Ottawa now admits that some Canadian soldiers are in Iraq, even though Canada refused to join the U.S.-led war against Saddam Hussein.

Prime Minister Chrétien says Canada isn't at war with Iraq. But he conceded that some Canadian soldiers could be with U.S. and British troops inside the country. "It's possible," he said, "but they are not in combat roles."

But Lieut.-Col. Ronnie McCourt told CBC News, in an interview at command headquarters in Doha, Qatar, that some Canadians are on the front lines.

CBC Friday April 4, 2003

Canada was and is not only involved, at one point a Canadian General was the number 2 man in the war of aggression.

Brigadier-General Walt Natynczyk is deputy commander of the U.S. Army's Three Corps, which is to take command in Iraq next year, and he has already been given approval to engage in "military operations up to and including participation in hostilities" under a recently declassified order from the head of the Canadian Forces.

Brig.-Gen. Natynczyk, a Canadian exchange officer, will take the posting even though Canada has pointedly avoided contributing to the U.S.-led coalition.

"I've got the approval from my chain of command," he said yesterday in an interview with the National Post. "I will deploy with them early in the new year -- we don't have fixed dates yet."

http://www.rightnation.us/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t22232.html originally form the National Post.

Least anyone have any lingering confusion about what Canada feels about is Iraqi involvement:

OTTAWA - Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, today announced the awarding of five Meritorious Service Decorations (military division) to individuals whose specific achievements have brought honour to the Canadian Forces and to Canada. Recipients will be invited to receive their decorations at a presentation ceremony to be held at a later date.

The Meritorious Service Decorations are separated into military and civil divisions, with two levels each: a medal and a cross. The military division recognizes individuals for their outstanding professionalism and for bringing honour to the Canadian Forces. The civil division recognizes individuals who have performed an exceptional deed or an activity that brought honour to their community or to Canada.

On the recommendation of the Canadian Decorations Advisory Committee (Meritorious Service Decorations-military division), the Governor General is pleased to announce the following awards:

Meritorious Service Cross

[...]Major-General Walter J. Natynczyk, O.M.M., M.S.C., C.D.
Ottawa and Kingston, Ontario, and Winnipeg, Manitoba

http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=4653

Just to make sure there is no misunderstanding at all:

On January 24, 2006, Governor General Michaëlle Jean awarded him the Meritorious Service Cross.

She recognized Natynczyk "for his outstanding leadership and professionalism while deployed as Deputy Commanding General of the Multi-National Corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom

"From January 2004 to January 2005, Major General Natynczyk led the Corps' 10 separate brigades, consisting of more than 35,000 soldiers stationed throughout the Iraq Theater of Operations. He also oversaw planning and execution of all Corps level combat support and combat service support operations.

"His pivotal role in the development of numerous plans and operations resulted in a tremendous contribution by the Multi-National Corps to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and has brought great credit to the Canadian Forces and to Canada."

http://www.arabamericannews.com/newsarticle.php?articleid=7322

The US is attempting to target Iran next. The point is that the US is probably not going it alone. There was lots of verbal protest about US evil deeds, but from rendition to aggression the West has found it convenient to go along with the US - all the time making faint protesting noises. In effect "NO" means "YES". And now the other shoe is dropping and perhaps slightly more strident protesting noises are being made. The question is - does "NO" still mean "YES"? Certainly the actions of those countries that participated in Clinton's rendition initiative, and those countries that have engaged in activities in Iraq have helped to set up the invasion of Iran.

It's time to stop having a good time bashing Bush and the US. Bush is a problem, but the problem is not Bush. Similarly the US is a problem, but the problem is not the US.

We need to occasionally look in the mirror. Most, if not all of the West has helped to create the conditions where the invasion of Iran is now possible. It's been decades, in the making. It is a landscape of torture, war, short-term convenience over human rights, and might makes right that must be changed.