The Korea-Kosovo connection

What does a long-forgotten, half-century-old war in the Far East have in common with the current NATO military action in Kosovo? Lots, says Ted Barris, author of Deadlock in Korea: Canadians at War, 1950-1953 (Macmillan Canada, $39.95).

According to Barris, Canada first sent the Navy to Korea, followed by the Air Force; in Kosovo, Canada started with the Air Force, then sent the Navy. In both cases, Canada was reluctant to send ground troops. "Back in 1950, the House of Commons erupted in a major debate over whether we should send ground troops," explains Barris. "We ended up committing ground troops to Korea because we didn't really have a choice. That may be the case in Kosovo as well."

The other similarity between the two conflicts: Canada's out-of-date equipment. "Many of our troops went into Korea armed with World War I rifles." In more recent times, the government has continually stalled in purchasing new helicopters, submarines, ships and other military equipment.

The lesson of history, according to Barris: "Canadians have to make a firm decision about their armed forces. If we're going to have armed forces, we have to spend the money to equip them properly. And if we get involved in a conflict, we can't just get involved halfway."

--Philip Preville