Closing the Pinetree Line

Home , Erik Nielsen, Perrin Beatty, Pinetree Line

Military conversion in Canada Closing the Pinetree Line

Although it is not yet beating its swords into ploughshares, Canada is nearing com pletion of a project that is turning old military radar stations into centres meeting social needs. For Canadians that look to economic conversion to move the economy away from military production, the Pinetree closure programme is an important example. Ploughshares researcher Ken Epps brings us up to date.

ince 1985 the Canadian govern nel could be found elsewhere within sentatives of the station staff (who act ment has pursued a little-known the Department of National Defence, as a liaison between the station and Sprogramme that has, as part of its for the civilians who chose to remain the community), the local members of mandate, the task of developing civil in the host communities there would UNDE, DRIE or CEIC at the regional ian uses for facilities now or recently be no further direct or indirect DND level, provincial authorities such as used for military purposes. The pro employment since DND had decided MPPs or MLAs, the nearby munici gramme is finding alternative jobs for that there was no further military use palities, and local businesses. Funding workers dependent on military spend for the stations. To meet the "social for administrative expenses of the ing. It demonstrates that, under con obligation" to the local communities committees is provided by CEIC, ditions deemed strategically and polit jobs would have to be found for through its Industrial Adjustment Ser ically appropriate by the government, these civilians. In essence, the govern vice, and occasionally by provincial Ottawa will actively participate in the ment needed to tackle a major mili- programmes. replacement of military facilities by tary-to-civilian economic conversion The closures of the 17 radar sta civilian ones, with minimized job loss. programme. tions have been phased in - the first The programme is the military-to-ci- five were closed during 1986, the next vilian conversion of the Cadin-Pine five by August 1987, and the remain Tree Line radar stations. The Pinetree closures ing seven by August 1988. According On March 13, 1985, Erik Nielsen, to Major Bruce Haavisto, the DND then Minister of Defence, announced have occurred without a official responsible for project man in the House of Commons the closure major job loss or agement, there have been alternative of 17 of the 24 Cadin-Pine Tree Line local disruption. uses found for 9 of the 10 stations radar stations as a result of the joint closed by the end of Phase II. The Canada/US programme to modernize new uses have included a seniors vil the North Warning System. lage run jointly by the province and The majority of the radar stations the local community (see the Alsask in southern Canada that were part of aving known for some time project), a regional training centre for the Cadin-Pinetree Line are being H that the Pinetree stations would skilled tradespeople with funding closed because they are deemed to be be closed the government moved rel support from UIC, a provincial mini- of "little military value now and ... atively quickly after the announce mum-security jail, and a native self- very expensive to maintain and oper ment in the House was made. In contained community with funds pro ate".1 (The Pinetree Line stretches April, 1985, a federal interdepartmen vided by the Department of Indian across the country with radar stations tal committee was formed to oversee Affairs. located in all provinces except Prince the closures during the following Understandably, the closure pro Edward Island. Although in southern three years. The committee is chaired cess has not been an entirely smooth Canada they are to the north of the by the Vice-Chief of Defence Staff operation. In Phase I, although the most populated areas.) and is composed of representatives re-employment success rate for those In announcing the closures Nielsen from the departments of Employment who wished to relocate was 100%, for also referred to the government's and Immigration (CEIC), Regional those who wished to remain, or could "social obligation to those communi Industrial Expansion (DRIE), Public not move, there were mixed results. ties which have come to derive much Works, Finance, Indian and Northern In an interview, Haavisto admitted of their livelihood from these old sta Affairs, Treasury Board, the Federal- that there had been some "hardship tions."2 An earlier report by DND's Provincial Relations Office, as well as cases". Municipal representatives of Directorate of Social and Economic the Union of National