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Realities Collide at Halifax "War Conference"
HALIFAX, Canada - While the world's top military elites gather inside a fortified hotel to discuss NATO's future, protesters question the organization's legitimacy, secrecy, and the lack of democratic debate about the increasingly unpopular war in Afghanistan.
An imposing 'United States of America'-emblazoned aircraft greeted visitors on the tarmac of Halifax International Airport Friday, as more than 250 of the Western world's top military leaders and their brain trust descended on the city for the inaugural Halifax International Security Forum.
Co-sponsored by the government of Canada and the U.S.-based German Marshall Fund think tank, over 60 percent of the attendees hailed from these host nations for what is being dubbed a World Economic Forum-style conference for militarists.
Announcing the Forum last July, German Marshall Fund President Craig Kennedy called it "a step in the process of changing the conversation" about Canada's role in the 'trans-Atlantic community,' toward a recognition of its being a top-tier power in its own right that is worthy of a seat at the table with the globe's most powerful war-fighting nations.
Canada's transformation to a counterinsurgency-capable expeditionary force and its contribution to the war in southern Afghanistan has earned it the respect of NATO's key power, the United States, which, in turn, has boosted its global profile among other NATO allies.
In the opening session featuring Canadian Minister of Defence Peter MacKay and U.S. Secretary of Defence Robert Gates, MacKay said "We take great pride in knowing that Canadian's contribution to transatlantic cooperation as a steadfast reliable friend and ally is recognised."
Gates lauded Canada as a "major contributor" to the Afghan war and for helping to "hold the line in the South before U.S. reinforcements arrived", following a mini-surge that began in the latter days of the Bush administration, and was subsequently bolstered by President Barack Obama's addition of over 20,000 troops to the conflict since last March.
Currently, the Obama administration is deliberating over whether or not to implement an Iraq-style "surge" of upwards of tens of thousands of troops into Afghanistan. Canada's former Chief of Defence Staff, Rick Hillier, who spoke on a panel about the war with Republican Senator John McCain Saturday, said "The surge...is fundamental here, it's absolutely essential."
For his part, Senator McCain insisted that the Iraqi surge can be replicated in Afghanistan and that within the next year to 18 months, "We can turn the situation around."
Reflecting its parallels with other high-profile meetings among global elites, most of the Forum's agenda is off-the-record and closed to the media. Aside from the more than 25 journalists who are 'embedded' inside the proceedings, where comments can only be reported based on 'Chatham House Rules' - that is, not for attribution to particular individuals - most reporters are given limited access to the panelists and attendees, and are sequestered in a press room under tightly controlled conditions.
During his prepared remarks, Peter MacKay referred to this format as "a chance where people can speak openly, honestly, among friends", albeit largely outside of public scrutiny. Contrary to its undemocratic overtones, MacKay told IPS that he feels the conference is "an example of democracy promotion, having an international forum such as this...talking about issues that relate to the democracies of the world".
MacKay also spoke proudly to IPS about instances where "the United States and Canada have collaborated in the past on democracy promotion, certainly Afghanistan is a good example of that."
The Halifax Forum took place on the heels of Afghan President Hamid Karzai's inauguration, following NATO-sponsored elections last August that are widely seen to have been fraudulent.
The biggest such conference ever to be hosted in Canada, Halifax was seen as the ideal site given its strategic geographic location, and its position as a launching site for many of Canada's military forces. Although Halifax is known as a pro-military community, outside on Friday a small group of protesters denounced the forum, which they called a "war conference" that is being held to "work out the justification for the global expansion of NATO and to extend the ongoing illegal occupation of Afghanistan".
On Saturday, a larger protest took place which featured former Afghan parliamentarian Malalai Joya, who has been touring North America promoting her new book, "A Woman Among Warlords".
An outspoken critic of the ongoing occupation of her country, Joya has called for NATO to withdraw its forces. No Afghans participated in the Forum itself, and Joya was forced to deliver her short speech while separated from the Forum venue by a wall of police.
