The Dominion - 20

Venezuela petitions US to stop funding coup supporters

Wed, 21 Jul 2004 21:15:13 +0000

Venezuelans take to the streets against military and business coup organizers that temporarily deposed democratically-elected President Hugo Chavez in 2002.

In a June 22nd letter, Bernardo Alvarez, Venezuelan ambassador to the United States, asked U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to direct the National Endowment for Democracy to stop funding political opponents of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. The letter claims that the NED, which is supported by money from the U.S. Congress, is violating Venezuela's campaign finance laws and the endowment's own regulations by giving grants to organizations and people that supported the failed 2002 coup against the country's democratically elected leader.

"We would ask that, in supporting democracy in Venezuela, the United States take care not to violate Venezuela's election laws or other Venezuelan laws; and take care not to assist or facilitate the violation of such laws by Venezuelan citizens," read the letter. It also highlighted General Powell's own condemnation of the U.S.'s support of the 1973 Chilean coup and contrasted this with White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer's apparent endorsement of the Venezuelan coup when, at the time, he suggested that President Chavez had resigned.
The U.S. has been openly hostile towards Mr. Chavez since his landslide election victory in 1998. Mr. Chavez, socialist president of Venezuela and admirer of Fidel Castro, maintains popular support in the country by villainizing the wealthy business class, depicting them in speeches as living in "luxury chalets where they perform orgies, drinking whisky." The 2002 coup by military and business leaders that followed his attempt to nationalize the country's oil industry-the world's fifth largest-is widely understood to have been supported by the U.S. government.

» Richard Bennett: US Support for the April Coup in Venezuela

» Venezuelanalysis.com Venezuela Asks U.S. to Stop Funding Opposition and Coup Supporters

» BBC: Profile: Hugo Chavez

European Commission President selected

Wed, 21 Jul 2004 21:03:06 +0000

Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, Prime Minister of Portugal, was selected as the 11th European Union Commission President, ending a two-week stand-off between the United Kingdom and Italy, and France and Germany. The five-year presidency-the holder of which is selected by consensus of the Commission-heads what is effectively the Executive branch of the European Union.

Prime Minister Barroso was chosen as a compromise candidate by the commission, which was split by the UK and Italy's support for Britain's Chris Patten, and Germany and France's nomination of Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt. Mr. Barroso, who has turned Portugal back from the brink of EU expulsion for running high deficits, is seen as a possible solution to the EU's ailing economy.

Even still, there are calls from within the EU to make the position of Commission President answerable to popular election, most recently from outgoing president Romano Prodi. The current system, whereby the president is chosen by the appointed representatives of the member states, reflects the U.S. electoral college system as it existed in the first few years of the union. A move towards direct election of the president, which would undoubtedly involve a loss of power by national governments, is not expected until member states-most notably the UK-grow more comfortable within the EU.

» Bloomberg: Portugal's Durao Barroso Is Named Next EU Commission President

Israel accused of using nerve gas against protestors

Wed, 21 Jul 2004 20:58:02 +0000

Al-Zawiya, June 10th -- Israeli riot control police stand accused of having used what appears to be nerve gas in dispersing a crowd demonstrating against the construction of the security wall in Al-Zawiya by Israeli authorities. The Israeli organization opposed to West Bank occupation, Gush Shalom, released a press statement noting that symptoms experienced by demonstrators treated for gas inhalation were consistent with the use of a nerve agent.

The symptoms - which included dilated pupils, sudden and long-lasting loss of consciousness, and muscle rigidity - are typical of no know tear gas, which typically causes stinging in the eyes and nose and slight choking. Nerve agents, the use of which are forbidden under international convention, and are among the "weapons of mass destruction" that the U.S. expected - and failed - to find after invading Iraq in 2003.

This is not the first time that Israel has been accused, with little evidence beyond witness statements, of employing nerve gas. It should be noted that anti-Semitic groups have long floated theories that Israel uses nerve agents against protestors.

» Counterpunch: How Israel "Disperses" Demonstrations

» Tightrope: Crash of Cargo Plane in Holland Revealed Existence of Israeli Chemical and Biological Weapons Plant

» Media Monitors: The Israeli poison gas attacks

UN advisor to Africa: stop paying back debt

Wed, 21 Jul 2004 20:48:46 +0000

Jeffery Sachs, special poverty advisor to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, called on the developed world to cancel debts owing from developing African nations. Failing such action, Mr. Sachs recommended that the nations take it upon themselves to simply stop repaying them.

