Chrétien, Bush, and the War in Iraq

Bolstered by the show of congressional support, the [George Bush] administration increased the pressure on Iraq by building up its military forces in the Persian Gulf. It also turned its attention to the Security Council where deliberations on an Iraq resolution had reached an impasse. The U.S. dema...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American review of Canadian studies 2005-07, Vol.35 (2), p.215-245
Main Author: Barry, Donald
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bilateral relations
Bush, George W
Canada
Canada-US relations
Canadian studies
Chretien, Jean
Chrétien, Jean
Diplomacy
Economic relations
Federal government
Foreign Policy
International organizations
International political economy
Iraq
Iraq war
Iraq War-2003
Military intervention
Protest Movements
Public Opinion
Support
U.S.A
United States of America
War
War on terrorism
Weapons of mass destruction
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Summary:Bolstered by the show of congressional support, the [George Bush] administration increased the pressure on Iraq by building up its military forces in the Persian Gulf. It also turned its attention to the Security Council where deliberations on an Iraq resolution had reached an impasse. The U.S. demanded that the measure authorize military intervention, if [Saddam Hussein] failed to meet weapons inspectors' requests. France insisted on a second resolution approving the use of force. The deadlock was finally broken in early November with the adoption of Resolution 1441, which declared the government of Iraq to be in "material breach" of previous resolutions, required it to declare all its weapons programs within 30 days, and directed UN weapons inspectors to monitor and report on the regime's compliance to the Security Council. The resolution warned of "serious consequences" if Iraq failed to cooperate.30 Bush expressed satisfaction and warned of the "severest consequences" if Iraq did not comply. [Jean Chr]étien called the resolution "a key and constructive step," pointedly noting that the burden was now "on Iraq to meet its international obligations."31 Chrétien also decided to take the government's message on Iraq to the U.S. Speaking to the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations shortly after Bush called on allies to "show backbone and courage," he expressed support for U.S. objectives but urged the president to continue to work through the UN. "Great strength is not always perceived by others as benign," Chrétien said. "Not everyone around the world is prepared to take the word of the United States on faith." Using the UN would "minimize the risk" of transforming Iraq into a "clash of civilizations." Given the opportunity the organization would "fulfill its obligations to the world community."49 But his intervention had no effect on the Bush administration. Chrétien's government continued its conciliatory approach, indicating that, like France, it would reconsider its decision to stay out of the war if Iraq used banned weapons against coalition forces. This did not satisfy administration officials, who were reportedly "infuriated" at the anti-Bush comments. Cabinet ministers and officials had given "lots of assurances that there would not be any name calling and gratuitous sniping," said a Bush administration official.76 The administration's resentment became public when Ambassador [Paul Cellucci] spoke to The Economic Club of Toronto on March 25. After p
ISSN:0272-2011
1943-9954
DOI:10.1080/02722010509481371