“OK, let’s be blunt. We in the West have a very different perspective on this situation," Harper told
reporters in Dublin. "Mr. Putin and his government are supporting the thugs of the Assad regime for their own reasons that I do not think are justifiable, and Mr. Putin knows my view on that. But we will not, unless there’s a big shift of position on his part, we’re not going to get a common position with him at the G8.”
Harper also said that it was more a "G7 plus one" and that he does not expect Russia and her president to stop supporting Assad. There is proof, the prime minister believes, that Assad and his army have used
chemical weapons and he said he understands why the United States, Britain and France may move to arm the rebels.
“We are not in Canada, at the present time, we are not contemplating arming the opposition in Syria," he said. "I understand, fully understand, why our allies would do that, particularly given recent actions by Russia, Iran and others."
Russia and Iran are
sending arms to the Hezbollah-backed Syrian government. Britain and France have not fully committed to sending arms to the rebels but U.S. President Barack Obama has reportedly signed off on shipping weapons to them. There is pressure on Canada to join in that effort but Harper has spoken in the past of being fearful the weapons could fall into the hands of "extremist elements."
"Our aid at the present time," Harper said. "Will continue to be humanitarian aid."
