Link to Next News Archives: July 31, 2002 and later

NOTE: News articles focussing specifically on either of the major regional convergences are archived at the following pages:

• Ottawa Convergence Info
• Calgary Convergence Info
Other new items are posted here (or in the Africa or Kyoto sections if applicable).

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Italian police planted petrol bombs on G8 summit protesters (July 30, 2002 / The Independent) "Italian police planted two Molotov cocktails in a school where anti-globalisation pro-testers were sleeping to justify a brutal crackdown during last year's G8 summit in Genoa...."

Italy March Remembers Anti-Globalisation Martyr (July 20, 2002 / Reuters) 60,000 march in memory of Carlo Giuliani.

Judge shocked over moving of inmates for 'ridiculous' G-8 (July 16, 2002 / Edmonton Journal)

Under the Shadow of the G8 (July 13, 2002 / ZNet) "The G8’s imperialism makes people hostage in their own land, and then refuses any sanctuary to those who can get away...."

Ottawa says Bush 'Texans' tried to bully G8 host (July 13, 2002 / National Post) "...One official said he began to take it as a "compliment to be called a 'f------ Canadian' by the Americans" after resisting countless U.S. demands, including special access to Kananaskis for the White House press corps...."

To Serve and Repress (July 9, 2002 / Rabble) A powerful exposé of how critical voices are being repressed and how this is being facilitated by the 'wartime psychology' which has been nurtured in the wake of 9-11. Includes some followup on the cases of those who were refused media accreditation by G8 security.

Protesters' message lost on the media (July 5, 2002) The central point of anti-G8 protesters - i.e. their opposition to "the creep of corporate influence into the public sphere, including national and international policies" - was largely ignored by the corporate media, says David Suzuki.

Agitate the G8 (July 5, 2002 / Rabble) Photo slideshow presentation of some of the protest highlights in Alberta.

RCMP reverses bad rating on activist (July 4, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen)... but by the time Pam Foster got the message, the summit was over....

Bloom is off the rose of globalization with latest G8 (June 29, 2002 / Straight Goods)

Diary of a Reluctant Protester (July 4, 2002 / Rabble) Corvin Russell offers a pessimistic appraisal of anti-G8 actions and he goes so far as to question the very idea of protest as an effective tool for change. Russell's main concern seems to be the relatively low turnout on June 26-27, so Russell's proposed alternative - tightly organized efforts with door-to-door outreach (which ultimately boils down to the creation of more NGO's or political parties or the expansion of existing ones) comes as no surprise. See also: Part 2

Ministers Hear Group of Six Billion (July 2, 2002 / Rabble)

Globalizing And Unifying The Movement (June 29, 2002 / ZNet) Judy Rebick writes in praise of the efforts by 'Take the Capital' organizers to make protest space available to people on both sides of the 'diversity of tactics' fence.

Apparel jobs in danger (June 29, 2002 / Montreal Gazette) "10,000 jobs are at serious risk, right now," says Bob Kirke, executive director of the Canadian Apparel Federation....

Down from the summit (June 29, 2002 / Montreal Gazette) "It might be better to avoid G8 gatherings and spend the money on direct aid," writes Peter Hadekel of the Gazette....

G8 analysis: Peanuts or progress? (June 28, 2002 / BBC)

Africa demands swift G8 action (June 28, 2002 / BBC)

G8: Assistance for Africa, Russia (June 28, 2002 / BBC)

$20bn deal to secure Russia nukes (June 28, 2002 / CNN)

Oxfam's post match verdict on G8 leaders (June 28, 2002 / AFP) "This was a summit that promised much but failed to rise to expectations - a team of strong individuals that should play well together failed to deliver the goods," Oxfam representatives said.

What Joseph Stiglitz and anti-G8 protestors have in common (June 28, 2002 / Straight Goods) by Linda McQuaig

G8 Leaders to Eschew Virtual Summits Despite Cost (June 28, 2002 / Reuters) After briefly floating the idea of a virtual G8 summit to unenthusiastic response from other leaders, Chirac "broke with tradition at the end of this meeting by not announcing where he will host next year's summit."

