AN OPEN LETTER REQUESTING THAT PRIME MINISTER JEAN CHRÉTIEN DELIVER AN ANTI-WAR MESSAGE TO BUSH
Prime Minister Jean Chretien House of Commons Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6September 9, 2002
Dear Mr Chrétien:
As you know, it is easier to prevent a war than it is to stop one. The Canadian Peace Alliance hopes that this is the message that you will share with President George W Bush when you meet with him today.
The Canadian Peace Alliance would be deeply opposed to Canada’s participation in any armed intervention in Iraq, especially one that violated international law. We have read with alarm recent reports in the media indicating the United States is committed to going to war with Iraq in order to oust Saddam Hussein and that its preparations to do so are well under way.
The reported position of the Government of Canada still seems clear. Our understanding six months ago, when we last wrote to you about this issue, was that Canada did not support an armed intervention. We hope the Government of Canada continues to hold this view and will opt not to support the United States in this aggression. We certainly expect that Canada will reject the war option outright if Iraq fully complies with UN resolutions.
The majority of Canadians do not want Canadian troops to participate in this war, a recent poll confirmed. We urge you and your Government to do your utmost to prevent it altogether. We believe that Canada should play a constructive role in normalizing relations between Iraq and the United Nations. We also suggest a strong public statement opposing the war, concerted efforts to convince the United States to respect international law and the formation of a Canada-led coalition of states determined to work for diplomatic solutions to the US-Iraq crisis.
Please keep us informed of your actions in this regard.
In peace,
Carolyn Bassett, Coordinator, Canadian Peace Alliance
Further resources:
An open letter to Prime Minister Jean Chretien regarding the expanion of the "War Against Terrorism" to Iraq. February 19, 2002.
Bombing campaign against Iraq would be criminal, say Canadian Peace Alliance and Canadian Network to End Sanctions on Iraq (press release, November 29 2001).
End Sanctions against Iraq. Brief to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade prepared in 2000.