Gordon urges ‘no more cruise tests’ as rally cheers Continued from page 1 allowed the testing of the cruise missile in Canada found himself touring the world’s capitals on a mission of disarmament and world peace,” Allevato, a vice-president of End the Arms Race, said regarding the . influence countless peace efforts have had on Canada’s senior government. Allevato also noted that this year’s walk for peace took place “for the first time in a nuclear-weapons free zone” — acknow- ledging city council’s declaration made last year and confirmed in a plaque mounted i. city hall two days earlier. She noted the city had co-sponsored the walk this year, and that the annual event now enjoys the endorsement of 12 munici- pal councils and “countless” school boards. Even the provincial Social Credit government sent its greetings to the rally, although Premier Bill Bennett’s message of support, acknowledged by Vancouver Mayor Mike Harcourt and EAR president Frank Kennedy, met with a mixed response from the crowd. A strong chorus of boos went up to Ben- nett’s announcement, communicated by a letter sent to the rally, of the government’s support indicating that the crowd, many of whom were participants in last year’s Solid- arity battles against Socred cutbacks, viewed Victoria’s support as opportunistic. But the same crowd cheered when informed of the unanimous vote in the legis- lature for negotiations leading to world disarmament. EAR spokesmen maintain that the sup- - port of all governments for the peace effort — even that of the Socreds — showed that the gigantic peace marches and rallies of the past three years have definitely influenced governments, and in the long run will turn the tide toward world disarmament. 6 e PACIFIC TRIBUNE, MAY 2, 1984 ‘military buildup “of the On stage, former federal cabinet minister Walter Gordon outlined his program for disarmament, receiving roars of approval from the audience. ; Gordon set the tone for his argument that Canada and other nations should declare themselves nuclear-weapons free zones by noting the “deterioration” in East- West relations. Gordon made frequent reference to the theme of “two superpowers” at odds while the rest of the globe alledgedly looks on. But in several remarks the long-time Canadian nationalist used his harshest words for the Reagan administration. “The Soviets have been exercised — by statements of senior officials in Washington that the United States should prepare for a nuclear war and plan to win it. The Soviets: - assert that such statements are irreponsible, that no one could win a nuclear war which means the end of civilization as we know it. “And it is charged that the CIA is behind the mining of Nicaraguan harbors with the approval of President Reagan. Where does this leave Canada when our principal ally feels free to disregard with impunity the rules of international law?” he asked. Gordon praised Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’ s recent peace initiatives, and expressed a hope that “his successor as prime minister will continue the pursuit of a constructive peace initiative. “In the past, we have relied for our defence primarily on our membership in , NATO and on the nuclear power of the United States. But in recent years, we have had little, if any, real influence on NATO policy or on the defence and foreign policies of the United States,” he asserted. In laying out a four-point program for world disarmament — one which mirrored those of leading peace groups — Gordon received cheers when he called on Canada: to declare itself a nuclear-weapons free country and to request ‘“‘our two neighbors to respect our right to do this.” . Point two, said Gordon, involves Can- ada refusing the use, possession or manu- facture of nuclear weapons, meaning the Defence Production Sharing Agreement with the U.S. and the manufacture of mis- sile components by Litton Industries in Toronto would be discontinued. Gordon received his biggest cheers when’ he related his third point: “Canada should cancel the umbrella agreement with the U.S. of February, 1983, respecting the testing of U.S. weapons on or over Canadian terri- tory. In particular, we should cancel any further testing of the cruise missile in Alberta.” The fourth point, said Gordon, involves urging “other countries to follow our example by declaring themselves to be nuclear-weapons free zones.” Gordon concluded by promoting the Peace Petition Caravan Campaign and urged everyone “to write your. members of Parliament of whatever party and urge them to support the four-point program I have outlined. Say you’re member of their constituency and that you want them to get off their butts and do something about this issue.” Allevato took up that theme, urging peo- ple to “not just sign the petition, take one — next year when we march it will be to celebrate the achievement of goals we set here today.” — : The petition, a national campaign launched this year with backing from the Canadian Labor Congress, will be handled in the Lower Mainland by End the Arms Race, the 170-group member coalition that last year garnered some 20,000 signatures on petitions circulated throughout federal ridings urging MPs to work. to oppose cruise missile testing. This year’s walk marked the kickoff of the campaign in the Lower Mainland. In a release End the Arms Race said 30,000 copies of the petition, which calls for rejec- tion of further cruise tests, were to be circu- lated at the rally. - WALK FOR PEACE '84...crowd fills rally site at Vancouver's English Bay to hear per formances and addresses by (insets, ! to) poet Dorothy Livesay, opera singer JU Forst, EAR vice-president Carmela Allevato. _ and former finance minister and disarma- ment advocate Walter Gordon. | The rally was given an added boost witha message sent by actress Joanne Wood read by singer Jane Mortifee. Woodward, who had been forced to can cel an initial engagement to address Ut rally, sent congratulations to the partice pants for “setting an admirable example o! what we in the United States should doing.” aaa In her message the actress-activist expressed her certainty that Trudeau's peace mission “was stimulated by the con- cern expressed by many Canadians.” _ Mortifee was one of several entertainels, including the duet of Charlotte Diamond and Doug Stewart, Judith Forst and Cht- lean folk group Puelche, whose music pul- tucated the addresses by keynote speakers throughout the rally. Renowned Canadian poet Dorothy Livesay, in a speech marked by poetry, told the audience that “small miracles 40 happen. “In spite of the media’s barrage of bad news and violent happenings, there is gO news: about the Green movement, about the women of Greenham Common, about a world peace conference héld last year in Prague called For Peace and Life, with 131 countries participating.” Livesay’s poetry complemented the fes- tive air of the rally, marked by costumed participants bearing mock cruise missiles, globes and other creations associated with the disarmament movement, and the release of dozens of balloons which soared up over the apartment towers along English Bay. Among the participants was an elderly women, who identified herself only as “Kaye.” She told the Tribune that after decades of involvement for peace, she was heartened to see so many young people in the crowd. : “T’m over 80, so it’s not so much for me that this event is held — it’s for those young people that have their lives ahead of them that this is all about.”