Prominent Canadians Oppose Missile Defence

Print Media coverage as of March 19th

18 newspaper hits & a BN News story read on commerical stations across Canada.

Canadian personalities demand Ottawa withdraw from US anti-missile shield
Agence France Presse English Thu 18 Mar 2004 Section:
International News Time: 21:36 GMT (17:36 Eastern Time)

MONTREAL, March 18 (AFP) - A hundred well-known Canadians on Thursday called on their government to pull out of talks with Washington on participation in the US space-based anti-missile shield.

"Canadian involvement in US missile defense would undermine decades of Canadian efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons," they said in an open letter to Prime Minister Paul Martin.

"It would represent our acquiescence and willingness to become an active participant in a permanent nuclear future," said the letter. "As such, it would directly collide with the wishes of the Canadian people who have expressed overwhelming support for nuclear disarmament."

Canadian participation in the US defense system "would require the reversal of a 30-year Canadian policy opposing the weaponization of space," said the letter.

The US plan is "enormously expensive" and would have long-term negative consequences on global security and "Canadian sovereignty over future foreign affairs and defense matters," said the letter.

It was signed by some 100 Canadian personalities, including former foreign minister Lloyd Axworthy, singers Bryan Adams, Richard Desjardins and Sarah McLachlan, anti-globalization author Naomi Klein, film maker Alexandre Trudeau, son of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, and a Catholic bishop and a Nobel chemistry laureate.

jl/aln/jjc Canada-US-missiles-people
Length: 201 words

CELEBS FIGHT STAR WARS
The Toronto Sun Thu 18 Mar 2004 Page: 47
Section: News Byline: BY VIVIAN SONG, TORONTO SUN

Canada's luminaries are urging Prime Minister Paul Martin to stay out of a galactic star wars they say goes against Canadian values.

Stars such as singer Bryan Adams, Sarah McLachlan, environmentalist David Suzuki and award-winning journalist and author Pierre Berton have signed their names in an open letter to the prime minister voicing their opposition to Canada's participation in the U.S.-led missile defence system.

"The concerns are several-fold. It's just not something that fits with Canadian values," said Steven Staples, spokesman for public interest and research group Polaris Institute.

CP Wire (This is the story from which the next dozen or more stories is derived - Steve) Thu 18 Mar 2004 Section: Entertainment and culture

OTTAWA (CP) _ A group of musicians, politicians and intellectuals is calling on Ottawa to steer clear of the Bush administration's missile defence plan.

The group has sent a letter to Prime Minister Paul Martin, urging him to keep Canada out of the defence system.

The letter contends the U.S. plan to use missiles to defend North America from attacks will have ``long-term negative consequences for global security , and for Canadian sovereignty.''

Signatories include Nobel Prize, Grammy Award and Order of Canada recipients such as Bryan Adams, Pierre Berton, Sarah McLachlan, Stompin' Tom Connors and Susan Aglukark.

Some politicians have also signed on.

A similar letter was signed in Montreal by Alexander (Sacha) Trudeau, Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe and others.

Length: 121 words

Brief: Musicians, politicians, intellectuals urge PM to avoid missile defence plan
OTTAWA (CP) -- A group of musicians, politicians and intellectuals is calling on Ottawa to steer clear of the Bush administration's missile defence plan. The group has sent a letter to Prime Minister... Source: Canadian Press Edition: Final The Packet & Times (Orillia) - Fri, Mar 19, 2004 - 70 words

Brief: Group urges Martin to avoid missile defence plan
OTTAWA (CP) -- A group of musicians, politicians and intellectuals is calling on Ottawa to steer clear of the Bush administration's missile defence plan. The group has sent a letter to Prime...

