WITHDRAW CANADA'S SUPPORT FOR THE "WAR ON TERROR"
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Author:
n/a -
Send To:
Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Hon. Art Eggleton (Minister of Defence), Hon. Susan Whelan (Minister of International Cooperation)
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Sponsored By:
people of Canada -
More Info at:
Since the tragic events of Sept. 11, Canada has remained one of America's closest allies. The Canadian government has begun harmonizing our immigration policies and border defence with the States in an effort to increase the security of both countries. Canadian troops and equipment have also been sent to Afghanistan, and have participated in military operations there.
However, the American-led "war on terrorism" has taken thousands of civilian lives in Afghanistan with few obvious gains. Osama bin Laden has not been captured. The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has not been prevented or remedied, and countless refugees still face desperate conditions. The Taliban may have been ousted, but the interim government in Afghanistan is already showing signs of the instability that lead to a civil war the last time America withdrew from that country in the 80's. Opium production has been revived by the desperate Afghani farmers. The Geneva convention has been flouted at Guatanamo Bay. The war may be extended into Iraq, a country that has suffered over a half a million deaths due to sanctions in place since the Gulf War. US troops are in the Phillipines, playing "war games with live targets", and in other countries such as Yemen. Within the States, the "war on terrorism" has been used to justify racial profiling, military tribunals, increased powers for spy agencies, and other threats to human rights and civil liberties. President Bush is increasing military spending and cutting social programs, and pulling out of important treaties meant to protect the environment and prevent a nuclear arms race.
In light of these facts, we are calling on the Canadian government to WITHDRAW CANADIAN MILITARY SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN-LED "WAR ON TERRORISM"
by immediately pursuing the following courses of action:
1) OPPOSE THE SPREAD OF THE WAR TO ANY OTHER COUNTRIES, ESPECIALLY IRAQ. There is a strong suspicion in the international community that extending the war into other countries is being done only in order to protect American interests in the region, such as oil reserves, and will not be effective in helping wipe out terrorism. An attack on Iraq will only result in the deaths of more innocent civilians, and exacerbate the suffering of a people that has already faced over a decade of harsh UN sanctions. The Bush administration has not ruled out the possibility of using nuclear weapons in a conflict with Iraq, meaning that such an attack could result in nuclear war. And finally, there is absolutely no evidence of a link between the events of Sept. 11 and Iraq, which means that it clearly falls outside of the mandate of a "war on terrorism". The Canadian government should take a strong stance on this issue, opposing an attack on Iraq and asking the Bush administration to reconsider this course of action. The Canadian government should also refuse to supply any troops or equipment in support of such an attack, and withdraw from the International Coalition in protest if an attack on Iraq does occur. The Canadian government should also refuse to supply any troops or equipment as support for American military operations in any country outside of Afghanistan.
2) END OPERATION APOLLO, WHICH IS CANADA'S MILITARY CONTRIBUTION TO THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN. The Canadian government should refuse to send any more troops and equipment to Afghanistan, and recall the troops and equipment that we have already committed to the war as soon as possible, especially those that are engaged in military operations such as destroying residual Taliban and Al Qa'ida forces. We do, however, support Canada's commitment to providing financial assistance in rebuilding Afghanistan, especially in terms of the pledges made on behalf of Canada at the Tokyo Conference on Afghan reconstruction in January, and we encourage Canada to participate in peacekeeping operations once the war on Afghanistan has ended.
3) PURSUE MULTILATERAL, INTERNATIONAL, AND NONVIOLENT COURSES OF ACTION TO HELP PROSECUTE AND PREVENT TERRORISM. Canada has long supported the International Criminal Court, nuclear arms treaties, and humanitarian efforts which could become effective tools in helping to punish and prevent war and terrorism. We encourage the Canadian government to support the "war on terror" by pursuing these and other peaceful means. We also encourage the Canadian government to investigate and possibly spearhead new international initiatives with the goal of helping stop terrorism by addressing its root causes, such as economic inequality.
We believe that at this moment in history, Canada has the opportunity to speak out for peace in a time of war. Only by reconsidering our support of the American war effort can we salvage our reputation as a peaceful and internationally minded country, and begin to truly address the causes of terrorism, thus guarding ourselves and the world against it. It is our sincere wish that the Canadian government will continue to represent the principles of peace and tolerance that remain some of the best qualities of our country, and thereby, continue to represent Canadians.
War is not the answer.
