The
U.S. withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in June 2002 has
allowed the Bush administration to commit resources to a multilayered
missile defence system, the first ground-based stage of which is now
being constructed at sites in California and Alaska, and whose clear
purpose, effectiveness and cost remain
unknown. Research is progressing
toward the inclusion of a space-based component before the end of this
decade.
Broad international consensus has
been reached that outer space should
not
be weaponized but should be used for
the benefit of all humanity. Some
Pentagon planners insist that BMD includes planning for weapons in
space. Participation in BMD would undermine the official position of
the government of Canada which firmly opposes such weaponization.
Canadian arms control efforts at the Conference on Disarmament in
Geneva would suffer a "credibility gap."
Canada has traditionally sought
peaceful solutions to conflicts, and
without any credible threat from ballistic missile attack, has no
reason to adhere to a BMD program. Canada best pursues its own security
through strengthening multilateral arms control and non-proliferation
regimes rather than through building missile defences. Canada should
urge other nations to move from a strategic to a humanitarian discourse
for global security. Giving Canadian political support to BMD would
strengthen the U.S. administration¹s resolve in spite of
considerable uncertainty and opposition
in the U.S. and around the world.
In addition, BMD will lessen trust
between nations and likely lead
other states to increase their nuclear arsenals. It appears
Russia and China are responding to the U.S. BMD effort with new
research and testing of new generations of offensive nuclear missiles
as precautionary measures.
With or without Canadian
participation in BMD there will be a
continuing important role for Canadian contributions to continental
aerospace surveillance through our participation in NORAD, the
Canada-U.S. North American Aerospace Defence Agreement. Canada¹s
agreement to participate in BMD is not essential to maintaining strong
bilateral relations with the U.S.
The Martin government has now
allowed that there will be a
parliamentary vote on BMD.
The Canadian government should
respectfully decline involvement in a
U.S. Ballistic Missile Defence system. A decision in favour of
the rule of law and strengthening arms control globally is in
Canada¹s interest. Participation in BMD is not.
For
additional background information on BMD:
Project
Ploughshares
http://www.ploughshares.ca/CONTENT/ABOLISH%20NUCS/BMD%20Page/BMD.update.htm
WHAT TO DO
MOST EFFECTIVE
OR TAKE QUICK ACTION
Back to action
alert.
______________________________________________________________
WORLD FEDERALIST MOVEMENT - CANADA
World Federalists support the development of a global community based on the rule of law and democratically accountable international institutions. We believe progress on a range of arms control and disarmament issues is clearly essential to achieving a more civilized, rules-based international order.
E-mail [email protected]
Telephone: (613) 232-0647
Fax: (613) 563-0017
URL: http://www.worldfederalistscanada.org
