These are quotes from Minister of Defence Gordon O'Connor with specific reference to "national interest" and Afghanistan. A search at google revealed thousands of hits.

In a February, 2006 speech at the Conference of Defence Associations Institute Annual General Meeting, the newly appointed Minister O'Connor said:
...when I worked in the business world [as a lobbyist for military industry], I observed the ongoing difficulties with government procurement...the only leader consistently standing up for Canada's national interest was Stephen Harper...
...As we said throughout the [election]campaign, this government will implement a “Canada First” defence strategy that strengthens our national sovereignty at home and abroad... the United States is Canada's most important ally. It's in our national interest to continue to work closely with them to defend our continent...
[his is a bilingual speech, some parts in French]...Nous allons défendre de façon responsable les intérêts nationaux de notre pays sur la scène internationale dans le contexte de notre implication de longue date dans l'OTAN et les Nations-Unies...Canada remains committed to NATO and that we'll be a strong and engaged partner, particularly in Afghanistan...

O'Connor goes on to tell a pack of lies about buildings being rebuilt in Afghanistan, about little girls in school and about free and fair elections there. I wonder what Malalai Joya would have to say about his comments!

He goes on to say, "But most of all, our mission to Afghanistan is in our national interest. On September 11 th 2001, terrorists attacked North America and Canadians were killed. Let me be clear: when terrorists attack Canadians, Canada will defend itself. That's why we're in Afghanistan... our troops in that country contribute to the safety of Canadians here at home by ensuring that Afghanistan does not once again become a base for the spread of terrorism...our deployment to Afghanistan the largest and most important Canadian Forces operation at the moment, it's also quite representative of the type of missions that our military will be called on to perform in the future.
... currently, Canada does not have the necessary capabilities to fully exercise its Arctic sovereignty responsibilities... particularly when we consider that Canadian territorial waters in the Arctic could be more accessible to shipping within 10 to 20 years, and when we consider the significant natural resources wealth in the North...[does he mean, like all the diamonds at Diavik Diamond Mine, 220 km south of the Arctic Circle?]...this government's defence vision...: it's about having a three-ocean navy, a robust army, and a revitalized air force. They would all operate as part of an integrated and effective Canadian Forces team anywhere in the world...

In March, O'Connor and PM Harper went to Afghanistan where Harper spoke to Canadian troops:
Your work is about more than just defending Canada's national interests...

Early in April, Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor was quoted as telling the House of Commons, "Canada is in Afghanistan because it is in this country's national interest to be there...Canadian troops are there to "protect the security of the nation and the prosperity of the nation."

Would that "prosperity of the nation" have anything to do with the proposed Trans-Afghan Pipeline? We'll get back to that one shortly.

In this same article, "Liberal Defence Critic Ujjal Dosanjh, whose government originally sent Canadian troops to Afghanistan, said: "We believe then, and we believe now, that destroying root and branch the agents and infrastructure, supply and training that made Afghanistan into a safe haven for international terrorism is in Canada's vital national interest."

It's worth noting what Taliban spokesman Qari Yuosaf Ahmedi said at the time in a telephone interview: We think that when we kill enough Canadians they will quit war and return home."

Time will certainly tell on that one.

O'Connor had this to say: I’m proud of their contribution and efforts as they put themselves on the line to defend our national interests, to protect Canada and the world from terror and help the people of Afghanistan rebuild their country... They, like their colleagues, demonstrated Canada’s values in their very actions and their work made the difference to the Afghan people...these brave soldiers did not die in vain.

When journalists question O'Connor, he responds, "We’re in, we’re in Afghanistan because of our national interests and the Afghanis need us...it’s in our national interest. If we don’t deal with state that have harboured or potentially harbour international terrorists, then we’re inviting them to our shores.

Say that again, Gord, "if we don't deal with states that potentially harbour international terrorists". This is an open-ended policy but not to worry, Canada will be increasing its numbers of military personnel to over 70,000 regulars and over 10,000 reserves.

In this article Homecoming for DND minister regarding O'Connor's visit to Canadian Forces Base Borden near Barrie on Thursday, August 24, 2006, O'Connor is quoted:
 
Having a military presence in Afghanistan is a necessity, not an option, for a multitude of reasons.

"It's in our national interest. Remember Sept. 11 (2001), the terrorists came from Afghanistan. Canadians were killed in the World Trade Center bombings. We're also in Afghanistan because they want us to be there, to have stability and a normal life. We're there because we're a G-8 country and we have a responsibility. We, and NATO, are preventing the country from falling back into the roots of terrorism."

A G-8 country, now that's an economic organization, aint it? Yes, and then some.

In another article actually about procurement fraud at the DND, O'Connor is referred to as the CEO of the DND whose business is described this way: "The mission of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces is to defend Canada." Really. A phone number for the DND is (613) 995-2534. We are also told the DND had a budget of $14 billion in 2004.

A June, 2006 article, "Military spending puts spotlight on O'Connor" provides figures for DND spending, $15 billion on new purchases of ships, helicopters, trucks and airlift alone. Now I see why he is the CEO, the money manager doling out contracts to his former associates in the military industry for whom he lobbied just two years ago. Yes, Gord, we are watching you!

Canada may boast a new Federal Accountability Act which limits politicians becoming lobbyists but the Act does not prevent lobbyists from becoming elected Members of Parliament. Though O'Connor is under a lot of criticism for his former role as military industry lobbyist and his present role as Defence Minister, he remains undeterred. No doubt, he'll be laughing all the way to the bank.

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This page updated June 7, 2007.