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NDP group drops controversial wording from antiwar resolution
Jennifer Ditchburn, Canadian Press, 6 Sept 06
http://www.cp.org/premium/ONLINE/member/elxn_en/060906/p090625A.html
OTTAWA (CP) - A group of NDP members has withdrawn controversial wording from an antiwar resolution that warned Canadian troops in Afghanistan risk "acting like terrorists."
The move Wednesday by the Nanaimo-Cowichan riding association spares the party potential embarrassment at its national policy convention this weekend in Quebec City.
The provocative wording was part of a preamble to a resolution that called on Canada to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan.
It read: "No matter how noble our intentions, such as 'bringing democracy' or 'enabling peaceful development,' these goals cannot be achieved by violence when the 'enemy' cannot be distinguished from ordinary citizens. In such a situation Canadian troops end up acting like terrorists, destroying communities, killing and maiming innocent people. In turn our troops become easy targets for others."
The wording caught the attention of some Conservative blogs, landed on the front page of a national newspaper, and provided welcome fodder for right-wing radio hosts.
Party Leader Jack Layton, who has come out publicly in favour of a withdrawal from Afghanistan, wouldn't comment on the matter. But his office emphasized that it was unlikely the resolution - among more than 600 being put forward by riding associations - would even make it to the convention floor for debate.
On Wednesday afternoon, riding association president Sue Creba issued a statement saying members wished to withdraw the preamble.
"We in no way intended to suggest that our Canadian Forces personnel were in any way associated with terrorism," Creba said.
"The very intent of the motion was the protection and safety of our Canadian Forces and we regret that the words chosen in the preamble have changed the focus away from why the current mission in Afghanistan is the wrong mission for Canada."
The main part of the resolution stands, including a line that suggests "foreign troops engaging in combat will make peace more difficult to achieve."
There are a number of other notable resolutions, including ones pushing for Canada's withdrawal from NAFTA, Norad, and the World Trade Organization, as well as the nationalization of key industries such as cable and telephone. Another resolution calls for the removal of the Queen as Canada's head of state.
According to convention rules, a series of sub-committees study resolutions and send only a select number to the floor for debate.
Policy conventions held by the major federal parties often attract the most extreme views from within the organizations. Several grassroots resolutions at the last Conservative policy convention in 2005 that dealt with abortion, euthanasia and gay marriage never made it to the floor.