Rendezvous in Kananaskis
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Rendezvous in Kananaskis
General News Archives (May 17-31, 2002)
Note: for information on the anti-terrorist bills, the so-called 'dirty C's' (C35, C36, C42...), see: Civil Liberties Under Siege. Also, in addition to the following links, try checking the G8 related news items archived at the Digital Banff News Service (scroll down to the "related stories" section for a large list of articles), the Newstrove G8 archive, and G8.activist - Media Working Group. Keep in mind that because mainly original links are provided at these sites, some of the articles will have expired.
Link to Next News Archives: June 1, 2002 and later
G8 leaders 'preoccupied' by crisis in Kashmir (May 31, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) Part of a larger G8 effort to undermine the United Nations - in this case by preempting U.N. Security Council deliberations.... See also: G8 Tells Pakistan to Stop Kashmir Incursions (May 31, 2002 / Reuters)
No protest village at Foothills Park (May 31, 2002 / Global News) But the deadline is extended. Gotta hand it to the Solidarity Village organizers for forbearance and tenacity....
G-8 activists demand answer on village site (May 31, 2002 / Calgary Herald) The ball is in the city's court - until 2pm today. Beyond that, "we will abandon all efforts to plan an organized, controlled event," said Les Steel, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour.
War of words (May 31, 2002 / Calgary Sun) An aptly titled article which revolves around the fact that the city of Calgary "has not received any parade permits." "Requests for parade permits" is what is meant, of course. And naturally the city hasn't received any, because it is only logical that that would occur after nailing down the location of Solidarity Village (which the city is making impossible to do). And on top of it, while Mayor Bronconnier throws mock tantrums for the sake of pink press journalists like Rick Bell, he continues to stall even on the simple matter of issuing a permit for the June 23 Community March.
U.S. wants G8 to pay Russia for disarming (May 31, 2002 / Globe&Mail) More on the so-called '10 plus 10 over 10' plan, which is designed, in part, to pump-prime the 'next generation' (humanity's last, perhaps) plutonium fuel-cycle nuclear industry. See: Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility for more info on MOX and the 'plutonium fuel cycle', and also see the May 19 Reuters article below.
Militants aim to 'Take the Capital' (May 30, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) "Beneath the stark and buzzing fluorescent lights...radicals planned and plotted...." Lots of sinister-sounding innuendo from Ottawa Citizen reporter Andrew Mills, as he goes out of his way to tar anti-capitalist protesters as violent and conspiratorial. In fact, the Ottawa Consulta, which he makes out to be a 'secretive' affair, was widely publicized, and although focussed primarily on those who subscribe to PGA principles, no one was excluded from participating. Regarding the 'violent' imputations, in the months leading up to the Ottawa Consulta, public discussions established a clear consensus that 'violence' - interpreted as physical attacks on humans - is not part of what may be called 'diversity of tactics'. See: Activists Respond to Misrepresentation in Ottawa Citizen (June 2, 2002) for more follow-up.
G-8 spinoff in the millions for city (May 30, 2002 / Global News) Canadians will be footing a massive bill for the G8, and yet this article suggests that this is a 'good' thing because much of that money is being redirected out of the public purse and into the pockets of hotel owners and security industry concerns. But Albertans have special cause to celebrate, because, of the half a billion or so Canadian taxdollars being spent, they'll be able to recuperate about $20 million in the form of provincial taxes. Yessiree - the more you spend, the more you save! For more on the smoke-and-mirrors accounting story, see: Summit hosts told to expect multimillions (May 31, 2002 / Calgary Herald); and Federal study on impact of Kananaskis G-8 summit short on spending details (May 30, 2002 / CP)
Police unit to review force's conduct (May 30, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) Ottawa police announced on Tuesday the creation of a "Major Events Liaison Team" to deal with public concerns about their recent conduct at protests. For more info on the Ottawa police issue, visit the Citizens Panel on Policing and the Community website.
G-8 protesters eye Foothills Athletic Park for home base (May 30, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Organizers of Solidarity Village are giving it one more try. Note how city officials have suddenly changed their story on their reason for refusing the Mewata Park proposal. Rather than resorting to a municipal law banning political rallies in parks, the administration is now claiming that it was because of concerns for the 'safety' of protesters.
