result #97811 - WHY DID THE CANADIAN PM GO TO CYPRUS?

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WHY DID THE CANADIAN PM GO TO CYPRUS?


[+] serious ballot by Mithrandir
created Fri Jul 21, 06
On his way back from the G8 summit, Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada, diverted his private plane to Cyprus, to pick up some 80 or so of the 20,000 Canadians trying to get out of Lebanon. Stating he was doing this for "humanitarian" reasons, he kicked off the press from the flight but kept his personal photographer. In the meantime Canadians were being redirected to Turkey as an escape route from Lebanon, and some scrambling had to be done to find some refugees to send to Cyprus in order to be gallantly rescued by the PM.

Canada has been struggling like many other nations to organize a safe or quick exit for Canadians from Lebanon. The embassy in Beirut is overwhelmed, we have no ships or resources in the area to help in the evacuation, and already 9 Canadians, including an entire family with small children have already been killed in the bombing. On top of that, the PM's office in Ottawa is insisting that they pre-approve all actions and communications related to the evacuation. To officials struggling in the field to do the best they can, this is more than frustrating.

So why do you think Harper went to Cyprus?

To divert the media from the perception of mismanagement of a humanitarian crisis 11
For a photo-op 7
To give the appearance of helping Canadians in distress 5
To help Canadians in distress 0
Right, not assisting a much better option (eye rolling) 0

Ballot #97811: has 23 total votes.
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COMMENTS:
a photo op for sure, but overall i think Harper is doing a good job (contrary to what I thought he would be like), as far as evacuations are going, 50000 people is alot of people, the logistics would be hard to comprehend.

by ABC on Fri Jul 21, 06 11:55am [+]

What would you have thought of him if he didn't make a detour and pick those people up? To me, he did the right thing regardless of what the press or the opposition says.
by ClosetIguana on Fri Jul 21, 06 12:25pm [+]

If he really gave Ye Olde Rat's A$$e, he would've diverted a couple of C-130s insstead, to get his people home faster. But at least he went, a step more than Our Imperial Leader took.
by Truthseeker013 on Fri Jul 21, 06 12:50pm [+]

Mithrandir

Would you have preferred if he didn't divert his plane?
by ClosetIguana on Fri Jul 21, 06 1:15pm [+]

I don't know the answer.. I think it's nice..
But did he really leave behind press people who'd been flying with them?? That part that sounds scary..
by Jyl on Fri Jul 21, 06 2:54pm [+]

"If he really gave Ye Olde Rat's A$$e, he would've diverted a couple of C-130s insstead, to get his people home faster."

government has chartered 10 Air Canada aircraft but remember that the Beirut airports are blown to sh#t. They first got to get the people to Turkey or Cyprus by ship.
by ClosetIguana on Fri Jul 21, 06 5:22pm [+]

I think that Harper's picking up Canadians in Cyprus was a photo-op thing. He caused more logistical trouble to the officials who were trying to get 20,000 people out that any real help. On the plus side, he did help convey a sense of compassion to the Canadians caught in Lebanon which is in stark contrast with the indifference they met at the beginning of the crisis. But he could have done that without getting in the way in Cyprus. But I think the real issue here is the PM's office trying to control everything and not letting or helping the officials on the ground do their jobs - that's politics and image control, and has nothing to do with humanitarianism --- in my opinion.
by Mithrandir on Fri Jul 21, 06 6:14pm [+]

But you didn't answer my question.

Would you have preferred if he didn't divert his plane and pick those people up?
by ClosetIguana on Fri Jul 21, 06 9:55pm [+]

Yes, as a matter of fact I would have preferred it if he hadn't diverted the plane. I would have preferred it if he had cancelled the last part of his trip after the G8 - gone right back to Ottawa and done prime ministerial things that only he could do - like for example negotiate help from other countries to arrange for logistical support, transport out of Lebanon, and embassy manpower on the ground in Beirut where it was needed in return for Canadian assistance elsewhere. He could have directed the military and other resources at his disposal to help in the evacuation, It would have been less flashy perhaps, but more useful. If air transport was in such need, he could have sent his Airbus back to Turkey to help with the evacuation of other foreign nationals. And, regardless of the politics of the situation, as a statesman, he could have tried to influence a cessation of the violence impacting innocent civilians especially when so many of his citizens number among them. But that's just my opinion.
by Mithrandir on Fri Jul 21, 06 10:53pm [+]

Because he's a scumbag politician looking to score points with the public. What a slimeball.
by cranky on Sat Jul 22, 06 8:51am [+]

Mithrandir

Does your suggestion require him to be back in Ottawa?
by ClosetIguana on Sat Jul 22, 06 11:35am [+]

As a the Canadian PM, you know he went since he is trying to be a good canadian and offer help. As a typical politican, he know it is a obvious photos op and willing to take it. Some will like it, some will not. But you know many politicans from all parties will try something like it in one form or another.

He is pretty bland and boring, but at least he trying to do something as PM. Plus he is trying to keep his promises too.
by FarEast on Mon Jul 24, 06 6:27pm [+]






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