The Halifax area has long played a major role in Canada's military operations, being the port of departure for convoys, naval task forces and army units over the past 100 years or so.

I think what's happening in Sierra Leone is a crisis for that country, of course, but it's also a crisis for peacekeeping for the United Nations.

I think the Congo force is in danger of not being enacted if we don't clean up the act in Sierra Leone and indeed in all peace-keeping of the future.

However, I think, first of all, that what's happening in Sierra Leone is going to have the great influence on those governments who will be asked to provide forces to the Congo. Second, of course, the Security Council has no professional military advice organized in any way.

All of us who are convinced that our military needs all the support the government and public will provide are pleased that he will have his chance to do just that.

I think there has to be greater heed paid by the Security Council members to military advice.

I would hate to see operations in the Congo held hostage to Sierra Leone but I really think that's the way it's got to be. At one point we've got to decide to get it right and we've got to be professional.

We know darned well that in Bosnia, certain governments and the secretary had said tens of thousands are needed in Srebrenica and those people were never provided.

I think they do have to get it right in Sierra Leone. There has to be something in there now to establish confidence, to stabilize the situation, and then to move to some sort of political negotiations.

I also believe that member states of the United Nations should live up their obligations to pay their dues.