Secret Canadians

It was interesting to read this in the Toronto Star this morning:

The Canadians on the ground say something marvellous is happening in Iraq. You may not see it just yet, not through the dust and debris of car bombs. But they do. And the words they use to describe it are nothing short of breathless. "The big story just isn't getting out. But it is really happening. Despite what you see on cable news, despite the bombs and the beheadings, Iraqis are putting their lives on the line for this thing called democracy. They have a thirst for it. They want it. And they're getting it."
But things are not quite so marvellous that the speaker will let us tell you his name. Nor can we even identify the international team of democracy specialists he leads, not without putting his life at risk. Because they too are targets — targets arguably more vulnerable than most, since these Canadians are among the very few Westerners living in the real Baghdad, beyond the safety of the hermetically sealed U.S.-controlled Green Zone. Intimately familiar with the corridors of power in Ottawa, this Harvard-trained mission leader — let us call him Bob — is not quite a household name in Canada. But the cabinet ministers he has served over the years certainly are.

A secret Canadian - possibly a deputy minister even - in Iraq since September working on the election. That is kind of neat. Given all the assassinations of people related to tomorrow's election this short term secrecy makes great sense: "You can say my name when my plane lifts off the runway."

Comments

Alan - January 29, 2005 2:49 pm

Well - it is the Star, that yellow running dog rag that pays for middle brothers ales and cakes...BUT...my "but"...what is really neat is how it represents so many interests in Canada:<ul><li>Trudeau's Liberal 70s Federal multi-culturalism as you can bet one aspect we bring to the problem is middle eastern staff. After 9/11 I recall reading that the CIA had only 100 Arabic speakers. Think about the Canadian public service - likely better resources to call upon, likely lots;<li></li>Mulroney's Conservative 80's move back to the USA - we got to like our southern neighbours - even if more through free trade than Irish Eyes Are Smiling. Just happy to help as long as you let us do what we are wanting to do, not what we are told to do;<li>Broadbent's 70's to present day NDP call to democracy as a reflection of the Canadian desire to be free through collective process, an aggressively fair election being one pillar of that achievement.</li></ul>All principled and all different facets of the same Canadian community. All good news in a tough situation. I am very proud of these folk.Later: Just to prove it is home of the bro, I actually thought to take a photo of the Star's building on the train the other day.<center><img src="images/2005/torstar.JPG" vspace="10"></center>