Defence Beausejour in Manitoba, where the Analysis estimated that in closing the Employees (UNDE). radar station closed in 1986, initially 17 stations the government was faced In the communities near the sta called upon the affected communities with the loss of almost 4000 jobs tions "local impact committees" were to demand a cash settlement to help (about half of which were military established to "make viable recom with rejuvenation of local economies. positions) and with significant eco mendations to propose non-military However, a proposed meeting was nomic impacts on host communities. applications" for the radar stations. never held. Although jobs for the military person The impact committees include repre Yet, taken as a whole the Pinetree Case Study: Alsask, Saskatchewan

lsask, population 650, is an agricultural community on Athe border of Alberta and Saskat chewan. In 1960 most of the avail able land within the village was acquired by the Department of National Defence for Canadian Forces Station Alsask. The station has been a major feature of the village since 1962, and, at the time of the closure, station personnel accounted for more than half of Alsask's population. In 1984 the DND study predicted "the closure Aerial view of Alsask, Sask. with former base in background. of CFS Alsask would be dramatic for the population of Alsask. The Employees members employed by both the federal and provincial essential emergency services would CFS Alsask had been placed in governments had made clear that be lost and the unemployment rate other positions, the main focus of they had no use for the station. would increase by a significant the AJAPC became the search for Two months later, Public 12.42%. In the face of such facts, alternative uses for the station Works Canada approved the sale extreme reactions may be expected premises that would minimize the of the station to the village of from local people." impact of the closure on the Alsask for $40,000. Although In November 1985, eight remainder of the community. seemingly a bargain for a property months after the announcement Funding to cover administrative of 400 acres, 90 mobile homes, that CFS Alsask would be closed costs of the committee's work several recreational facilities and a by August 1986, the organizational came, for the first two years, from number of other buildings, the fig meeting of the Alsask Joint Assess an Industrial Adjustment Service ure was no doubt based on the ment and Planning Committee Incentive Agreement with the fed DND's recognition that "the cost (AJAPC) was held in the village. eral department of Employment estimate for completely demolish Chosen for the committee were and Immigration. ing a radar site is between $4 and the mayor and two aldermen of From the beginning the com $5 million." A few weeks earlier, Alsask, two representatives of mittee generated, and received, the AJAPC had received approval Local 806 of the Union of National many suggestions for the conver of their proposal to the Commu Defence Employees (part of the sion of the radar station. Ideas nity Futures Program for funding Public Service Alliance), the Com included a gasohol plant, a private to plan local economic develop manding Officer and another rep school, a greenhouse and hydro ment. This funding provided a resentative of the station, two fed ponics project, a drug and alcohol breathing space for the committee, eral government representatives, abuse centre, and a variety of now evolved to include represen and four rural councillors from training centre proposals. Commit tatives of other rural municipalities nearby communities. Additional tee members met with several fed in the area. The time was used to members were elected later. eral and provincial government develop what eventually became The mandate of the AJAPC was officials to explore funding, poten the main new civilian use for CFS "to evaluate the present economic tial government uses of the station, Alsask - a retirement community. base, work force, local linkages, and a variety of applicable govern As of January, 1988, 20 families local amenities, opportunities for ment programmes. For some time were living in the retirement expansion and the potential for the idea of establishing a fire col "villa" with expectations that the locating new manufacturing ven lege and emergency measures facility would be filled by the tures". Since an early committee training centre in the station with autumn of 1988. Meanwhile, the meeting established that most of provincial funds held considerable search for industrial users of the the fifty Union of Defence promise. However, by March 1987 site's larger buildings continues.

