces personnel and its Deputy Force Commander is Canadian Brigadier-General Greg Mitchell. [. . . . ]

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