[IPSM] ANWR supporters show strength in Yukon

[Macdonald Stainsby]

"If the caribou are chased out of the birthing grounds, there won't be any 
caribou, there won't be any Gwichin, and what's it all about?" said Phillipe 
Leblond, who took part in the noontime rally. "More oil for feeding the war 
machine?"

ANWR supporters show strength in Yukon
WebPosted Mar 30 2005 05:22 PM CST
CBC News
(follow link for photos)
http://north.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=anwr-protest-30032005

WHITEHORSE - Hundreds of Yukoners angry about the United States' decision to 
allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge took their frustration 
to the steps of the territory's legislature Wednesday.

Over 250 demonstrators turned out to listen to speakers and voice their 
opposition to the planned drilling.

The demonstration was timed to coincide with a formal delegation by from 
Alaskan politicians, who support drilling in the refuge.

"If the caribou are chased out of the birthing grounds, there won't be any 
caribou, there won't be any Gwichin, and what's it all about?" said Phillipe 
Leblond, who took part in the noontime rally. "More oil for feeding the war 
machine?"

Greg Garcia travelled from Alaska to take part in the demonstration.

"It is really good to know our brothers and sisters in Canada are concerned 
about this issue, and want to see it stopped," he said. "We need all the 
help we can get to stop this madness."

Protesters urged the Yukon's premier to suspend talks with the Alaskans on 
multi-billion dollar projects such as the proposed railway and Alaska 
Highway pipeline, until the ANWR issue is settled. Many territorial and 
aboriginal leaders were on hand to show their support for the caribou 
birthing grounds.

Members of the Alaska delegation said they were willing to meet with 
protesters to discuss their concerns.

"We're always going to find issues we disagree on," said Alaska Senator Fred 
Dyson, who also warned that the demonstration could hurt the Yukon on other 
cross-border issues.

"I can tell you this demonstration will be reported in Alaska as showing how 
difficult it is around getting anything done, and will be arguably used to 
say Canadians don't want a gas pipeline or a railroad," he said outside the 
legislature, as protesters shouted and cheered just a few yards away.

"And the linkages of the disagreement on ANWR will be used by the people who 
want to build an all-Alaska pipeline, and keep Yukon from getting the 
benefit of a multi-billion-dollar project going through the Yukon."

The decision to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge still requires 
the approval of the United States Congress.

That debate is expected to begin in the next couple of weeks.
-- 

Macdonald Stainsby
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/rad-green
In the contradiction lies the hope
	--Bertholt Brecht.