Lawrence Cannon vague on Jewish settlements issue

[jdobbin]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...25?hub=Politics

At a meeting in Washington last week, U.S. President Barack Obama pressed Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu to stop settlement expansion, but Netanyahu said over the weekend that he would allow "natural growth" of the settlements.

Not accepting the freeze is hurting the peace dialogue, Abbas said.

"Regarding the settlements, there are several United Nations resolutions that prohibit the settlements and it's clear and precise in the roadmap -- that the entire world supported -- that Israel must stop all forms of settlement including natural growth," Abbas said.

Cannon was asked repeatedly by reporters to comment on the issue, but only provided a vague answer about development in new areas, not touching the provocative issue of growth in the existing locations.

I think it is safe to assume that Harper and his government won't say anything about expansion of housing settlements.

Edited May 27, 2009 by jdobbin

[bush_cheney2004]

I think it is safe to assume that Harper and his government would say anything about expansion of housing settlements.

???? Say anything or Would not say anything? Why would it matter to the principals involved?

[Keepitsimple]

To me, it doesn't seem as vague as the headline suggests:

He said Canada has supported the "roadmap" for peace, and hoped the two parties could sit down to discuss pushing ahead with a peace deal. The roadmap, first drafted in 2002, specifies that all Jewish settlements be curtailed, including any natural expansion due to population growth.

[jdobbin]

To me, it doesn't seem as vague as the headline suggests:

It is not as clear as what Obama and Bush have said though.

[KeyStone]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...25?hub=Politics

I think it is safe to assume that Harper and his government won't say anything about expansion of housing settlements.

Being obsequious to two masters is tricky. He can't contradict Obama, but at the same time, he can't go against the Jewish lobby.

He'll just stay quiet on this whole thing, and back up Obama every time he says something pro-Israeli.

[myata]

Harper's folks really struggle with notions like "principle"; "fairness" and "justice". They understand "pro" and "anti" much better.

[Oleg Bach]

Harper's folks really struggle with notions like "principle"; "fairness" and "justice". They understand "pro" and "anti" much better.

With pro and anti - you don't need any skill to make decisions - just a coin you can toss. Pro this - you get a pat on the head - anti- that and the polls are in your favour - How come Harper never had a meeting with the Canadian Jewish Congress and suggested to them that they should communicate with their friends in Israel and attempt to instill some "principle - fairness and justice into the situation - no - instead he chose to go "anti-terrorist" and pro- jew - because it's good for his career - so he thinks.

[normanchateau]

Following a meeting with Abbas – who said he would make settlement expansion a key issue – Cannon called settlement growth “illegal.

“Canada has never supported the expansion of settlements. We believe that it’s an illegal move,” he said.

http://www.cjnews.com/index.php?option=com...5&Itemid=86

Sounds like Cannon did the right thing and changed his position.