Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams ordered Canadian flags removed from provincial buildings yesterday in protest at a breakdown in talks aimed at reaching an offshore energy revenue deal.
...Asked what he hoped to accomplish by his harsh words and decision to lower Canadian flags at provincial government buildings, Mr. Williams pointed at several maple leaf banners behind him.
"I'm not lowering the flags, I'm removing the flags. After this is over, that flag will be gone, that flag will be gone, and that flag will be gone.
"We're partners in this country. We're in this together. It's a federation. We expect to be treated fairly like other provinces. We have not been treated fairly. And as a result, down goes the flag."
...Prime Minister Paul Minister accused Mr. Williams of insulting the flag.
"The Premier's actions are disrespectful of our most treasured national symbol. The Maple Leaf is the flag of all Canadians including every single Newfoundlander and Labradorian. It should not be treated as a tool for partisan politics."
Accussed? Premier Williams did insult the flag and made himself look foolish in the process.
