[Peace-discuss] Canadian contumely

[C. G. Estabrook]

["Resisting war from Gaza to Kandahar" is not a bad title -- or program.  --CGE]


  	British MP Galloway Barred from Canada Over 'Supporting Hamas'

March 20, 2009 -- Outspoken British anti-war member of parliament (MP) George 
Galloway Friday denounced as "outrageous" a decision by the Canadian authorities 
to refuse him entry on the grounds of national security.

Galloway, a former Labor politician who has now set up his own political party, 
said in London that he would not accept the ban imposed ahead of a speech he had 
planned to give in Toronto.

The 54-year-old maverick politician, who left Britain's ruling Labor Party in 
protest at its support for military intervention overseas, was refused entry to 
Egypt in 2006. He is an MP for his Respect Party.

"All right-thinking Canadians, whether they agree with me over the wisdom of 
sending troops to Afghanistan or not, will oppose this outrageous decision," he 
said in London Friday.

He was due to speak at a public forum entitled "Resisting war from Gaza to 
Kandahar" in Toronto on March 30.

According to the Press Association Friday, a spokesman for Canada's immigration 
minister, Jason Kenney, has made clear that the decision will not be overturned.

Galloway had been deemed "inadmissible" to Canada under section 34(1) of the 
country's immigration act.

Kenney's spokesman, Alykhan Velshi said the act was designed to protect 
Canadians from people who fund, support or engage in terrorism."

"We're going to uphold the law, not give special treatment to this ... 
street-corner Cromwell who actually brags about giving 'financial support' to 
Hamas, a terrorist organization banned in Canada," Velshi was quoted as saying 
by the British Press Association.

http://informationclearinghouse.info/article22252.htm