Beyond The Commons

Beyond The Commons

Aaron Wherry covers all the goings-on in and around Parliament Hill. Follow Aaron on Twitter: @aaronwherry

Calling out America, then taking it back

by Aaron Wherry on Friday, October 15, 2010 2:09pm - 0 Comments

While the U.S. State Department was careful yesterday not to say who the United States voted for at the United Nations, the Foreign Affairs Minister is less diplomatic.

Cannon reiterated what several top government officials have disclosed already this week — that Canada had 135 written assurances of support and 15 verbal ones. ”The United States was among that group,” Cannon said from Brussels, where he was meeting his NATO counterparts.

Cannon made that remark only in French, during a short teleconference with journalists in which he took only three questions. Cannon immediately backtracked from the statement when asked a follow-up question. ”Let me clarify that: I don’t want to indicate that we did or did not get support from the United States. I want to make that clear,” the minister stated. ”I don’t want to go into who supported . . . during the course of that vote. I’ll leave it to the individual countries to indicate their position, vis-a-vis that given that it is a secret vote.”

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  • Emily

    In other words he doesn't know if they did or didn't. Anymore than he knows about the rest of them.

    However he thought we had the backing of 150 countries going in, but only got 114 votes in the first round, and 78 in the second round.

    • wsam

      He probably went to a public school. Harper needs to recruit some elitists, at least people who can count.

      Joe Clark had the same problem.

  • wsam

    Why do I not have confidence in this government to do even the wrong thing competantly. I know they aren't going to do the right thing. But cannot they at least be competent in their screw-ups.

  • Crit_Reasoning

    Loose Cannon.

    • danby

      Cannon Bawl

      • Crit_Reasoning

        Cannon fodder.

        • MostlyCivil

          Thou shalt not take responsibility

          -Conservative Canon

      • Stewart_Smith

        If they want peace, nations should avoid the pin-pricks that precede Cannon shots.
        Napoleon Bonaparte

        • Sigh

          If they want peace, nations should avoid making Cannons foreign ministers. – Sigh

  • mistymorning

    The reason Canada did not win a seat on the Security Council is because we no longer have diplomats. Our government is made up with people who say do what I say or hit the highway. There is not one classy person to be found in the Conservative Alliance Reform caucus. Diplomacy is foreign to them, so therefore bad foreign policy. Throwing a big party for G20 and G8 member nations is not diplomacy. It's "look how great ou government is spending all this money on you" when all that was only the opportunity for photo ops and self agrandizement.

  • Margaret

    He uses the word "want" a lot. Also sounds nervous.

    We have idiots and incompetents in government. Harper does not surround himself with excellence. He's too insecure for that. So, this is what we get.

    I predict – Cannon will somehow be getting the shaft after Christmas.

    • brooster2

      Don't blame Harper for the poor quality of his cabinet. He only has dreck from which to choose.

      • practical mom

        He approves and protects the dreck so the quality of the cabinet is his doing.

        • Loraine Lamontagne

          He attracts dreck to his party.

          • Holly Stick

            Yeah, why wouldn't he appoint a high diplomatic MP like Rob Anders as Minister of Foreign Affairs ? (snicker, snort! I slay me sometimes.)

  • Emily

    It's on here….maybe you can't see it. I've had that happen.

  • burlivespipe

    I sense that Cannon (and a # of his CON colleagues) would love to get into some American bashing, if not for the fact that they are the party wrapped up in the stars and stripes forever… Guess its only a republican thing.

    • tobyornotoby

      Yeah, how come Fox News has all the fun?!

    • Gary

      Once the Republican's get back in power, the likes of Carolyn Parish, and the rest of the "drecks" in the Liberal party will once again America bash with unreserved gusto!
      You people don't even blush with the gross hypocrasy you display on a daily basis. LOL!

      • burlivespipe

        Well, who said your enemies' worse traits can't be duplicated and reciprocated? Certainly Harper (and those jerks spinning in circles attempting to idolize the chubby one) has done his share of copying from those 'dastardly' liberals. So Gary, how deep is the hole you've dug for yourself?

  • MostlyCivil

    Mr. Cannon:

    Please refer to section 3, paragraph 2 of your blue briefing notes package, under the heading "Common Parlance".

    "The Honorable Member will not, under any circumstances, use the following terms during media opportunities: – Fulsome ,Ipso facto, vis-a-vis or any other Latin derivatives. They may covey elitism or academic credentials."

    You ain't likely to hear "vis-a-vis" in a Timmies, eh? Cuz they only do debit.. See what we did there?

    We appreciate your enthusiasm, but remind you that your place in cabinet is reliant upon the continuing good mood of the Prime Minister. You won't like him when he's angry.

    Regards,
    The Central Committee

  • Anon 001

    Written commitments? When has Harper ever cared about them?

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Ottawa_Centrist Ottawa_Centrist

    There were 135 letters of support, but the emails were deleted.

  • tobyornotoby

    They had 135 signed agreements that no merger would take place.

    • Holly Stick

      Much like Peter Mackay's promise not to merge the PCs with Reform. Except this time they don't know for sure who did not honour the written agreements.

      • Holly Stick

        Oops, I just reread your post, tobyornotoby. Didn't mean to step on your joke.

        • tobyornotoby

          Stop taking me seriously! This means you Holly!

          ;-)

          • Holly Stick

            I have the utmost respect for your seriosity.

  • Mark Braun

    Just another example of the Tories blaming everyone but themselves for their failures. How very Neo-Con of them.

    Throw the bums out already. They are awful and just keep proving it.

  • Dee

    Why would Cannon be diplomatic? It's only his freakin' job!!

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