Angry in the Great White North

a heat-seeking missile in the Conservative arsenal

If Canada was trying to lose control of Hans Island, the patch of dirt in the far north subject to conflicting claims of sovereignty between Canada and Denmark, it's going about it in exactly the right way:

Canada rankled Washington with its refusal to participate in the invasion of Iraq two years ago. Ottawa also balked at taking a formal role in Bush's ambitious missile defence project.

Relations between the two neighbours have been further strained by a nasty and prolonged dispute about softwood lumber.

No news here. Canada has been doing everything it can to spit in the American eye on just about every international and domestic issue. Gay marriage. Decriminalization of marijuana. Trade with China.

What about Denmark?

Denmark, on the other hand, has contributed more than 500 troops, under British command, to the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq. The Scandinavian country has also been more receptive than Canada to the concept of a missile defence shield, agreeing to update a key early-warning installation in Danish-controlled Greenland.

In recognition of their friendly relations, Bush visited Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen at his official residence in July, prior to the gathering of G-8 leaders in Scotland.

That is not to say these have been easy decisions. The Danish government is taking some heat over its support for the US in Iraq, but then leaders take heat for leading.

Got that? Leaders lead, and that's almost never pleasant. Perhaps that's a reason why George W Bush visited Anders Rasmussen -- they both understand the trials and tribulations of leadership.

What would George W Bush and Paul Martin have to talk about?

So Denmark is supporting the US, including the missle defense shield, something Canada could have gotten into if Paul Martin had showed some leadership. Instead it's only the Danes. And the Danes will point at Hans Island, and any other choice bits of the far north around Greenland, and say to the Americans, "If only we had clear sovereign rights to this bit or that, we could help extend missile defense shield capabilities. But we don't, so unless that changes, you should go ask the Paul Martin if he'll help out."

And even if Hans Island is not strategically important (though I suspect it is), if the Hans Island dispute goes to arbitration, the Americans will be lobbying in the background, helping the nations tasked to decide the issue what Washington's preference is. The right vote might ease other issues concerning aid or trade.

Imagine having the Americans actively lobbying against Canada in every territorial dispute Canada has in the far north. This is not to say that Canada has to do whatever the US says. That would be wrong. But a bit of realpolitik, a recognition that these things are linked, that if you don't support your friends, or at least make a good effort to do as much as you can, that your friends are going to turn on you. The Danes are being supportive, and suffering significant pain for that, and the Americans will remember that and help when the opportunity arises.

Let's hope that opportunity is not centered on Hans Island, because if it is, the US will be able to kill two birds with one stone -- help out the Danes, and send a message to Ottawa.