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The Canadian government is reconsidering its possible participation in the controversial United States missile defense program, government officials said on Monday.
Defense Minister John McCallum told reporters in Ottawa that the program, dubbed "Star Wars" by opponents who fear it could start another arms race, could improve Canadian security.
"A good number of arguments can be marshaled as to why this might be a good idea for Canada, in terms of joint defense of the continent, which we have done with the United States at least since 1940," McCallum said.
"The geopolitics have changed radically, the Americans are moving ahead anyway and a case can be made for Canadian security and for our joint defense of the continent that this may be a goodidea for Canada," McCallum added.
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien has tried to dodge controversy, saying on several occasions that the United States had yet to ask Canada to come on board with the missile shield program.
(Xinhua News Agency April 29, 2003)
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