Kananaskis: Is that all there is? (June 28, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) Susan Riley's sceptical summary of the G8 summit outcome.

Bear killing draws anger (June 28, 2002 / Calgary Sun) Calgary wildlife scientist, Brian Horejsi, blames incompetent summit organizers for the death of a bear 'put down' by the military.

Heady acclaim (June 28, 2002 / Calgary Sun) G8 leaders lavish praise on summit organizers and each other.

The virtual reality G8 summit (June 27, 2002 / The Guardian) Leaders indulge in denial as WorldCom's timebomb explodes...

Russia Gets G8 Cash, Arafat Gets Tough Words (June 27, 2002 / Reuters)

G8 countries embrace Russia, take steps on terror (June 27, 2002 / Reuters)

Capitalism is the only system that allows protest (June 27, 2002 / Vancouver Sun) The Vancouver Sun's Michael Campbell can't seem to distinguish between democracy and capitalism, the WTO and the FTAA, or even left and right.... All he seems to be really certain of is that he likes free trade and he has no patience for protesters (prerequisites for a successful corporate media career, particularly for a hack journalist like Campbell).

Fears of violent protests against G8 summit prove unfounded (June 27, 2002 / AP) The absence of violence at anti-G8 protests across the country has put police into a (somewhat deserved) self-congratulatory mood. Personally speaking, I was happily surprised to see a considerable number of police willing, at last, to communicate on a person-to-person level. The clothing change was also a factor, I think. Without their usual fascist trappings, some were obviously a bit ill-at-ease, but they seemed to feel less obliged to play stormtrooper.

G-8 targets Russian arms (June 27, 2002 / Calgary Herald) A 100% state propaganda article which makes absolutely no mention of how the $30 billion dollars will be used to finance the MOX plutonium fuel cycle - thus ensuring that highly toxic radioactive wastes continue to be produced and to pose tremendous environmental risks. Additionally, there are the tremendous risks of plutonium transport (in spite of the U.S. financing of this MOX initiative, MOX transport within the United States itself remains illegal for reasons of environmental risks).

Protest convoy heads west (June 27, 2002 / Calgary Herald) News on one perhaps the most direct - and effective - anti-G8 protest this week: the Kananaskis Caravan. "Leaving a day of peaceful city protests behind them, G-8 activists created a massive 150-vehicle-convoy along the Trans-Canada Highway Wednesday afternoon, pushing security along the Kananaskis Country perimeter to the limit. More than 350 activists shouted, screamed and chanted in a demand to be heard by leaders at the table. They said they were outraged by how the site of the summit is so far removed and completely untouchable by the public...."

Protest snarls city traffic (June 27, 2002 / Vancouver Sun) Coverage of Vancouver protests against the G8 and the BC Liberals.

G-8 leaders wrap up summit with deals on Africa, weapons of mass destruction (June 27, 2002 / CP) A summary of the major G8 deals reached this time around, plus a bit about protests. This article includes news about the death of yet another Kananaskis bear, this one ostensibly 'put down' after it fell out of a tree.

G-8 leaders commit to landmark plan to help break Africa's cycle of poverty (June 27, 2002 / CP) "International aid agencies, however, were not cheering along, noting there was no targeted cash commitment or money to get Africans educated, deliver adequate health care or fight the AIDS/HIV epidemic on the continent...." The article concludes with a summary of the main items in the G-8 Africa Action Plan.

British journalist finds confidential papers at G-8 summit (June 27, 2002 / CP) A British reporter found a "134-page document, titled Program Events and Protocol and stamped "confidential," in a busy picnic area outside the main security barrier leading to the Kananaskis resort... The document contained details on seating inside British Prime Minister Tony Blair's helicopter, diagrams of meeting rooms, phone numbers for entourage officials and other sensitive information, U.S. Secret Service officials said...."

