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October 9, 2008 People who wrote to Dryden about his statements received the letter below which he sent to Now Magazine. There has been no statement from Dion's office whatsoever. From Dryden's letter to Now Magazine, it seems that we are to believe that he meant that only humanitarian aid going through the Hamas government should be cut off. Has Dryden forgotten that Stephen Harper decreed that all funds going through the Palestinian government would be cut off soon after the Hamas government was elected? As a matter of fact he overturned the reasonable and diplomatic statement made by his own Foreign Affairs Minister, Peter Mackay who had earlier stated that the issue of aid to the Palestinians would be discussed and a suitable policy developed. All Canadian aid to Gaza flows through NGOs since 2006. Dryden is either a liar or he doesn't know what he is talking about. CBC 'Not a red cent to Hamas,' MacKay says
DRYDEN'S LETTER TO NOW MAGAZINE
NOW Magazine October 6, 2008 I am writing with regard to your recent article, "Dryden blurs Liberal stance on Mideast." I am concerned the article, reporting as it does on an important exchange that occurred at an all-candidates debate in York Centre, mischaracterized my position on aid to Gaza. I said – and I stand by my statement – that we should restrict government-to-government aid to Gaza, due to the Hamas-led government's continuing refusal to disavow violence and recognize Israel's right to exist. My statement was clearly in reference to government–to–government aid. That was the context of the discussion and in subsequent discussions with your newspaper, that point was underscored. However, your article leaves the false impression that I implied or otherwise meant that I support halting humanitarian aid and food distributed through various United Nations and other humanitarian agencies. That is not my position nor did I say that during the all-candidates debate. Tragically, the residents of Gaza face a daily struggle for survival. I believe, and the Liberal Party believes, that Canada must continue to provide humanitarian aid through non-governmental agencies. I regret any confusion on this matter and I thank you for the opportunity to clarify what was printed in your newspaper.
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