An overflow audience packed Roberts Creek Hall Sunday to hear Steven Staples, defence critic from the Ottawa-based Polaris Institute, speak on his concerns about the potential for Canada's involvement in the U.S. missile defence system, and the war in Afghanistan.
Here as part of a cross- Canada tour to promote his new book, Missile Defence, Round One," Staples said the message he's receiving is that Canadians are conflicted by the politics of fear, that the world is a dangerous place.
"Canadian values are pushing for a better way to deal with the issues we face, and a return to our traditional role as peace keepers and mediators," Staples said.
He noted that over the last several years, Canada's role as peace keeper, measured by the number of "blue helmets" in the field, has slipped from number one in the world to 60th out of 97 countries. "You could fit the number of our blue helmets into a school bus," he added.
In his book, Staples describes the role played by the Polaris Institute which served as secretariat in the successful campaign to persuade the former liberal government under Paul Martin not to sign on to the U.S. missile defence system. Originally conceived by former president Ronald Reagan, the so-called "Star Wars" program would have the ability to track and intercept incoming ballistic missiles. It was strongly opposed by many who feared it would lead to the weaponization of space and a renewed arms race.The project was revived by the Bush administration following the attack on the World Trade Centre.
Noting that Steven Harper has indicated a willingness to revisit the issue if asked by the Americans, Staples believes that buying into the Fortress American concept would effectively foreclose Canada's ability to pursue an independent foreign policy.He expects that the Congressional defeat of the Republicans will slow but not end the push to develop the missile defence system in the U.S. "I hope, and hear, that the Democrats won't support weapons in space, but we need to be constantly vigilant and remain on top of the issue all the time, it won't go away," he said.
With respect to Afghanistan, Staples affirmed his support for Canadian troops, but feels there is no military solution. Fighting the insurgents, of whom the Taliban are only a part, gives them strength, he said, and sooner or later negotiation with the Karsai government is inevitable.
"The harder we fight them, the stronger they become - we help to unify the insurgency, not just the Taliban," Staples said. "Negotiations with the Karsai government will help to divide them and renew our mission as a security force."
He believes there is a need for a "peace lobby" that reflects the core values of a majority of Canadians, who want a return to our role as internationally respected peacekeepers and mediators.
The event was co-hosted by Roberts Creek Communicity Association, the Voice of Women, the Council of Canadians, and the Sunshine Coast Peace Group. For more information, visit Steven's website at www.ceasefire.ca.
