October 5, 2001

Earlier this week, the United States submitted to its NATO allies clear and compelling evidence pointing to the involvement of Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida network in last month’s attacks in New York and Washington.

Since this was clearly an attack directed from abroad, Canada and all NATO members endorsed invoking Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, which states that an aggression against a member of NATO shall be considered an aggression against all.

Yesterday, in a show of resolve and commitment to support and contribute to the U.S.-led campaign against terrorism, NATO allies unanimously agreed to eight measures that could be taken at the request of the U.S. These actions could include:

• enhanced intelligence sharing;
• increased security of facilities in NATO countries;
• assistance to support the fight against terrorism;
• backfilling of select NATO assets;
• overflight clearance; and
• access for the U.S. and other Allies to ports and airfields on the territory of other NATO nations for operations against terrorism.

They could also include:

• deployment of NATO’s Standing Naval Forces to the Eastern Mediterranean; and,

• deployment of elements of NATO’s Airborne Early Warning force.

It is important to note that no specific military requests have been made of Canada either directly or through NATO.

However, Canada and its NATO allies have been asked to look at adopting the non-military measures that they agreed on Oct. 4 could be taken. These measures can be put in place with minimal disruption. Indeed, many are already in place or are now being implemented.

NORAD had requested additional CF-18s from Canada to monitor airspace. These aircraft have already been made available.

Approximately 225 members of the Canadian Forces are presently serving on board HMCS Halifax, which is part of the NATO Standing Naval Force Atlantic and could be re-deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean.

We have authorized the more than 100 members of the Canadian Forces serving with U.S. and other allied military forces to participate in any operation conducted by their host unit in response to the recent attack.

In addition, approximately 120 members of the Canadian Forces are involved in NATO’s AWACS.

And the Canadian Forces are currently reviewing their contingency plans – which involve the army, the navy and the air force – in the eventuality that Canada is asked to give military support to this U.S.-led campaign.

Meanwhile, Canada has taken important steps to support the global effort to fight terrorism.

For example, Canada has taken immediate action in response to the UN Security Council Resolution 1373 last weekend by adopting regulations to freeze the financial assets of suspected terrorists.

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs have been actively encouraging our international partners to take similar action over the past two weeks.

And we are sharing information and intelligence extensively with the United States at the highest level.