M&A CLIENT IN CANADA: PM DOESN'T SPEAK FOR ALL CANADIANS

(The following is a reprinting of a March 27 media release from the office of our client, Canada's National Citizens Coalition. The release comes in the wake of a speech by U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Paul Cellucci, lamenting Canada's absence from the Coalition of the Willing in the war against Saddam Hussein.)

Media Advisory: NCC Chairman Writes to President Bush To Say the PM Does Not Speak for all Canadians

On March 25, Paul Cellucci, America’s ambassador to Canada made speech that stung the conscience of the country.

Cellucci spoke not as a diplomat, but as a disillusioned friend. Why, he wondered, was not Canada supporting the United States in its war against Iraq?

It’s a question many Canadians are asking as well, including National Citizens Coalition chairman Colin T. Brown.

Colin, who heads up the one of the largest pro-free market groups in the country, called Mr. Cellucci the day after his speech to let him know that a lot of Canadians were ashamed and embarrassed with Canada’s failure to stand up for our friends and allies.

And then Colin took one more step. He wrote a letter to President George Bush so that the American leader would know that Prime Minister Jean Chretien does not speak for all Canadians.

Here is the text of that letter:

Mr. George Bush
Office of the President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

March 26, 2003

Dear President Bush:

Yesterday, in an extraordinary speech, Paul Cellucci, your ambassador here in Canada, expressed sadness and disappointment that our government has failed to back up your efforts to rid the world of Saddam Hussein and his weapons of mass destruction.

Canada, said Mr. Cellucci, “is not there for us.”

We wanted to let you know, Mr. President, that many Canadians, including the 40,000 supporters of my organization, share your ambassador’s sense of sadness. We believe Prime Minister Jean Chrétien is not only turning his back on our allies, he’s also turning his back on Canada’s proud tradition of standing up for freedom and democracy.

Canadians fought beside Americans in World War II and in Korea. We stood with you during the long years of the Cold War. We battled shoulder-to-shoulder in the first Gulf War and in Afghanistan. We are continuing to fight with you in the ongoing war against international terrorism.

In other words, it has never been Canada’s way to sit on the sidelines and watch while others fight for what’s right. And that’s why many Canadians are embarrassed and ashamed that our government has opted not to join your “Coalition of the Willing.”

Our hearts go out to the brave Coalition soldiers and sailors who are fighting to make the world a freer and safer place. Canada and the world owe them a great debt.

Yours truly,

Colin T. Brown
Chairman
National Citizens Coalition

CC: Paul Cellucci, U.S. Ambassador to Canada

Contact:

Gerry Nicholls
Vice President
National Citizens Coalition
www.morefreedom.org
Phone: 416-869-3838
Fax: 416-869-1891

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