However, the American-led "war on terrorism" has taken thousands of civilian lives in Afghanistan with few obvious gains. Osama bin Laden has not been captured. The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has not been prevented or remedied, and countless refugees still face desperate conditions. The Taliban may have been ousted, but the interim government in Afghanistan is already showing signs of the instability that lead to a civil war the last time America withdrew from that country in the 80's. Opium production has been revived by the desperate Afghani farmers. The Geneva convention has been flouted at Guatanamo Bay. The war may be extended into Iraq, a country that has suffered over a half a million deaths due to sanctions in place since the Gulf War. US troops are in the Phillipines, playing "war games with live targets", and in other countries such as Yemen. Within the States, the "war on terrorism" has been used to justify racial profiling, military tribunals, increased powers for spy agencies, and other threats to human rights and civil liberties. President Bush is increasing military spending and cutting social programs, and pulling out of important treaties meant to protect the environment and prevent a nuclear arms race.
In light of these facts, we are calling on the Canadian government to WITHDRAW CANADIAN MILITARY SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN-LED "WAR ON TERRORISM"
by immediately pursuing the following courses of action:
1) OPPOSE THE SPREAD OF THE WAR TO ANY OTHER COUNTRIES, ESPECIALLY IRAQ. There is a strong suspicion in the international community that extending the war into other countries is being done only in order to protect American interests in the region, such as oil reserves, and will not be effective in helping wipe out terrorism. An attack on Iraq will only result in the deaths of more innocent civilians, and exacerbate the suffering of a people that has already faced over a decade of harsh UN sanctions. The Bush administration has not ruled out the possibility of using nuclear weapons in a conflict with Iraq, meaning that such an attack could result in nuclear war. And finally, there is absolutely no evidence of a link between the events of Sept. 11 and Iraq, which means that it clearly falls outside of the mandate of a "war on terrorism". The Canadian government should take a strong stance on this issue, opposing an attack on Iraq and asking the Bush administration to reconsider this course of action. The Canadian government should also refuse to supply any troops or equipment in support of such an attack, and withdraw from the International Coalition in protest if an attack on Iraq does occur. The Canadian government should also refuse to supply any troops or equipment as support for American military operations in any country outside of Afghanistan.
2) END OPERATION APOLLO, WHICH IS CANADA'S MILITARY CONTRIBUTION TO THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN. The Canadian government should refuse to send any more troops and equipment to Afghanistan, and recall the troops and equipment that we have already committed to the war as soon as possible, especially those that are engaged in military operations such as destroying residual Taliban and Al Qa'ida forces. We do, however, support Canada's commitment to providing financial assistance in rebuilding Afghanistan, especially in terms of the pledges made on behalf of Canada at the Tokyo Conference on Afghan reconstruction in January, and we encourage Canada to participate in peacekeeping operations once the war on Afghanistan has ended.
3) PURSUE MULTILATERAL, INTERNATIONAL, AND NONVIOLENT COURSES OF ACTION TO HELP PROSECUTE AND PREVENT TERRORISM. Canada has long supported the International Criminal Court, nuclear arms treaties, and humanitarian efforts which could become effective tools in helping to punish and prevent war and terrorism. We encourage the Canadian government to support the "war on terror" by pursuing these and other peaceful means. We also encourage the Canadian government to investigate and possibly spearhead new international initiatives with the goal of helping stop terrorism by addressing its root causes, such as economic inequality.
We believe that at this moment in history, Canada has the opportunity to speak out for peace in a time of war. Only by reconsidering our support of the American war effort can we salvage our reputation as a peaceful and internationally minded country, and begin to truly address the causes of terrorism, thus guarding ourselves and the world against it. It is our sincere wish that the Canadian government will continue to represent the principles of peace and tolerance that remain some of the best qualities of our country, and thereby, continue to represent Canadians.
War is not the answer.
792 Signatures
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alex
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Terri
- Comments
- War is not the answer
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Ricardo O
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Zach T
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Lydia H
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Kathy C
- Address; Postal Code
- Vancouver, BC
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Haley
- Comments
- PLEASE BE CAREFUL TROOPS!
