Highlights of the Prime Minister’s Address before the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

October 9, 2001

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today addressed the annual NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Ottawa. What follows are the highlights of his address:

Canada was a founding member of NATO – the most successful military alliance in history. And we are proud to be a charter member in this new multi-national, multi-ethnic coalition against terror.

We are engaged in a new kind of struggle against a new kind of enemy. Defeating these bands of marauding extremists will require action on a broad front, including military, diplomatic and financial action. Humanitarian relief. And enhanced domestic security programs and legislation.

The horrendous events of September 11 have taught us that no nation is immune to terror. And our government has taken vigorous action to protect Canadians:

• The Cabinet Committee on Security appointed by the Prime Minister is already showing results. This week, our government will announce new programs that will enhance security at our borders and for air travellers.
• And next week, we will announce a legislative and program package that will substantially upgrade the tools we have to counter and turn back the forces of terror.

These initiatives follow the measures already in place to protect Canadians. For example:

• The RCMP and the Canadian Security and Intelligence service are working with international investigators to track down and catch terrorists and destroy their networks.
• Canada’s border crossings remain on a high state of alert.
• Security measures for air travellers have been increased.
• Any assets of Osama bin Laden or his associates in Canada are frozen.
• We have implemented tough new regulations aimed at suppressing the financing of terrorism.
• Parliament is studying legislation introduced last spring that will reinforce immigrant and refugee screening, as well as impair the ability of terrorists to raise money in Canada.

Military strikes have begun against selected targets in Afghanistan. As always, every effort has been made in planning military action to limit civilian casualties. And the nations of our coalition will provide all necessary humanitarian assistance to those who are displaced.

We will never repeat enough that Canada and its coalition partners have no quarrel with the people of Afghanistan. And they have no quarrel with us. Our dispute is with the terrorists and the Taliban regime that insists on giving them safe harbour.