Overnight, this was news on the US radio talk show circuit. Nothing on CBC yet, but there is a story in the Globe and Mail:

If Ottawa does send election monitors to Iraq, it will mark a new participation in efforts to rebuild the country after Canada refused to take part in the U.S.-led invasion. But Iraq remains torn by battles with insurgents and many aid groups have been forced out by violence and kidnappings by militants. Mr. Martin conceded there would be security concerns for Canadians sent there. "As I say, the details have not been worked out. But clearly, one is always concerned about the security of one's own citizens." Canada played a significant role in elections in Afghanistan, spending $24-million to help that country prepare for its recent vote.

This is good. We have made what point we had to make and now we can stop making that point. I think that we were right to make that point at the time we made the point because with hindsight our point was right. But that point is no longer the point.

It is time - and probably past time - to renew the friendship.