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n
- Comments
- No No No you want evil in this world don't you
- Address; Postal Code
- o
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Martin G
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Adam
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You should be ashamed of y
- Comments
- You are disrespectful and ungreatful for your freedom which we help provide to you
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Andrew L
- Comments
- war solves nothing
- Address; Postal Code
- Edmonton, AB
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Murray, D
- Address; Postal Code
- Montreal
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Andree Z
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laurie w
- Comments
- this is not canada's war
- Address; Postal Code
- n6c 5b6
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Kritee
- Address; Postal Code
- United states
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Lindsay M
- Address; Postal Code
- Edmonton, AB
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Margi C
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Mary-Ellen K
- Address; Postal Code
- 12440 Phoenix Drive, Richmond, V7E 6B3
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Lori H
- Address; Postal Code
- Lethbridge AB
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Ryan K
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Jean-Francois P
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Trevor F
- Comments
- It's called the U.N., not the U.S.
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Gregory B
- Address; Postal Code
- Saskatoon
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Viviana R
- Address; Postal Code
- Calgary, Alberta
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Syed Saifuddin Ali K
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Camille L
- Comments
- End the imperialist campaigns!
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Fuck W
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Eric B
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Jessica D
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Hye-Ok K
- Comments
- I want a Peace.
- Address; Postal Code
- Kyoto-si Japan
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Helen A
- Comments
- I am very opposed to Canada's role in the "war on terrorism", especially the combat role.
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Chris S
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lynn a
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Alejandro Mujica O
- Address; Postal Code
- 702-31 Elliot Street New Westminster,BC, V3L 5C9 Canada
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Tyler R
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Ace R
- Comments
- Helen Luu, fuck you! If you're so ashamed of this country than fuck off to somewhere else!
- Address; Postal Code
- Victoria
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John C
- Comments
- It is the height of arrogance for residents of a small (population wise) nation to snub their next door neighbor, when the only real reason for Canada's long-term security has not been her independent policy, but her partnership, and just as important, her proximity to the United States. I guess living under the security umbrella of UNited States for the last century has made you oblivious to the sufferings of the many people in the world living in fear of the tyranny and terrorism we are now fighting. You people have no shame, and fortunately your bizarre viewpoints do not jibe with the majority of the Canadians I know and love.
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Alex B
- Comments
- It is not just a war on terrorism but on having the US 'protect' the insane consumptive greed we share. Without that oil under the sand we have drawn a line on, available to us at a 'reasonable' rate, we'll wither. So we're told!
- Address; Postal Code
- Burlington ON L7S 1R2
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Mary T
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Celic D
- Address; Postal Code
- L7P 1K8
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Kevin L
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Talibah
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Forrest T
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I DONT THINK S
- Comments
- What are you all islamic or something? We have lost people and our economy may never recover. I'm supposed to be concerned with afgans who allowed this to happen. I'll fight til my last breath! You should all be charged for what you're doing...
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The S
- Comments
- You fucking idiots, your country depends on the greatest country in the world for even the air you breath, you should spend time throwing the French fags out of your country, your just pissed that we have vastly better hockey teams. Eat SHit Arab Lovers
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USA
- Comments
- For those of you that want to mention the US's sanctions on the Saddam - http://www.observer.co.uk/Print/0,3858,4446693,00.html - Educate yourself before pointing fingers. As for this petition, in a perfect world I would support it all, but unfortunately this text box doesn't allow me to express my foreseen flaws in it (and many of the comments) in the space given. Your feelings are justified, but your wants are naive. Your country is your choice, I support it. But for the people that say fighting is not the answer, you live in a naive world in which no evil exists; In which keeping to yourself will make everything right. It's easy to wash your hands of it all when you allow your "ugly brother" to do much of the needed mess in this disgusting world. If the media in Canada is as biased as the media in America, I fully understand your thoughts. I won't even keep going now, for I know this will go no where. Good Luck on achieving your goals, but I think many of you need to open your eyes to the real world.
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Karla P
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Debbie Caroline C
- Comments
- Canadians will protest war against Iraq.Even if we have to take this to the streets which I am strongly considering right now.We should pull out all military from Afghanistan and give the reason of until talks of attacking Iraq are stopped Canada will be involved but in protest against the US.Not only do I disagree with attack on Iraq,I disagree with supporting Israel in any way as long as Sharon refuses to speak with the one he should be talking to(Arafat) US cannot give an un-biased opinion on this situation cause it just so happens it has done the same as Israel many times.My comments are not aimed at the American people but with their policies/gov.Chretian I dare you to sit down and write good VS. bad things the US is doing or has done.I assure you the bad list is far bigger,and it has to stop.I hope the Canadian people protest this to the tilt and if you don't listen then I have to agree with another person who signed this,we can elect another gov who will.P.S.More names soon,I promise!
- Address; Postal Code
- St-Eustache,Quebec J7P-2J3
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Lesley
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792
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