4 ■ Arrow Lakes News ■ Wednesday, July 25, 2012
OPINION
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Military’s future should be debated Editor, As Canada prepares to withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014, it is time to reflect on the future role of our military in the world. Our active involvement in Afghanistan transformed Canada into a “nation at war.” The tragic loss of 158 Canadian men and women to this war along with the enormous price tag of $18 billion is a constant reminder of Canada’s longest-ever war. The Conservatives are constantly glorifying war and the fact that they spent $30 million to celebrate the War of 1812 is another testament to this effect. With Canada actively engaged in discussions to establish military bases in a number of countries, we are led to believe Canada is preparing for more military adventures overseas and not necessarily under the UN flag. There is much speculation as to whether or not Canada will take part in potential interventions in Syria or Iran. My preference would be for Canada to once again become a world player under the UN flag. The concept of peacekeeping was initiated by Canada and we have long been admired as a nation who consistently contributed to this effort. A 2010 Nanos poll indicated four out of five Canadians ranked UN Peacekeeping as a higher priority than even North American security and defending the Arctic. Considering that UN peacekeeping operations cost less and have a higher success rate than other forms of interventions, it is shameful that of the 84,000 military personnel from 115 countries serving on 16 UN Peacekeeping efforts, Canada is only contributing 33, a number which has been steadily declining. It seems to me our priorities for our military should be the following: defence/sovereignty, UN-led
peacekeeping, domestic/international disaster relief, and protecting the safety and security of Canadians, including search and rescue. NATO was originally formed to create a balance of power against the Soviet Union in the aftermath of World War II. Yet, as the global context changes, the purpose of alliances such as NATO must also evolve and even be questioned. Canadians should encourage the government to use our position in NATO to promote a more comprehensive approach to international security. Canada also has the opportunity to contribute to international alliances, especially the UN, in a more meaningful way and it is clear that Canadians want a more humanitarian approach. I have always believed that we should be able to defend ourselves and that this involves having a strong presence along our coastlines and suitable aircraft to patrol our borders. However, the government’s planned purchase of the controversial F-35 striker aircraft is a more comfortable fit for further U.S.-led combat missions under an integrated command structure. With the primary purpose of this stealth bomber being to attack and drop bombs, a number of military analysts have suggested that this aircraft is poorly suited for defence of our territory, particularly the North. It may make sense to have the capability to mount joint military efforts with the U.S. but this should not lead to a complete integration of our fighting forces and a loss of sovereignty in decisions regarding the defence of our territory. It is time we had a full debate about the role and future of our armed forces.
Watchfulness required in a just society
Alex Atamanenko, MP BC Southern Interior
Since 1923
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Author Joy Kogawa is seen at last month’s ceremony in Lemon Creek unveiling a sign commemorating the internment of Japanese Canadians there 70 years ago. A letter writer who was present says similarities to Greg Nesteroff photo the Sinixt First Nation sprang to mind.
Editor, “Let the truth be told,” said Joy Kogawa on June 16 in the Slocan Legion Hall. And indeed, the erection of the Lemon Creek and Popoff site displays along the Slocan Valley rail trail, the open house and the 70th anniversary dinner brought out truth about the history of the Japanese Canadian internment into the present. It was impressive and emotional to hear about the personal experiences these internees, children and adults went through in the internment camps 70 years ago. They all agreed that the internment was primarily based on prejudice and discrimination against another race and culture, a money grab and procurement of cheap labour by the governments of the time, particularly B.C.’s. During and especially after World War II they intended to drive Canadians of Japanese origin forever out of the country, pretending even children to be enemies of Canada. Hearing all this, similarities in the history of the Sinixt people sprung into our minds. The greed of white people for land and its treasures combined with diseases they brought decimated the Sinixt and drove lots of them to the southern
parts of their territory. The political agreement declaring the 49th parallel border between the US and Canada cut their tribal land apart. Conveniently the government of this country quickly declared the Sinixt north of the border forever extinct and therefore no longer people of Native status. Sinixt elder Bob Campbell, commenting on their court appeal said about a year ago: “I have no great expectations, but I have great hopes.” On the 70th anniversary dinner all internees present, most now in their 80s and 90s, expressed their hope for a future where war and greed and racial hatred would be eliminated. Joy Kogawa brought it to the point: “Let the truth be told” she said. “Go to the place of your greatest terror, tell your story and you are free.” Besides telling and keeping the stories alive, constant watchfulness and always questioning political decisions are needed to bring about a society where prejudice and injustices no longer exist. Elisabeth von Ah and Henry Hutter, Lemon Creek and Appledale
The Arrow Lakes News is published by Black Press. Mailing address: P.O. Box 189, Nakusp, B.C. V0G 1R0. Street address: 106 Broadway St., Nakusp. Publisher: Mavis Cann