"They have but to ask and we in the Canadian Forces would have it
rolling or sailing or flying southward as quickly as possible," he
told reporters Thursday.

Gen. Hillier said he was confident that if his U.S. counterparts needed
help, they would ask.
But they haven't asked yet. Why ?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050901.wkatrinaaid0901/BNStory/National/

By SCOTT DEVEAU

Thursday, September 1, 2005 Updated at 3:04 PM EDT

Globe and Mail Update

Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier said Thursday the Canadian
Forces have been put on standby to help the United States deal with the
aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

Gen. Hillier said he notified his American counterparts that Canada was
prepared to offer whatever assistance was needed. He also noted that
the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), which was deployed in the
Asian tsunami earlier this year, was put on a one-hour notice in
Kingston, Ont.

"They have but to ask and we in the Canadian Forces would have it
rolling or sailing or flying southward as quickly as possible," he
told reporters Thursday.

Canada offered to transport goods in and out of the devastated region
using Hercules aircrafts and helicopters. Gen. Hillier also offered
electrical generators and drawing from experience in other disasters,
like last year's tsunami, he said Canada was also prepared to establish
water purification centres in the region.

Canada offered small boats and diving teams to help recover bodies as
well, he said

"Their message back to me was very clear. Firstly it was a heartfelt
thanks from their part."

Gen. Hillier said he was confident that if his U.S. counterparts needed
help, they would ask.

"In short, we want to be ready to go as soon as any need is
identified that we may be able to fill," he said.

He said he also made the offer to the U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins.

Gen. Hillier dismissed the idea that heightened rhetoric around the
softwood lumber dispute had soured relations between the nations.

"If conditions were reversed, they would be the first to step up to
help us if we needed it ," Gen. Hillier said.

Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Paul Martin called U.S. President
George W. Bush, offering his condolences for the hundreds and perhaps
thousands of those who died in hurricane Katrina.

The call was originally supposed to be on the topic of the softwood
lumber dispute but as evidence of the depth of devastation became clear
this week, Mr. Martin changed the tone of the telephone call.

Melanie Gruer, a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister's Office, told The
Globe and Mail that the Prime Minister began the call by offering
condolences on behalf of himself all Canadians.

The phone call had originally been scheduled for Monday evening but was
cancelled because all attention was on the hurricane.

On Wednesday, Mr. Martin said Canada is prepared to help out in any way
it can as the full effects of the disaster become clear.

"They have but to ask and we in the Canadian Forces would have it
rolling or sailing or flying southward as quickly as possible," he
told reporters Thursday.

Gen. Hillier said he was confident that if his U.S. counterparts needed
help, they would ask.
But they haven't asked yet. Why ?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050901.wkatrinaaid0901/BNStory/National/

By SCOTT DEVEAU

Thursday, September 1, 2005 Updated at 3:04 PM EDT

Globe and Mail Update

Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier said Thursday the Canadian
Forces have been put on standby to help the United States deal with the
aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

Gen. Hillier said he notified his American counterparts that Canada was
prepared to offer whatever assistance was needed. He also noted that
the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), which was deployed in the
Asian tsunami earlier this year, was put on a one-hour notice in
Kingston, Ont.

"They have but to ask and we in the Canadian Forces would have it
rolling or sailing or flying southward as quickly as possible," he
told reporters Thursday.

Canada offered to transport goods in and out of the devastated region
using Hercules aircrafts and helicopters. Gen. Hillier also offered
electrical generators and drawing from experience in other disasters,
like last year's tsunami, he said Canada was also prepared to establish
water purification centres in the region.

Canada offered small boats and diving teams to help recover bodies as
well, he said

"Their message back to me was very clear. Firstly it was a heartfelt
thanks from their part."

Gen. Hillier said he was confident that if his U.S. counterparts needed
help, they would ask.

"In short, we want to be ready to go as soon as any need is
identified that we may be able to fill," he said.

He said he also made the offer to the U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins.

Gen. Hillier dismissed the idea that heightened rhetoric around the
softwood lumber dispute had soured relations between the nations.

"If conditions were reversed, they would be the first to step up to
help us if we needed it ," Gen. Hillier said.

Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Paul Martin called U.S. President
George W. Bush, offering his condolences for the hundreds and perhaps
thousands of those who died in hurricane Katrina.

The call was originally supposed to be on the topic of the softwood
lumber dispute but as evidence of the depth of devastation became clear
this week, Mr. Martin changed the tone of the telephone call.

Melanie Gruer, a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister's Office, told The
Globe and Mail that the Prime Minister began the call by offering
condolences on behalf of himself all Canadians.

The phone call had originally been scheduled for Monday evening but was
cancelled because all attention was on the hurricane.

On Wednesday, Mr. Martin said Canada is prepared to help out in any way
it can as the full effects of the disaster become clear.