Joya told the several dozen boisterous protesters that the invasion of her country pushed the Afghan people "from the frying pan into the fire because they brought into power a photocopy of the Taliban", referring to the corrupt government of Karzai, which is comprised of many known warlords and suspected war criminals.
Joya added that a surge of U.S. troops in Afghanistan "will translate into killing more innocent people", and argued that "the policies of the Obama administration in Afghanistan are no different from that of Bush".
During a press briefing Friday, Sen. McCain told IPS that he would be "glad to meet" with Joya, and acknowledged that "she has kindred spirits here in Canada and in the United States who share exactly her view".
A CBS poll earlier this week showed that 69 percent of U.S. citizens think the Afghan war is on the wrong track, the highest ever level of opposition that has been registered during the eight-year occupation. Despite this, McCain added that "the majority of Afghan people don't share that particular position".
Apparently unfamiliar with Joya's position toward the unpopular war, McCain said, "in the course of our conversation, I would have to also try to get from her how she views the situation in Afghanistan after all the troops are gone."
Earlier this week, Joya told IPS correspondent Chris Arsenault, in a sit-down interview, that, "The war in Afghanistan has fostered terrorism, even though the stated goal is to fight it. The biggest beneficiaries of the conflict have been extremist groups who take advantage of legitimate grievances against NATO."
"They [the occupying forces] say if troops leave, the Taliban will eat us. But they are supporting the Taliban today, supporting warlords. Both of them are eating us. To fight against one enemy is easier than two. We are between two enemies [the occupiers and the extremists]," she said, urging an immediate troop withdrawal.
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28 Comments so far
Show Alli remember being taught is was pretty cool to be a north american. but then i thought corporations (i didn't know that's what they were) had kinda cute commercials. Now, my son who now lives in Austria, on home visits would get up early to watch cavullo & fox & feinds like we used to watch pro wrestling for 5 or 10 minutes in comedy disbelief.
Around 1967 or 68 I travelled the periphery of Nova Scotia on a beat up motorcycle. It was so good to be there, so beautiful. Despite the fact the mines had closed, the fishing industry was depressed and the new Scott paper mill was so automated that few of the promised jobs had materialized, the people were generous and helped with any problem. Best of all, the cafes and bars were filled with anti-war Canadian kids and folk singers. It was such a relief to drink beer with people who were not brainwashed, violent and out for blood.
I wish I could get up there now to join the protests.
Joe
I went through NS and the Cabot Trail back in the early 70's - I remember how clean everything still was, unassuming.
So while the "legal" corporations occupy the House and Senate with their shennanigans, the "black" corportations i.e. the military rotunds, disappear into the mists of Far Eastern Canada and "hide out" to talk, not unlike Hitler and his cadre...
Everyday, I see "us" acting more and more like "them" whom we swore we would never become...
At base, it is base: greed and power...for the less than 1% at the top, and not the one's "posing" at the top. Someone behind them you will never see.
When are we going to smell the smoke and realize there's a fire already?
... within the next year to 18 months, "We can turn the situation around."
After eight years already? In another eighteen months we will have them over here.
Heckuva job, Senator McPain!
Hi from N.S. Our present provincial government(like a state gov't) is run by centre-left New Democrats, one of only 2 in the country. Despite the gathering of international militaristic pricks,along with our own Peter (the liar) McKay, minister of war in Afghanistan, Nova Scotia remains a peaceful, scenic haven for uban centrists in the Halifax metro area, and rather innocent slightly right-of-centre rural hewers of wood. Kind of worried about the bad karma the military types are going to leave behind after they have decided how to carve up the Arab world on behalf of Exxon and Mobile.
Well Mr Mc Cain, of course! The more you shoot the more you kill.
Eventually those left 'agree' to do what you want.
You got that right.
But victory you say? Justice you say? The American way you say? How to win friends and all that?
