6 News Conservative Government Open to Missile Defence Pact NADYA BELL CUP OTTAWA BUREAU CHIEF OTTAWA (CUP) - Defence Min- ister Gordon O’Connor opened the door to Canada's participation in an American missile defence system after a speech on Feb, 23. ‘O'Connor told reporters that he has nothing in principle against signing a ballistic missile defence agreement with the United States, and he would open negotiations if the Americans re- quested. However, any agreement would have to be debated and passed in parliament. All three opposition parties oppose a missile defence agreement. NDP defence critic Dawn Black said her party would vote against signing a missile defence agreement with the US. “Missile defence is not proven tech- nically at all. It will scart an arms race and lead to the weaponization of space that we are opposed to,’ she said. But one supporter of the agreement argues it would only be a symbolic ges- ture, and not involve Canada contribut- ing any money to the project. The American government already has a missile defence system that can target incoming missiles. On July 22, Come in today or call 1-800-HRBLOCK 2004, Americans installed a ground based interceptor missile at Fort paieesty Alaska, Matthew Gillard is a masters stu- dent in political science studying space weaponization. He said Canada par- ticipates in this system informally by sharing radar information with the Americans that they could use to target ballistic missiles. _ “We are already, with that informa- tion, participating in the ballistic mis- sile defence program, so anything else would merely a formal declaration of consent,’ Gillard said, But currently, Gillard said the Avi ican missile defence system does not work. The system is supposed to be able to stop ballistic missiles launched by terrorist organizations, or a small nuclear attack from a rogue state. How- ever cheap decoys on the missiles would prevent them from being detected. “They've been trying for decades to build a system capable of destroying ballistic missiles, but this system, judg- ing by various tests, has been deployed before it had the capability to take out ~ various missiles,’ he said. The Americans are also testing a sea based missile defence system, and plan- ning a missile defence system in space. t= — ae eee eg Gillard said’ anti-satellite weapons and orbital bombardment weapons ~ ground to space, or space to ground weapons ~ are the real danger. “What we have to try to do is con- vince the U.S that the development of anti-satellite weapons is a bad idea.” Because the United States’ military power depends on their satellites, they need to make sure other states are not able to target them. The best way to do that, Gillard said, is for the United States to refrain from building anti-sat- ellite weapons, and avoid an arms race in that area, He said Canada should sign on to a missile defence treaty to maintain a close relationship with the U.S., and help prevent a space arms race. ” “We do have to worry about a space race happening, but I think that at least right now a lot of people tend to exag- gerate the potential escalation, factor caused by the building of a ballistic missile defence system,’ he said. Today, several countries who op- pose space weaponization have signed on to a ballistic missile defence treaty with the U.S. including Denmark and Greenland in 2003. fr ree’ Domino, S Pizza —— a eo eo or oe a oe fo on om i a on s March 22, 2006 + Over the Edge Who knew that a calculator could look this good? $9995’ student tax preparation Get a coupon for a free medium Domino's Pizza with student tax preparation: H&R BLOCK KAMIL KISIEL "To qualify, Stadent must present aither (} a T2202a documenting 4 or more mouths ef full time attendance af 2 college oF university diwing 2005 or (ita valid high schoo! Wentifcetion cat Offer ane coupon expire June 30, 2006. Coupon valid for a medium one-topping pizza only 21 participating H&R Block locations in Canara.