Store owners organize summit security (May 30, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Craig Chandler, national president of the Progressive Group for Independent Business (PGIB), has announced the formation of an anti-protester posse. Says Chandler: "We will be down there moving these people [protesters] aside." The PGIB has frequently been used as a political platform for Chandler, a former Reform Party candidate who is well known for having mounted his unite-the-right "Roots of Change" conferences (see: Who is the PGIB?) in the name of this group. Chandler also fronts the Concerned Christian Coalition, a group which he has used to leverage influence in the federal Alliance party (see CCC shifts support to rival Harper in attempt to split social conservatives for instance). Chandler is also known for his oil industry connections (Chandler Energy of Denver, Great West Energy) and lobbying efforts.
City labs prepare for bioterrorism during G-8 summit (May 30, 2002 / CBC)
Fighter jets will be circling skies over G-8 summit (May 29, 2002 / CBC)
Update from the organizers of "Solidarity Village" against the G8 (28 May 2002)An 'officially sanctioned' Solidarity Village will not happen. Mayor Bronconnier's election barbecue can be held in a park, his G8 gala (paid for primarily from the public purse - but closed to normal citizens) can be held in a park.... but when it comes to citizens wishing to voice political dissent, it's a different story: Bronconnier claims that public spaces are not 'appropriate' venues for political events.
G-8 protesters denied two city sites (May 29, 2002 / Calgary Herald) On Tuesday, the city of Calgary continued its campaign against political dissent by ruling out the use of Fort Calgary and Mewata Park as locations for Solidarity Village. Mike Desautels of the Solidarity Village steering committee isn't letting it bring him down. "I suspect people will claim their own space," he says, although the move may precipitate "unneeded confrontation". However with space for political dissent being denied at every turn, the truth is that standing up to police confrontation may be the only way to seize back essential civil liberties.
After Sept. 11, security even tighter at isolated Canadian resort hosting G-8 summit (May 28, 2002 / AP) A summary of Kananaskis summit preparations, with nothing we haven't heard about before, except for this one quote from Robert Fowler: "The reality of our world is not everybody can participate directly in decision-making." Applied to the G8, that's quite an understatement....
Inmates move to make space for G-8 thugs (May 28, 2002 / Edmonton Sun) CP newswire piece about the vacating of the Spy Hill Correctional Center (112 Avenue & 85 Street NW) to make way for the forced detention of citizens opposed to the G8.
The G8 June Meeting In Kananaskis: A Strategic Moment (May 27, 2002 / ZNet) A call to mobilize from Starhawk, delivered with her unerring ability to combine passion and common-sense... essential reading!
Activist links farm woes, globalization (May 27, 2002 / Edmonton Journal) The same global policies that make African countries economic slaves are hurting Canadian farmers, Ottawa activist and educator Pamela Foster said Sunday.
National Geographic takes aim at shrinking Alta. forests (May 27, 2002 / Edmonton Journal) In a scathing attack on Alberta's forest management record, the June issue of National Geographic calls it "a prime example of (the) deleterious effects" of oil, gas and forestry industries. The province has been trying to use the G-8 summit to promote further exploitation of wilderness resources.
World leaders non-committal on Earth summit (May 27, 2002 / Globe&Mail) While leaders of the G8 countries sink prodigious amounts of time and money into the Kananaskis PR extravaganze, they continue to ignore the Rio+10 Earth Summit scheduled for September. Yolanda Kakabadse, president of the World Conservation Union, points out that some world leaders are "trying to delegitimize the concept of sustainable development." Jean Chrétien, for instance, has declared that the while the G8 meeting in Kananaskis will focus on poverty (as leverage to push for more free trade and economic growth), sustainability will not be an issue up for discussion.
