Last updated at: (Beijing
Time) Tuesday, December 10, 2002
New Pact Announced to Allow US Troops into
Canada
American troops will
be allowed to enter Canadian territory in the event of a terrorist
attack or natural disaster, under a new accord announced on Monday.
American troops will
be allowed to enter Canadian territory in the event of a terrorist
attack or natural disaster, under a new accord announced on Monday.
Canadian Defence Minister John McCallum and Foreign Affairs Minister
Bill Graham announced the new military agreement on Monday, saying it
will enhance the safety of Canadians while protecting the sovereignty
of Canada.
The agreement has been handed over to the cabinet.
According to an official press release, under the agreement, UStroops
would be under the control of the Canadian military when they entered
Canadian territory; the reverse would be true if Canadian troops were
deployed in the United
States.
Under the agreement, a 30-member joint planning group made up of
military officers from both countries will be set up at North American
Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) Headquarters in Colorado Springs,
Colorado, the United States.
The accord is seen here as an alternative to Canada joining theUS
military's Northern Command, or the creation of a "Super-NORAD." Either
of those options would have put Canadian army and navy resources under
US command.
