Canadian Peace Alliance/l'Alliance canadienne pour la paix

Canada's largest umbrella peace group

For Immediate Release — March 24, 1999

Peace is Not Won at the Point of a Gun

A statement by the Canadian Peace Alliance on the bombing of Yugoslavia

The Canadian Peace Alliance (CPA), Canada’s largest umbrella peace organization, deplores NATO’s use of military force as a solution to the current crisis in Kosovo. The Canadian Peace Alliance also condemns Canada’s participation in what is a violation of international law and fears the dangerous precedent set in international relations.

A lasting peace must be negotiated. The CPA deplores the violence in Yugoslavia, however, believes that bombing presents serious risks of escalation in this conflict. The very people that NATO purports to want to protect that will be those who suffer the effects of a bombing campaign.

We do not accept that diplomacy has failed. Diplomatic efforts have not been exhausted. The Canadian Peace Alliance believes that the international community may have forced diplomatic failure with its ultimatum that Serbia must agree to an unacceptable deal. There must be a fully informed debate on the merits of the so-called agreement put forward by the Contact Group.

The Canadian Peace Alliance urges the Government of Canada to support a comprehensive political and diplomatic solution to tensions throughout the Balkan region, including recognition of the right of self-determination for all peoples and respect for the territorial integrity of countries. The international community must support on-going regional and community peace efforts.

The Canadian Peace Alliance calls upon its member groups to express their opposition to simplistic military "solutions" to complex humanitarian crises.

 

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