What are they fighting for? (May 26, 2002 / Calgary Sun) The Calgary Sun makes a token effort to cover the non-corporate side of the story (not, of course, without some subtle barbs designed to undermine protester credibility). Note how Rob Huebert, director of the U of C's Centre for Military and Strategic Studies, states that what protesters find objectionable, in his opinion, is the G8's basic lack of accountability. This position is very much in line with the latest strategy of John Kirton's pro-G8 gang, which now seeks to contain G8 critiques within questions of transparency/accountability, and to exclude the real issue, which is of course the G8's fundamental lack of legitimacy in setting the global agenda.
Death in Kananaskis? (May 25, 2002 / Edmonton Journal) The question remains: on what authority can soldiers be given the 'green light' to shoot people if Kananaskis is not a military security zone? None. Such an order represents high treason and intent to kill, and brigadier general or not, Ivan Fenton should be prosecuted.
Ottawa won't cover costs of G-8 damage (May 25, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Good. To do otherwise would be equivalent to financing private agents provocateurs (as mentioned re the Herald article of two days ago which said that Ottawa's policy was exactly the opposite).
Mayor takes a stand on denying protests (May 25, 2002 / Calgary Herald) / 'Unreasonable' (May 25, 2002 / Calgary Sun) Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier says he will not cave in to "insulting" and "unreasonable" requests by protesters that public space be approved for peaceful dissent.
Lethal force OK'd for g-8 (May 24, 2002 / Calgary Herald) We have become accustomed to a steady flow of protester-deterrent propaganda, but the threat from the Canadian military to use lethal force on dissenting citizens represents a new low which has the potential to ignite a dramatic escalation of domestic political violence. Only two days ago, RCMP spokesman Cpl. Jamie Johnston was announcing that security officials would patrol the area and "turn people back" who inadvertently reach a closed-off trailhead (see: Restricted zone carved). Now we are being told they may be shot instead. Brig.-Gen. Ivan Fenton says Canadian soldiers have the green light to use "lethal force" to protect world leaders at the G-8 summit and warns that protesters and "curiosity seekers" who seek to test the summit security perimeter will be risking their lives. Recall how Defence Minister Art Eggleton has "repeatedly said the government's new anti-terrorism bill cannot be used to declare Kananaskis a military security zone." (see: Huge military presence set for G-8 summit). Under what authority, then, can this general give his men the "green light" to shoot people at the security perimeter? It is time to press this two-faced government for answers....
Renounce Protectionism, World Business Tells G-8 (May 23, 2002 / USCIB) The article is issued in the name of the United States Council for International Business, a grouping of 300 powerful U.S. corporations, but it concerns a report by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The ICC continues to use certain PR issues (importance of opening textile markets, supposed benefits of biotech in alleviating poverty, supposed benefits of foreign direct investment...) as leverage to liberalize global markets further. Investigators into NEPAD will note that the ICC was key in seeing that the underlying economic principles of this supposedly 'made in Africa' agreement are strictly in line with doctrinal neoliberalism.
Court TV rules for G-8 (May 23, 2002 / Calgary Herald) A couple of weeks ago, someone demanded to know why international summits weren't held by teleconference, thus saving hundreds of millions of dollars, and Jean Chrétien's response was: "body language is key to delivering the message" (May 7, Globe and Mail ... in these archives). Here, however, we learn that habeas corpus will be suspended for normal citizens in the Calgary area during the G8 meet, and closed-circuit television court processing will become mandatory. Also, note that "prisoners from Spy Hill are already being transferred to the Drumheller Institution, 140 kilometres northeast of Calgary, to make way for the anticipated protester arrests." Spy Hill Correctional Centre is about 20km northwest (112 Avenue & 85 Street NW) of city center.
