Bill Graham

[Iraq, February 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, we were here in the House the other night when our government made it clear where we have been. We have been clearly in favour of peace from the start, but we have also recognized, like others, that the best way to peace is to make sure that Saddam Hussein is disarmed, and disarmed within the context of the United Nations system that has been put there to ensure the peace of the world, and we continue that. It is a solid policy, it is the best policy, and it is the one that is best assured for peace and for the security of not only the United States but Canada and other countries in the world as well.

[Iraq, February 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, we have been very clear. We have never adopted a position with any option in favour of war. We are fiercely opposed to war, and made that clear here in this House the other evening during our debate. This is the position of the Prime Minister, but it must also be acknowledged that the Security Council has imposed certain obligations on Iraq. Those obligations must be respected. We are counting on the Security Council to commit to ensuring that Iraq meets those obligations. We are opposed to war, except as an absolutely last resort.

[Iraq, February 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, our position has never been ambiguous. We have, right from the start, supported the Security Council's authority, as the Prime Minister made clear to President Bush in their very first conversation on the subject.

Our behaviour in this respect has always been the same. The Prime Minister has been honest with the House. He has said that legally there is a situation, but Canada has always backed the authority of the Security Council and its responsibility for taking the necessary steps.

We shall see how things develop over the coming weeks, but we do support resolution 1441. It is our way out of this impasse. We are confident that the Security Council will provide us with the opportunity to avoid war if possible, while at the same time disarming Iraq.

[Foreign Affairs, January 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, to begin with, I hope I was not seen arguing with Colin Powell. He and I had not only a friendly but very productive meeting together, which we always do.

The House leader has been to Saudi Arabia and has spoken to the crown prince. I personally spoke to the crown prince on behalf of the Prime Minister. Our ambassador is regularly in contact. We are doing everything within possibility and in a responsible way to ensure that Mr. Sampson will be treated properly.

I do not think it is in the interests of Mr. Sampson, his safety or what we can achieve together to raise it as a politically partisan matter in this House. That is not--

[Iraq, January 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister never weakens Canada's sovereignty. He is one of the best spokespersons for Canada in the world. He fully supports Canadians and our sovereignty at all times. It has always been our position to support resolution 1441. We have always been faithful to the United Nations. We are still taking the same position. I totally deny the allegations made by our Bloc Quebecois colleague.

[Iraq, January 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said clearly that resolution 1441 says the Security Council must remain seized of the matter and that Iraq must recognize that there will be serious consequences if it does not comply with its obligations. This is what the rest of the world acknowledges and what the Security Council is examining today.

We will see how the Security Council resolves the matter. However, as far as the resolution itself is concerned, the Prime Minister has always exactly reflected Canada's policy, which is to support resolution 1441.

[Iraq, January 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I certainly had discussions with Secretary Powell yesterday. Secretary Powell did not tell me the details of what he intends to do at the United Nations. What he did say is that he will be laying out a comprehensive case for the United States as to why it believes Iraq is not in compliance with resolution 1441. Whether that will include new evidence or not remains to be seen, but I am assured that they will lay out a comprehensive case for their position.

I do expect that we will then have to wait to hear what Dr. Blix is saying about the inspections process to understand fully where we are going to go with this matter.

[Iraq, January 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, like every document, it contains many elements. I agree and I think the hon. member has put it well. The document states:

We Europeans have since reiterated our backing of resolution 1441, our wish to pursue the U.N. route, and our support for the Security Council at the Prague...Summit and...Copenhagen--

This is very much the Canadian position. This is very much our position, but we were not asked to sign this document. We are not a European country. This was their effort to in turn solve their problems in Europe. We subscribe to many of the principles, but we would not necessarily sign a document of European leaders.

[Foreign Affairs, January 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the reason why Parliament was not consulted before we held secret talks on star wars was that there have not been secret talks about star wars or anything else.

We are constantly engaged with the United States in discussing how we can best ensure the security of this continent for the benefit of Canadians and Americans and all of us together. We will continue to do that in a responsible way and in a way which ensures Canadian sovereignty and Canadian interests.

[Foreign Affairs, January 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has had a long and proud tradition of working on the disarmament commission of the United Nations and with other nations around the world, including. let me say, the United States of America, in seeking to bring nuclear non-proliferation around the world. We worked with the United States in a very dangerous situation between Pakistan and India last year.

I think it is irresponsible to suggest in the House that the United States is not taking a responsible approach toward its massive power. We are all trying to reduce the danger in the world and make sure that we get rid of weapons of mass destruction, but where we have to focus is on the danger--