BCSIPC Statement on April 13th 2018 U.S.-U.K.-France Missile Attack on Syria

The BCSIPC member groups and individuals attending a peace meeting in Kelowna on April 14^th 2018, condemn the joint U.S.-U.K.-France missile attack on the Arab Republic of Syria on April 13^th 2018. The attack overrides the will of the people of Syria and their choice of government. The Arab Republic of Syria is a member state of the United Nations. The U.S.-U.K.-France attack was an illegal act of aggression under the terms of the UN Charter.

The attack took place as the war was ending and a diplomatic path to peace for the people of Syria and all countries involved was appearing.

The attack occurred when the UN agency, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was en route to Damascas to investigate an alleged use of chemical weapons in the Syrian city of Douma [1] and to determine whether or not chemical weapons had been used. BCSIPC is disappointed and dismayed that the joint U.S. – U.K.- France attack interfered with the OPCW investigation and took place before it could begin its work and report its findings to the UN.

The U.S.- U.K.- France aggression was carried out in spite of Russian government warnings it would retaliate against any attacks on its military forces, in Syria at the invitation of the Syrian government to fight terrorists. The fight against terrorists is ostensibly also the goal of the U.S. government that also has military forces in Syria. The attack ran the risk of a military confrontation between nuclear powers.

Prime Minister Trudeau was briefed by the U.S. government of its intention to attack Syria and gave his full support. [2] By giving full uncritical support to the joint U.S., British, French action, the Canadian government waived the opportunity to act independently of U.S. foreign and military policy and weakened the Prime Minister’s stated policy of not committing Canada’s military to the conflict in Syria.

Canadian government support for the U.S. – led coalition attack on Syria does nothing to hasten the end of the war and reduce war tensions in adjoining countries, and makes Canada complicit in a violation of international law.

We call upon our government and all MP’s to uphold Canada’s responsibilities as a member state of the United Nations, to actively promote and support all diplomatic actions and initiatives to end the war and permit the people of Syria to live in peace, rebuild their country and decide their own future without outside interference.

Contacts:

Laura Savinkoff: BCSIPC Coordinator:

Grand Forks and area.

Phone: 250 412 0434

Email: l4peace@telus.net

Mark Haley: BCSIPC Contact

Kelowna and area

Phone: Phone : 1 (250) 860-6108

Email: marcos@uniserve.com

Don Currie: BCSIPC Contact

West Kootenays and area

Phone: 250 355 2669