Email exchange with Jack, support for troop withdrawl and peace plan

On 31-Aug-06, at 4:46 PM, Layton, Jack - M.P. wrote:

Further to your email about Canada's mission in Afghanistan, I would like to provide an update of the NDP's position on this matter.

At a press conference earlier today, I issued a comprehensive policy statement calling for the withdrawal of Canadian troops from Southern Afghanistan. To read my statement in full and the accompanying press release highlighting our policy, please visit the following links:

http://www.ndp.ca/page/4119
http://www.ndp.ca/page/4117

Again, I appreciate hearing from you on this critical issue. Please feel free to pass on this email to anyone who may be interested. All the best.

Sincerely,

Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth)
Leader, New Democratic Party of Canada

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Dear Jack,

Recently, there has been a great deal of attention put towardsthe Afghanistan issue, and I believe you are to thank for it. Even forthose who are in favour of the war (and I do stress it is a 'war'), they have been thankful that there has been the opportunity to discuss it and debate it. I stand with you in agreement that we are implicated in a situation with very little clarity. It was right of the NDP to ask the questions regarding timing, role, and so forth this spring. At the time I was not certain that was sufficient opposition to what I believe has beena horrendous war on a devastated country. Now your position on the matter has helped to bring a voice of peace and solidarity to parliament.

Moving forward, it is important to stress the need for ongoing clarity with respect to Canada's role in the world. Afghanistan is but a microcosm forour need to better define how we can be of service to those who need ourassistance desperately. Primarily I think this can be defined by askingvery simple questions such as: are we to be peacekeepers, aid workers, oran armed force. All three are very different, and must for the sake ofpeace in the world be kept separate. We cannot be both aid workers, and an armed force, while telling the public we are peacekeepers. That sort of deception is a clear sign that our military is being used for questionable interests. In the case that we are peacekeepers, we must be strict inadhering to the recommendations and definitions of peacekeeping by the UN. Namely the requirements of consent of all conflicting parties, impartiality, and minimal use of force.

As a pacifist, I believe that ourrole in the world can be best modelled when we have reached and exceeded our quota for foreign aid, and mustered the benefits of our economy towards peaceful goals-- not imperialistic ventures to the empoverishment of other countries. At the core of our security, defence, and peace waging should be our efforts to prevent poverty, extremism, and indignity. My hope is that our reputation for honesty, selflessness, and service to the world can be once again regained.

I will be at the convention and hope tolearn a great deal-- I hope I can offer a great deal too! Thanks,

+Ravi