Deal to compensate for G-8 (May 23, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Alberta won't be footing any of the bills (in spite of their shameless milking of the G8 for promotional potential), so the feds will cover all G8-related costs. Note how the budget for prosecutions is "in the hundreds of thousands, but less than $1 million." This will run out very quickly if lengthy criminal charges are pursued, making it unlikely that large numbers of protesters will be charged with serious offences. On the other hand, compensation for "lost business and vandalism" will be "in the tens of millions of dollars," thus creating an incentive for 'agents provocateurs' from the private sector. (the next step in a pattern which began with private sector infiltrators used at the World Petroleaum Congress: Security teams stalking K-Country / Feb. 26, 2002 / Calgary Herald)
Protesters not the biggest threat at Kananaskis (May 22, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Bercuson and Cooper, co-authors of this piece, are Calgary's most stridently attention-seeking neo-conservatives (see: NeoCons). Besides their faculty posts, Cooper is Director of the Fraser Institute's Calgary Office and does consulting for oil companies, while Bercuson is a special advisor to the Minister of Defence and director at the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies. Together, they have written articles/books advocating the breakup of Canada and the auctioning off of large chunks of its assets to private interests ( Deconfederation / 1991); pushing for Canadian participation in the National Missile Defence (Star Wars) program; denying the greenhouse effect (see: In Rebuttal); advocating the scrapping of Canadian gun registration laws; etc, etc. Most recently, both have been billing themselves as 'Security and Terrorism' experts. In this latest Calgary Herald article, they argue that G8 summits are "almost entirely symbolic," and that "behind the symbolism lies a very practical question of security." In other words, G8 summits exist primarily as security exercises (more of John Kirton's 'New Security Economy'). They go on to suggest that various tactics used to undermine the efforts of protesters are justified by a more pressing need to prepare for the 'real' threat: terrorism. In spite of the supposed gravity of this 'real' threat, the authors devote the bulk of their article to a series of cheap shots against protesters, saving another brief insinuation of the alleged terrorist menace for the end: "The police have done a splendid job marginalizing the protesters. It remains to be seen if they have also secured the G-8 site against a more serious and deadly assault." (Everybody hide your civil liberties under the bed - the bogeyman is coming)
48 more police officers investigated for botched school raid at last year's G8 summit (May 22, 2002 / AP)
'I know these are really lethal agents' (May 21, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) In previous articles, we learned that security and emergency personnel in all the towns surrounding Kananaskis are being equipped with special protective gear against chemical or biological weapons. Here, we discover that chemical warfare toxins are actually being produced and tested in Suffield, Alberta, a town about an hour out of Calgary. The article mainly concerns a training session of some Ottawa police and emergency personnel, but it is also mentioned how U.S. personnel frequently use the base "because chemical agents cannot be used in outdoor field tests in the U.S." Defending the use of live training exercises, however, is a Sgt. Matt Richardson, of the Niagara Regional Police, who reasons that "the fact that the compounds could kill you makes it very easy to focus."
Security Area Outlined for Kananaskis Country (May 21, 2002 / RCMP press release) The security area announced today by the RCMP is made up of a circular exclusion zone of 6.5 kilometers in radius centered around Kananaskis village, plus Route 40 as far north as Canoe Meadows (boundary of provincial park) and, to the south, the intersection with Highway #742 (Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail). Security closures will begin on June 17. During the period of June 23 to June 28, vehicles wishing to travel the restriced section of Route 40 will be asked to undergo a search and may be refused entry at the discretion of security forces. Vehicles deemed acceptable will be escorted in convoys. See also: Restricted zone carved (May 22, 2002 / Calgary Sun)
Cowtown, and proud of it (May 20, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Supplementing the usual 'violent protester' leitmotif, a secondary melodrama revolving around Calgary's self-esteem (or lack of it) is being nurtured. Calculated distraction.
G-8 summit rates a yawn (May 20, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Mark Reid now has a go at the IRCC survey. He reports that "the vast majority of Calgarians have no idea why G-8 summit leaders are meeting in Kananaskis, let alone what topics will be discussed," and then proceeds to report, without comment, that "61 per cent supported the G-8 summit." (who needs a Prayer Summit in Calgary?... politically speaking, the city already is one).
G-8 cops cut (May 20, 2002 / Calgary Sun) This article suggests that most of the 430 RCMP personnel from Quebec who were due to be in Kananaskis are being redeployed to Ottawa. Note that the article only refers to Quebec-based RCMP. The total number of RCMP to be deployed in Kananaskisis, according to the latest reports, is about 1,400 (not including 5,000 soldiers).
