The world doesn't like Canada's new image (Harper)

Saeed Rahnema, Professor, political science, York University; media commentator on the Middle East, The Mark:

Harper’s aggressive foreign policy is the reason Canada was denied a UNSC seat.

Despite significant lobbying efforts to get a seat on the powerful UN Security Council, Canada failed to receive the backing of two-thirds of the UN General Assembly. Canada withdrew its bid after coming behind Portugal in the second ballot. It was disappointing, but perhaps not surprising, that Minister of Foreign Affairs Laurence Cannon blamed this failure on Michael Ignatieff’s lack of support. In reality, Stephen Harper’s government has no one to blame but itself and its misguided foreign policy.

For over half a century, Canada – a mid-level power – was one of the most respected members of the UN, and sat on the Security Council six times. This was simply the result of policies the country employed during those decades. Although at times conflicting and confusing, Canadian foreign policy was based on an internationalist peacekeeping and humanitarian perspective, and was relatively independent and balanced. However, in the post 9-11 era – and particularly since the election of Harper – Canadian foreign policy shifted towards an ideological, aggressive, and combative role that was increasingly in line with American foreign policy.

Canada was an active participant in peacekeeping since the inception of the UN Truce and Supervision Organization (UNTSO), which started in 1948, immediately after the creation of the state of Israel and the first Arab-Israeli war. Canada’s leadership role in peacekeeping came after the second Arab-Israeli war (the Suez War of 1956) when Lester B. Pearson suggested the creation of the UN Emergency Force (UNEF), in which Canada played a paramount role.

Canada’s leadership role continued in the UNEF II, the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan on the Syrian-Israeli front, and the UN Interim Force (UNIFIL) in Lebanon in 1978. Canada then reduced its role and presence drastically in all the ongoing peacekeeping operations in the Middle East and elsewhere. In the UNTSO, which is also involved in UNDOF, Canada now only has a few junior officers in what is called Operation JADE and some personnel in the Multinational Force and Observer, under the name of Operation CALUMET.

While Canada’s role in peacekeeping activities has declined, its role in combat operations has increased. For the first time since the Korean War, Canada – under the Conservative government of Brian Mulroney -- involved itself in combat operations in the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War. It became embroiled in international conflict again in 1999 (though this time under the Liberals) when it joined the U.S. and other NATO members in former Yugoslavia and contributed to the aerial bombardments across Serbia and Kosovo. Involvement in this costly military campaign, which was not sanctioned by the UN, was a vivid indication of a shift in foreign policy even prior to 9-11.

Then came the conflict in Afghanistan in 2001. To compensate for the lack of support for the American war efforts in Iraq in the post-9-11 landscape, the Liberal government of Jean Chrétien – who wisely avoided being dragged into the Iraqi invasion – accepted some involvement in Afghanistan. As ill-advised as this was, the involvement was less extensive. When Paul Martin took over, he expanded Canadian military involvement in Afghanistan. After Harper’s Canadian neo-Cons won the election, they whole-heartedly followed the policies of their big brothers in the U.S. and dragged the country further into a war that had nothing to do with Canada or its traditional foreign policy stance. Canadian military involvements and the shift from peacekeeping to combat operations changed Canada’s traditional role and reputation in the international scene.

The shift in Canadian policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict also affected the country’s international status. Despite a historical pro-Israeli tilt from the time of St-Laurent in 1948 to Trudeau and up until the end of the Chrétien era in 2003, Canadian foreign policy was relatively more balanced and played a historically important role in the UN’s decisions. Apart from peacekeeping, Canada supported an independent Palestinian state and developed good relations with Palestinians through development projects. Canada also participated in most UN declarations, voted in favour of resolving the Palestinian question, supported Palestinian refugees, and helped with some of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)’s projects. The Harper government, however, chose to cut funding to UNRWA through a most ill-advised policy.

Canada also distanced itself from an image of neutrality and impartiality. It changed its voting patterns in the UN, voting more openly and consistently in favour of Israel both in the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. This shift has made Israeli politicians and many supporters of Israel happy but has angered others, including many in Jewish communities who believe a secure and prosperous Israel will only be possible through a fair and peaceful solution to the Palestinian question.

As a friend of Israel, Canada could help and support its ally in a far more effective way than by adding one vote to the usual two or three that Israel secures from the U.S. and one or two small, obscure countries. Canada could actively involve itself in diplomatic pursuits and peace initiatives, similar to what Norway – a smaller and weaker middle power – has promoted. The Harper government wholeheartedly supported the 2006 Israeli invasion of Lebanon and was the first country to sever ties with the Palestinian Authority when Hamas won the 2007 elections.

Canada, which was a main donor to developing nations and was involved in many international development projects, has cut much of its assistance funding. It also unilaterally withdrew from the UN climate change protocol. Following George W. Bush’s policies, it has stopped supporting the UN.

Overall, in a matter of a few years, the present government has succeeded in changing Canada’s international image. By rejecting Canada’s membership in the UNSC, the international community has sent a strong message to Mr. Harper – namely that the world does not like this new image. Now is the time for the Canadian people to send their own message to this government.