Thirty Liberals break ranks, support Bloc motion on missile defence shield

By SYLVAIN LAROCQUE

OTTAWA (CP) - About 30 Liberal MPs voted against their government on
Tuesday in support of a Bloc Quebecois motion demanding that Ottawa refuse
to participate in talks related to the U.S. missile defence program.

The motion was defeated 155 to 71, but more than one-third of the nay votes
came from the Liberal caucus. Canada and the United States have been
talking for several weeks about the prospects of Canada joining the defence
system, which is scheduled to be operational this fall. Defence Minister
David Pratt hasn't ruled out the possibility interceptor rocket launchers
and radar stations could be based in Canada as part of the program.

Among the Liberals who voted for the Bloc motion on Tuesday were MP Yvon
Charbonneau, who serves as parliamentary secretary to Public Security
Minister Anne McLellan. Charbonneau, who joined at least six Quebec Liberal
MPs in support of the motion, said he was happy to freely express his
opinion on the U.S. plan.

"This vast (missile) program is somewhat ill-conceived and
unjustified," Charbonneau said in an interview. "What are the
real reasons for creating such a huge program that will cost billions and
will lead to weapons being sent to space?" He added: "I don't see
where these enemies are who would be targeted by this type of
program."

The vote on Tuesday was the first opportunity for government members to
take advantage of the free-vote system implemented recently by Prime
Minister Paul Martin. Martin has set out new rules that would loosen party
discipline and make it easier for backbenchers to vote as they choose on
many bills. Pratt attempted to minimize the significance of the vote,
pointing out fewer than 20 per cent of the Liberal caucus voted with the
Bloc.

The Bush administration hopes that developing a global shield against
ballistic missiles will protect it against potential threats from countries
like North Korea. The current plan involves missiles based in Alaska and
California, with targetting radars in Alaska, Greenland and possibly
Australia.



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