Let us be clear. We are in favour of UN resolutions but against their
enforcement; against the use of force but in favour of the threat of
it; against fighting the war, but in favour of winning it. This is
part of Canada's unique national identity. Other countries may support
the war without participating in it. Only Canada is participating
without supporting it.
That's because there's an important principle at stake here. The
principle, as the Prime Minister said clearly in the House just the
other day, is that we want to "show" that Canada is an independent
country, able to make up its own mind about whether to go to war. That
is why we have always clearly said we would go along with whatever the
Security Council decides. Or fails to decide. Whatever.