CANADA'S 'OFFICIAL OPPOSITION' DEFENDS GOVERNMENT ACTIONS AT GUSTAFSEN

Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty (S.I.S.I.S.)
SISIS@envirolink.org
October 23, 1997

A Member of Parliament in Canada's 'Official Opposition' says that Canada's actions at Gustafsen Lake were "completely justified". Furthermore he characterized the well-documented offensive tactics against the small group of Shuswap traditionalists by the largest paramilitary operation in Canada's history as "a lot of stories" which "were never proven to have taken place".

Dr. Keith Martin, Reform Party member of Parliament for Esquimault-Juan de Fuca, was provided with documentation of the offensive use of Armoured Personnel Carriers against the Ts'peten Sundance Camp in the summer of 1995, as well as of the use of the army's C7 automatic rifles in a massive assault on the 21 member Sundance Camp involving thousands of rounds of ammunition. He was also provided with the Rules of Engagement for the operation written by Canada's General John De Chastelaine, clearly prohibiting the offensive actions of the military.

According to the evidence of high ranking RCMP, it was the Canadian Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, who authorized the use of the military upon the request of the BC's NDP Attorney-General and Human Rights Minister Ujjal Dosanjh. A review of army involvement is mandatory under the Defence Act, but has not thus far been complied with by the Canadian authorities.

The Defence Minister at the time, Doug Young, advised Martin that the army's Rules of Engagement for 'Operation Wallaby' had not been violated, in blatant contradiction to the evidence at trial. Martin refused to pursue the matter further, demonstrating that the conspiracy, cover-up, and refusal to investigate the actions of the authorities, including a refusal to convene a public inquiry into the Gustafsen matter, is ongoing and comprehensive. Dr. Keith Martin was a participant in the Canadian Government's recent international initiatives to ban land mines, yet he appears to be unconcerned that Canadian used command mines against Shuswap traditionalists at Gustafsen Lake -- an incident which was captured on the RCMP's own video-tape and broadcast on cable television.

The complete text of Martin's letter to CFUV Radio's John Shafer follows:

Mr. John Shafer
c/o CFUV-FM Radio Box 3035,
University of Victoria Victoria, BC. V8W 3P3

Dear Mr. Shafer:

Thank you for your email concerning Gustafsen Lake. From what I have seen, the interventions that took place by the government were completely justified. There were a lot of stories about the use of land mines and other activities that were alleged, but were never proven to have taken place. It would appear the military did what they had to do get this most difficult situation under control.

I spoke to my Executive Assistant on this matter, and he has pursued your concerns. As well I have written to the Minister of Defence, asking for information on the situation.

I would suggest, Mr. Shafer, that since you still have concerns over Gustafsen Lake, that you continue to write directly to the Minister of Defence, Art Eggleton, for the answers you require.

Sincerely,

Keith Martin, M.P. Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca

Keith Martin, M.P.
Phone: (613) 996-2625
Fax: (613) 996-9779
Email: martik@parl.gc.ca

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien
Room 309-S Centre Block,
House of Commons,
Ottawa, Ont. K1A OA6 Canada
Phone: (613) 992-4211
Fax: (613) 941-6900
Faxing by email:remote-printer.Jean_Chretien@16139416900.iddd.tpc.int

To sign by email the petition for a public inquiry, send a message to SISIS@envirolink.orgwith "petition" in the subject header, and "I support the petition for a public inquiry into Gustafsen Lake," your name, and your city of residence in the body of the message.