Calling the debts "unaffordable," Mr. Sachs said, "The time has come to end this charade," and referred to economic reports that claim to prove that reducing African poverty would be impossible under the current debt burden. The original debt, which has been repaid many times over in interest payments that top $2 billion a year, is owed to a multiplicity of private corporations and governmental organizations largely located in rich, industrialized countries.

Mr. Sachs' call for debt relief follows similar comments made by British finance minister Gordon Brown at the recent G8 meeting. Opponents to debt relief have insisted that such financial forgiveness be tied to political reform within the debtor nations, which they assert are rife with governmental corruption and thievery at all levels. They argue that debt forgiveness would only deliver more money into the hands of Africa's few power-brokers, and would not benefit the impoverished public that needs the money.

» BBC: Africa 'should not pay its debts'

» George Monbiot: The Third World "debt" is simply an accounting device

Egyptian cabinet resignation

Wed, 21 Jul 2004 20:44:03 +0000

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has replaced his prime minister and forced the resignation of his entire governing cabinet. The long-awaited cabinet reshuffle by President Mubarak, who has governed since 1981 and can only be said to be democratically elected in the loosest sense of the word, are expected to be the first step towards major economic, social, and political reforms in the economically stagnating North African nation.

Ahmed Nazief, the virtually unknown former state information minister, was appointed the new Prime Minister and was given 24 hours to form the new Cabinet. The outgoing Prime Minister, Atef Obied, had served in the position for four years, during which only a few of the reforms supported by President Mubarak and his son (and likely heir) were implemented.

The appointment of Mr. Nazief, a proficient but politically unconnected administrator, is said to be typical of President Mubarak, who has always been careful to keep real political power for himself alone.

» ABC News: Egyptian cabinet resigns; Mubarak appoints new prime minister

» AP: Egyptian Prime Minister, Cabinet Resigns

US Forces Stretched Thin in Iraq

Wed, 21 Jul 2004 18:43:36 +0000

US forces are increasingly stretched thin in Iraq, as evidenced by several recent decisions from the Pentagon. In April, officials announced that many soldiers would be forced to serve well beyond the promised 12 month tour. Many soldiers stationed in Iraq have not yet had an extended break.
To fill additional gaps, the Pentagon has declared that thousands of troops will be forced to stay on duty after their comissions end. Over 5,600 former soldiers have been called back to duty in Iraq, a move that some have called a "forced conscription", and which many observers say presages a post-election draft. Equipment and troops from other US military bases have also been diverted to Iraq.

» Albuquerque Tribune: Individual Ready Reserve gets call

» Slate: You're in the Army Now (and Forever)

» Ukiah Daily Journal: Do we need a draft: Locals debate the pros and cons

Parties are Irresponsible, Undemocratic: Democracy Watch

Wed, 21 Jul 2004 18:36:19 +0000

Democracy Watch has recently released its "Report Card on the Democratic Reform and Corporate Responsibility Election Platforms" of the five main political parties that were involved in the June federal election. Its main finding is that voter apathy, low voter turnout, and minority governments will remain until all parties and politicians become serious on the topics of honesty, integrity, openness, efficiency, responsiveness, and accountability within the federal government.

The report assigned a letter grade to each of the parties, and none received better than a C, for the following reasons. No party promised an "honesty in politics" law, even though this was obviously a top concern among voters. No party promised a "meaningful public consultation" law that would make it easier for Canadians to voice concerns. No party clearly promised to limit the influence of elite lobbying, even though polls showed this as well was an important voter concern. Only one party promised full disclosure of donations to the party, and only one party proposed to implement citizen watchdog groups to guard against corporate wrongdoing.

Democracy Watch points out that progress has been very slow in democratizing the Canadian federal political scene. Some examples include it taking about 20 years to finalize ethics rules for all MPs and senators, it taking only two years of parliamentary debate in 2001 for MPs' pay to increase, and then only another two hours of debate for MPs' health benefits to increase in 2004. 20 cabinet ministers have broken ethics rules, yet only two have been penalized. Democracy Watch offers a final example of the Liberals deciding to increase party funding from $1.50 to $1.75 per vote in the recent election so that their party would have a chance at receiving more money with less votes.

