Canada was in for a scare just before Obama's visit to Parliament last week. Defense Minister Peter Makay informed the public about them receiving information about a Russian Bomber discovered on the perimeter of Canadian airspace just hours before U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in Ottawa. He also said that it was difficult to know if the encounter was pure coincidence , or whether they were unto some sort of 'mischief' as Makay coined it. Knowing that Canada's security efforts were centered around this day, as so were the American security efforts in ensuring that Obama's trip is as safe as possible. Makay said it was a very strong coincidence that the Russian Bomber was in their airspace and Defense Minister has said that he will conduct a long investigation into this matter. He is holding a news conference on February 27, with the Commando of NORAD and the staff of the Canadian Defuse Department to enlighten them about this messy situation, and what other security measures should be tightened and maybe even newly implemented to insure that this does not reappear.
The CF-18s took off from Cold Lake, Alta., on Feb. 16 after Norad detected the bomber heading towards Canadian airspace. Using internationally recognized signals, Canadians used, the Russian planes turned back away from Canadian airspace. U.S. Air Force Gen. Gene Renuart, head of the North American Aerospace Defense Commander said that this is just one of the many methods used to warn planes of dangers. Mackay has also said that Russian planes have been encroaching on Canadian sovereignty on an upward scale, and has also said that the U.S. and Canada must maintain the defensive posture if they are to protect their people. Russians were very co-operative and professional in their conduct. Past talks have involved North America asking Russia to inform them when trips like these are scheduled, as Russia has pushed for the Arctic and oil wealth and so flights leaving from Moscow are on the rise.
Opinion: As I have been noticing, Russia has been making many suspicious moves in terms of their military action, and in terms of neglecting foriegn ministers of other countries. I would hate to see their action just like Germany during World War II, who made several slight moves, finding loopholes in the Treaty of Versailles which eventually led to their expanding army, and eventually World War II. The UN should keep close tabs on Russia, if they want to put their safety first. Having Russian war planes, neglectful of Canadian laws, just when President Barack Obama is visiting Canada is quite the unlikely coincidence. As Mackay has said that "Russian planes have been enroaching on Canadian sovereignty on an upward scale, and has also said that the U.S. and Canada must maintain the defensive posture if they are to protect their people." This is exactly what other countries should take when they look towards Russia.
Friday, February 27, 2009
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I am not sure if keeping a tight watch on Russia would be the right position. There are many countries other then Russia, most specifically N. Korea, that are much more suspicious then that of Russia. Keeping a strict watch on a country like Russia or N. Korea could anger them, and possibly cause them to release weapons and start wars. I believe that countries should beef up security when leaders from foreign countries are visiting, but I do not support following a country; it could possibly result in a war itself.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, this incident is both unacceptable and a danger sign from a rapidly changing and increasingly militarized Russian state. Russia has certainly had its share of diplomatic incidents in the past year including the military stand-off in Georgia. Russia should certainly have had the foresight not to send such bomber "flights" into Canadian airspace at the same time as President Obama's first official state visit to Canada. Many see the newly elected President as a prime international target and fear assassination attempts. While Canadian security was increased for this event, the Russian bomber jets in Canadian airspace was a blatantly bold and undiplomatic move. While we view this instance as simply a coincidence and something that has happened purely by chance, it must be taken as a warning sign for what may be an increasingly difficult and controversial issue: international claim to the arctic. While we cannot be too territorial or protectionist in this area without international criticism, we must protect our own national security and integrity in the Arctic.
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