Source: Canadian Press
Edition: Final The North Bay Nugget - Fri, Mar 19, 2004 - 103 words

Brief: PM urged to avoid missile defence plan
OTTAWA -- A group of musicians, politicians and intellectuals is calling on Ottawa to steer clear of the Bush administration's missile defence plan. The group has sent a letter to Prime Minister... Source: Penticton Herald; Wire Services Edition: Final Penticton Herald - Fri, Mar 19, 2004 - 96 words

Singers, politicians hope to defuse U.S. missile plan A group of musicians, politicians and intellectuals is calling on Ottawa to steer clear of the Bush administration's missile defence plan. The group has sent a letter to Prime Minister Paul Martin,... Source: Record news services Edition: Final The Record (Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo) - Fri, Mar 19, 2004 - 94 words

Celebrities urge prime minister to avoid missile defence plan
OTTAWA - A group of musicians, politicians and intellectuals is calling on Ottawa to steer clear of the Bush administration's missile defence plan. The group has sent a letter to Prime Minister Paul... Source: The Canadian Press Edition: Final The Standard (St. Catharines - Niagara) - Fri, Mar 19, 2004 - 120 words

Celebrities urge Martin to stay away from missile defence plan
OTTAWA (CP) -- A group of musicians, politicians and intellectuals is calling on Ottawa to steer clear of the Bush administration's missile defence plan. The group has sent a letter to Prime... Source: Canadian Press Edition: Final The Expositor (Brantford) - Fri, Mar 19, 2004 - 121 words

Brief: Artists urge PM to avoid missile defence plan
OTTAWA - A group of musicians, politicians and intellectuals is calling on Ottawa to steer clear of the Bush administration's missile defence plan. The group has sent a letter to Prime Minister Paul... Source: Canadian Press Edition: Final Tribune (Welland) - Fri, Mar 19, 2004 - 120 words

Celebrities say no to missile defence plan
OTTAWA - A group of musicians, politicians and intellectuals is calling on Ottawa to steer clear of the Bush administration's missile defence plan. The group has sent a letter to Prime Minister Paul... Source: The Canadian Press Edition: Final The Edmonton Journal - Fri, Mar 19, 2004 - 120 words

ARTISTS CALL FOR BAN ON MISSILES
A group of musicians, politicians and intellectuals is calling on Parliament to steer clear of the Bush administration's missile defence plan. The group has sent a letter to Prime Minister Paul... Byline: BY CP Edition: Final The Ottawa Sun - Fri, Mar 19, 2004 - 89 words

ARTISTS ANGRY
A group of musicians, politicians and intellectuals is calling on Ottawa to steer clear of the Bush administration's missile defence plan. The group sent a letter to Prime Minister Paul Martin,... Edition: Final The Calgary Sun - Fri, Mar 19, 2004 - 93 words

Musicians attack missiles OTTAWA
(CP) -- A group of musicians, politicians and intellectuals is calling on Ottawa to steer clear of the Bush administration's missile defence plan. The group has sent a letter to Prime... Source: Canadian Press Edition: Final Times Colonist (Victoria) - Fri, Mar 19, 2004 - 121 words

Brief: Music: Musicians, politicians, intellectuals urge PM to avoid missile defence plan
OTTAWA (CP) -- A group of musicians, politicians and intellectuals is calling on Ottawa to steer clear of the Bush administration's missile defence plan. The group has sent a letter to Prime... Source: Canadian Press Edition: Final Cape Breton Post - Fri, Mar 19, 2004 - 121 words

In Brief Winnipeg Free Press Fri 19 Mar 2004
Page: A16 Section:
Canada Wire Byline:

Celebrity group rejects missile defence

OTTAWA -- A group of musicians, politicians and intellectuals is calling on Ottawa to steer clear of the Bush administration's missile defence plan.

The group has sent a letter to Prime Minister Paul Martin, urging him to keep Canada out of the defence system.

Signatories include Nobel Prize, Grammy Award and Order of Canada recipients such as Bryan Adams, Pierre Berton, Sarah McLachlan, Stompin' Tom Connors and Susan Aglukark.

