PARLIAMENT OF CANADA: NDP MP TAKES STRONG STAND AGAINST UNETHICAL WEAPONS - BC Southern Interior MP tabled a motion on abolishing depleted uranium arms

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 12, 2008

NDP MP TAKES STRONG STAND AGAINST UNETHICAL WEAPONS
BC Southern Interior MP tabled a motion on abolishing depleted uranium arms

OTTAWA – NDP MP Alex Atamanenko (BC Southern Interior) - tabled a motion (M-509) on Wednesday calling on the government to take a leading role in helping to abolish the use of depleted uranium (DU) in armaments and munitions. The motion also calls for the government to cease the deployment of our military and civilian personnel in regions where these weapons have been or will be used.

"The Canadian government must take strong and decisive action to help rid the world of this environmental and toxic health hazard. Long lasting and often deadly effects on soldiers and innocent civilians alike have been well documented," said Atamanenko. "Our military does not use depleted uranium weapons and we should not be deploying our soldiers to fight with armies who do."

Atamanenko's motion comes on the heels of a far-reaching resolution that was passed on May 22, 2008, by the European Parliament towards an EU and NATO-wide moratorium and global ban.

Atamanenko says depleted uranium weapons, much like cluster bombs and landmines, have an indiscriminate effect on civilian populations long after they are used in combat. He suggests this runs counter to the basic rules and principles that are already enshrined in international, humanitarian and environmental laws. Currently there are 18 countries that use depleted uranium weapons in their arsenals. Under international law they are considered weapons of mass destruction. Statutes and regulations under the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) prohibit the use of Canadian uranium in DU weapons.

"It is unacceptable that we would contravene our own laws and agreements by failing to ensure that our uranium is only used for peaceful purposes. I'm deeply concerned about the dangers of depleted uranium, and I strongly support my colleague, Alex Atamanenko's motion," added NDP Defence Critic, Dawn Black (Burnaby New Westminster) 

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For more information:

Office of Alex Atamanenko, MP                            
1- 613-996-8036

Status of House Business
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
M-509 - Mr. Atamanenko (British Columbia Southern Interior) — Depleted uranium weapons — Notice — June 10, 2008

M-509 — June 10, 2008 — Mr. Atamanenko (British Columbia Southern Interior) — That, in the opinion of the House, the government should: (a) adhere to paragraph 1 of the United Nations (UN) Resolution A/RES/62/30 and submit a report including views on the effects of the use of armaments and ammunition containing depleted uranium; (b) cease all deployment of military and civilian personnel in regions where uranium weapons have been, might have been, will be or might be used within the framework of future operations; (c) provide full information to military and civilian personnel on mission, as well as to professional organizations, about the probability that depleted uranium has been or might be used in their region of operation and to take sufficient protection measures; (d) fully support the establishment of an environmental inventory of depleted uranium contaminated areas, according to the specifications of paragraph 6 of a May 22, 2008, European Union resolution and include financial support for clean-up operations of affected areas; (e) call on all countries to abolish the use of depleted uranium weapons, and systematically halt production and procurement of this type of weaponry; (f) take a leading role in working, through the UN, towards an international treaty establishing a ban on the development, production, stockpiling, transfer, testing and use of uranium weapons as well as the destruction or recycling of existing stocks; and (g) forward this resolution through the Prime Minister to NATO, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the UN and the UN Environmental Programme, the European Organization of Military Associations, the International Community of the Red Cross and the World Health Organization.

United Nations (UN) Resolution A/RES/62/30
http://daccess-ods.un.org/access.nsf/Get?Open&DS=A/RES/62/30&Lang=E

VIEW/COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE:

http://peaceinspace.blogs.com/nuclear_free_zone/2008/06/post.html

Comments

[James Buels]

I applaud MP Atamanenko's motion. As an American, I am ashamed that my government is perhaps the leading perpetrator of DU munitions atrocities, worldwide. All attempts here in the United States to focus the attention of Congress on our obligation to halt DU munitions use have so far failed. Our controlled media here will not even report on the issue. Once we have finally complied with what seems to be the coming international ban on these weapons, however, what can be done to clean up the environment of Iraq and Afghanistan where we have used these weapons heavily?

[James Buels]

I applaud MP Atamanenko's motion. As an American, I am ashamed that my government is perhaps the leading perpetrator of DU munitions atrocities, worldwide. All attempts here in the United States to focus the attention of Congress on our obligation to halt DU munitions use have so far failed. Our controlled media here will not even report on the issue. Once we have finally complied with what seems to be the coming international ban on these weapons, however, what can be done to clean up the environment of Iraq and Afghanistan where we have used these weapons heavily?

[Dave Laskey - Veterans Against Nuclear Arms]

Considering the international situation in the world today, every one should be concerned. We are faced with the horrifying facts of nuclear proliferation, and, the never ending threat of nuclear war. Efforts, to eliminate nuclear weapons, and opposition to war, is neither, emotionalism, nor self pity. It is of the highest expression, of human reasoning, based, on the unflinching perception, of the dignity of life. We must call forth that power of hope deep within the depths of each individual as that power can transform and change even the most intractable reality.

[Donald F. Truax]

All

I impressed with Canada taking action on this important issue.

Perhaps Canada can extend it's leadership concerning this issue to the rest of the world, moreover, here in the U.S.

Love "Light" and Energy

_Don

[bob m]

well done alex.
rather than be sidetracked with the media fad of the day -global warning -
we need to help end the suffering of our fellow humans

[bob m]

well done alex.
rather than be sidetracked with the media fad of the day -global warning -
we need to help end the suffering of our fellow humans

[bob m]

well done alex.
rather than be sidetracked with the media fad of the day -global warning -
we need to help end the suffering of our fellow humans

[Theo. J. de Koning]

Mr. Atamanenko deserves our full support. DU is used as a weapon of mass destruction, has done untold damage and will continue to do so for milennia to come. What has been done might not be undone, but we sure can help stop what is planned to be done.

[Paul Spooner]

Thank You for standing up for the people of the world. The politicians who are allowing this murder need to be held acountable. This especially includes Colin Maye and Steve Harper. They should be bustin up rocks for the next twenty years. I will stand against them in that DAY when the great Judge brings judgement to every living person.

Paul Spooner

[Corey J. Hawke]

I am very pleased with Alex's efforts! Canada should be taking a righteous leadership role now rather than rolling over and allowing our uranium to fall into control of dark destructive forces as it has thus far. Free energy is already being marketed so there is no legitimate reason for continuing radiation poisoning of ourselves, others and our planet.

[Chris Buhler]

Thank-you for taking action on DU weapons.

I live beside a major Uranium trucking rout in Saskatchewan and am ashamed that this deadly Canadian material ends up killing people half-way around the world. It must be stopped! We should all be outraged that a resource of ours is used for such horrifying purposes.

[Fred P]

Inspiring work, and a very informative article on how we can work to free
our world from this nuclear waste which
really stays around a long time , and a lesson in how to handle the many cases of other poisons we deal with, forced into our food and consumables.
It really is a great step in the direction we need to go to free ourselves.
Outrage is very motivating ,which I am,
after getting off a flouride regimen 6 months ago. My passivity in removing toxins in my life is wearing off.Becoming coherent lot of label reading and research
I am beginning to notice how sensitive I am to the chlorine gas polluting from industry here, upper west Ontario.
Awareness is the beginning to the process to taking actions to find a solution to this problem.