However, Democracy Watch is somewhat hopeful. Four out of the five main parties promised better ethics enforcement, an increase in parliament's role in reviewing some of the approximately 3,000 appointments that are solely made by the Prime Minister, a strengthening of the access-to-information system in some ways, and an increase in corporate responsibility measures. However, flaws in the current system will make all of these promises somewhat difficult to implement.

--Mark Parker

Martin Calls for Cooperation on Free Trade, Military Interventions

Wed, 21 Jul 2004 18:29:04 +0000

It has been said that the Sun Valley Conference "attracts more moguls than a double-black ski run." The annual gathering of media owners and executives was also the location of Paul Martin's first major post-election speech.

At the multi million dollar resort, Martin told billionaires like Disney's Michael Eisner, Fox's Rupert Murdoch, and investor Warren Buffet that there needs to be "massive international cooperation" to enforce free trade rules. "It's time that we understood our responsibilities as joint stewards of North America and those areas where... our interests intersect."

Martin also touched on Canada's role in US military invasions outside of North America, and advocated for a greater US and Canadian role in "failed states."

"It is true that fragile states often require military intervention to restore stability. You in the United States know this, and so does Canada."

Martin stressed the case of Haiti, where he said that Canadian, French and US forces hadn't "stayed long enough" to set up institutions during previous interven.

Some critics have repeatedly blasted Martin and the commercial and government-owned media for ignoring the four-year campaign aimed at destabilizing Haiti, led by the US. Martin, Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham, and a number of mainstream journalists have declined to respond to accusations and questions in this vein.

--Dru Oja Jay

» PMO: Transcript of Prime Minister Paul Martin`s speech at the Sun Valley 2004 Conference

» Toronto Star: Private speech in Idaho on PM's agenda

Haitians Ask Canada: What Security?

Wed, 21 Jul 2004 18:25:18 +0000

Under Canadian and US supervision, thousands of civil servants have been jailed on vague or nonexistent charges. Former police chief Jean Michel Gaspard, shown here, was released by US Marines after he demanded basic information about why he was being held.

Prime Minister Paul Martin and Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham announced that 100 RCMP officers will be sent to Haiti, as part of a plan to "ensure security and stability." The officers, according to Martin, will help to "reform the Haitian National Police."

The announcement has left many Haitians puzzled as to what the Canadian government means by "security and stability." Since the democratically elected President Jean Bertrand Aristide and his Lavalas party were removed from power, all 5,000 members of the Haitian National Police have been dismissed from their positions and replaced by members of the former military. The Haitian military, often supplied and trained by the US, was integral to several coups and attempted coups until it was disbanded by Aristide in 1994.

Since Canadian and American troops landed in Haiti in February, between 2,000 and 3,000 Haitians, mostly Lavalas activists who support the return of Aristide, have been murdered. Demonstrations in favour of Aristide's return have been met with gunfire, and dozens have been killed. Many members of the former government are in hiding. In at least one case, US forces were involved in a massacre in the Bel Aire district of Port-au-Prince. The role of Canadian troops is less clear, but a report in the Truro Daily News confirmed that Canadian snipers are working in the Haitian countryside. Master Cpl. Scott Richardson, a Canadian sniper who worked in Haiti, was quoted as saying "we're the ones who fly around in the helicopters, drop into the mountains looking for the baddies ... it's a cool job."

When Aristide was removed, Haiti's prisons were emptied of convicted murderers, war criminals, and drug dealers, and have now been filled with Lavalas party activists. Many have not been charged; some, fearing assassination, have turned themselves in.

--Anthony Fenton

The Canadian Left is Failing to Stand Up for Haiti

Wed, 21 Jul 2004 18:06:24 +0000

Haitians are risking their lives to fight an illegal regime that Canada supports

At the end of February, Haiti was front-page news. The Globe and Mail's Paul Knox was there and CanWest's eleven daily papers ran stories from the Montreal Gazette's once progressive Sue Montgomery. Both reported on Aristide's authoritarianism, drug connections and "thuggish" supporters, known as the Chimeres. Neither gave much credence to other side of the story and now that Aristide is in exile in South Africa, the Canadian media has lost all interest.

