Action Alert: Oppose US Military Refueling in Canada
national |
miscellaneous |
news report 
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.
Wonderful action last weekend (and throughout).
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'
Yeah, right!
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. (see below for contact info - and please copy any messages to us)
We'd like to cast doubt on their 'it's okay cuz it's just for 'search and rescue' stance
You'd think it's a no brainer, but the media is slack here too.
Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
It would be nice to stop it before it gets started here.
Aaron Koleszar
FREEDOM (Folks for Real Education on the Economically-motivated Deployment Of the Military)
and
Earth Action
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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?
Do you have concerns that the public has not been consulted?
Do you have concerns about War and US Imperialism?
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
Prince Edward Island, Canada
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, January 14, 2003
EARTH ACTION Denounces Plans for US Military Training and Refueling on PEI
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.
The people of PEI have a history of resisting nuclear technology and supporting peace movements. This is no place for warmongers.
For more information, contact Earth Action:
Aaron Koleszar (902) 659-2575
Sharon Labchuk (902) 621-0719
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Contact Info for the Premier of PEI, local media, and the President of the Slemon Park Corporation.
Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island
phone 902-368-4400, home 902-962-2196
pgbinns@gov.pe.ca
P.O. Box 338, Charlottetown, P.E.I., C1A 7K7
Fax 902-368-4416
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Media
The Guardian
Fax 902-566-3808, PO Box 760, Charlottetown, PEI, C1A 4R7
The Journal-Pioneer
Fax 902-436-0784, PO Box 2480 Summerside, PEI, C1N 4K5
The Eastern Graphic
Fax 902-838-4392, PO Box 790, Montague, PEI, C0A 1R0
CBC Radio Island Morning Talkback - 629-6414, 1 (800) 680-1898
CBC Radio Maritme Noon Talkback - 1 800 565 5463
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Ken DesRoches, president
Slemon Park Corporation
Phone: (902) 432-1700 | Fax: (902) 436-1854
Email: kdesroches@slemonpark.com, slemonpr@atcon.com, spc@atcon.com
www.slemonpark.com/
Mailing Address
Slemon Park Corporation
P.O. Box 90
Slemon Park, PE
C0B 2A0
Physical Address
Slemon Park Corporation
30A Aerospace BLVD
Slemon Park, PE
C0B 2A0