PM gets Bono boost (June 27, 2002 / Ottawa Sun) Bono makes 20 minute phonecall, but can't make it in person because of tour "scheduling problems".

A Wake-Up Call for the G-8 (June 27, 2002 / AlterNet) by Mark Weisbrot

World's richest give $1bn to poorest (June 27, 2002 / BBC) Includes a summary of the diplomatic developments on day 1 of the summit.

Fraud scandal clouds G8 summit (June 26, 2002 / BBC) "Telecoms-giant WorldCom disclosed late on Tuesday that it fraudulently boosted profits by $3.8bn during the 15-month period between January 2001 and March 2002. The news sent stock markets around the world tumbling with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, a measure of big-stock performance in the US, falling 175 points in early trading in New York. The scent of yet another accounting scandal, on top of Enron, Adelphia and others, has severely damaged the credibility of US markets, usually touted as the most transparent in the world. But news of this latest accounting debacle has dampened foreign investment and threatens to discourage a whole generation of American investors from investing in US stocks...."

Blair shows Arafat frustration (June 26, 2002 / BBC)

Middle East dominates initial G8 talks (June 26, 2002 / CNN)

Economies, Middle East under G8 spotlight (June 26, 2002 / Reuters)

Activists Loudly Protest But G8 Leaders Miss Show (June 26, 2002 / Reuters)

PM backs Bush on quick Mideast vote (June 26, 2002 / Calgary Sun) The headline is misleading; Chrétien was in fact non-commital. Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham made an appearance at the G6B conference where he was given a lukewarm reception. Njoki Njoroge Njehu's remarks to Graham - "I believe that the future of Africa must not and cannot be decided at Kananaskis by the G-8. One of the responsibilities that the Canadian government has is to support the implementation of African initiatives ... ones that involve the the consultation of the people across the continent" - were typical of the critical attitude towards the G8.

Bush downplays spats over trade (June 26, 2002 / Calgary Sun) Pressed about Canada-U.S. trade disputes at a press conference, Bush responded perfunctorily, "We've got a significant relationship together. It's a vibrant, positive friendship."

G-8 Summit Prepares Terror Plan (June 25, 2002 / AP) A overview of the unremarkable diplomatic developments during the first evening. Chretien reminded Bush of the Albertan oil and natural gas reserves that "you guys need a lot." // A joint plan was prepared to make cargo and air transport more 'secure'.// Bush engaged in conversations designed to get the other leaders to commit to his 'oust Arafat' idea. // A zen-influenced U.S./Japan bilateral meeting took place: "Bush and Koizumi met in a small windowless room at the resort. The leaders smiled and shook hands but neither made any comment...." // Also, note that: "Before leaving Washington, Bush signed legislation that allows the United States to participate in two U.N. conventions, one to beef up efforts to prevent terrorist bombings and the other to choke off the flow of money to terrorist groups."

US Official Says G-8 Summit Won't Issue Communique (June 25, 2002 / DowJones) A collection of news shorts. Incidentally, the first item is misleading as the decision not to issue a communiqué was announced by Canadian G8 organizers a number of months ago.

White House: Mideast Peace Plan Added To G8 Agenda (June 25, 2002 / DowJones)

Conservationists demand monitoring for threatened G8 Grizzlies (June 25, 2002 / Bow Valley Grizzly Alliance) Conservationists ask the Canadian Government for enough money to monitor the 8 grizzly bears trapped and collared for security reasons at the G8, for the life of their collars...not just until they den up this fall.

Kananaskis divided over benefits of fame (June 25, 2002 / Globe&Mail) "There's a big potential market out there for things like adventure tourism," beamed Mark Erdman, communications director for Alberta's Economic Development. Erdman is busy helping business interests to capitalize on the exposure that Kananasis is getting from the G8 summit....