So, what's going on?

No one from Aristide's Fanmi Lavalas party is part of the interim government, even though it is by far the most popular political party in the country. The Gerard Latortue regime, which was appointed by the occupying force's council of "wise men", has defied the constitution by refusing to hold elections within ninety days after the presidency became vacant. None will be held until some undetermined time next year, giving the government and paramilitaries sufficient time to thoroughly repress Lavalas.

And that's what they've done, according to Amnesty International.

"While the authorities have moved swiftly to arrest members of former President Aristide's Fanmi Lavalas party, they have not acted with the same commitment against, for example, those accused or convicted of perpetrating grave human rights violations, some of whom played a prominent role in the recent insurgency," an Amnesty report concluded. The unsavory lot of murderous narco-traffickers, including Guy Phillipe, still openly carry weapons in major cities like Cap Haitien, Gonaives, and Hinche. The Miami Herald reports that "rebels control some towns, police some towns and the two sides share control of others."

The Canadian media's silence regarding police and rebel collaboration is striking since prior to Aristide's ouster, it was full of ominous accounts of the politicization of the police force. Yet now with Aristide gone and Canadian troops supporting Haiti's police, our media ignores their crimes, which include the torture and execution of five Aristide supporters in March, according to Amnesty. Haitian police also fired on a pro-Aristide march in May, killing at least one person and allowed former Prime Minister Yvon Neptune's home to be ransacked. He is now in prison with at least seven other pro-Aristide ex-officials.

Coalition forces aren't merely turning a blind eye towards the paramilitary "rebels" and police repression, they are actively participating in the repression. U.S. troops shot dead at least six Haitians between March 7-12 in Port-au-Prince, and, Amnesty reported, "investigations into these killings have apparently not been undertaken." On May 10, coalition forces raided the home of Annette Auguste, a popular folk singer and Lavalas activist, killing her dog and arresting twelve people.

The economic situation has also deteriorated since the coup. Immediately after Aristide's ouster millions of dollars worth of property was looted and destroyed, much of it by infuriated Aristide supporters who blame the one percent of the population that controls nearly half the country's wealth for Aristide's removal. More significantly, the price of rice has doubled since Aristide's forced departure, worsening life for the poor majority who rely on rice for subsistence. The cost of rice has increased for a couple of reasons including a slight rise in world prices and some disruption of supply routes. But most important Aristide's regime helped stabilize prices and according to Berthony F.A. Mercier, 50, who paints signs in Port-au-Prince, "the people who sell the rice are the people who kicked Aristide out."

The news isn't all bad. After last week's meeting, the Caribbean community (CARICOM) still refuses full relations with the illegitimate Latortue administration, even under intense U.S pressure. This honorable position needs defending.

But what has the Canadian left done? Not much good.

During the federal election debates, Paul Martin and Gilles Duceppe agreed that Canada's involvement in Haiti was a success. The NDP's Jack Layton didn't object, wasting an opportunity to provide an alternative view of Canada's role in the troubled nation. Does he really agree with replacing an elected government by force of foreign troops? If so, who speaks for those opposed to Canada's Haiti policy?

It's for those who believe in self-determination to support the thousands of Haitians risking their lives for the restoration of democracy. It's the least we can do after all the harm our troops and media have done.

In a rare exception to the Dominion's de facto lack of opinion articles, Yves Engler argues that Haitians are risking their lives to fight an illegal regime that the Canadian government is propping up.

The Diary

Wed, 21 Jul 2004 18:01:15 +0000

"The Diary", by Heather Meek

American Patriot from Guelph?

Wed, 21 Jul 2004 17:40:42 +0000

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Sam Turton: "There are no real borders... but in this case policies in the US are affecting all of us and we have a right to speak to that"

Every movement needs a theme song.

So I was told by that 1998 satire 'Wag the Dog', a movie I watched last week with increasingly mirthless laughter. Its "fake war" was too eerily true, and my position as a spectator too uncomfortably familiar. Then I got to speak with a Canadian who actually has written a theme song, and who is overturning his role as spectator to the American administration.