Tom stomps on Bush plan
The Calgary Herald Fri 19 Mar 2004 Page: D3 Section: Entertainment Column: Entertainment Notes Source: CanWest News Services

Stompin' Tom Connors is among a group of musicians, politicians and intellectuals calling on Ottawa to steer clear of the Bush administration's missile defence plan.

The group has sent a letter to Prime Minister Paul Martin, urging him to keep Canada out of the defence system.

The letter contends the U.S. plan to use missiles to defend North America from attacks will have "long-term negative consequences for global security, and for Canadian sovereignty."

Signatories include Nobel Prize, Grammy Award and Order of Canada recipients such as Bryan Adams, Pierre Berton, Sarah McLachlan, Connors and Susan Aglukark.

Illustration: . Photo: Calgary Herald Archive / Stompin' Tom Connors is warning Canada against the U.S. missile defence plan.

Edition: Final Story Type: News; Brief Length: 96 words

HURTIG LAUNCHES BID TO STOP MISSILE PLAN
The Edmonton Sun Fri 19 Mar 2004 Page: 19 Section: News Byline: BY SHANE HOLLADAY, EDMONTON SUN

Endorsing the U.S. missile defence system makes Canada a target for future nuclear exchanges - and citizens should be telling Prime Minister Paul Martin to reject the plan, says a citizens' group.

As part of a nation-wide campaign, Council of Canadians founder Mel Hurtig is urging people to oppose plans to have U.S. missile bases on Canadian soil.

"Many people are involved and we have sent a letter to the prime minister today with scores of ordinary Canadians signing the letter saying please, do not get involved in the American national missile defence plan," Hurtig said. "It's already resulting in a huge escalation and buildup of nuclear weapons and new missile systems in Russia and China."

Musicians, politicians and intellectuals are joining together across Canada to sign the letter, he said.

Based on the Star Wars defence system conceived during the 1980s, some anti-ballistic-missile defence shield concepts involve nuclear warheads in orbit over North America.

Hurtig said the defence plan launched a new nuclear arms race, and Canada shouldn't be involved except as a voice against the "weaponization of space."

He dismissed the idea the ballistic missile shield would help protect Canada. "The minute we become involved in the national missile defence program, we will be perceived as a target."

Last week, Premier Ralph Klein said the U.S. was welcome to use Alberta soil to house part of its anti-ballistic-missile defence shield. Marisa Etmanski, a spokesman for the premier's office, said yesterday no talks about missiles in Alberta have happened. "It is yet to be finalized. That's his opinion for now," Etmanski said. "We're not even sure that it's going to be happening at all." Edition: Final Length: 275 words

ENT-Missile Defence-Celebs Broadcast News Thu 18 Mar 2004 Section: General and national news

OTTAWA -- A group of well-known musicians, politicians and intellectuals is calling on Ottawa to steer clear of the Bush administration's missile defence plan.

The group has sent a letter to Prime Minister Paul Martin, urging him to keep Canada out of the defence system.

The letter warns the U-S plan to use missiles to defend North America from attacks will have ``long-term negative consequences for global security, and for Canadian sovereignty.''

It's signatories include Nobel Prize, Grammy Award and Order of Canada recipients such as Bryan Adams, Pierre Berton, Sarah McLachlan, Stompin' Tom Connors and Susan Aglukark.

Politicians from all parties have also signed on, including Flora MacDonald, Lloyd Axworthy, Mel Hurtig and N-D-P Leader Jack Layton.

A similar letter was signed in Montreal by Alexander ``Sacha'' Trudeau, Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe and others.
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Steven Staples Director, Project on the Corporate-Security State
Polaris Institute 312 Cooper Street Ottawa,
Ontario K2P 0G7 CANADA
t. 613 237-1717 x107 c. 613 290-2695 f. 613 237-3359 e.
steven_staples@on.aibn.com
http://www.polarisinstitute.org

Note: steven_staples@on.aibn... http://www.polarisinst...