Poor grade for rich nations (June 25, 2002 / Calgary Sun) "ActionAid gave G-8 nations a failing grade yesterday for falling behind on Millennium Development Goals to reduce child mortality rates and the impact of deadly diseases.... "

Chretien Country? (June 25, 2002 / Calgary Sun) Calgary shopkeepers board up windows bracing for the worst. Meanwhile, Chretien downplays extensive security measures, brushing off the news that government workers in Ottawa had snuffed the Centennial Flame and encased the Parliament Hill monument in concrete yesterday....

Police officers stricken with nausea at site of G-8 summit; food poisoning ruled out (June 25, 2002 / AP); RCMP seek cause of mystery illness (June 25, 2002 / Calgary Sun)

An anti-corporate political voice (June 25, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) In an attempt to freeride on the building momentum of the anti-corporate protest movement, Canadian Alliance leader Stephen Harper is portrayed here as "anticorporate" - one of the most ridiculous assertions imaginable. Harper wishes to see minimal government and the supremacy of property rights - which is of course exactly what the elite ultimately want: i.e. to have the power represented by capital immunized against democracy.

Kananaskis: What leaders in the West don't tell us (June 24, 2002 / Toronto Star) The focus is mainly on the hypocritical position of the G8 regarding the poverty and aid. "... Even the World Bank now admits that not a single African country which implemented a structurally adjusted program was rewarded as expected. In fact, average per capita income in sub-Saharan Africa is lower now than 30 years ago. Hard as it is to believe, SAPs actually forced African governments to slash their already puny health and education budgets and introduce user fees for both schooling and health care. The results have been completely and tragically predictable...."

Legitimate protest has its limits (June 24, 2002 / Victoria Times Colonist) Last week in a debate about whether 'radical protest' was justifiable, Jaggi Singh offered this analogy: "If a house is burning down and there's a small child inside, it's acceptable to break a window and take out that child." In this editorial, the writer seizes upon this analogy to denounce Singh and the concept of 'violence' in general. At this point, however, the writer begins to hedge, qualifying his condemnation with exceptions. It is ok if "democracies agree to violence after many viewpoints are considered," he decides. "Democratic leaders like those in the G-8 do not act on a whim, or impulse, " he adds, "they act in accordance with the will of the people." Meanwhile, the child burns, and the fact that Jaggi was not talking about using 'violence' but about breaking a window in order to save that child is, quite incredibly, never acknowledged.

Democratic and economic history converge with G-8 (June 24, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Here is another history of the G8, less revisionist as the one below from June 21, but nevertheless given a 'Canada-centric' spin by John Kirton (promoter of the 'New Security Economy' - economic growth based on increased repression - see: Retreating to Reach Out - Kananaskis 2002). Kirton makes no effort to conceal the fact that the G6 (forerunner of the G7) was primarily the brainchild of Henry Kissinger, and even more revealingly, that Kissinger modelled it on of the Concert of Europe. History refresher: The Concert of Europe (1815 to 1854) was conceived after the fall of Napoleon as a coercive diplomatic-security institution in which Britain, Austria, Russia, Prussia, and later France cooperated mainly to suppress worker uprisings, which were particularly frequent during the period of 1820 to 1829.

The G8 - more than a numbers game (June 24, 2002 / Canada.com) Another historical overview of the G8, which University of Alberta Political Science professor Tom Keating describes as "the board of directors meeting for the global economy."

Border crossings reinforce security as G-8 approaches (June 24, 2002 / CBC) Lineups to enter Canada at the Coutts border crossing are getting longer as security gets tighter for the G-8 summit.

G8 issues: Terrorism (June 24, 2002 / Globe&Mail) Yet another article framing a false debate. This time it's: Will America wage its war on terrorism unilaterally, or will it wage it together with its G8 buddies? War A or war B?

U.S. hampering aid effort, official says (June 24, 2002 / Globe&Mail) "U.S. efforts to help African countries on its own, with one-off donations for AIDS and education, are hampering efforts by the Group of Eight to move forward on joint efforts to tackle poverty, a top United Nations official says, daring to say publicly what many G8 officials are saying privately...."

