PM spokesperson backtracks on Afghanistan briefing

Reporters travelling with Prime Minister Stephen Harper were told that Italian President Silvio Berlusconi had agreed to lift comabt restrictions on Italian troops in Afghanistan, but it turned out to be premature.

Canada AM: Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife on how the gaffe is playing in Ottawa

A discussion about the issues that are making a buzz in Ottawa; including an embarrassing gaffe by the PMO and continued fallout from the Bernier affair.

Canada AM: Tom Kennedy on the lack of media buzz surrounding Harper's arrival

The Prime Minister's plane is due to arrive in London, but media there are giving it little coverage.

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Thu. May. 29 2008 10:49 PM ET

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Stephen Harper was forced to backtrack Thursday after inaccurately informing reporters that Italy was removing restrictions on the use of their soldiers in Afghanistan.

CTV's Roger Smith said the gaffe occurred just before the prime minister's plane was to leave Rome for London on the final stretch of Harper's European tour.

"The prime minister's press secretary, Carolyn Stewart Olsen, came back and told us that after having dinner with Stephen Harper last night Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had just issued a statement saying Italy would remove the caveat that restricts what their soldiers can do in Afghanistan," said Smith.

Canada has been pressing for some time to get other countries involved in the Afghanistan mission to remove restrictions on soldiers so that they can help out more in combat operations, said Smith.

After hearing the developments, journalists reported the breaking news.

But then, after the plane departed, Stewart alerted reporters that she had got it wrong.

She said there was a wire story saying that Berlusconi was reconsidering the caveats but he hadn't made any decisions.

"The prime minister's staff was so anxious to have the story corrected that they allowed us to go up to the front of the plane and use the prime minister's secured satellite phone to call our news desks," said Smith.

"It seems the prime minister's staff was just in some unseemly haste to claim some sort of diplomatic triumph that they rushed out this news without checking the facts and it's a big embarrassment."

Harper in London

Harper was in London Thursday where, in a speech to the Canada-United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, he said environmental targets must be balanced with economic growth.

But he added that economic growth cannot be sustained without better environmental conservation.

"But it is equally true as the current reaction to high energy prices in Europe is starting to show, that environmental progress will never be achieved unless the economic needs of the population are being met," said Harper.

"So our targets need to realistic, practical and achievable.''

Harper also said that countries like India and China must face the same targets to reduce greenhouse gases as Western nations. Otherwise, he said, the U.S. would stay out of future deals to cut emissions.

The United Nations and the European Union, along with various environmental groups, have denounced Ottawa's environmental plan.

Harper also met with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Queen.

Comments are now closed for this story

reality man
said

Great con logic:
"If the media are getting a free trip over to Europe, why don't they report on the important stuff?"

a) The whole point of a press release is to have the media report it. If this wasn't "important stuff" then why did Harper's staff fall over itself, without checking its facts, to rush this to reporters? Because THEy thought it was big stuff and getting your facts wrong about big stuff that concerns other countries is also big stuff.

b) Some people just never learn. Bernier called for the governor of Khandahar to be deposed, which the government of Afghanistan was already planning but hadn't revealed yet, and once Bernier flapped his lips the government of Afghanistan was forced to back down to make it look like its policy wasn't being dictated by a foreign power. This is the exact same situation with Italy moving troops into combat. You don't think that Italy supplying combat troops in Afghanistan is important? How about Berlusconi backing down on this decision because he doesn't want it to look like Italy's foreign and military policy is being dictated by some moron from Calgary who can't even keep classified documents out of the hands of biker chicks?

c) The government of Canada has just misrepresented the foreign policy of Italy. How would YOU react if Berlusconi came out and claimed that Harper told him that Canada felt that the mission in Afghanistan was a waste of time, when he had never said such a thing, just because Berlusconi may think that and wants the mission to end. How about if he came out and claimed that Harper had told him that following the Kyoto targets is the best approach to climate change, when Harper said no such thing, and Berlusconi was just trying to get Harper to move towards Italy's position on Kyoto?

Rosebud in BC
said

Just as a matter of curiousity does anyone know what Harper discussed about the environment with the French and Italians? Just how well has the media covered this part of his trip? Why is the media along with Harper? Oh, yeah, to report any gaffe's the Tories make. And What About The Environment? Diddily-Squat!!

