[War] Canada: "Let's Not Get Grumpy"

[Michael Downey]

"Let's Not Get Grumpy"
Prime Minister R. Leon MacIntyre
Canada
21 March 2013
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"So the Americans are feuding with the Japanese, eh?" observed
MacIntyre as he read the article in the Globe and Mail. Not
surprising. Japan was acting contrary to American foreign policy
interests, which was to get the PLA out of Korea and the ROK and US
military forces in, and the Yanks were getting pissed because they
considered Japan a client state. "This is just Washington getting
their pants in a knot because an ally isn't going what Washington
wants. They got the same way with us when we didn't go into Iraq.
It'll pass. So what's the big deal?"

"The big deal is that you just ratified an important commercial treaty
with China and agreed to send humanitarian aid to North Korea," said
Foreign Minister Daudelin. "If Washington is getting into it with
Japan because they sat down and did a deal with China over North
Korea, then they might perceive our actions as a similar 'betrayal.'"

"America does more business with China than we do," pointed out
Ingram. "And our aid offer is only meant to relieve the suffering of
innocent civilians caught up in this operation. We have not given any
political support or endorsement to the Chinese occupation."

"They perceive China as a rival for control East Asia," emphasized
Daudelin. "It is in their interests for China to fail, or at least
turn to the United States and South Korea for assistance. Even if our
humanitarian offers are not political, it detracts from that goal."

"We're all being too paranoid," said MacIntyre. And by 'all' he meant
the FM. "The President is not that hardheaded. They may have to choke
back their pride and accept that North Korea is a Chinese protectorate
now, but it never belonged to the USA to begin with so it's not like
they've taken some sort of big loss."

However it was still worrisome. Japan and America bickering was not
more concerning than America and Canada bickering, which happened
often. But America and China getting into a feud over North Korea
could destabilize East Asia.

"Does China really intend to set up an independent North Korean
national government or are they going to make them puppets?" he asked
Daudelin, the expert in the room.

"They've resisted every attempt by the Russians and Japanese to help
mentor an emerging democracy in the country," remarked Daudelin. "And
let's be honest, they don't really have a good track record when it
comes to the self-determination of other people."

"Do we take a position?" asked Ingram.

"I don't want to get drawn into something that's above our weight
class," muttered the PM. He thought about it for a moment. Canada
couldn't come out against China directly, but couldn't support what
was likely the creation of a Chinese satellite state. "Okay, if
someone comes right out and asks, our official position is that all
involved parties should work towards creating a free, democratic North
Korean state." Keep it nice, simple and vague, for the moment. "No
comment on the sincerity of the Chinese or about reunification. But
Charles? Keep me notified if China really is stringing up a new
puppet."

Daudelin nodded.

"Okay, where is Vernon?"

"Here," said the Defence Minister, just stepping through the door.

"I take it the results are back?" asked the PM, gesturing for Garneau to sit.

"Yes, the American vessel defeated the German boat in short order, as
many had expected."

Of course. A nuclear sub against a diesel sub was pretty much a
foregone contest. What had the Cabinet expected? Mac had known the
outcome the moment the idea landed on his desk, he had agreed to it to
buy himself time to think.

"Okay, so the German design lost. But did it do badly? I mean a
Eurofighter is going to lose to a Raptor, doesn't mean it's a bad
design, right?"

"According to our observer the U212 did perform impressively despite
its opponent," answered Garneau. "Far better than what our Upholders
could ever do."

"In the event we ever have to face an enemy with nuclear subs, which
is very unlikely, then we will simply rely upon the United States to
come to our aid," commented Ingram. "That's the whole reason we are
their allies, isn't it? *Joint* defence of North America. We've
already enhanced our armed forces in every other aspect. Nuclear subs
are just to expensive and too powerful for our needs. Not to mention I
still think Williams is just trying to sucker us into buying them so
his own costs go down."

"Okay, the German boats it is then," decided the PM. They'd already
bought billions of dollars of fighters and surface ships from the
Americans, he would have choice words for the President if the White
House or Pentagon put up a stink. "Vernon, issues the official tender
to the German contractor once Parliament approves the spending bill."
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Actions:
1) Encourage all involved parties to work towards a free and
democratic North Korea, but do not become any further involved for the
moment.
2) Continue with humanitarian aid.
3) The Royal Canadian Navy will adopt the German made U212-class
submarine over the American Virginia-class due to cost.