Harper taps Liberal MP for advice on Middle East

[tuvor]

OTTAWA (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper has tapped a surprise source for advice on the Middle East: a Liberal MP of Muslim faith.

In a move apparently aimed at quelling criticism that he's been too ideological and too pro-Israel in his approach to the Lebanese conflict, the Conservative prime minister announced Tuesday that he's appointed Wajid Khan as his special adviser on South Asia and the Middle East. Khan, the Liberal MP for Mississauga-Streetsville, was born in Pakistan, where he served as a pilot in the air force.

Calgary MP Jason Kenney, Harper's parliamentary secretary, said the prime minister wanted "independent" advice from someone with intimate knowledge of the region.

Kenney said Khan could also help Harper build bridges to the Arab and Muslim communities, which have been furious about Harper's unequivocal support for Israel's bombardment of Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.

http://www.canadaeast.com/cp/national/article.php?articleID=30390

(Who...me, cynical?)

[Spazito]

1. LOL, hmmmm, not too subtle eh harper

He "consults" someone from PAKISTAN about Lebanon? Why not consult the leaders of the Lebanon communities in Canada, there are many in Quebec. Gosh, I guess he couldn't do that, he might not be able to continue to live in his bubble if he did that.

[tuvor]

2. Hmmm. Khan made the offer, apparently!

Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper has accepted an offer from a Liberal MP to advise the government on South Asia and the Middle East.

(snip)

In the statement, Khan said he offered his services to Harper. He later said interim Liberal leader Bill Graham approved the plan.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/08/08/harper-khan.html

Very strange that the other article makes it seem as though it were Harper who approached Khan.

[Spazito]

3. You're right, the other news outlet words their article so that it seems

harper was the one reaching out instead of the other way around. The CBC article is much, much better and I am glad to see this info in it:

Khan's trip means at least four MPs will be travelling to hot spots this fall.

Three MPS, representing the Conservatives, Liberals and the NDP, are set to leave for the Middle East next week on a fact-finding mission organized by the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations. The Bloc Québécois says it will send a representative only if there's a peace deal in Lebanon.

Puts a totally different perspective forward in that there will be members from the three parties and not just the cons and Mr. Khan.