Cynical posturing over plane crash
The Canadian government is callously exploiting the grief of those who lost loved ones aboard Ukrainian flight 752, for political ends.
The facts of the case are clear; in retaliation for the U.S. assassination of a highly respected Iranian general on Jan. 3 [2020], Iran launched missiles at U.S. bases in Iraq on the morning of Jan. 8.
When flight 752 rose from Tehran several hours later, it was entering an airspace charged with hair trigger readiness; missile batteries surrounding the airport were on high alert in expectation of an imminent U.S. retaliatory strike, and other airlines had already cancelled flights into the area.
Tragically, the passenger plane was mistaken for an attacking aircraft, with devastating consequences.
Sixty-three Canadians died in the crash, as did 82 Iranians and 31 other nationals.
Iran admitted responsibility three days later, turned over the flight recorders to French investigators in July, punished those responsible, and now offers compensation to relatives of the victims.
Accidents do happen, particularly in a time of war, and Canada’s cynical posturing can’t make it otherwise.
Mike Ward
Duncan