Joseph in Edmonton
said

It amazes me the extent to which some political journalists overstate so-called gaffes. By definition, gaffes are merely unintentional acts, or more simply mistakes. People and the media make 'gaffes' all the time. The media, too, will backtrack, but redefine it as retractions. It is too bad that some journalists are not reflexive enough to see that what they criticize others of, they themselves are guilty of.

david
said

Is this really headline news? You people must be hardup for real news if this and other small things are all you have to gossip about. Silly stuff, and one reason I will never buy another newspaper.

Bernadette
said

It's saddening to see Harper's people making mistakes. I don't agree with calling for another election, because I still think Harper actually has done quite a good job for Canada. It was only recently that the news about his people making mistakes were on the news. I don't think it's fair to call for an election right now.
But if there's an election, I would still choose Harper over Stephane Dion. I don't think Stephane Dion will lead the country well, because he's weak, has no charisma. I never liked him since the beginning.

glenn
said

Were this a case of the media uncovering a conspiracy then yes, they would be expected to verify their facts. That is not the case here. To blame the media on this one with the "check your facts" argument is ridiculous.

Under that brilliant nugget of wisdom what would be the point of a news conference. After all, if Steven Harper said something on a podium in front of live cameras under this logic he wouldn't be responsible because we would all have to wait for the WILD AND CRAZY media to spend the next several days going around and confirming it.

Plain and simple this is a small error compounded by a bigger problem with Canada's handling of foreign affairs and was a gaffe by the government.

On the flip side, it is equally unjust that most other nations are not providing their share of support for this UN mission. It is frustrating to see our men and women giving up their lives while other UN member nations simply look on. If this puts some inadvertant extra pressure on them to step up then at least there is a silver lining.

Dale Wilson
said

Its unfortunate that the news had to get so messed up like this. The real story is that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has removed all restrictions on the Italian army. They are now free to surrender at will.

Alana
said

This is another situation where someone in Harper's camp makes a statement that they should not have. This is embarrassing to Canada and the PM. If the Italian PM did agree to this move then don't you think he would have wanted to announce this first to the Italian people. How would Canadians feel if the situation was reversed. There is no excusing this type of "gaffe". It is amateur.

Richard
said

A new book will be released this week, titled "How To Make A Mountain Out Of A Molehill" by the Canadian Media with a special foreword from the PMO's Office.

Next week, "How To Press The Panic Button" and "101 Ways The Sky Is Falling" by the uninformed public.

Non Issue. NEXT!

Mike in Kandahar
said

Oh come on! You can't be serious about calling the Italian embassy from a plane to ask what the PM of Italy said to our PM, who's sitting on the same plane as you, and just came from dinner with the Italian PM. If he doesn't know what the gist of his own conversation was then he wasn't paying attention.
Whether what was alleged to have been said was a fact or not, the fact that an official said it was, is newsworthy. "The PM's press secretary has announced that..."

Abdul
said

GasStation Andre and MTA - When a press secretary makes a comment to the media, it is the official response, there is no need to verify. It is like saying to a cardinal are you sure the pope said that?

I however do agree that this was a bit frivolous to publish. So what the problem was solved. We should be more concerned that Bernier left classified documents in his exGirlfriends place, not the fact the press secretary is messed up.

It is more important to note that this is the worst government Canada has ever had based on policy not typos and verbal gaffes.

ET
said

Helloooo! The CONServatives wanted the media to run and report this info right away. Why do you think they released this information? That's their job. Don't blame the media for this one. And, quite frankly, I really dislike Harper. I am once again embarassed that he represents our country! But I will give him this...he recognized that his team made a serious mistake, and immediately tried to correct it...even going the extra mile of allowing media to use his secured sat phone. Still, the mistake is what I have come to expect from his government. No wonder he rules his MP's with an iron fist, especially in regards to the press.

Dan from Toronto
said

Read the headlines in Italy. Berlusconi's statement is hardly news but the "Sexy Bernier affair" is right up there.

By the way, if Berlusconi is just being polite. He is going to change Italy's role in Afganistan.

Chris
said

It sure as hell IS up to the media to verify the facts before they report it. It's called fact checking. Just because someone reports it doesn't mean it's true. One of the first things the media should have done is called up the Italian Embassy and get their take on things before breaking the story. I'm guessing the people saying it's not the media's responsibility have never been in the media before, or are just die hard Liberals. Someone makes a statement, you check on it. Period.

Dan from Toronto
said

MTA says "Harper didn't make the 'gaffe'". Give me a break. Mr. Control the Media Harper must have been eager to get out some good news after the Bernier fiasco.

Firstly, it's not big news one way or the other.

Secondly, Harper deserves anything the media throws at him given his relationship with reporters and his "anything but open and transparent" government.