Line closures appear to have occurred co-operation, not only amongst gov and in fact appears to have been without major job loss or local dis ernment departments in Ottawa, but quite supportive of, provincial and ruption. In fact, the Pinetree experi also federal, provincial and municipal municipal interests. ence has demonstrated that a conver levels of government. Once the deci sion programme can be made to work sion to close the stations was made, it 1 Hansard, Commons Debates, March in present-day Canada. It has shown is clear that joint national level plan 13, 1985, pp.2976-2982. that conversion can involve successful ning has not been in conflict with, 2 Ibid. Warfighting or peacemaking? The Military Use of Space by Bill Robinson

he first satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched by the Soviet Union T on 4 October 1957. The military use of space was quick to follow this event: the first military-related satel lite was launched a little over a year after Sputnik, and the first anti-satel lite weapon test, Bold Orion, was conducted by the United States in October 1959, just two years after Sputnik opened the space age. The military use of space — the "militarization" of space — grew rap idly and continues to this day, but the development and deployment of space weapons — the "weaponization" of space — remained embryonic. Most of the approximately 2500 military- oriented satellites that have been put into orbit since 1958 have been directed at five major military require ments (most of which have direct civilian counterparts): intelligence- gathering; communications; naviga tion; weather monitoring; and geo physical research, the study of the physical nature of the Earth and near space. Only since 1983, with the cre ation of the US "Star Wars" program, has the prospect of the weaponization of space become imminent. An important distinction can be made between these two trends in the military use of space. As Daniel Be Aft We H'J|rSer>j ftAy Deudney has pointed out, the militar ( ^hreWcQn \Zftrsior>) ization of space has been a major part of a planet-wide "transparency revo lution" which has sharpened the senses of the military machines of the superpowers, but which has also security possible for the first time in bility to be concerned about the planted some of the seeds, such as human history." In short, the militar future uses of space for at least two the technology for arms control verifi ization of space has created opportu reasons: first, Canada's location cation, for a future global common nities for global security as well as between the superpowers ensures that security system. "Transparency tech dangers to it. Canadian territory almost certainly nologies make possible both the coor The weaponization of space, on would play a role in any future Star dinated, highly accurate targeting of the other hand, promises only danger. Wars defence (and its associated air weapons and the comprehensive veri A space weapons competition would defence system); and, second, Canada fication of arms limits. Planetary-scale increase the dangers already posed by has the potential, as one of the lim information systems bring the strate the superpower nuclear arms race, ited number of nations with advanced gic competition between the super undermine existing arms control space technology, to make a signifi powers to its least stable and most agreements, and increase the chances cant contribution to the common dangerous state. At the same time of nuclear war. security uses of space. these systems make planetary-scale Canadians have a special responsi Common security and The militarization of understand and deal with many of space space has created new the non-military trends, such as hun ger and environmental destruction, chances for global that threaten human security. security as well as fo r con common security approach to tinued instability. Common security on Earth: space activities would seek to Finally, it is important to recognize Aforeclose the weaponization of space, that common security in space cannot and to encourage international co-op mote a moratorium on all anti-satel be divorced from common security on eration in the use of Deudney's lite, Star Wars, and other space Earth. The ultimate role of space "transparency technologies" both for weapon testing until such a ban is in activities is determined primarily by confidence- and security-building place. the security system prevailing on measures and to foster greater knowl Earth. Therefore, it seems very edge and understanding of our planet Co-operation in space: unlikely that the warfighting race in and the global problems facing it as a Efforts to build co-operative, interna space (both weaponization and mili whole. tional space projects would also be an tarization) can be foreclosed perma important part of any common secur nently without an end to its impetus, Space weapons ban: ity regime in space. One extremely the warfighting race on Earth. The A ban on space weapons would be