Santa in middle of tax fight TERRACE — Santa's Wark- shop has become the focus of an international dispute between governments anxious to increase their tax revenues. Canada, Russia and the United States have all laid claims to the toy-making facility in an attempt to case sky-rocketing deficits. “The days of the idle zich not paying their fair share are gone,”” a Canadian official said in a press release issued this week. “Santa, just like everyone else, has to realize he must become an equal partner in the collection and spending of tax-derived revenues,”” the official continued. Similar statements were made by Russian and American repre- sentatives. The Russian representative said their claim simply follows the at- tempt by that country to do away wilh the privileges for a few that existed under the old Soviet sys- all tem. “Comrade Santa, er ... Mr. Santa must become part of new Russian system. Welcome to Workers’ Paradise, Part I],’’ he said. The tax grab by the three coun- tries is considered just as impor- lant as the recent concession by Queen Elizabeth to pay income taxes. “Intemational institutions are being shaken to the core. No Going to Get Our Christmas Tree by Kevin Hawkins country has jurisdiction body’s immune. Who might be next — the Tooth Fairy?” wondered one tax expert. Still to be decided is which over Santa’s Workshop located at the _ Narth Pole, There’s never been a proper boundary survey to determine in what country it’s located. An official of the Canadian Ge- ographic Survey said it has al- ways regarded the North Pole as “being up there someplace.”’ For his parl, Santa is upset over the intrusion by the three coun: tries, ; “T was here before they were. I’m the guy who has had to put up with their submarines nosing around and = bothering = my reindeer,’’ he said. Santa said he'll fight back on the basis of the North Pole Free Trade Agreement (NPFTA). MERRY CHRISTMAS “‘NPFTA clearly. sets ‘aside the. workshop from any: jurisdiction. It’s a tax-free zone. Any kid can. tell you that,’” he added. Santa warmed that the imposi- tian of taxes will increase his costs and that he might be forced to contract out portions of the toy-making facility. ‘ ‘Nobody wants that. We’re talking jobs for the elves, jobs for ihe reindeer,’’ he said. — in this issue, NINE-YEAR-OLD = Kevin painted this Christmas picture in his. class at Uplands Elementary School. . Artwork from his classmates there is also featured in the Terrace Stan- dard’s Christmas Greetings section. Hawkins ; | Local asaU TERRACE — Brad Trask is spending Christmas in one of the most dangerous parts of the world, waiting to do a job he isn’t being allowed to de. The Caldedonia Secondary School graduate is a private with the 2 Royal Canadian Regiment. Tt was sent in November under the United Nations flag to Croatia, a country that was once part of Yugoslavia, From there it was to escort food convoys in Bosnia-Hercegovina, another country that used to be part of Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia has been ripped apart by heavy. fighting between dominant Serb forces and other ethnic and religious groups who want independence. Heavy fighting in Croatia has haw stopped as United Nations peacekeeping forces patrol a ceasefire. Bult there’s been continued fighting between Serbian forces who don’t want Bosnia to be a separate country. And that's kept civilians hungry because Serblan forces won't let Trask and his fellow soldicrs into Bosnia to perform their mission. Brad’s mother, ‘Lorraine, who works at the legion in Terrace, newly-independent . N ~ Private Brad Trask watches and reads the news each day. She gets worricd and scared at limes because of what she reads and sees. “T don’t think there’s a mother that doesn’t worry when their kids go overseas over what could happen,” said Lorraine last week. “He says not to worry. I’m proud of him.” This will be the second Christ- mas Brad has spent overseas since joining the Canadian‘ army more than four years ago, .. Last Christmas, he was with the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus. Lorraine has received two let- ters from her son, one in Novem- ber and one just last Friday. “Don't worry toc much, things are pretty quiet. A few mortars exploded about Jkm away and the PPCLI (Princess Patricia Ca- nadian Light Infantry, also there on peacekeeping duties) were at- tacked with grenades, but that’s about jl,”’ rote Brad in his first letter, It also describes ihe after effects of the fighting in the Croatian town of Lipik. where the 2 Reyai Canadian Regiment has set up camp. Do. “You wouldn't believe the devastation in this country and [ thought Cyprus was destroyed. Every building and house in Lipik was hil in the war, a lot completely destrayed,"’ Brad wrote, ; His second letter told of clear- Ing booby ;traps from a building that was once a hospital. Captain Ric Jones, a public af- fairs officer with the Canadian ‘soldiers in’ Croatia, said the 2 Royal. Canadian Regiment is being kept as busy as. possible, spends Christmas peacekeeper “They're leaming about the vatious types of weapons and munitions they might encounter instead of just seeing pictures,” he said, The soldiers are also practising driving skills on the narrow and twisting roads in Croatia, “They're practising everything they’ve been tralued for in order fo be as professional as they can be,”’ said Jones. Brad and his fellow soldiers will get a Christmas meal of turkey and the trimmings some- time this week, It'll be served by their officers and non-commissioned ranks in a tradition that dates back many years. Jones said every effort is being made to have something special at Christmas, particularly for the younger soldiers in Croatia. - Brad can also look forward to a package from his muther. “He sald he wanted chips and licorice. ] sent Pringles because they come in a tube and won't break and two kinds of licorice,” said Lorralne. She expects Brad to have lost some welght. by the time he fin- ishes his six month tour of duty. Wo n _ LETTER FRO! M soldier son Brad, in Croatia with the United Na- tions peacekeeping forces, gives mother Lorraine Trask wel. __come information. He's there for six minths.