You do seem to have a marvellously stupid intellect Mr Mc Cain. Although you certainly look it, you do not seem to have moved beyond the pre-school level . You see the question is not whether people can eventually be forced to do as you wish. The question is do they freely choose to do so? The question is, is it sane to force them so?
You see force is not power. Only a fool does not understand that and only an idiot can assert there is no difference.
You are clearly either a fool or an idiot. My money is on the latter, but no matter. You are most certainly nothing else.
Nevertheless, it appears you have discovered the secret of eternal, extreme youth. So there, there now.
Or is this all too difficult for you dear boy?
Ps: Don't take the 'eternal' part literally. You do understand?
Jeez, I guess "democracy" is now something that exists only *within* an elite group. The rest of us can all go to hell.
McCain added that "the majority of Afghan people don't share that particular position".
Of course they don't. They enjoy being occupied, forced from their homes or indiscriminately slaughtered.
Idiot.
"The opening session featuring Canadian Minister of Defence Peter MacKay and U.S. Secretary of Defence Robert Gates, MacKay said "We take great pride in knowing that Canadian's contribution to transatlantic cooperation as a steadfast reliable friend and ally is recognised"
Then Gates gave MacKay a dog bisquit, and a pat on the head.
A borrowed dog biscuit at that.
MacKay told IPS that he feels the conference is "an example of democracy promotion"
Would that be gunship democracy, Mr. McKay?
McKay is an amateur blusterer way out of his depth, Hillier is retired and should stay out of blending politics and war and NATO has no function since the demise of the Soviet Union, except that is as an arm of the US unilateralism machine. NATO in its present form should be disbanded.
All that needs to be said about Afghanistan has already been said. The attendees at this conference would have better spent their time reading the history of the graveyard of empires.
Very nicely put, except that Mr. McKay is more of a professional blusterer. Wish you were writing for the Globe and Mail or that I could see truth spake there (not that I read it much anymore).
Sadly, Imaginal110, you are right. Peter, who inherited his seat from his father Elmer MacKay (friend of both Brian Mulroney and Karlheinz Schrieber).
Peter MacKay is spending most of his time as of late denying that the prisoners turned over to Afghani authorities have been tortured - and discrediting anyone who says that they were:
Hon. Bob Rae (Toronto Centre, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, the testimony yesterday of Richard Colvin before the Afghanistan committee showed two clear things. First, Mr. Colvin testified that he had information with respect to the mistreatment of prisoners in Afghan prisons and that he gave that information to his superiors. Second, Mr. Colvin testified that he was also told by his superiors to shut up, essentially.
Given the importance of these two revelations, the revelations of mistreatment, harsh treatment and even torture, and the revelation with respect to a cover-up, would the minister not agree with me and with others that there should indeed be a full public inquiry into what has taken place with respect to the transfer of these detainees?
Hon. Peter MacKay (Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, CPC): Mr. Speaker, it has been stated here a number of times that there has not been a single, solitary proven allegation of abuse involving a transferred Taliban prisoner by Canadian Forces. Second, with respect to the evidence yesterday, what we know is that when the evidence is put to the test, it simply does not stand up.
Mr. Colvin had an opportunity to speak directly to me and other ministers of the government who were in Afghanistan. He did not raise the issue. As well, what is being relied upon here is nothing short of hearsay, second- or third-hand information, or that which came directly from the Taliban. ...
Hon. Peter MacKay (Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, CPC): Mr. Speaker, let me state the truth again. First, there has never been a single, solitary proven allegation of abuse involving a transferred prisoner from Canadian Forces.
Second and most important, Canadian Forces always respect international law, always perform to the highest standards, always comply with things such as the Geneva Convention, as does this government, and will continue to do so.
We will continue to work with Afghans to improve their capacity to build on these things. That is what we are there to do. That is why we are so respected internationally. That is why the member is off on the wrong track.
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/housechamberbusiness/chambersittings.aspx?View=H&Parl=40&Ses=2&Language=E&Mode=1
surge or splurge?