Summit Notebook - June 24 (June 24, 2002 / Globe&Mail) Collection of items, most of which have been reported in these archives already.

RCMP Members Fall Ill at Nakiska Camp (June 24, 2002 / Canada Newswire) "...approximately 30 RCMP officers stationed at the Nakiska Camp fell ill with suspected food poisoning." The Prime Minister is said not to be at risk, although rumour has it that President Bush was immediately transported to a bunker in Nebraska.... See also: Food Poisoning Hits Canadian Police at G8 Summit (June 24, 2002 / Reuters)

Feeling right at home (June 24, 2002 / Calgary Sun) The article begins: "When the leaders of the eight most industrialized countries hit the sack in Kananaskis, they'll be as far away from the chug of production and consumerism as they can get ...." It concludes: "The shops in the 321-room lodge and the lounge will remain open for delegates and leaders." No further questions, your honor.

Car checks, searches begin around Kananaskis prior to G-8 summit (June 23, 2002 / CP) Yet another overview of the security setup....

These G-8 protesters armed only with ideas (June 23, 2002 / Edmonton Journal) Best wishes to and in solidarity with all the Edmonton activists!

PM's focus on Africa fleeting, say analysts (June 23, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Mainly focusses on superficials (the Chrétien-Bush relationship, Chrétien's gaffes). Someone named Maureen Appel Molot, director of Carleton University's Norman Paterson Institute of International Affairs, does a bit of lobbying for John Kirton's 'New Security Economy' (economic growth based on increased repression. See Kirton's: Retreating to Reach Out - Kananaskis 2002).

Leaders keep promises: expert (June 23, 2002 / Calgary Herald) After holding your nose through this article, please proceed to this critique: Sustaining globalist crap

Soldiers go in-Country (June 23, 2002 / Calgary Sun) Meanwhile, eight known corporate-globalization agitators are suspected to be preparing to enter Kananaskis under military cover.

Witness to terror (June 23, 2002 / Calgary Sun) Starhawk's experiences as a non-violent interventionist helping Palestinians seek medical aid casts a revealing light on the brutal, U.S.-led 'war against terror', a key item on the G-8 summit agenda....

G-8 'sheep' roar like tigers (June 23, 2002 / Calgary Herald) Question for Don: if "knowledge is everything" and your stepson Gabriel "flattens" you with a "blast of facts" every time you defend the G8, how about letting him write the G8-related articles?

Radicals vow road blockades (June 22, 2002 / Calgary Herald) See: Ewoks in Kananaskis for the G8 for more.

Kananaskis Village dubbed the perfect retreat for G-8 leaders getting back to basics (June 22, 2002 / CP) This promotional blurb for Kananaskis Village and the Delta Kananaskis takes particular pains to ignore ongoing battles to resist further incursions of developers in the area (see the Kananaskis Environment).

Canada Should Pull Out of the G8 (June 22, 2002 / Rights Action) by Grahame Russell.

Italian police 'framed G8 protesters' (June 22, 2002 / The Guardian) "Italian police have been accused of fabricating evidence against anti-globalisation protesters at last year's G8 summit in Genoa by planting petrol bombs at their headquarters and falsely accusing them of stabbing a police officer...."

Increasing blood donations (June 22, 2002 / Global TV) "Canadian blood services has been stepping up its efforts to ensure it's ready for the G8 summit." How reassuring.

World faces increased instability if poor ignored, ethicist says (June 22, 2002 / Edmonton Journal) The G-8 nations wield the most economic and military power in the world, says Solomon Benatar, noted South African doctor and ethicist, but they lack moral power and, as a result, have pursued policies that cannot be sustained. "The fact they have economic and military might doesn't give them moral might," he said. "In fact, I think they are moral pygmies."

