Someone was wondering about Canada's "neutrality".

Well, although Canada was hardly neutral in the 1st and 2nd World Wars, or the Korean War, or the Boer War...they were to all intents neutral regarding Vietnam, and the general mood toward America's role in that war was not too positive here.

Some Canadians volunteered to serve in Vietnam, many opposed the US intervention there, and Canada served as a safe refuge for a great many American draft dodgers and anti-war activists. One of them was my guitar teacher.

Given the fact that the USA holds a huge economic stick over our heads at all times, Canadian governments tend to comply with most US demands and fall into line (somewhat unenthusiastically) with all but the most extreme US policies.

It will be interesting to see how Jean Chretien dances the tightrope now between not offending his big USA corporate backers too much...and respecting international law at the same time, given a United Nations which is clearly not in favour of Bush's war on Iraq.

It will require much dexterity on his part.

- LH