Former PM Chretien concerned with plan to send special forces to Iraq

Ottawa- Former prime minister Jean Chretien says the federal government’s decision to send special forces to northern Iraq to help fight an extremist group could pull Canada into further commitments in the region.
In an interview with CBC radio, Chretien says Canada is now fully a part of the action being taken against the extremist al-Qaida splinter group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL.
Chretien — who famously refused to join the U.S.-led coalition that invaded Iraq in 2003 because it was not sanctioned by the United Nations — says Canada’s involvement in a mission in Iraq is “a done deal.”
He also tells CBC he finds the Harper government’s insistence that Canada’s current contributions aren’t a combat mission “a bit unusual.”
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said the current Canadian commitment is limited to 69 special forces commandos who are to only advise and assist Iraqi forces and Kurdish fighters who are resisting ISIL forces in northern Iraq. The deployment is to be reviewed within 30 days.
But Chretien says he thinks that commitment could grow, with Canada being pressed to contribute further.

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