Canada And The United States: Common Values, Uncommon Partnership

It is this vibrancy and the exuberant exercise of the freedoms cherished by Canadians and Americans alike, that led Osama Bin Laden to target New York. And once again New York is showing the way forward with courage and conviction for all who hold our freedoms dear. You do this every day by taking the steps necessary to guarantee security while ensuring neither terrorists nor their threats will ever define your lives. Canada honours the innocents who fell on 9/11 in similar fashion. We did so on 9/11 by accepting without hesitation the hundreds of flights and thousands of people diverted to Canada from US airspace. We do so now through our steadfast commitment to ensuring stability in Afghanistan; through the key role we play in the 34 nation alliance there; through the 2300 troops we have in Kandahar; through the development assistance Canada gives Afghanistan – more than to any other country in the world. Canada recognizes that we cannot allow terrorists to find safe haven in Afghanistan or anywhere else ever again. Let me be clear. Prime Minister Harper made Afghanistan his first foreign visit for a reason. As he said there, Canada does not cut and run. Together, we will succeed in Afghanistan because the cause is just; because our will is firm; because democracy is a potent tonic. Elsewhere, Canada is a leader in the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, whose purpose is to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction to terrorists by securing or destroying weapons grade material in the former Soviet Union. Canada is contributing one billion dollars over ten years to the Global Partnership with over $250 million already disbursed. Canada has been recognized by both the United States and Russia for the effectiveness of its efforts. We are also working closely with the United States on the Proliferation Security Initiative, another program aimed at stopping the flow of weapons of mass destruction. At the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations, Canada has been a stalwart supporter of strong action to resolve the Iran nuclear issue. http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/can-am/washington/ambassador/20060515-en.asp

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