Friday 2 May 2014

Harper pouring oil on flame in Ukraine , try for peace not war

Canada sending soldiers for military exercises in Poland, part of NATO measures


Minister Nicholson Announces Canada is 

Sending Fighter Aircraft to Romania

April 28, 2014 - Ottawa - National Defence
Today, the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of National Defence, announced six CF-18 fighter aircraft will leave tomorrow morning for Romania as part of the Government of Canada’s contributions to NATO measures to reassure Allies in Central and Eastern Europe. The announcement was made today during Question Period.
These fighter aircraft, along with support personnel, will be based out of Romania in order to conduct training activities in support of immediate reassurance measures. They will join Romanian and United States Air Force assets which are currently operating in the region.
LONDON, Ont. - Canadian soldiers will take part in military exercises in Poland as part of NATO reassurance measures in response to the Ukraine crisis, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Friday.
"The (Vladimir) Putin regime's persistent military aggression and its ongoing illegal occupation of Crimea and other parts of Ukraine threaten the stability and security of central and eastern Europe," he said in London, Ont.

Canada has also diverted frigate HMCS Regina, which is currently on counter-terrorism and anti-piracy patrols in the Arabian Sea, to help NATO's efforts to send a message of resolve to Russia."They will conduct training in parachuting, airborne operations and infantry skills alongside Polish and American counterparts in this United States-led exercise with a view to enhancing Alliance interoperability and readiness," the prime minister's office said in the statement.
Harper did not say where the ship is headed, but NATO announced earlier this month it was beefing up maritime patrols in both the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean.
Six Canadian CF-18 fighter jets left their base in Bagotville, Que., this week, headed for an air base in Romania, and eventual patrols along that country's border with Ukraine — and possibly over the Black Sea.
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Canada's actions are meant to send a "very loud, clear and tangible message" to Russia.
"Until Russia clearly demonstrates its respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity we will continue to work with our allies and our partners to further isolate Russia economically and politically," Baird said at a news conference in Ottawa.

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