[aliceingoogs]

Canada compensates man U.S. deported to Syria - CNN.com

OTTAWA, Canada (AP) -- Canada's prime minister apologized to Maher Arar on Friday and announced the government would compensate him C$10.5 million (US$8.9 million) for its role in his deportation from the U.S. to Syria, where he was tortured while held in prison for nearly a year.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper again called on the U.S. government to remove the Ottawa telecoms engineer from any of its no-fly or terrorist watchlists and reiterated that Ottawa would keep pressing Washington to clear Arar's name.

"We think the evidence is absolutely clear and that the United States should in good faith remove Mr. Arar from the list," Harper told a news conference in Ottawa. "We don't intend to either change or drop our position."

The U.S. government has repeatedly insisted it has reasons to leave the 37-year-old on its watchlists. The issue has grown into an unpleasant diplomatic row between the world's largest trading partners and closest allies. Not sure if this case is getting as much attention in the States as it is here but this has dragged on for years. The Chief of the RCMP resigned because of it. I think the US should own up to its mistake and take the guy of the watch list.

On a completely seperate note, would the fact that Syria is torturing suspected terrorists seem to suggest they are more in cooperation with the US than the Bush administration portrays?

[WaydayTew]

On a completely seperate note, would the fact that Syria is torturing suspected terrorists seem to suggest they are more in cooperation with the US than the Bush administration portrays?

amazing how the most of the media never ask substantive questions about how or why he was sent to syria. my guess is they won't take him off the list because that would be tantamount to admitting they totally fucked up and got caught violating every known human right on the planet. you would think this would be evidence enough for the believers of the "war on terror" to realize it might as well be called a "war on my balls."

[Prererularl]

Canada compensates man U.S. deported to Syria - CNN.com



Not sure if this case is getting as much attention in the States as it is here but this has dragged on for years. The Chief of the RCMP resigned because of it. I think the US should own up to its mistake and take the guy of the watch list.

So the United States, which received misleading information from Canada, should apologize to this guy?

[ZIDouglas]

So the United States, which received misleading information from Canada, should apologize to this guy?

did Canada also instruct US authorities to have Arar deported to Syria through extraordinary rendition with the intention that he be tortured? and you would have to be pretty naive or intellectually dishonest to believe US authorities had no idea Arar would be tortured in Syria wouldn't you agree?

[Jeffery]

So the United States, which received misleading information from Canada, should apologize to this guy?

Well gee, he was tortured as a direct result of US action. Sounds like an apology is an order. In fact what sounds like in order is for Ashcroft to start begging that he doesn't get charged with conspiracy.

[usatramadolusa]

Canada compensates man U.S. deported to Syria - CNN.com



Not sure if this case is getting as much attention in the States as it is here but this has dragged on for years. The Chief of the RCMP resigned because of it. I think the US should own up to its mistake and take the guy of the watch list.

On a completely seperate note, would the fact that Syria is torturing suspected terrorists seem to suggest they are more in cooperation with the US than the Bush administration portrays?

My congratulations. The canadian gouvernment is showing some backbone here. Everytime I remember how our gouvernment "handled" the Kurnaz- or the Al-Masri-abduction, I have to puke. The US abducts german citizens without having anything against them (even from foreign soil) and our politicians wet into their pants because they fear that someone could demand they have to say something against that. Laughing stocks.

[Jeffery]

My congratulations. The canadian gouvernment is showing some backbone here. Everytime I remember how our gouvernment "handled" the Kurnaz- or the Al-Masri-abduction, I have to puke. The US abducts german citizens without having anything against them (even from foreign soil) and our politicians wet into their pants because they fear that someone could demand they have to say something against that. Laughing stocks.

Politically Harper has to drive a wedge between him and Bush, while politically he is in line with the moderate and left of center democrats in the US that is not the perception. And despite the fact that Michael Ignatieff (Liberal Deputy) actually supports torture, the iraq war, and a host of the rest, the NDP and Liberals will still try to hang that around the neck of harper.

In terms of international relations, this is the only response which is available. If a country attacks your citizens, its cause for a diplomatic row.

[cokLoolioli]

Canada can do what it wants. We appear to think he has some connection to AQ, and since he is a Syrian citizen, sent him back. If you have a problem with how Syria treats their citizens, maybe you should be criticizing them. All we did was put him on a plane. I applaud my country for kicking out undesirables. The US is not open to terrorists, even if Canada welcomes them.

[Jeffery]

Canada can do what it wants. We appear to think he has some connection to AQ, and since he is a Syrian citizen, sent him back. If you have a problem with how Syria treats their citizens, maybe you should be criticizing them. All we did was put him on a plane. I applaud my country for kicking out undesirables. The US is not open to terrorists, even if Canada welcomes them.

He was traveling on a Canadian passport, and he was a Canadian citizen. Sending someone to a country they had fled, knowing full well they will be tortured and knowing full well the country they should have been extradited to, is a crime.

If he committed a crime then charge him, if not he is a Canadian Citizen and must be treated as such.

Tell me, if Canada whisked Henry Kissinger off to Germany to help Interpol bring him before a Spanish Court do you think America would stay quiet? And hell there would be ample reason, probable cause, he'd get a fair trial, and he wouldn't be tortured.

This is conspiracy to commit torture and you're perfectly fine with it. Since you hate the Rule of Law so much why don't you leave the US? I'm sure there are plenty of dictatorships which could use apologists like yourself.