Thumbs up for summit; City split on economy after G-8 (May 20, 2002 / Calgary Sun) The Calgary Sun continues to wring every last drop of tawdry propaganda out of their silly little survey.... Note how Calgary mayor Bronconnier is quoted as saying of the summit: "It really reflects what Calgarians are all about" (i.e. opposition to the summit is 'un-Calgarian'). Municipal McCarthyism.
Italy tried to quash Genoa documentary -- filmmaker (May 19, 2002 / Reuters) In Cannes for a screening, the Italian undersecretary of culture Vittorio Sgarbi - who was roundly booed by the audience - admitted afterwards: "To see all those people covered in blood is really very powerful.... I'm ready to recognize that at Genoa the police made a mistake. The reaction to the demonstrations was definitely disproportionate." (so Sgarbi's response is "to recognize... the police made a mistake" - how 'proportionate' is that?). Here is a brief review of the film, Bella Ciao: Death in Genoa (May 22, 2002 / Guardian).
U.S. Pushing New Russia Nonproliferation Plan (May 19, 2002 / Reuters) Bush announced plans to sign a treaty with Russia this week under which the two nations would cut their nuclear warheads by two-thirds. After the unilateral scrapping of the ABM treaty by the U.S. (see: US Scraps ABM Treaty), one wonders what value this new treaty will actually have.... And now, the U.S. wants to push a new nonproliferation plan in Kananaskis. Provisions in the plan may include "constructing a mixed-oxide plant which would turn weapons-grade plutonium into fuel suitable for use in civilian reactors." In other words, the intention may be to use non-proliferation as a political backdoor for financing the expansion of a global, MOX-fuel-based nuclear industry. See: Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility for more info on MOX and the 'plutonium fuel cycle'.
Revolutionary Knitting Circle call for global knit-ins to protest G-8 (May 19, 2002 / CP) Leave it to the corporate media to undermine the radical message.... In this one, the undermining is achieved by grouping the 'Prayer Summit' - a pro-statusquo, pro-elitist (they simply "pray for authority"), and, implicitly, pro-G8 initiative - together with radical anti-G8 groups such as the Revolutionary Knitting Circle, the Raging Grannies, and the anti-G8 Bike Brigade. For a Christian vision that is politically aware and active (as opposed to the passive obeisance of the 'Prayer Summit' people), visit the inspirational site: www.jesusradicals.com (and make sure to read some of the Jacques Ellul selections in the 'library' ...).
Anti G-8 group to take message on the road (May 19, 2002 / Edmonton Journal); Summit show rolls out G-8 talk (May 19, 2002 / Calgary Herald). For more info on these workshops, see the : ACGC website
Minister gung-ho on G-8 showcase (May 19, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Rather than using the G8 as an opportunity to raise awareness about global issues among its citizens, the Albertan government is doing all it can to turn the event into a promotional extravaganza aimed at "showcasing" the province for the benefit of business interests.
Blockade tactics won't cut it here (May 19, 2002 / Calgary Sun) The Calgary Sun uses some survey results (see: IRCC G8 survey) to launch a major PR attack on protests today, plastering its front page with a big red diagonal line across the face of a protester wearking a gas mask. The massive caption reads "Zero Tolerance". The banner article is in the same vein, while less prominent articles - K-Country concerns identified (May 19, 2002 / Calgary Sun); Few able to summit all up (May 19, 2002 / Calgary Sun); and Police abilities cop faith (May 19, 2002 / Calgary Sun) - offer a smidgeon of journalistic balance. Note how, in spite of the supposed anti-protest sentiment which prevails, the poll also shows that "two out of every three Calgarians were unable to mention even one of the things G-8 leaders will be talking about during next month's Kananaskis summit.... and just one-quarter of Calgarians were familiar with the purpose of the gathering." And if it's up to the Calgary Sun, that's exactly how things will remain.
City's G-8 rally ban angers activists (May 18, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Stephen Jenuth, president of the Alberta Civil Liberties Association, commenting on Calgary's ban of political rallies in public parks, says "Democracy requires more than lip service to the concept of freedom of speech and assembly."