valuable project would be the estab ultimate answer to the problem of the most important step towards lishment of an International Satellite controlling warfighting in space has foreclosing the weaponization of Monitoring Agency (ISMA). The to be to control warfighting weapons space. Ideally, such an agreement ISMA proposal, originally made by and doctrines on Earth. A common would ban the testing and deploy France in 1978, calls for the creation security approach to space has to be ment of all weapons based in space, of an international agency to operate supported by a common security used against objects in space, or used surveillance satellites for arms control approach to the entire planet. from space against objects on Earth. verification and crisis monitoring. An This fact has particular significance This could be accomplished through a ISMA would break the superpower for Canada because of this country's treaty banning anti-satellite and other monopoly on spy satellites and open strategic location between the United space weapons, an enlarged and the way for international monitoring States and the Soviet Union. In order strengthened Anti-Ballistic Missile of arms control compliance and for to promote an integrated approach to Treaty, or simply a set of agreed limi the identification of suspicious mili common security, Canada should tations on permissible space weapons tary activities. One important role for make it clear that it opposes the con testing. Currently, the United States ISMA could be to monitor space tinuing nuclear arms race on Earth government refuses to enter negotia objects in order to ensure that no and in space, and that it will not tions on any of these possible agree weapons were being deployed or make Canadian territory available to ments for fear of hindering the prog weapons tests being carried out. the offensive or defensive nuclear ress of the SDI program. Canada has conducted research on forces of either side for pursuing the Nevertheless, there is considerable US another satellite, PAXSAT B, to verify competition in warfighting capabili interest outside of the Reagan admin arms limitations on Earth. This satel ties. This position would mean that istration in negotiating a space weap lite and the PAXSAT A satellite could Star Wars weapons or sensor systems ons ban of some sort in conjunction make important contributions to and extensive NORAD air defence with deep reductions in US and ISMA's operations. Canada should systems (such as those being devel Soviet strategic nuclear weapons. continue its development work on oped under the Air Defence Initiative) Progress in this direction will prob these satellites and lend its political could not be based in Canada. Can ably depend on the policies of the and financial support to the ISMA ada would not support Strategic next US president. Canada could lend proposal. Defence Initiative research and would its support to progress in this direc Other — non-military — projects withdraw from participation in Air tion by withdrawing its political sup would also be important for building Defence Initiative research. port for the SDI program (Canada common security. These projects The significance of Canadian terri calls the SDI program "prudent") and could include new or expanded co tory for strategic defence lends con by encouraging the US and the Soviet operative efforts in global communi siderable importance to the stance Union to negotiate a comprehensive cations, environmental monitoring, that Canada adopts on this issue — space weapons ban. weather forecasting, resource manage Canada could, in effect, veto some Canada has a unique contribution ment, international law surveillance, types of Star Wars and Star Wars-re- to make on the question of verifying scientific research, space resource lated deployments. On the other such a ban: Canadian research on a development, and many others. hand, Canadian space technology verification satellite, the PAXSAT A (Many of these efforts also could be allows Canada to make important study, has established that the verifi undertaken unilaterally, with the contributions to the future common cation of a space weapons deploy information made available for global security uses of space. These factors ment ban is practical with existing use.) All of these uses of space would give Canada the ability, and the technology. Canada should move contribute positively to global com responsibility, to play an important ahead with the development of mon security; for example, by helping role in determining the future direc PAXSAT A, and work actively to pro- nations around the world to better tion of the utilization of space. A Nuclear-Free and Independent Pacific Update on the Movement