[Prererularl]

He was traveling on a Canadian passport, and he was a Canadian citizen. Sending someone to a country they had fled, knowing full well they will be tortured and knowing full well the country they should have been extradited to, is a crime.

If he committed a crime then charge him, if not he is a Canadian Citizen and must be treated as such.

Perhaps you should practice law since you seem to think you are the subject matter expert on it ..

[masaredera]

Canada can do what it wants. We appear to think he has some connection to AQ, and since he is a Syrian citizen, sent him back. If you have a problem with how Syria treats their citizens, maybe you should be criticizing them. All we did was put him on a plane. I applaud my country for kicking out undesirables. The US is not open to terrorists, even if Canada welcomes them.

He is a Canadian citizen, born in Syria.

He is not a terrorist. There is absolutely no evidence of that and there never has been, He is a software engineer. Both the Canadian and US authorities fucked up royally in his case. Apparently Canada has the balls to admit it.

For you to say all you did was 'put him on a plane' shows your massive ignorance and naivety on the subject. You put him on a plane for the express purpose of being tortured. That is why it is done in secret.

Have you no shame? Grow up and admit your mistakes.

Andrew

[Jeffery]

Perhaps you should practice law since you seem to think you are the subject matter expert on it ..

Perhaps the US Govt. should state outright whether Canadian Citizens can expect the full protections of law when they visit the United States or not. If not, then there are some serious problems and the US can expect a drastic decrease in relations not just with Canada, but the entire commonwealth and a further souring of relations with mainland Europe.

[AlexanderDrew]

Canada compensates man U.S. deported to Syria - CNN.com



Not sure if this case is getting as much attention in the States as it is here but this has dragged on for years. The Chief of the RCMP resigned because of it. I think the US should own up to its mistake and take the guy of the watch list.

On a completely seperate note, would the fact that Syria is torturing suspected terrorists seem to suggest they are more in cooperation with the US than the Bush administration portrays?

You must know by now that the policy of our current government is: Never admit you're wrong and never appologize!

[Louthcoombutt]

It would be nice to know if they actually have anything on this guy, or is it simply a matter of not wishing to disclose a huge mistake. I would hope if it is the latter that we would own up and issue an apology to the man but I know it'll never happen.

[annouhMus]

I find it interesting that Canada apparently has more of a conscence than the US in that it was the US that deported him Let's see now, wheree's the error????

[cokLoolioli]

Perhaps the US Govt. should state outright whether Canadian Citizens can expect the full protections of law when they visit the United States or not. If not, then there are some serious problems and the US can expect a drastic decrease in relations not just with Canada, but the entire commonwealth and a further souring of relations with mainland Europe.

Oh no. Whatever will we do. Perhaps youve forgotten how reliant your economy and security are on us? Regardless, canadians do get full protection of the law, as long as they obey it.

[Jeffery]

Oh no. Whatever will we do. Perhaps youve forgotten how reliant your economy and security are on us?

If the US is abducting Canadian Businessmen, then sending them to Syria to have them tortured it puts a bit of a strain on trade.

Regardless, canadians do get full protection of the law, as long as they obey it. There is absolutely no proof that he didn't obey the law. The criminals in this case are all the agents who helped, looked the other way, or ordered it. In case they've forgotten, they are there to enforce the law, not to ignore it.

[aliceingoogs]

One of my good friends was born in Iran. As soon as her mom was able they left the hospital and bought their way out amidst Iraqi bombs going off during that war (she was born in '84). She lived in Turkey for a bit, then Germany and then Montreal. Her family is not religious. They don't give a fuck about Iran or Islam or anything other than being descent citizens.

Its easy to turn a blind eye to people you don't know like Maher Arar who's just some middle eastern man who got mistaken for someone else. If I picture my friend being taken away and sent to Iran for stoning or something it becomes unthinkable.

Jviehe you strike me as someone who is really un-sympathetic to the collateral damage your current administration is causing to good people all over the world. I get the impression that you'd support rounding up every single muslim in America until the war on my balls is over. After all, they did it to themselves and your illusion of security far outweights any trampling of a muslim's rights. You need to wake up.

[kiosokkn]

Canada can do what it wants. We appear to think he has some connection to AQ, and since he is a Syrian citizen, sent him back. If you have a problem with how Syria treats their citizens, maybe you should be criticizing them. All we did was put him on a plane. I applaud my country for kicking out undesirables. The US is not open to terrorists, even if Canada welcomes them.

The point is that Arar, isn't and was never a terrorist and a royal commision in Canada exonerated him completely. Get your facts straight. Where do you get off saying he's an undesireable. The whole point of this matter is that he isn't and never was! He's an innocent Canadian citizen. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/23/wo.../23terror.html Your post is bordering on offensive and it's certainly in the realm of obnoxious. Don't worry, he is in the middle of suing the US government. Senator Leahy, who heads the Senate Judicial Committee, is in the process of hauling Attorney-General Gonzales's ass onto the carpet for this gross injustice.

[cokLoolioli]

You are reliant on us as well. We are your biggest source of energy, including oil for starters. What a piss-poor attitude from a supposed ally.

Canada has shown itself to be in the "against us" column in my mind. They will be treated as such until things change. You are either with us or against us. Economically we could easily survive without Canada. Im not sure Canada could say the same.