Mission in Mali: nothing is decided, says Harper

The Canada has not yet decided how it will extend its support mission in Mali, but the Prime Minister wishes to that decision, when she will be confirmed, should consensus.

Stephen Harper announced last week that Ottawa was a C-17 cargo plane to the French to carry heavy equipment and vehicles from a base in the South of France to the Malian capital Bamako. Immediately, Paris has requested that the Canada assistance longer.

“The Government is considering whether and how he will extend that commitment of technical support for the mission”, stressed Mr. Harper Wednesday, crossing in Cambridge, Ontario. The French Embassy in Ottawa has indicated that it was still waiting for the response of the Canada.

However, the C-17 Ottawa lent to France a week ago was freed from regular duties for a period of three months, revealed this week the Canadian Press. The Government could also lend a second aircraft, a C – 130 Hercules to carry lighter loads and soldiers from other African countries, according to CBC. The Office of Mr. Harper nor his Foreign Ministers John Baird or the defence Peter MacKay wanted detail the Government’s plan.

Whatever happens, Stephen Harper argued Wednesday that Canada’s participation in international efforts to counter the advances of a branch of al-Qaida in the Northwest of Africa should receive the support of Canadians and the opposition. “Whatever we do, we want to help in a way that collects a consensus in this country. At the same time, it is a major threat and we need to address these threats, but we don’t want a Canadian military mission”, he also reiterated, describing the French mission of”very important anti-terrorism mission.

The Prime Minister has extended a hand to the opposition this week. The NDP leader has received a call from Mr. Harper Sunday, and Thomas Mulcair indicated that it would accept to see the federal lending his C-17 again some time. But Mr. Mulcair as liberal Premier Bob Rae, on the other hand argued that the Conservatives had to consult Parliament before taking other commitments. Mr. Harper promised Mr. Mulcair to assign the folder to the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, to the resumption of work next week, according to the neodemocrate Paul Dewar, who particularly wants to discuss aid to be provided to Malians.