From 9-15 November, 1987, close to one hundred activists from around the Pacific The NFIP movement has its congregated in the PIUS XII Conference Centre in Manila, the Philippines. They "Magna Carta" the Peoples Charter were there to discuss, update and network on the range of issues which form the for a Nuclear Free and Independent agenda of the grass roots Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific movement, and to Pacific. Expressing concern with the set the movement's agenda for coming years. Phil Esmonde, of the South Pacific continuing deterioration in the Philip People's Foundation, sends this first-hand report. pines and the rest of the Pacific region, upon recommendation of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific the his was the first international as the Melanesian Council of Charter's pre-amble was amended to T conference of the Nuclear Free Churches, the University of the South include the original anger enunciated and Independent Pacific movement Pacific Students Association, and the in the 1975 original charter. (NFIP) since July, 1983 when the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific. And the nuclear-free and indepen fourth conference was held in Van Because of mounting violence in dent geographic zone of the move uatu. The movement was founded in the Philippines, the conference centre ment, expanded several times since its Fiji in 1975 and is the heartbeat of the was watched over by privately-hired inception, was "in principle" regional social justice and peace armed guards, a constant reminder expanded to reach the western shores organizations. that the Philippines was in a state of of North America, thus coming in Much had changed since the Van undeclared martial law. direct contact with indigenous nations uatu conference of 1983. A partial along the coast as far north as Alaska. nuclear weapons free zone had been The NFIP Steering Committee, with initiated by Pacific island govern hile security concerns were representatives from seven regions, ments; the independence struggle in real, they did not prevent will work out the specific boundaries Kanaky [New Caledonia] had intensi delegates from joining with local of the new zone, but it is clear that it fied and become more violent; the groups to march and demonstrate at will do much to strengthen the links French had begun new initiatives in the U.S. Embassy with a call to shut between North American activists and the Pacific islands, spending aid down the U.S. bases at Clark and the peoples of the Pacific, and assist money to curry favour and ease con Subic Bay. In a later resolution, dele in solidarity efforts amongst Pacific stant criticism of their ongoing gates called on the U.S. to refrain peoples. The proposed new zone will nuclear tests in "French" Polynesia; from intervening in Philippines politi likely be open for signatures and sup the situation in Belau, the world's cal, military, economic and cultural port from the affected indigenous first constitutionally nuclear-free state, life, and supported an immediate and nations of North America. deteriorated as the U.S. kept the peo unconditional withdrawal of the The conference expressed concern ple isolated and dependent on U.S. bases. The conference condemned over the increasing militarization of aid, forcing them to overturn the con the rising social costs of the bases, the Pacific, evidenced by new weap stitution amid mounting violence and and called for suspension of all for ons deployment, naval buildups, internal anarchy; the Japanese contin eign military aid. increased warship visits, and growing ued to jockey on the international stage for room to carry through with their plan to dump low level nuclear wastes into the Pacific Ocean; a dicta tor had been removed from the Phil ippines but to little avail; the whole Pacific region had witnessed a momentous growth of militarization; and Fiji — long a model of racial accommodation — elected a Prime Minister (Bavadra) dedicated to the principles of the NFIP movement only to have two subsequent coups remove him completely from power. These were not new issues for the 61 delegates and 38 observers repre senting 25 countries at the conference. Many were living and leading the struggles for peace and social justice A plenary session at the NFIP Conference: (from left) Peter Kealoha in their own countries. Also attend (Hawaii), Lopeti Senituli (Tonga), Charlie Ching (French Polynesia), and ing were regional organizations such Makiuti Tongia (Cook Islands). superpower tensions. Delegates deplored, "the rape of our Mother Earth by foreigners who Canadian Navy Shells Hawaii are intent on polluting our waters with nuclear waste; who are intent on s the approval of a RIMPAC resolution at the recent NFIP con destroying the world with the con ference shows, nowhere has Canada's insensitivity been so struction of nuclear weapons; who are A clear as in its continued use of one of the eight Hawaiian islands as a depleting our natural resources at an target range for naval bombardment. alarming rate; and who are interested While the island in use, KAHO'OLAWE, is uninhabited, it contains only in maximizing profit at the 544 known archaeological sites, including adze quarries and petro- expense of our culture, our