MILITARY COMMUNITIES SPEAK OUT AGAINST WAR

(The following article is from the November 16-30, 2007 issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $25/year, or $12 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $25 US per year; other overseas readers - $25 US or $35 CDN per year. Send to: People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 133 Herkimer St. Unit 502, Hamilton, ON, L8P 2H3.

PV Vancouver Bureau

A new and effective voice has joined the broad movement against Canada's role in the occupation of Afghanistan, with the launching of Military Communities Speak Out (MCSO).

     Formed at the initiative of ex-soldier Francisco Juarez, the organization is "ready to advocate for those in the military community who oppose the nature of Canada's new militarism and subservience to US foreign policy. MCSO will take the initiative and contribute to the national debate surrounding Canada's Afghan mission by uniting and facilitating communication between those who do not accept neo-liberal and conservative paradigms in human security and peace building.

     "Beginning with two chapters on either side of the country we can offer all members effective analysis and salient discussion both online and by attending events and conferences across the country. We look forward to engaging internationally as the movement for an end to the US led global war grows in the military communities of the United Kingdom and United States itself. Canada is no longer the refuge from militarism that we once proudly were, and we will stand to raise our voices in demanding the Canadian government not continue to resort to undemocratic means in order to perpetuate the wars in the Middle East, and misuse the CF (Canadian Forces) in that ultimate purpose. We advocate for a new model CF, not based on supporting illegal global wars but instead incorporating responsible use of our Armed Forces, linked to international law and principles of human rights."

     After joining the Canadian Forces in 2002, Francisco Juarez worked in the regular Navy before transferring to the Army Reserve as an infantry officer. He hoped to secure a place on a rotation to Afghanistan by 2009. However, during officer training he decided he could no longer support Canada's mission or be a part of a military whose focus had been lost. For the past year, he has been a highly visible spokesperson in the anti-war movement, particularly on the west coast where he lives.

     But Juarez is far from the only soldier who has concluded that the Afghanistan war is not supportable. A recent Sun Media news report says the Canadian military has released several soldiers who claimed conscientious objection to serving in Afghanistan. Internal records from the National Defence department obtained by Sun Media reveal several cases where "regular or reserve members were ordered or voluntarily released from the Canadian Forces for refusing deployment."

     For example, one reservist was expelled "as soon as administratively possible" after refusing to deploy. The member had already received training to serve in theatre and imposed an "unnecessary burden" on the Forces, according to the heavily censored documents. Other regular members were let go for breach of the "universality of service" principle.

     The National Defence department says that conscientious objection applies only to those who oppose war and armed conflict in general, not those who oppose a particular mission. The military says its policy requires that every member "must be prepared to perform any lawful duty to defend Canada, its interests and its values, while contributing to international peace and security." It appears that in some cases, the military has decided to simply release objectors rather than redeploy them in non-combat roles.

     MCSO offers membership to family and loved ones of current or former military members, and current and former members of the CF, both regular and reserve. The organization also welcomes those outside the military community as registered supporters. Information on joining the group is available at the MCSO website, http://milcomspeakout.ca. The group can also be contacted by email info@milcomspeakout.ca or telephone, 250-220-2911.