 
A Letter to Prime Minister Chrétien
KAIROS and Ploughshares Speaking out against
War with Iraq
5 September 2002
Honourable Jean Chretien
Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons,
Ottawa, ON
By fax
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
We understand that you will be meeting on Monday with President
Bush, who has indicated that he hopes to persuade Canada to support
American plans to intensify the war on Iraq.
You and several of your cabinet colleagues have said publicly
that any military action against Iraq must be clearly justified
under international law and processed through the UN Security Council
before Canada would even consider lending its support. In our February
8, 2002 letter, we strongly supported these positions and we continue
to do so.
Nevertheless, we recognize that you will be under considerable pressure
to comply with President Bush's request for allied support. We urge
you to remain firm in your principled stand.
The events of September 11 last year emphasize the need for a
universally accepted international order based on the rule of law.
The proposed American intervention in Iraq violates that principle.
Moreover we believe that such a war, one that would inevitably result
in an unknown number of civilian casualties and substantial damage
to Iraq's civilian infrastructure, is morally unjustifiable.
May you be blessed both with wisdom and courage during these difficult
deliberations and we urge you to use the occasion of this meeting
not only to refuse Canada's support for the proposed American intervention
but to also dissuade President Bush from embarking on this course
of action.
Sincerely,
Pat Steenberg,
Executive Director, KAIROS
Ernie Regehr,
Director, Project Ploughshares
57 Erb St. West
Waterloo, ON
N2L 6C2
519-888-6541
cc: Honourable Bill Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs
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