resources, glyphs. The island provides one of the few remaining links to 1,000 and our spirituality". years of Hawaiian culture and heritage. In recognition of its historic, It was in 1983 that the then cultural, scientific and religious importance, the entire island of Nuclear Free Pacific movement Kaho'olawe — located off Maui — was placed on the United States became the Nuclear Free and Indepen Registry of Historic Sites. dent Pacific movement. It was a con Requests that our government stop using the island have come scious connection between the ongo from the Hawaiian government spokespeople (municipal, state and ing colonial structures and attitudes federal), from 38 national and regional Canadian organizations and and the continued militarization of from 24 prominent Canadians, including the Most Reverend Edward the region. The independence link Scott, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, the Reverend Lois was not only affirmed in Manila but Wilson, President of the World Council of Churches, Muriel Duck took on an even stronger importance. worth, Member of the Order of Canada, and Major General (Ret.) It was recognized that unless and Leonard V. Johnson. until the political, economic and mili Let the government, the opposition leaders, and our MP's know tary structures which feed colonialism how we feel about this travesty. The Minister of Defence, Perrin and racism are changed, calling for a Beatty, has indicated that Canada will use Kaho'olawe for target prac Nuclear Free Pacific will remain a call tice in May of 1988 during RIMPAC military exercises. Urgent action in the wind. The conference affirmed is needed to register your disapproval. the pivotal need for independence. Canadian government action in Write: the Pacific came under focused criti Prime Minister Brian Mulroney cism. Noting that Canada was the House of Commons only foreign country accepting the Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6 U.S. invitation to use the archaeologi- cally-rich and sacred Hawaiian island With copies to: Perrin Beatty (Minister of Defence), John Turner, M.P., of Kaho'olawe for ship to shore target Ed Broadbent, M.P., all at: House of Commons, Ottawa, K1A 0A6 practice, the conference called on del egates of all countries to mount pres sure on the Canadian government to stated that the coups were stimulated regime, and condemned the military halt this travesty against the Hawai by a desire of the traditional Council coups in Fiji as a means of achieving ian people. The conference called for of Chiefs to retain their control in Fiji political power, and military dictator demonstrations at Canadian embas through their political servants, the ship as a means of exercising political sies and missions abroad and for Alliance Party of Fiji, which was power. Canada to refrain from using the ousted in the election of April 1987. island for shelling during May 1988 Dakuvula noted that the Prime Minis his Conference, unlike the previ RIMPAC military exercises. ter-elect was Fijian, that all cabinet ous ones, also included a pre posts sensitive to Fijians were given T conference caucus of indigenous peo to Fijians, and that the Bavadra gov ples which assisted the transfer of ssue "Flashpoints" discussed at the ernment was supportive of banning information and support and under I conference included Fiji, Belau nuclear warship visits to Fiji, of join standing. For the first time, non-in- (Palau) and Kanaky (New Caledonia). ing the independence struggles in digenous support groups also met Much conference time was spent Kanaky (New Caledonia) and West together to discuss clarifying their on Fiji, potentially an issue which Papua. Dakuvula further informed role in the movement and ways in could have split the movement the conference that some members of which they could better their support because many accepted the coups as the Fiji Anti-Nuclear Group (FANG) and understanding. These efforts indigenous people rightfully gaining had been arrested and harassed, and underscore, in the words of Canadian control over their lands and culture. that there had been repression of Haida delegate Michael Nicoll, a rec The conference heard from Jone trade unions and political activity. ognition that it was necessary to over Dakuvula, a Fijian living in Welling The conference recognized and come "our personal racism and ton, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and a endorsed the inalienable rights of the desires to dominate." cousin of coup-leader Colonel indigenous people of Fiji to all their The successful completion of the Rabuka, that indigenous lands and lands, their culture and their religion, Manila Conference showed that the culture were already secured under expressed sympathy for the suffering movement remains strong, committed, the 1970 Fijian constitution. He of the Indo-Fijians under a repressive organized and growing. The Green Pine Network: Radio Activity in the North

The B-1B is the latest US bomber to utilize the Green Pine network.