Phil
said

C'mon guys. Using the media to prod allies to remove caveats. How inappropriate is that? This was a blunder plain and simple by a government that lacks experience in foreign affairs and on a critical file that involves the lives of our troops.
"Wake up People"

Jonathan
said

Okay, is someone desperately looking for anything on Harper's government? If this is one of the government's ("front page" news?) major gaffes' they are doing pretty good.

Berlusconi probaby indicated that he is going to do it and likely told Harper so over dinner, and then Berlusconi had to backtrack to ensure that he follows the proper steps...thus the retraction.

Sylvain
said

Hey "GasStation" it is not up to the reporter to verify the info, it is the same in my work if i go out and talk to people i will verify my work before sharing it with them.

Rudy B
said

Tempest in a teapot.

steve
said

GasStation has a point. This trip Harper is making to Europe is promote Canada's new environmental policy and to deal with important bilateral issues on a country by country basis. We have heard little or nothing at all about this, instead we are fed drivel about Maxine Bernier's girlfriend and now this nonsense about a "gaffe", which is the "Top Story". If the media are getting a free trip over to Europe, why don't they report on the important stuff? If they respond and say that Canadians are the ones who are paying for newspapers and this is what they buy, then that is a solid argument, but change the name of your News organizations to the "Enquirer News" or the "Trailer Park Boys Tabloid", don't masquerade as real journalists. It is insulting. Canadians are a lot smarter than the media gives us credit for.

Bill
said

It was a mistake if anyone here has never made a mistake in their lives then keep submitting. In the end it means NOTHING.

Marg Bedore
said

Another example of amateur hour on the Rideau! Will this gaffe have the same effect as Bernier's Afghanistan bumble? Italy may feel it cannot be forced to change its stance by another government.

Isabella
said

No, it's not the media's fault. As someone previously mentioned, when the COS makes a statement like that assume it's correct and report it. How can the media not do that. Mr. Harper is in trouble. He and his staff alone are responsible for what comes out of his office.

Doug
said

Sure GasStation lets do it your way. Your way the press would have to research every sound bite and press release and we would get the news two days later.

If the people that the PM has empowered to talk to the press speak then we have to assume that the PM is speaking. Right or wrong its news and it should be reported as news. If it is found to be incorrect then retract the statement. Once again its just another situation the government has messed up.

Don't blame the press, we live in a time where news is reported by the second not the day.

MTA
said

Harper didn't make the 'gaffe'. His media staff did. Someone who probably has a journalism degree. In other words a hired media gun. The elected Conservatives didn't screw it up. Their media staff did. Then main stream media did the same. Go media go. Now they are blaming the Conservatives for what was through and through the media screwing up again.

Mike in Kandahar
said

You heard it here first: Election time!

World leaders: watch what you say to Harper, and watch what documents you give his ministers.

Matt from Montreal
said

I love how things tend to get blown out of proportion in Canadian politics. It was a mistake.(period)

Andr�
said

I agree with GasStation...the media can in all impunity spread any bits of information they are exposed to...this was a gaffe yes, but between considering removing and removing caveats is not scandalously off, and perhaps this will add some pressure on the non combatant countries to get their act together.

Pete Colbourne
said

A gaffe? How about we call it a nudge in Berlusconi's ribs to get of his butt and help out more in Afganistan. We don't need more pencil pushers, we need more fighting men from countries like Italy.

Phil
said

Gimme a break GasStation.
This was info from the PM's press secretary. How is it a media gaffe? This info didn't require verification. There would be no damage to the media for incorrect info, it's coming from a senior aide or the PM himself. The Bernier story has them spooked and they're looking for a good news story to blunt the impact.

Josh in Ontario
said

of course Iggy & Co will have a field day on this. this is silly. I'm usually not one of those guys who comments saying "why did ctv even run this article etc..." but seriously, this is non-news. if this is the worst we get out of this government, and the only thing the media can prey on, than I think we are in tip top shape compared when we had other governments in power. ctv should not be throwing stones about making mistakes and errors either...

FBE
said

GasStation. I believe that when the PM's COS makes a statement to the press then the press reports that statement. I don't believe that it is their responsibility to confirm the validity of the statement before releasing it to the public.

John from Fredericton
said

How many more gaffes will Harper make? The Liberals don't have to do anything, the Tories are doing the work for them.

GasStation
said

I love the media. Who made the "gaffe", the prime minister's staff or the media so anxious to get something out that they themselves don't confirm the information. With the media, it's never their fault, just like the housing construction industry, it's always someone else's responsibility. Where's the news accountability.

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