Opposition warns PM over Iraq 'flip-flop' (Martin is going to pay…"

[kskiska]

Martin 'is going to pay a severe political price,' Harper says

OTTAWA—Parliament's opposition parties served warning to Prime Minister Paul Martin that any decision to send Canadian troops to Iraq could have profound — and dire — consequences for his minority government.

The Toronto Star reported yesterday that Ottawa is expecting U.S. officials to request a troop commitment in aid of post-war reconstruction when Martin attends a NATO summit in Belgium on Feb. 22. The troops would train Iraqi soldiers.

No decision has yet been made, but Martin is said to be giving the idea serious consideration.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, who has previously stated Canada should stand with its closest allies in the Iraq conflict, lashed out at the Liberal government and said the decision would come at a heavy price. "I sat through an election campaign where the Prime Minister accused me of having secret plans to send troops to Iraq. If it turns out he has secret plans, this has to be one of the biggest election deceptions in history," Harper told reporters.

He added "if the Prime Minister is planning this kind of a flip-flop, he is going to pay a severe political price for it in Parliament."

more…
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[Maple]

1. The only one 'going to pay'

is Harper, because he was the only leader that insisted we should go to Iraq in the first place. He was very upset we refused Bush.

He's been uncommonly quiet since it turned into a quagmire, and now he expects us to see him as 'opposing' the whole thing, while claiming Martin is all set to join in.

Not a chance Stephen.