Both countries are on the same wrong track; but inimically speeding toward an exponentially, mutually destructive head-on collision!
Not to make light of the concerns... but does anoyone else see the face of a bozo-the-clown in the mushroom cloud?
0
http://microscopiq.com/2007/07/nuclear-destruction-and-fun/
Its from a playstation 3 ad.
Yep, I see it.
Smiling at the bloody splurge of War.
Look again - it's Mickey Mouse!
You beat me to it. Is this God's joke on us?
"This isn't the 15th century. You can't go around the world and just plant flags and say 'We're claiming this territory' - Peter MacKay
Unless the USA asks you to, I guess.
>>Canada's transformation to a counterinsurgency-capable expeditionary force and its contribution to the war in southern Afghanistan has earned it the respect of NATO's key power, the United States, which, in turn, has boosted its global profile among other NATO allies.
The Media in Canada is totally on board with trying to transform the Publics "Perception" On the role of Canada's Military. A Few weeks ago another article claimed Canadians as a whole were in FAVOR of the transformation of Canada from a peace keeping nation into a war fighting nation and felt this the proper role of the Military.
Generals are selectively quoted to give Canadians the image that this is the only real course to follow and editorials all but GUSH in pride everytime a John Mccain or a GW Bush a Tony Blair or a Bill gates speak in praise of our Forces.
This obsequious behaviour is rather sickening. I doubt Canadians really WANT the admiration of the US War Machine or of the worlds war mongers and am embarassed at the ones that do.
Our course should not be defined by how much "admiration" the leaders of a NATO give to us. This reminds me very much of Napoleon who stated that he could get anyone to fight for him merely by pinning a medal on the chests of the soldiers and calling them "Heroes of the republic". This like street punks who want to garner the admiration of the areas biggest bully so go out and kick some heads in so as to garner his notice.
We travel down a dangerous course as our leaders try and transform Canada and its MIlitary forces into a warmaking nation and as the public is CONDITIONED to take pride in the wars we fight.
Even rememberance day is being transformed. I remember it as solemn with the underlying message of "War is shameful and the loss of life in wars a waste of a countries wealth and people. We must REMEMBER the dead so that we do NOT fight another"
They become an another avenue to show "How much you support your troopd and how patriotic you are"
I believe that in their hearts most Canadians are troubled by this shift to "warfighting" and the emphasis of war and violence in the shaping of foreign policy. When they pick up a paper and read how "Patriotic Canadians" support the troops and the wars and how speaking up against these wars is akin to supporting the throwing of acid into the face of schoolchildren, they feel they had better get in line, stand straight and SALUTE in order to "fit in" and not be confused with "Taliban supporters".
Personally, I dont attend Rememberance Day "celebrations"...aimed at glorifying death and destruction. WW1 was fought to keep the European monarchs in power, and WW2 was just a rehash of WW1. I dont think Canada had moral any role to play in either.
Today, our "Neocon lite" Harper regime is trying to turn us into the USA's toady...and encouraging a 9/11 of our very own.
9/11 happened as a direct result of the USA's Imperial designs, and their abuse of the third world as their own whipping boy. That is one gravy train I think Canada should stay off of.
Does anyone besides me see a weird as hell laughing satanic clown face surrounded by big puffy hair in the picture of the mushroom cloud above? It is bizarre and scary and oh so representative of the war monegering bastards in charge of North America. Or is it just my sick, wretched mind?
Sorry. I hadn't read some of the earlier comments before my posting.
It's Peter MacKay's head exploding.
This is a guy that is so bad in bed, his girlfriend even changed her POLITICS in disgust
Yes - I see it. I meant to put it in my post...
I wonder of these guys meant it to be that or if they are just blind...
"Heh heh heh heh..."
The Joker aka Bozo the clown...
Bob Rae clearly should be the party leader for the Liberals once they get their common sense back by getting rid of that dead weight they now have for a party leader. That ought to be a little after they lose the next federal election, and it can't be a moment too soon for all.
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