Letters

A Bold New Leader

The peace and disarmament movement in Canada should take note of the election of Audrey McLaughlin as the new NDP Leader. There are indications she will be a strong and clear-spoken advocate of sensible policy.

At the Convention, a few hours after her election, there was a standing vote about rewriting a rather wishy-washy resolution on international affairs which had been presented by the Party's Federal Council, to include instead a series of positions proposed by peace activists in the Party. These included the following: in view of NATO policy in areas including first-use of nuclear weapons, the FOFA (Follow-On Forward Action) strategy involving low-level flight testing over Innu lands in Labrador and over B.C., NATO's opposition to Nuclear Weapons Free Zones, and requirements for real increases in military expenditures, a New Democratic government would give notice to withdraw from NATO during our first term in office." The new Leader stood to support this strong policy (which was approved by the Convention).

She again demonstrated her commitment by choosing her first appearance in the House as Leader to direct criticism at Prime Minister Mulroney about the low-level flights.

It seems we have a prominent political figure who is not timid in speaking out about our issues. We must try to make a fruitful partnership of this. That means backing her up when she speaks out for peace.

John Valleau Loretto, Ont.

Mulroney and Panama

I am appalled that Mulroney has supported the U.S. invasion of Panama. Maybe you should have a special issue on "manufacturing consent." The outright biased propaganda-especially on T.V.- is outrageous. Twelve thousand homeless people must be the result of extensive bombing or shelling-because Noriega didn't obey U.S. commands.

Doris McNab West Vancouver

Don 't Wish for Nine!

You made a valid point about how ClIPS could support nine magazines such as PEACE for the cost of its own magazine. However, be careful what you wish for, in case it comes true! You surely wouldn't want to compete with eight more magazines in the limited market consisting of readers concerned with disarmament issues! In fact, the Canadian Peace Alliance must have cut into your circulation already by launching its magazine, the Peace Report. (With friends like that, you don't need any enemies.) May I ask how many fewer subscribers you have this year? Well, hang in there!

Dale Winters Kelowna, B.C.

About 20% fewer. Thanks, we will.

Referendum Beats Cruise

On November 12, 52% of the voters in Maine approved a non-binding referendum calling for the end of missile tests over their state. It directs the Governor to seek to persuade the U.S. government not to engage in training missions using unarmed sea-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles over Maine air space. Only a higher authority, such as Congress or the Department of Defense, can halt the tests. Supporters say the best way to stop the tests in Maine is approval of a mutual U.S./ Soviet ban on sea-launched cruise missiles. If a U.S. Governor can oppose cruise tests, can't our government do so?

Giff Gifford, Halifax

How Many U.S. Bases?

I'm an elderly widow very heartened this New Years by events of the past year. I had hoped to live to see the Berlin Wall come down!...

Perhaps you can advise me where to find an answer to a question I have been asking for 15 years. I have used every U.S. source I can think of: Senators, Congressmen, Cabinet members, etc. Many I never heard from and the answers I have had boiled down to: "secured information."

I didn't ask where the bases were. I just wanted to know how many military bases and installations the U.S. had outside of the U.S. and the number of military and other U.S. personnel manning them.

Page 403 of the 1989 Canadian World Almanac has a "U.S. Dept. of Defense" official listing of countries and actual military figures for '87, but it is incomplete, as there are vague categories of "transient" and "afloat" and no breakdown of actual numbers of bases. Even so, it appears that over one-quarter of all U.S. military forces serve outside the U.S.-over half a million. How many bases do you suppose Russia has outside Russia?

Jean K. Tyler Annapolis Royal, N.S.

Human Rights Monument

The Canadian Tribute to Human Rights is the first monument in the world dedicated to fundamental human rights. It is the most important work of public art to be built in Ottawa in 50 years, and will be located on Elgin Street. The tribute will be funded through a national subscription and has charitable status under the Income Tax Act. Donors can contribute to the monument at Box 510, Station B, Ottawa K1P 5P6. Phone 613/745-9323.

Hania Fedorowicz Ottawa