Sam Turton is a longtime singer-songwriter now settled in Guelph, Ontario. His anthem, currently flying around the inter-world on downloadable mp3, is a single called "Patriot." The impossibly direct message of this track slices to the heart of Bush's militaristic PR.

"Patriot" refuses that last bastion of nationalistic propaganda-the "you're with us or against us" mentality that characterizes crusaders of any persuasion. Its lyrics reclaim dissent itself as patriotic, demanding that the listener think beyond any blind nationalism to a more essential ideal. "I have a lot of American friends," says Turton, "and I send them information all the time because they're living in a media blackout. This song grew out of that sense of...world community, of being in Canada, just feeling very affected by what Bush's administration has been doing."

"If mainstream America heard this song without the words, they'd love it," Turton declared. It's easy to agree. "Patriot" mixes a down-home country flavour with a fife-and-drum-type motif which sure does waken a sense of the old Stars and Stripes. Now perhaps I'll be forgiven for craving a little variety in "Patriot's" refrain...but when one has the propaganda of the current climate to counter (Did anybody else hear about the new truckers-against-terror vigilante program?), there's value in what's catchy and direct.

In "Patriot", all-American musical style and thematic content are comfortably entwined, a deliberate choice. Instead of using biting humour, the beloved weapon of Bush-bashers, Turton chose infectious rhythm and melody to snare his audience and convey his earnest message. Although this intersection of art and politics is a new project for Turton, a musician for some 30 years, the passion driving the project is tempered by pragmatism. Lots of "activist music" is about personal expression, he says, but he disciplined "Patriot" to resist murky artistry and speak to a large and mainstream audience.

And what, I wondered (always willing to jump in and ask the obvious), do audiences think of some Canadian guy singing at them about American politics? "Mmmmm," said Turton, "People don't usually appreciate people from other countries coming in and commenting on their political processes."

Well, no. Yet Turton has had only positive responses, having now performed at a variety of venues in Ontario, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and currently preparing for some gigs in Greenwich Village.

Is this success because he's been preaching to the converted? Actually, no: his first and most nervous "Patriot" performance was to a staid bunch in rural Pennsylvania. Oddly enough the only belligerent audience member he's yet encountered was at home in Guelph.

Ideally, a reasonably well-known US artist will pick up the song and re-release it in the US, spreading the message and inspiring people to oust Bush come November. Barring that, as time ticks along and the election approaches, Turton hopes for media attention (I coughed politely) and increased radio play of his own recording.

Having only just recovered from my annual phobic response to Canada Day, though, I did have to raise some concerns about this whole "I am a patriot [repeat]" idea. Patriotism is chauvinism, no doubt about it, and Turton is ready to say so. "There are no real borders, of course; economically, socially, environmentally...but in this case policies in the US are affecting all of us and we have a right to speak to that." The rhetoric of the song is a tactic, then, an effort to use patriotism to curtail its own excesses.

The Canadian federal election, on the other hand, came and went without any Sam Turton sound bites. "I was pretty uncomfortable about that, actually," Turton admitted, "though it was a joke amongst my friends. Here we were, realizing that Stephen Harper's a little Bush, and I don't have a song!" Letters to the editor were his route on that one.

With "Patriot", both sound and message are a departure from Turton's usual approach. Although the song implicitly denounces the authoritarian Bush administration, Turton ordinarily shies away from such generalized criticism. Ideals of compassion are central to his career, as a primal integration therapist, and also to his musical compositions. The variety of tracks on his 2003 album 'feel' are more representative and were selected to evoke a "vibrant, primal, fully feeling way of life." To this end Turton uses uncomplicated lyrics and a range of musical styles, many rooted in bluesy, R&B traditions which have your foot tapping and your neck loosened by the onset of the second bar. The sound puts me in mind of summer evenings, sundried fields, beer, friends and the well-mixed satisfaction there entailed.

The lyrics in "Patriot" use an American voice, but the song surely speaks for many Canadian spectators: get out and vote in November, dear neighbours, please. And with "Patriot" jingling in the back of your head, you're likely to feel proud about it.

Every movement needs a theme song.

July

Wed, 21 Jul 2004 16:57:52 +0000

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Cruise Control?

