Canadian Forces On Standby To Help U.S. Aid Efforts

“They have but to ask and we in the Canadian Forces would have it rolling or sailing or flying southward as quickly as possible,” he told reporters Thursday. Canada offered to transport goods in and out of the devastated region using Hercules aircrafts and helicopters. Gen. Hillier also offered electrical generators and drawing from experience in other disasters, like last year's tsunami, he said Canada was also prepared to establish water purification centres in the region. Canada offered small boats and diving teams to help recover bodies as well, he said “Their message back to me was very clear. Firstly it was a heartfelt thanks from their part.” Gen. Hillier said he was confident that if his U.S. counterparts needed help, they would ask. “In short, we want to be ready to go as soon as any need is identified that we may be able to fill,” he said. He said he also made the offer to the U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins. Gen. Hillier dismissed the idea that heightened rhetoric around the softwood lumber dispute had soured relations between the nations. “If conditions were reversed, they would be the first to step up to help us if we needed it ,” Gen. Hillier said. Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Paul Martin called U.S. President George W. Bush, offering his condolences for the hundreds and perhaps thousands of those who died in hurricane Katrina. The call was originally supposed to be on the topic of the softwood lumber dispute but as evidence of the depth of devastation became clear this week, Mr. Martin changed the tone of the telephone call. Melanie Gruer, a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister's Office, told The Globe and Mail that the Prime Minister began the call by offering condolences on behalf of himself all Canadians. The phone call had originally been scheduled for Monday evening but was cancelled because all attention was on the hurricane. On Wednesday, Mr. Martin said Canada is prepared to help out in any way it can as the full effects of the disaster become clear. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050901.wkatrinaaid0901/BNStory/National/

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