Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin will seek an international pact to ban weapons in space if his Liberals are returned to power in a January 23 election, according to the party platform.
The document, leaked to the conservative magazine Western Standard ahead of its intended release Wednesday, states: "Liberals are firmly opposed to the weaponization of space and recognize that the best time to prevent an arms race in outer space is before it begins."
"A Liberal government … will lead an international campaign at the United Nations to establish a treaty banning all weapons in space."
The 85-page document notes that a treaty already forbids the stationing of weapons of mass destruction in space, but "there is currently no multilateral agreement banning the deployment of a broader range of weapons."
It goes on to say: "A Liberal government will build on the international reputation earned through Canada's prominent initiatives on such issues as disarmament and the landmines convention."
The proposal risks antagonizing Washington, already unhappy by Martin's refusal to join the US North American missile defense shield, but is expected to boost the Liberals' sagging popularity at home, according to pundits.
Source: Agence France-Presse
