STATEMENT ON IRAQ WAR AND THE STRUGGLE FOR PEACE

by the Comox Valley Peace Coalition - April 2, 2003
http://members.shaw.ca/cvpeace/

On April 2nd, at the request of the Comox Valley Peace Group, representatives
and members of various local community organisations, churches, labour unions,
students and peace activists met and founded the Comox Valley Peace Coalition (CVPC)
with the view of furthering our local community's call for peace, an end to the war
against the people of Iraq, and an end to all war.

CVPC participants discussed the current situation in Iraq and agreed on this Statement
of principles and action:

1) We call for the immediate withdrawal of US/UK forces from the country of Iraq and
the return of UN weapons inspectors.

2) We support the Canadian Government for taking a stand against direct Canadian military
involvement in this aggression against Iraq.  We call on the Canadian government to withdraw
all Canadian military personnel and war ships from the region. 

3) We call for the Canadian Government to initiate talks to ban the use of depleted
uranium (DU) weaponry currently deployed by the US and UK forces in Iraq.  Depleted uranium
is a by-product of the nuclear weapons industry.  It is employed in conventional weaponry
because of its extreme density and armour piercing capability.   These weapons deposit a
radioactive dust with a half-life of 4.5 billion years into the environment where they explode.
This dust will remain a hazard to DNA-based life for the rest of time.    

4) We condemn the Bush administration's doctrine of "preventive war" against perceived threats.
This doctrine opens the door for a nation to launch military action at any time against any
other nation and will result in a less stable and more dangerous world. 

5) We deplore the waste of billions of dollars for war.  We call for this wealth be put to use
in eliminating hunger, providing clean drinking water, meeting the requirement for proper
healthcare and education, and in creating patterns of sustainable development to meet the
needs of the people of the world.  
 
We will work together to expand our efforts for peace and try to get more people and
organisations in our community involved in this struggle. Join us to create a space for peace
in the Comox Valley, and in the world.  Form a committee or group at your school, church,
workplace, or organisation and delegate representatives to work with the coalition.
See our website at http://members.shaw.ca/cvpeace/ or call 335-0280.


The following peace activities are planned to occur:

17th Street Bridge each Friday afternoon, 3pm to 5pm
Candle light vigil at Sims Park, each Sunday at dusk
April 12th, Saturday, join millions in another world-wide call to end conflict in Iraq.  TBA
Pot-luck picnic and Be-In For Peace at Sims park April 20th Easter Sunday
Helen Cauldicott to speak in Nanaimo April 25.  8pm to 10pm
Three Day Fast For Peace, contact 334-2375