Bracing for a showdown (June 22, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) "The head of an Ottawa-based manufacturer of police riot gear says the federal government's failure to embrace an innovative proposal to quell conflict at the upcoming G8 protests in Calgary and Ottawa is likely to result in violence that could have been avoided...." Coming from a manufacturer of riot gear, you have to be awfully suspicious. Still, the idea of an "approach... built around pre-summit seminars run by neutral, conflict-resolution professionals" sounds better than the police liason initiatives - with the agenda controlled by police - mounted in Ottawa and Calgary prior to the summit.

Bush to Rally Anti - Terror Support at G8 Summit (June 22, 2002 / Reuters) Says Bush: "They're kind of looking at the United States, and if I blink, it's likely they'll go to sleep. So we've got to stay strong and determined to lead ....'' Bush's recent speech at West Point military academy, in which he stated that the United States must act preemptively against threats of terrorism or proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, suggests that he may intend to press for military action to oust Iraqi President Saddam Hussein....

B.C. journalist denied access to G-8 (June 21, 2002 / CP); Canadian Labour Congress Photographer Refused Admittance to G-8 (June 21, 2002 / Ottawa Indymedia)

Visitor visas denied for African delegates to Calgary G-8 counter-conference (June 21, 2002 / CP) Conference organizers suspect that most of the 60 delegates invited to the G-6B People's Summit are being muzzled from talking about corruption within their governments and criticizing the powerful G-8 countries. "Their voices of dissent to the G-8 policies might have to do with their denial of entry into the country," said Saren Azer, a G-6B organizer and co-chair of the International Society for Peace and Human Rights.

As next week's summit looms, activists find a 'perimeter of fear' keeps them far away from the action (June 21, 2002 / Globe&Mail) More on the state's campaign to lock out political dissent.

Jamming of radio signals authorized (June 21, 2002 / Globe&Mail) The military and the RCMP have been given the green light "to use jamming devices around Calgary and Kananaskis, Alta., from June 17 to June 29." This represents the first such authorization in Canada.

G8 security costs high (June 21, 2002 / Calgary Sun) Some summit schedule info is included here. For more, see: Summit schedule

Mountie injured in summit rehearsal (June 21, 2002 / Calgary Sun) A G8 motorcade practice run resulted yesterday in a 3 squad-car pile-up and two officers injured....

NDP MPs demands answers re government's fresh wave of repression (June 21, 2002 / Parliament)

Peaceful walk planned for Canmore (June 21, 2002 / Rocky Mountain Outlook) March through Canmore at 4pm, Sunday, June 23, the same day (but later than) the Community Solidarity march in Calgary (Calgary to Canmore is 108km - about an hour's drive).

RCMP sees Vue journalist as too risky for summit (June 21, 2002 / Edmonton Journal) Dan Rubinstein, news editor of Vue Weekly, was one of seven more journalists refused accreditation to the G-8 summit (see also the article about Pam Foster below).

How Canada joined world's most exclusive club (June 21, 2002 / Edmonton Journal) A highly revisionist interpretation of the origins of the G8. The truth is that the G7 was an extension of the G5 or Library Group, as it was known, so named because the countries met in Library of the White House (the library was most likely chosen for the convenient 'no talking' sign which President Ford could discreetly point to when one of the lesser powers was getting out of line). Canada's membership came as a result of a U.S. desire to tip the scales away from European influence (which had been increased by the inclusion of Italy one year before in 1975).

U.S. warns travellers of Alberta 'disruptions' (June 20, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen)

G8 protestors, why don't you call? (June 20, 2002 / National Post) Noah "the world is my oyster" Richler wonders why no one bothered to consult him about Kananaskis. Unable to absorb the fact that no one knows much less cares about how he spent his summer vacations 20 years ago, he concludes, with a pout, that social movements have collapsed. Then, after discreetly throwing in a good word for Sylvia Ostry - neoliberal globalist, and old friend of the late Mordecai's - he formulates his 'discovery' into a general law of the universe. Glorified society column drivel.

An historic table for G8 (June 20, 2002 / Global News) The preening politicians of the G8 have ordered themselves a portable, custom-built Round Table, presumably to help obfuscate their greedy machinations with a bit of Masonic/Arthurian silliness. Previously, the report continues, (at the last G8 summit in Canada in Halifax, 1995), "organizers had to borrow a table from overseas."

