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The Saker Indymedia Ireland is a volunteer-run non-commercial open publishing website for local and international news, opinion & analysis, press releases and events. Its main objective is to enable the public to participate in reporting and analysis of the news and other important events and aspects of our daily lives and thereby give a voice to people.
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Action Alert: Oppose US Military Refueling in Canada national |
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 Monday January 27, 2003 06:00 by Aaron Koleszar - FREEDOM aaronk at isn dot net PEI, Canada
 Canadian island could be next 'Shannon Airport' Greetings and Solidarity from across the ocean, on another island that is opposing the US military. Prince Edward Island is on the East Coast of Canada and on the flight path to overseas from the USA, and a corporation here wants to have the US military stop to refuel, and possibly train. So we're hoping you can help us with: 1) info about why we really don't want the US refueling (or training) here. 2) any messages of warning you wish to send to our local media, etc. Greetings and Solidarity from across the ocean, on another island that is opposing the US military. Prince Edward Island is on the East Coast of Canada and on the flight path to overseas from the USA, and a corporation here wants to have the US military stop to refuel, and possibly train. Their story (though somewhat mixed up) is that it would be just for 'search and rescue' So we're hoping you can help us with: We'd like to cast doubt on their 'it's okay cuz it's just for 'search and rescue' stance Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Aaron Koleszar ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACTION ALERT: Oppose US Military Training and Refueling in PEI Do you have concerns about plans to bring the US military to train and refuel aircraft on PEI? If you wish to express your concerns, contact information is listed below for the President of the Slemon Park Corporation, the Premier of Prince Edward Island, and some local media. Spread the word. Earth Action ------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, January 14, 2003 CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI, Canada - Prince Edward Island environmental group Earth Action is denouncing plans to bring the US military to train and refuel aircraft on PEI. Representatives of the Slemon Park Corporation are in St. Joseph, Missouri this week, for the 22nd annual Air Mobility Tactics Symposium, at Rosecrans Air Force Base and will be attempting to secure a contract for the refueling and maintenance of military aircraft, as well as military training exercises for their crews. Earth Action stands in opposition to this plan, for social and environmental reasons. Sharon Labchuk, Earth Action toxics campaigner, explains "This idea was hatched by a private corporation, with the intent to profit from the business of War. It is unacceptable that the public has not been consulted about this plan which will support both environmental degradation and human suffering." The US military produces a ton of toxic waste per minute, more than the five largest US chemical companies combined. Besides more conventional materials like propellants, oil, solvents, paints, preservatives, and heavy metals, military facilities frequently store deadly chemical and radioactive substances (chemical weapons, bomb components), in secret and rarely subject to environmental oversight). Contaminated sites are spread across the planet, but the US military continues to avoid responsibility (just try an Internet search for "US military" + "toxic waste"). Military activities are responsible for 6-10 percent of global air pollution, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Worldwatch Institute. DU (Depleted Uranium) weapons were used by US forces in the Gulf War, Yugoslavia/Kosovo, Afghanistan and elsewhere. The radioactive uranium oxide dust from these exploding weapons has been inhaled by a large number of soldiers (on both sides), as well as civilians (on "their" side). The radioactive particles contaminate the bombed out cities (and countryside) centuries after the conflict is over. In Iraq, cancer and birth defects have skyrocketed since the Gulf War. If you want to talk about Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs)...the USA is the ONLY government that has used nuclear weapons to target civilians in not one, but TWO large cities. The survivors (in surrounding areas) and their descendants have been left with a toxic radioactive legacy. Furthermore, the US government has recently announced plans to develop first strike "small scale'" nuclear weapons. The US government and CIA have armed and/or trained Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban, Saddam and Iraq, and many other murderous dictators and death squads. They have supported the overthrow of democratically elected governments when it is in their interest. According to UN statistics for 1996-2001, the US is the world's largest weapons manufacturer and exporter, with 45 per cent of the sales. In 2000, the US netted $14 billion (US) in arms sales, double its closest competitors, Britain and Russia. To date the PEI provincial government seems to be avoiding comment. Aaron Koleszar of Earth Action asks "Will our government allow this? Will they say 'our hands are tied...it's not our jurisdiction'? How can one, in good conscience, allow this, support this, and profit from this?" Slemon Park Corporation and the US military should give up on this idea before it's even begun. For more information, contact Earth Action: -30- ======================================================= Contact Info for the Premier of PEI, local media, and the President of the Slemon Park Corporation. Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island ------------------------ Media The Guardian The Journal-Pioneer The Eastern Graphic CBC Radio Island Morning Talkback - 629-6414, 1 (800) 680-1898 ----------------- Ken DesRoches, president Mailing Address Physical Address |
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