A fight between Hillier and O'Connor?

[MarkOttawa]

Interesting article by Jim Travers in the Toronto Star, "Butting heads on defence":
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1144058693032&call_pageid=968256290204&col=968350116795

Excerpts:
'...
Officially, defence isn't one of the five priorities defining the Prime Minister's agenda. So, instead of speaking openly about the direction of a department preparing to absorb billions more taxpayer dollars, Stephen Harper's say-nothing administration is the first casualty of a whisper war between Hillier, Canada's top soldier, and former brigadier general, arms industry lobbyist and now Defence Minister Gordon O' Connor.

Those on Hillier's side — and that's almost everyone wearing a uniform or watching the bottom line — slag O'Connor as a relic who hasn't accepted that the Cold War is over, the Berlin Wall down, and asymmetrical threats rising...

At a time when Hillier is moving fast toward a lighter, more flexible, operations-oriented military able to deliver more bang-for-the buck internationally, O'Connor is retreating toward big-ticket, high-profile, low-efficiency purchases that wave the flag most vigorously at home [like the mad promises to scatter now non-existent battalions from Goose Bay to Bagotville to Trenton to Comox]...

O'Connor also wants to wave the Maple Leaf in the Arctic by spending $2 billion-plus on icebreakers and deepwater docking. Defending sovereignty is important but, like the heavy aircraft option, there are better ways to do the job...

Abandoning O'Connor would be another vote of non-confidence in a cabinet damaged by the David Emerson and Michael Fortier appointments and embarrassed by Harper's stay-mum order. But if Harper lets O'Connor buy what will delight the arms industry rather than what works best, he risks losing the best-known defence chief in decades and stalling the military's overdue transition...'

Mark
Ottawa

 

[a_majoor]

Given that the Toronto Star has been the Liberal house organ for decades, we should also look for any underlying motives behind running the article. The line

Abandoning O'Connor would be another vote of non-confidence in a cabinet damaged by the David Emerson and Michael Fortier appointments and embarrassed by Harper's stay-mum order

is a clue of what they might like to see/engineer. A rational person might ask how you can have "another" vote of non confidence with a cabinet that is just stood up and a throne speech not even read at this time?

In the end, we all know which way the equation works, and certainly Gen Hillier (or any of us) can put in our release if we have serious disagreements with policy, as it should be in a civilian controled military.

 

[Old Sweat]

In my opinion this column is largely speculation with a bit of Liberal spin thrown in in an attempt to discredit the MND as a tool of the arms industry and a blimpish cold war relic. Treat it as opinion, not as fact, until we have better information available - like, say a throne speech or a budget.

 

[Teddy Ruxpin]

Very true.  However, O'Connor has come in for heavy criticism from some serving members of this forum for precisely the same reasons as Mr. Travers indicates.  He's waded into operational issues with very little forethought and said some asinine things as a result.  Personally I remain highly suspicious of overall Conservative defence policy and the issues that have been driving it.  

The Minister has, after all, said some very "blimpish" things (tac vests and grenades anyone?) and elements of the Conservative defence platform (battalions in Goose Bay, Bagotville, Comox, etc.) are out to lunch and were obviously developed without any significant current military advice.

 

[MarkOttawa]

Trenton too.

Mark
Ottawa

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

An opinion that many of us ourselves have speculated on by his (MND) own statements as of late.

 

[Teddy Ruxpin]

Trenton too.

Right - the "new"/old Airborne battalion (as distinct from CSOR and our current line battalions).  One wonders where the leadership for all these new units is to come from...along with a host of other problems.

 

[MdB]

Right - the "new"/old Airborne battalion (as distinct from CSOR and our current line battalions).  One wonders where the leadership for all these new units is to come from...along with a host of other problems.

I don't think it was meant to be implemented. Just throwing some meat at the journalists/public. The public has already forgotten everything that's been said about multiple battalions of whatever somewhere deep in the hinterland.

About the article, for once the journalist didn't use a template to write it. I think it's refreshing.

This quote doesn't push the balance a side or the other:

Abandoning O'Connor would be another vote of non-confidence in a cabinet damaged by the David Emerson and Michael Fortier appointments and embarrassed by Harper's stay-mum order. But if Harper lets O'Connor buy what will delight the arms industry rather than what works best, he risks losing the best-known defence chief in decades and stalling the military's overdue transition.

 

[Teddy Ruxpin]

I don't think it was meant to be implemented. Just throwing some meat at the journalists/public. The public has already forgotten everything that's been said about multiple battalions of whatever somewhere deep in the hinterland.

Ummm...  I've heard different - very recently too.

 

[geo]

Well.... it's April - spring thaw time
New budget, new gov't, new MDN.......

Given that there's going to be a throne speach today (?) I would venture that we will be getting hints over the coming weeks and months....

as some former NCO Friends of mine would say:  "wait for it!"

Chimo!

 

[MdB]

Ummm...  I've heard different - very recently too.

Well, maybe is was meant, but again, I'll be on the side of Jesus: God forgive them, because they don't know what they are doing.

A battalion in Goose Bay? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH, isn't it way off base? Even common people without any military knowledge know the difference between a base along the bank of the Ottawa (??) River and the coast of Labrador logistics-wise... :-\

 

[Cloud Cover]

The Minister has, after all, said some very "blimpish" things (tac vests and grenades anyone?) and elements of the Conservative defence platform (battalions in Goose Bay, Bagotville, Comox, etc.) are out to lunch and were obviously developed without any significant current military advice.

Except for Israel, in politics since when did military advice matter? Its all about optics and votes.

I too am skeptical, but I hold very grave reservations about what the previous party in power may morph into.

 

[couchcommander]

I should really send off for one of those bumper stickers that reads "Don't Blame Me, I Voted Liberal".

;D

 

[pbi]

First, I very much hope that this "conflict" does not cost us the best CDS I have seen in 32 years, one who quite definitely DID have influence with the last govt. That would be a real tragedy and would leave us headless at a time of great change. No doubt, it would also bring the parochialists, foot-draggers and nay-sayers back out of the woodwork, and we would be far, far worse off. And, if there was ever a moment that we needed clear and forceful leadership, it's right now.

Second, I think we should be mindful of the old adage "be careful what you wish for". Many of us over the years longed for a MND with military background, and a party that would take defence and security seriously. While we now have both, we might wonder if what we really need is not a superannuated general officer but an effective, savvy and respected politician, who can get us what we need, and provide "top cover" for the CDS transformation efforts. Hopefully we will discover that we have one of  these.

Cheers

 

[geo]

geeezzzz...... wonder if Bill Graham would entertain crossing the floor? (JK)

 

[KevinB]

I recall most of us had a MP with mil credentials...

Even had the Green backing AF blue.

My thoughts on the current MND are public -- I dont want to catch another warning belabouring them...

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

chicken