Cellucci urges Canada to join missile defence

Cellucci urges Canada to join missile defence
Last Updated Fri, 02 May 2003 21:42:50

OTTAWA - Canada's decision on whether to join Washington's proposed missile defence system will affect how the program is managed and controlled, U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci said Friday.

Paul Cellucci

The ballistic missile defence shield proposal dovetails with Norad's mission of protecting Canada and the U.S., and could ultimately come under control of that defence pact, Cellucci said.

But should Ottawa decide not to join the new system, he said, it could raise questions about the relevance of the North American Aerospace Defence Command, the air and space defence pact that has been jointly commanded for more than 45 years.

"We think that missile defence is very consistent with the missions of Norad and that is to protect our two countries from missile or planned attack from outside our borders," the U.S. ambassador said.

"We are hopeful that Canada will make a positive decision to participate."

He made the comments at a news conference with Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham where the pair renewed a pact on border security.

Graham said cabinet hasn't made a final decision whether to join the program, dubbed Star Wars by critics who fear it could trigger another arms race.

Written by CBC News Online staff