Kananaskis considered model for future summits (May 18, 2002 / Calgary Herald) "Chrétien's plan of using the remote Kananaskis site to defuse protest so far seems to be working," writes Mark Reid. "Defuse"?? "Distance," perhaps... at a cost of 300+ million dollars.
Poor timing and logistics in Kananaskis (May 18, 2002 / Saskatoon StarPhoenix) One of a steady trickle of relatively incoherent editorials in the corporate media. This item criticizes the G8's dismal past performance, but then, instead of proceeding to decry the fundamental illegitimacy of the organization itself, it proceeds to suggest even more inaccessible ways for the G8 to meet in future. More corporate media manipulation....
Path to peace (May 17, 2002 / Calgary Sun) More of the Calgary Sun's thinly veiled browbeating. Bronconnier is pretending now to be on the verge of reluctantly accepting the Mewata Park proposal. What magnanimity. For more flip-flopping, see: Solidarity Village not so solid (May 18, 2002 / Edmonton Journal)
Protesters get zero tolerance (May 17, 2002 / Calgary Sun) Of course we have the usual Calgary Sun law-and-order rant, but what's new here is news of the hijacking by G8 security organizers of the color code system that was used in Quebec City. The system uses green, yellow, and red in more or less the same way as protesters in Quebec are familiar with, but to these three has been added a fourth category: teal - which is "the most deadly" and includes "domestic and international terrorists." Of course this is obviously a ruse to spread fear by associating protesters with terrorists... but why teal? Maybe it is simply coincidental, but I am reminded of reports from the G20 protest in Ottawa back in November of undercover security people being dressed in 'teal' jackets. So maybe 'teal' will, in reality, be the codeword for infiltrators and agents provocateurs ... ah, the "domestic terrorists"... I get it! For more Kleinian 'toughie talk', see: Klein lays down the law to would-be G-8 rioters(May 18, 2002 / Victoria Times Colonist)
Romanians to replace Canadians in Kandahar (May 17, 2002 / National Post) Canadian troops are recalled from Afghanistan so they may be deployed as reinforcements in the domestic war against civil liberties. (later the same day)... or maybe not: Eggleton denies Canadian-Romanian troop swap (May 17, 2002 / CBC)
Citizen's panel vows to monitor police actions at G8 summit (May 17, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) Promises by Ottawa police that they will respect protesters' rights in future were put in doubt yesterday by remarks made by Ottawa police chief Vince Bevan. Dr. Anne Squire, a former moderator of the United Church of Canada, is worried and says scrutiny of their actions will be close: "People will want to see if police will really walk the walk, and not just talk the talk."
Terrorists not lurking behind every tree (May 17, 2002 / Calgary Herald) While Alberta vies with Ottawa to see who can table the most repressive 'anti-terrorist' bill, Calgary police continue to double-deal in an effort to continue pushing up the security ante.
Donors slice G-8 gala cost (May 17, 2002 / Calgary Herald) The underlying strategy now becomes clear... tell taxpayers they are expected to foot a $300,000 bill, and then, when it gets whittled down as corporations scurry to buy influence with the movers and shakers of the G8, make it out to be a big fundraising victory. Of course, this article, Party tab wired for city (May 17, 2002 / Calgary Sun), suggests that the some of the so-called corporate money will actually be rechannelled from public coffers. In any event, although Mayor Bronconnier has no essential problem with public sponsorship of a lavish gala event at Stamped Park - which would be exclusively for G8 delegates, journalists, and local VIPs (but closed to Calgary citizens at large) - he refuses to consider allowing anti-G8 demonstrators to consider using Mewata Park. "Calgary city parks are off limits for political protest." In other words, you can gather and party in a park - at public expense, even - if you are part of or closely allied with the established system; but if you want to protest that system, parks are off limits. See also: No parks for protesters (May 17, 2002 / Calgary Sun).
Bishop calls U.S. reaction wrong (May 17, 2002 / Calgary Sun) Calgary bishop speaks out for restoring people before profits and against the 'war on terrorism'. A better article on this topic is: Bishop says free trade can hurt the poor (May 18, 2002 / Calgary Herald)
General News Archives: May 1 - May 16, 2002