U.S. subsidies policy 'stupid,' Chretien says (June 20, 2002 / National Post)

G-8 protests, in a city near you (June 20, 2002 / CP) Article about anticipated local anti-g8 actions across the continent.

Military moves in (June 20, 2002 / Rocky Mountain Outlook) An overview of the massive Operation Grizzly invasion. Meanwhile, the collaring rush initiated by the G8 has so far been the indirect cause of the deaths of two grizzly bears (see: G-8 rush killed bears) With an estimated 40 bears remaining in the entire Kananaskis area, the military have will have them outnumbered by at least 100 to 1.

Germany's Schroeder sees no new demands on anti-terror campaign at G-8 summit (June 20, 2002 / AP) Schroeder insists that warmongering against Iraq will not be on the G8 agenda.

G-8 Leaders Urged to Fight Poverty (June 20, 2002 / AP) "U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged leaders of the world's major industrialized nations to make firm pledges of action and money at their summit next week to fight the poverty that billions of people face every day, especially in Africa.... He also called for further debt reduction for the world's poorest countries, increased contributions to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and new commitments to preserve the environment."

Mail flow hinges on protesters (June 20, 2002 / Calgary Sun) The headline brings up a good point (unintentionally albeit), because with the $230 million NAFTA lawsuit mounted by UPS threatening to undermine Canadian public mail services (see: CUPW - Hands off my Mail!), it is more important than ever for concerned people to get out and protest the neoliberal agenda and the instruments of its expansion (i.e. the G8).

Secret service gauging threat (June 20, 2002 / Calgary Sun) "Calgary is reportedly awash with hundreds of secret service agents, gauging the terrorist threat to G-8 summiteers and hatching measures to combat them.... Rumour has it Bush will be flown to Montana sleeping quarters during the summit for security reasons ...." And here is another security related article, mostly an inventory of airforce equipment that is being brought in to buzz around endlessly over the Kananaskis skies (Dubya was probably advised to go down to Montana if he actually wants to get some shut-eye): Location's out of sight (June 20, 2002 / Calgary Sun)

'Respected' commentator barred from G8 media site (June 20, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) Doesn't this say it all? Pam Foster, co-ordinator of the Halifax Initiative, is being denied access to the media centre in Calgary for reasons which the RCMP refuse to divulge the nature of, but which, in practical terms should be plain to all ("...and above all, men, remember: NO ONE LIKELY TO CHALLENGE THE NEOLIBERAL DOGMA GETS IN..."). And incidentally, what are those single quotes around 'respected' supposed to insinuate? Also see: Why are we afraid of protest? (June 23, 2002 / Ottawa Citizen) in which Joe Gunn of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops takes issue with the RCMP decision.

G8 ready to finance primary schools package (June 19, 2002 / Globe&Mail) "While there is little doubt the [education task force] report will be accepted and endorsed, some G8 countries may urge that cost figures be attached. Another source said the United States is extremely reluctant to commit to anything on a multilateral basis, thereby putting a kink in the negotiations...."

U.S. Concerns Set to Dominate G8 Summit Next Week (June 19, 2002 / Reuters) "The whole purpose of the G8 is to give the impression to the rest of the world that there is a general consensus among the most important countries regarding world affairs," a 'senior G7 diplomat in Ottawa' is quoted as saying. That much is no doubt true. But for the most part, the balance of the article is complicit with the officially sanctioned ploy of framing debates in terms of "Unilateralist U.S. Bully" vs "Nice Multilateral G8".

General News Archives: June 1 - June 19, 2002

General News Archives: May 17 - May 31, 2002

General News Archives: May 1 - May 16, 2002

General News Archives: March 28 - April 30, 2002

General News Archives: up to March 27, 2002

To Rendezvous in Kananaskis - Main Page

Contact me (Eric Squire) at: g8alert@yahoo.com