Harper Claims to Be a ‘Reluctant Convert’ on Potential Strike on Syria

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

Canada: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…

Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, has recently stated to have become a “reluctant convert” to the notion of a military action in Syria and its necessity for sending a message that the use of chemical weapons is intolerable. Mr. Harper alleged that though Canada supports the current contemplation of a military response, there are no plans as yet for direct involvement of the Canadian military.

Speaking with reporters in Toronto, Mr. Harper revealed having had discussed the potential for a military response in Syria with Canadian allies, including U.S. President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President François Hollande. Mr. Harper stated that “our government has been a very reluctant convert to the idea that there needs to be some Western military action regarding the Syrian situation. We have been, and remain concerned when we look at this conflict that it is overwhelmingly sectarian in nature and does not have at present any ideal or obvious outcomes.”

Mr. Harper mentioned that “with that all said, in talking to our allies, we are convinced that notwithstanding our reluctance, that the risks of the international community not acting in the face of what appears to be an escalation and likely further escalation without action in the use of chemical weapons as a weapon of warfare is an extremely dangerous precedent. This is a very big risk and we do believe, and we do support, our allies who are contemplating forceful action to deal with this. That said, at the present time, the Government of Canada has no plans, we have no plans of our own, to have a Canadian military mission.”