Ft. Drum and Canada

Your summary (World Report, Jan. 8) of a Canadian professor’s argument that the United States might be planning a secret attack on Canada--our long-term ally--has, indeed, surprised many of us in the Pentagon. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The United States and Canada remain firm friends, as evidenced by our joint effort, with approximately 25 other nations, to meet the aggression of Iraq’s Saddam Hussein against Kuwait.

Floyd Rudmin, professor of law and business at Queen’s University, recently wrote in a Canadian scholarly journal that the home of the relatively young 10th Mountain Division at Ft. Drum, N.Y., close to Canada, suggests the United States might be planning to invade Canada to cut communication between Quebec and Ottawa. Besides its location near Canada, Rudmin cites other “circumstantial” evidence about the 10th, not unlike what you would see in the supermarket tabloid press.

But the real facts are quite different. The 10th Division as a light, mobile division is designed to meet a variety of threats under a variety of conditions. Their assignment at Ft. Drum, which receives substantial exposure during the winter months, provides only one aspect of their rigorous training program. Division members also train in other climates and environments that they might confront in a future emergency.

Whatever the future may bring, the 10th Mountain Division will be ready for a variety of challenges, and the United States and Canada will continue to stand together--the strong friends they have been for two centuries.

CHARLES W. McCLAIN JR.

Brigadier General, U.S. Army

Chief of Public Affairs

Washington, D.C.