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Question 13: ConclusionPlease respond to the paper as a whole. |
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| Contributor: | lynn |
| Date: |
2003-05-01 13:11:20 |
| Answer: |
The Honourable William Graham
Minister of Foreign Affairs
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, KIA 1G2
Dear Mr. Graham,
RE: CANADA’S FOREIGN POLICY
Thank you for seeking the input of Canadians concerning Canada’s Foreign Policy.
This letter is written mindfully of September 11 and the US attack on Iraq, events that have critically impacted world affairs.
I am an ordinary Canadian citizen who would never have thought of writing about foreign policy previous to these events, however I find myself compelled to do so by what I see as the critical need for Canada to take a much clearer and stronger stand against the injustice which has permeated these events and the dangerous precedents that have currently been set.
Canada’s Foreign Policy
In general, Canada’s foreign policy should be striving for the international equality of all citizens. Canada should be promoting:
• fair trade, as opposed to free trade
• the uniformity of worker’s rights worldwide
• the uniformity of environmental protection laws worldwide
• democracy among governments around the globe by:
o forgiving the debts of developing countries if/when they adhere to strictly democratic principles in governing, and
o promoting the rights of women and their access to education
Canada’s National Security and the United States
Promoting greater equality and justice among nations of the world is the best protection against terrorism.
Canada, being a wealthy and democratic country that values freedom, and that has cultured an international reputation as a peacekeeper, has not been targeted by terrorists.
On the other hand, the United States has suffered several terrorist attacks during the last decade. It is a well documented fact that these terrorist attacks are a direct result of the US interference in other countries’ affairs and democratically elected governments, resulting in great suffering and resentment in those countries.
There is never any justification for terrorism, but then neither is there any justification for the US illegal and harmful interferences in other countries. Canada should not stand uncritically by the US on this issue. Silence is the voice of complicity. I applaud Nelson Mandela for having the courage and honesty of recently taking the US to task on this matter. This needs to be stated officially by countries around the world.
The US attack against Iraq will only encourage the proliferation of nuclear weapons around the world, as weaker countries now see this as their only means of protecting themselves against US aggression, as in the case of North Korea.
Canada must not allow itself to feel threatened by US reprisals. We need, the world needs more than ever, to stand by the principle of the matter. Canada needs to distance itself from a US administration that has routinely used dishonorable tactics, such as false evidence, bullying, spying and bribing of member countries during the recent UN crisis.
The Role of the United Nations
Rather than having rendered the UN irrelevant, the recent events surrounding the US attack against Iraq have shown that the world more than ever needs a UN body that has the means of enforcing its processes and resolutions. We can no longer afford to look the other way when an empire-building superpower decides to do what it likes regardless of the law or the welfare of world citizens.
Canada should strongly advocate for a UN body that is truly independent of the interferences of any superpower, and that has the means of enforcing its decisions. All member countries should be called on to contribute equitably to such an enforcement body.
In particular, I would like to see that the following be dealt with swiftly and justly by such a UN body:
• The indictment of a country’s leader(s) when evidence exists that they have committed crimes against humanity, whether against their own people or people of other countries.
• The indictment of any country’s leader(s), and in particular Israel, for having breached UN resolutions.
• The indictment of the United States of America’s leaders for having interfered, often covertly, in the democratically elected governments of other countries and their domestic affairs, including Iraq.
• The indictment of the United States of America’s leaders for having started an illegal war in Iraq.
• Making the US fully responsible for paying for the humanitarian crisis now occurring in Iraq, as well as the reconstruction of Iraq’s infrastructures demolished by US bombing.
• Making the US fully responsible for the ongoing and complete medical care of Iraqis injured by the US attack.
• Preventing the US from installing individuals of their choice as leaders of Iraq, and preventing the US from exploiting Iraqi oil.
It may be argued that establishing such a process would be pointless as far as the current US administration is concerned since it has demonstrated that it has the military might to do just what it likes regardless of UN resolutions. However, the current US administration has barely been voted in by the American people. Even at home the US war against Iraq is highly controversial. Moreover, there is a limit to how much isolation the US can withstand, politically and economically. Taking an international stand against the current US administration will impact the conscience of the American people, who still have the right to vote for another administration next time around. |
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