Shunpiking Online Vol 02 NO 02; Why a warmonger would visit Halifax

HALIFAX (26 November 2004) -- As soon as it was announced that the President of the United States George W. Bush would be visiting Canada on invitation from the Martin Liberals, all of Canada was caught by surprise. Peace-loving people immediately went into action and denounced Bush's planned visit. Why would we invite a war criminal to Canada we were asking ourselves? Why would our government invite a war criminal to Canada?

Then, upon hearing Bush would visit Halifax we had much of the same reaction. Why here? Why Nova Scotia of all places? According to Bush's representatives it was to thank Nova Scotians and all of Atlantic Canada for our help on 9/11. On that day, numerous planes were landed all around Atlantic Canada and stranded travellers stayed with families and in shelters provided by Canadians. In interviews by the monopoly media, trying to provide a war criminal with a human face, some of those who directly helped on that day said they were grateful for a thank you from the US president. But, surely this couldn't be the only reason for a visit from the President of the United States!

Looking into the matter more deeply it became clear there are many more possible, plausible and important reasons why a warmonger would visit Halifax. First, Halifax hosts the NATO Standing Naval Force Atlantic comprised of NATO ships from member countries including the United States. Visits of the US Navy -- including nuclear ships -- have been on the rise for a couple of decades in the Halifax Harbour -- the second largest natural harbour in the world. In recent history, Halifax has been host to aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, destroyers and many other US military ships. War supplies have been routed through Atlantic Canada on their way to Afghanistan and Iraq, war exercises have been conducted off our waters by NATO and other military operations by the US and Canada's militaries.

US SAIPAN visiting Halifax, NS Oct 22, 2004

US SAIPAN visiting Halifax, NS Oct 22, 2004

And we cannot forget Bill C-55, the Public Safety Act 2002, which allows for the declaration of "controlled access military zones" that can be used for the "protection" of Canadian Forces and visiting forces' personnel and property. Thus, under this law the Halifax Harbour was declared a "controlled access military zone." US Homeland Security now extends into Canada and the port of Halifax is home to a CIA unit protected under Bill C-55. With Bill C-55 a "controlled access military zone" can be established around American warships, from air to sea, and limits the rights of citizens in these zones as determined by the Minister of Defence. All these measures have been introduced in compliance with the US military demands that Canada militarize its harbours and provide safe havens for its warships and thus participate in its military adventures.

In other words, much effort has been placed behind militarizing the Halifax Harbour by the US in order to facilitate its aggressive military adventures around the world. So, is Bush here to ensure this co-operation on the part of the Liberal government with the US military is solidified and can continue to operate freely under protection of Bill C-55 and with martial law? Yes. Surely these important factors played a large part in Bush's decision to visit Halifax and come to the Atlantic Canada region. It is to shore up support for the use of the Halifax Harbour, to declare the interest of the US imperialists in this region and ensure all levels of government are willing to kowtow.

Incidentally, these are precisely the factors that Atlantic Canadians want no part of and oppose. Any form of co-operation with US aggression must stop now. Haligonians and others from around the Maritimes and Newfoundland are organizing to vigorously oppose the visit of Bush on December 1.

All Out Against Bush's Visit to Halifax!
No Harbour for War!
Bush Is Not Welcome in Halifax!