[Peace-discuss] Oh, Canada

[C. G. Estabrook]

	The Afghanistan War is Illegal, Unjust,
	Murderous, Wasteful and Unwinnable
	By Richard Sharp
	Feb 10 2008

The Canadian House of Commons is currently considering a Conservative motion to 
extend Canada's combat role in Afghanistan. Here's a better one!

Whereas Canada has a proud, 50-year tradition as peacekeepers under the auspices 
of the United Nations, and as an “honest broker” on the world scene;

● whereas Canada mistakenly provided combat support for the illegal and unjust 
war and occupation of Afghanistan, in violation of international law and the UN 
charter, as the war was not in self-defence and did not have Security Council 
authorization;

● whereas Canada was guilty of timid acquiescence to America’s manipulation of 
NATO’s treaty and mandate, which organization does not have UN authority to wage 
war in Afghanistan in perpetuity;

● whereas Canada has been guilty of, complicit in or turned a blind eye to 
other, almost-certain war crimes, including the use of depleted uranium and 
cluster bombs and other weapons of mass destruction, the unnecessary killing and 
maiming of tens of thousands of civilians, the kidnapping and torture of 
prisoners without 800 year-old habeus corpus rights, the destruction of 
non-military targets and war-profiteering;

● whereas the war has caused the unnecessary deaths of 79 Canadians and hundreds 
more to be maimed for life;

● whereas the war has cost Canada several billion dollars that could have been 
put to caring and peaceful uses, in Afghanistan and other destitute countries;

● whereas the war is unwinnable in five or fifty more years, as there is a 
never-ending supply of Taliban and Pashtun fighters, indigenous and foreign 
jihadists, guerillas and others who are willing to give up their lives to fight 
“Western” occupation until we leave;

● whereas the wars against Afghanistan, Iraq and terrorism generally have been 
disasters from the beginning, resulting in unconscionable attacks on our rights 
and freedoms and increasing, not decreasing, the threat of terrorist attacks, at 
home and abroad; and

● whereas the Americans and the British are our best friends and closest allies, 
and Canada can help bring them back into the multilateral fold;

Be it resolved that Canada take immediate steps to restore its international 
reputation as an independent voice for collective security and as peacekeepers, 
dedicated to the sovereignty of nations, the rule of law, democracy and human 
rights. These steps include that:

● Canada confirm it will meet its NATO commitments but otherwise announce a halt 
to all offensive activities in Afghanistan, and the complete withdrawal of all 
offensive fighters and equipment by February, 2009;

● Canada immediately engage its NATO allies to re-examine the alliance’s support 
for this war, as Afghanistan didn’t attack any member country, and poses no threat;

● Canada work with NATO, Muslim and other nations to present a credible peace 
and development plan to the UN, including:

 the unilateral cessation of all offensive military activity by NATO and 
American forces,
 replacement by a truly UN-authorized peacekeeping force, mainly comprising 
Muslim forces, supported by neighbouring nations and with Canadian assistance, 
if requested,
 a truce, reasonable amnesty, national reconciliation and peace talks among all 
Afghan parties, leading to agreement on human rights, the distribution of 
spending and truly free and fair elections,
 recognition that Western-style, secular democracy cannot be forced on any 
country, especially Muslim nations,
 reparations where it can be proven that any NATO member violated international 
laws and conventions to which they are signatories, and
 measures to ensure Afghanistan police and military forces have the mandate, 
numbers, training and equipment to capture any remaining members of al Qaeda and 
to protect against future terrorist activity;

● Canada be forceful in its diplomatic efforts to achieve meaningful peace, and 
be generous with its aid, such as amounts equal to what it has wasted on combat 
operations;

● Canada also review and cancel a litany of Canadian military arrangements with 
the Americans that amount to blatant and also secret support of their Iraq war, 
as Iraq didn’t attack us either;

● in the interests of accountability, the Chief of Defence Staff, General 
Hillier, be replaced, as he pushed for this unnecessary war, in his own haunting 
words, to “kill scumbags;”

● Canada immediately undertake a review of its security agencies and 
arrangements relating to American-imposed requirements that violate Canadians' 
rights and freedoms; and

● Canada ensure all soldiers and others who served in Afghanistan on its behalf, 
and their families, receive proper, lifelong care.

_______
Richard Sharp

[Richard Sharp has been a privacy manager, consultant and advocate for over two 
decades.]