[antiwar-van] Fw: [mobglob-discuss] [ACTION] Democratic Debate Needed on MissileDefence - Maude Barlow

[Paul Browning]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Childs" <childst at groupwise.douglas.bc.ca>
To: <mobglob-discuss at lists.resist.ca>
Cc: <project-x at lists.resist.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 10:59 AM
Subject: [mobglob-discuss] [ACTION] Democratic Debate Needed on MissileDefence - Maude Barlow


> http://vancouver.indymedia.org/news/2003/11/82116.php
> 
> Within days a secret federal cabinet decision could trap Canada into
> Star Wars
> by Maude Barlow * Wednesday November 12, 2003 at 10:36 AM
> 
> 
> Within days a federal cabinet decision could trap Canada into
> permanently supporting the U.S. military's missile defence scheme. And
> Canadians won't know what hit them because Defence Minister John
> McCallum is keeping the negotiations under wraps. Action is needed.
> 
> Maude Barlow - Author and volunteer Chair of the Council of Canadians 
> 
> Democratic Debate Needed on Missile Defence 
> 
> November 12, 2003 
>   
> 
> Dear Canadians, 
> 
> Within days a federal cabinet decision could trap Canada into
> permanently supporting the U.S. military's missile defence scheme. 
> 
> And Canadians won't know what hit them because Defence Minister John
> McCallum is keeping the negotiations under wraps. 
> 
> In May, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien promised, "There will be a debate
> in the House of Commons . . . we want to know everyone's position." 
> 
> For Canada's sake let's insist that Chrétien fulfills his promise.
> Visit http://www.ceasefire.ca right now to send your letter to the Prime
> Minister asking for a debate in Parliament. 
> 
> Without your voice Chrétien will let McCallum get away with quietly
> locking Canada into George W. Bush's missile defence program. They'll
> forge ahead knowing full well this military extravaganza will be more
> costly, more dangerous, and just as grotesquely unworkable as the
> original Ronald Reagan Star Wars scheme. 
> 
> Don't be surprised. The decision is coming down the pike and will be
> made in secret. Why secret? Because the government knows that Canadians
> oppose missile defence. 
> 
> But we can stop this crazy idea. Canadians are well aware that this
> U.S. military program endangers our security and will waste billions of
> dollars - money that needs to be allocated to social programs like
> health care, housing and alleviating poverty. 
> 
> That's why I'm asking you to visit http://www.ceasefire.ca today. You
> can get more information and take action now. 
> 
> Sadly, the decision to cuddle up to this military scheme will be made
> to appease global corporations and the American far right after having
> opposed their war on Iraq. 
> 
> But even more worrisome, adopting missile defence is just one piece of
> an even larger agenda - deep integration between Canada and the United
> States. This idea is being championed by some of the same folks who
> brought us free trade and who now want Canada to adopt the U.S. dollar
> and further integrate our economies. 
> 
> We need to let Prime Minister Chrétien and incoming Prime Minister Paul
> Martin know that we oppose missile defence. 
> 
> We've already surrendered our sovereignty in areas such as energy,
> natural resources, social policy, and so-called harmonization of visa
> and immigration policy. 
> 
> Now, Canada will give up even more sovereignty over our country's
> defence and security by handing decision-making powers to the Pentagon.
> 
> 
> We ought to remember that George W. Bush said he considers Canada's
> water as part of his country's security policy. Thus "deep integration"
> should come as no surprise - the U.S. President and his Canadian free
> trade supporters seem to believe Canada is nothing more than a U.S.
> resource supplier. And it 's unlikely that Paul Martin will stand up for
> Canada. 
> 
> Yet there is a growing wave of democratic power that Martin and
> Chrétien cannot ignore. 
> 
> Canadians do not want further integration with U.S. social, political
> and military policies. We believe in our health care. We believe in
> peacekeeping and not wielding a big stick. We believe in our country.
> And we believe that we are much safer engaging with the rest of the
> world instead of forcing our will upon them. 
> 
> I'm confident that Martin and Chrétien will change their minds when
> Canadians boldly speak up in favour of Canadian security and Canadian
> priorities. 
> 
> Missile defence will be a disaster for Canada. It will undermine our
> sovereignty and security. It will likely force Canada to spend more
> money on the military, and on the wrong kind of military priorities at
> that (war-fighting instead of peacekeeping). 
> 
> That's why I hope you'll join me and visit http://www.ceasefire.ca to
> send a letter to Prime Minister Chrétien and copy it to Paul Martin,
> letting them know that missile defence is unacceptable. And, at the very
> minimum, let them know they need to be brave enough to make the decision
> in public and not behind closed doors. 
> 
> Sincerely yours,  
> 
> Maude Barlow 
> 
> 
> www.ceasefire.ca 
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> 
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