From Adak, Alaska to Grindavik, Iceland, Green Pine UHF radio transmitters wait to cations? Its contribution to helping beam the orders for World War Three to bombers of the US Strategic Air Command. the Ground Alert bomber force sur Canada plays host to six of these radio sites (most of the Green Pine network) at vive a surprise attack is virtually zero. Argentia and Goose Bay in Newfoundland, and at Cape Dyer, Hall Beach, Cam Most probably, the system is intended bridge Bay and Cape Parry in the Northwest Territories. Ploughshares researcher mainly to provide communications Bill Robinson brings us this background report. during a major superpower crisis, at which time SAC would reinstate Air borne Alert and SAC bombers would he Green Pine radio system ties return to base. As SAC explains it, be airborne near the Green Pine sites Canada directly into the opera "SAC aircraft can be launched under continuously. T tions of the US Strategic Air Com positive control without execution. These Airborne Alert operations, mand (SAC) bomber force. Green These aircraft would go to certain which Canada has agreed to permit Pine transmitters turn Canada's air geographical points and hold until in times of emergency,4 are often space into a potential staging area for executed or recalled."2 described as purely defensive precau global nuclear war and link Canada The locations of SAC's fail-safe tions that would reinforce deterrence to the continuing nuclear warfighting points have never been made public. when tensions were high. The truth, arms race. However, it is possible to conclude however, is not as simple as that. from what is known about SAC's "Executing" the bomber force communications systems that these Bombers and the balance A look at how the bomber force oper points are probably located very close US bombers are commonly repre ates helps to explain the role played to the sites of the Green Pine sys sented as unprovocative, almost by the Green Pine system. It is com tem.3 Thus, for example, the fail-safe benign, nuclear weapon systems monly believed that several armed point for a B-52 from Griffiss Air because they are slow and considered SAC bombers are airborne at all Force Base in New York might be to be unsuitable for a surprise attack. times in order to be ready for the somewhere over Baffin Island, within But once the radar-evading "stealth" outbreak of nuclear war. In fact, SAC radio range of the Cape Dyer Green B-2 bomber and Advanced Cruise has not had bombers on this kind of Pine site. Missile are deployed in the next dec Airborne Alert since 1968. Instead, to The Green Pine system is an ade, the bomber force may be able to ensure that the bomber force can sur important part of SAC's overall com make limited surprise attacks (paving vive a surprise attack, about thirty munications system, but it suffers the way for a first-strike, for example) percent of SAC's B-1B, B-52 and from at least one major weakness, even when Soviet air defences are in FB-111 bombers sit on continuous which is that the Soviet Union knows full working order. Ground Alert, with bombs loaded, where it is located. This means that Furthermore, the bomber force has ready to take to the air within min bombers flying from US bases during important follow-on attack roles utes of an order to launch. a Soviet surprise attack could expect (which might support a first-strike). It If these aircraft ever were to arrive near the Green Pine sites carries a large part of the American launched, they would fly to fail-safe only some 3-4 hours after the sites "counterforce" capability, including points in the North "well outside were vapourized by direct nuclear the most powerful weapons and the enemy territory"1 and await orders strikes. What role, then, is Green Pine most accurate weapons in the US either to attack the Soviet Union or to expected to play in SAC's communi nuclear inventory (9-megaton B-53 bombs and air-launched cruise mis doctrine of "no immediate second sites, and for the elimination of other Canadian support for SAC bomber siles, respectively). Many of these use" of nuclear weapons, would con weapons are aimed at Soviet missile tinue to protect the bomber force operations. silos, weapon storage sites, and com from surprise attack, while reducing Until these support measures are mand bunkers. The bomber counter the offensive threat posed by current eliminated, Canadian skies will con tinue to be a major potential staging force role is declining in some ways bomber operating procedures.7 Can with the deployment of the MX mis ada could encourage such a policy by area for World War Three. sile and development of the Trident II closing down the Green Pine sites in missile, both much faster counterforce Canada and otherwise curtailing Can weapons, but it is growing in other adian support for SAC bomber opera ways. According to the Air Force, the tions. SAC bomber force "is being expanded 1 "Positive Control," SAC Fact Sheet, to the maximum extent possible to August 1981, quoted in William perform the very difficult relocatable Arkin and Richard Fieldhouse, targets (RT) task."5 (Relocatable tar "Nuclear weapon command, control, gets, such as mobile SS-24 and SS-25 communications", S1PR1 Yearbook missiles, are very difficult to attack by 1984, p. 469. missile, so the bomber force plays a 2 Lt. Col. John Alexander, SAC, letter crucial warfighting role in this Airborne Alert operations to Peter Chapman, 29 January, 1985. 