French envoy says money needed from Canada and others to support Mali fight

OTTAWA – France’s envoy to Ottawa says his country is grateful for Canada’s contribution of a military transport plane to the Mali mission, but says money to support the international force would also be welcome.

Ambassador Philippe Zeller tells The Canadian Press that last month’s United Nations resolution on Mali opens the door for Canada and other countries to provide funds to support the international mission of African and French troops.

Zeller says Africa represents the world’s next economic growth area, and terrorists must not be allowed to establish a base, as they have in Mali’s north.

Some critics are urging Prime Minister Stephen Harper not to be gun-shy about sending troops to Mali, but Zeller says there’s no need for Canada to do that.

Zeller rejects all comparisons between Mali and Afghanistan, though he agrees the threat of terrorism must be contained before it destabilizes West Africa.

Zeller, along with Mali’s ambassador and the envoy from the Ivory Coast, are to meet Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird for a strategy session on the crisis.