Peace & Disarmament Report
By Ron Boyer

E Mail Ron Boyers
Union Hall Office: 905-682-2611

When it strikes fear and obsessive paranoia into the minds of the enemy so as to impact and control their behaviour. This has been proven down through history. A recent incident at the U.S. border in Windsor is a case in point.

Former U.S. Army Colonel Anne Wright (Ret.) who resigned her commission in opposition to American involvment in the Iraq war. Unknown to her she was placed on a no fly list. Thus prevented her from leaving the country at any border crossing. Her Crime? speaking her mind. She became a "security risk" despite her unblemished record and years of service in the U.S. Military.

This treatment only hardened her resolve and she became an outspoken peace activist within her borders. She received numerous invitations to speak at international universities and each time was denied the right to leave her country. The last request was to address the University of Toronto and surprisingly she made it! March 3rd- She was given a warm welcome and remarked " It's about time." My citizens rights are recogonized! Question is-- Mistake? Slip up? or Design? It'll be answered when another international invitation (or Holiday) arrives. Keep you posted.

Meanwhile in Afghanistan the war drags on. President Karzai has announced new elections will be held. The last election a few months ago which was monitored by international U.N. observors (Canada included) re-elected him by a slim majority. Wide spread fraud was reported and the vote discredited by the independent observors. Not discouraged however, Mr. Karzai will carry on again this time insisting that he appoint the electoral observers and the Americans seem to support him. How many Canadians would?

The cost for Canada in this mission with 2800 troops stationed there has been 140 Dead (no estimate on maimed and wounded). The total cost of the mission to Canada by government estimate in late 2009 will be $11.3 Billion. What has been achieved? Canada controls Kandahar air field the operational home base defined as the perimeter. Outside this perimeter the villages and farms our troops can patrol very carefully during the day. They are subject generally to abuse and sometimes to direct attack, and always to the danger of roadside bombs. They are to be commended for their valour in this mission which according to PM Harper will end in 2011. Hopefully it will, but the pain to Canadian families will last alot longer.

What's the solution? Possibly a return to Peace Keeping? Canadians did a tremendous job in the Balkans, Africa, and the Middle East. However there was a cost in lives and wounded. This should never be forgotten, there were heroes of their day under the flag of the United Nations. Canadian Lt. General Romeo Dallaire commanded the entire international force in Africa. His book "Shake hands with the Devil" was a best seller and made into a motion picture. A good read on problems with peacekeeping.

A report recently released by Jocelyn Coulson of Montreal University and Michel Liegeois of Belgium University lays the ground work for a new structure to U.N. Peace keeping missions. It cites the changes that are required for continued peace keeping operations using the example of Lebanon, where French, German and Italian troops are presently serving successfully. The term "Peace Warrior" is used which describes a much stronger force than in the l990's with broader capabilities and most importanly the contributing countries maintain control over their own forces. This U. N. Combat group would have the power and resources to control their mission without political interference in their own defense. Perhaps anew beginning for the United Nations.

Remember no Justice No Peace.

In Solidarity

Ron Boyer