Dear Prime Minister Chretien,
I urge you to ensure that Canada unequivocally oppose the United
States' scheme to deploy a ballistic missile defence system when
you meet with the new US President on February 5. The proposed
'National Missile Defence' (Star Wars 2) system threatens the
security of Canada and the
world. It also robs the world of precious resources needed to address
the
real human security needs of people around the globe. Please
click here
(www.user.dccnet.com/welcomewoods/nuclear_free_georgia_strait/marchildon.html)
to read an article on the subject by Louis Marchildon, Chairman of
the
Department of Physics at Université du Québec à
Trois Rivières.
Development and deployment of the 'National Missile Defence' system
will:
* Destabilize world security as nations feel threatened and vie for
military
superiority,
* Derail nuclear disarmament as promised by the nuclear weapons states
and
the world,
* Spur on a new arms race as countries compete to obtain or increase
stockpiles of nuclear weapons as a way to counter a missile defence
system,
* Undercut current arms control agreements, including the 1972
Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty,
* Propel the militarization of space, ending what is currently a ban
on the
weaponization of space enforced under the Outer Space Treaty,
* Give away tens of billions of dollars to weapons corporations like
Boeing,
TRW and Lockheed Martin while undermining world security.
The only way to stop the spread of nuclear weapons and eliminate the
threat
of nuclear war or accident is to abolish all nuclear weapons.
World opinion and law are against the continued deployment of nuclear
weapons. The World Court has ruled that the threat or use of nuclear
weapons
is illegal. A 1998 Angus Reid poll showed that over 90% of Canadians
support
nuclear disarmament.
On February 5, when you meet with President George Bush, I urge you
to
inform him that Canadians are opposed to a missile defence system of
any
kind, and to clearly and unequivocally let him know that Canada opposes
the
deployment and development of a national missile defence system. Please
let
Mr Bush know that our true security depends upon the abolition of nuclear
weapons.
Sincerely yours,
************
Roger Lagassé
CP 39 Southwood Site
RR 1 Halfmoon Bay, B.C.
V0N 3A0
Rés: 604-885-4353