[mobglob-discuss] [ACTION] Democratic Debate Needed on Missile Defence - Maude Barlow

[Tom Childs]

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