Tue, 20 Jul 2004 09:51:46 +0000

What images spring to mind when you imagine a northern cruise vacation? Crystal clear water, teaming with sea life; humpback whales, porpoise and dolphin frolicking for your viewing pleasure; or perhaps just the vastness of a clean, wild ocean untouched by human pollution. These images contradict the current reality of the cruise industry.

A single cruise ship discharges approximately 1.3 million litres of waste water per day, more than the port city of Haines, Alaska. Haines can expect several ships per day, creating a floating mega-city in the harbour. NGOs concerned about cruise ship pollution have found that cruise ships burn fuel that has a 90% higher sulphur content than that used by cars. An American environmental group, the Blue Water Network, estimates that 77% of all ship waste comes from cruise ships. About two billion pounds of trash is dumped into the world's oceans each year and 24% of that waste comes from cruise ships. Approximately 14 million kilograms of waste was produced in 2000 on the Alaska-Canada route. With the exception of plastics, most of this waste can be ground up and legally dumped.

A single cruise ship discharges approximately 1.3 million litres of waste water per day, more than the port city of Haines, Alaska.

John Hansen of Northwest Cruise Ships Association is puzzled at the concern of many environmental groups and citizens. "I can't quite understand the degree of interest that they have in our industry and where it stems from". Ross Klein, author of a detailed study of cruise ships titled Cruise Ship Blues, thinks there are obvious reasons for the interest, "One needs to keep in mind that three of the four major cruise companies are convicted environmental felons, with those convictions occurring since 1998." Cruise ships have accrued over 60 million dollars in environmental fines over the last five years in the United States. Yet, in Canada there have been no fines despite the fact that these same ships visit our waters. The only explanation is a lack of Canadian monitoring and enforcement.

Even more disturbing is the nature of some of the environmental violations, companies purposely and systematically polluting throughout their fleet. The Royal Caribbean Cruises Incorporated and Norwegian Cruise Lines were caught having installed lines to bypass the oil/water separator, a mechanism used to clean water of oil before being discharged. These lines were removed during US coast guard inspections to avoid detection. Both of these companies were also found guilty for dumping purposely hazardous waste into their waste water. Ironically RCCI was promoting its "Save the Waves" campaign while purposely and illegally polluting our oceans. Carnival Corporation Limited also had to pay for dumping oily waste from 5 ships, and making false entries into their log books.

There is a serious need to strengthen environmental regulations that govern cruise ships. Linda Nowlan, of West Coast Environmental Law, points to one area of weakness, "A ship that sails from Seattle to Alaska can't dump sewage in Washington's waters and it can't dump in Alaskan waters. But it can dump raw sewage for most of the thousand kilometres it travels in BC."

Most of the ships that ply through Canadian waters are also flying "flags of convenience". Companies register vessels in countries that charge little or no tax and turn a blind eye to international conventions on marine safety, the environment and labour standards. Some nations that offer flags of convenience include Panama, Burma, Cambodia, Lebanon, the Bahamas and Liberia. Liberia gains $15-20 million per year for its registered cruise ships and allegedly uses this to support brutal rebel groups in neighbouring Sierra Leone.

Canada has recently ratified the Kyoto Protocol, yet a loophole benefiting cruise ships has emerged. Greenhouse gas emissions of international ships are excluded from the national emissions inventories. Bunker fuel emissions of commercial vessels (whether registered as domestic or foreign-flagged), like airplanes, whose "point of departure or point of destination" is outside territorial waters, will find their emissions are not counted.

Over the last three years there has been a 300 percent increase in cruise ship traffic in Victoria, British Columbia. The cumulative impact of this year's 320 000 passengers and crew members from almost 160 visits has not been studied or planned for in Victoria despite the fact that the cruise port resides in a residential neighbourhood, with massive ships less than 300 metres away from the front-steps of people's homes.

Local citizen's groups have begun to take action on the issue of cruise ships. In a report titled Ripple Effect, the Vancouver Island Public Research Group (VIPIRG) is calling for a public assessment of the cruise ship industry, in particular relating to impacts on the environment, and the community.

For more information, read Vancouver Island Public Interest Research Group's report, Ripple Effects: The Need to Assess the Impacts of Cruise Ships in Victoria B.C.