3 For a variety of reasons, reliable respect.) are described as purely Finally, because bombers (theoreti radio communications to the bomb cally) can be reloaded for numerous defensive, but ers from the United States are lim attacks and can conduct continuing the truth is not so simple. ited to a range of about 2000-3000 surveillance missions for Soviet tar kilometres. It is very likely, there gets throughout the course of the fore, that the fail-safe points are war, the bomber force plays an within this range, which puts them important part in SAC's contingency somewhere in the vicinity of the plans for a protracted nuclear war Green Pine system. For the system lasting several weeks or months. itself to contribute to these commu These factors demonstrate that nications, the fail-safe points must although the bomber force is not be within the roughly 300 kilometre ideal as a first-strike weapon, it Canada and Green Pine radio range of the individual Green remains a very threatening part of the Canada is deeply involved in the Pine transmitters. For this reason, warfighting arms race with the Soviet Green Pine system and in fail-safe SAC's fail-safe points are most prob Union. For this reason placing the bomber operations. Six of the Green ably located very near to the Green bomber force on Airborne Alert, or Pine transmitter sites are in Canada. Pine radio sites. (In these locations even launching the normal Ground The land-line communications to they might also have access to Alert force, is a provocative act as these and to the other Green Pine NORAD communications systems.) well as a precautionary or demonstra sites run through Canada. Canadian 4 Department of National Defence, tive one. As one US military official Green Pine sites are "manned by Defence in the 70s, August 1971, p. has testified, "airborne alert ... Canadians and maintained through 31. becomes a provocative act since it contracts by Canadians."8 In the case 5 Thomas Cooper, Assistant Secretary could be interpreted by an enemy as of the Goose Bay transmitter, which of the Air Force, and General Ber an intent to pre-empt and thus spark is actually located at the nearby Mel nard Randolph, Deputy Chief of the very attack we are trying to ville radar site, it is the Canadian Staff of the Air Force, "Joint Pre deter."6 Forces that maintain the transmitter.9 pared Statement", Department of Green Pine sites, therefore, may Unarmed SAC aircraft practice Air Defense Appropriations Fiscal Year play a greater role in threatening the borne Alert and "positive control 1987, Part 2, US Senate Appropria Soviet Union, or in positioning the launch" operations in Canadian air tions Committee, 1986, p. 243. SAC bomber force for counterforce space on a regular basis. Arrange 6 Quoted in Bruce Blair, Strategic attacks, than in defending US bomb ments exist to permit SAC tankers10 Command and Control, 1985, p. 252. ers against surprise Soviet attack. The (and possibly some SAC bombers) to 7 Bruce Blair, Strategic Command and provocative aspects of the bomber operate from Canadian airfields dur Control, p. 289-290. force have led Bruce Blair, an Ameri ing crisis or wartime. Actual Airborne 8 Lt Col John Alexander, SAC, letter can strategic analyst and former SAC Alert operations would take place to Peter Chapman, 11 June 1985. officer, to propose that US bombers largely in Canadian airspace. 9 Capt W A Hawkin, "Communica continue to operate on Ground Alert, Canadian government statements tions and Electronics at CFS Goose taking off on warning of possible betray no recognition of the ways in Bay", Communications and Electronics attack, but "not leave the continental which Canadian support for the SAC Newsletter, 1978, p. 84. United States until retaliation [has] bomber force supports a provocative 10 Department of National Defence, been authorized; they would thus US warfighting posture. Project Challenge and Commitment: A operate like strategic reserve bomb Ploughshares has called for the elimi Defence Policy for Canada, June 1987, ers." This policy, part of a general nation of the Green Pine transmitter p. 18. From the Hill Simon Rosenblum

Defence Spending retired head of DND operational top brass across the country, speaking The Financial Post (November 16, research, Dr. George Lindsey, says he to service clubs and local news out 1987) says the "2 per cent real growth is worried that the nuclear sub project lets. Even the companies trying to plus" formula was forced on the may end up on a list of DND blun get the submarine contract realize the Department of National Defence ders. Dr. Lindsey's concern stems nuclear subs are in some jeopardy. (DND) by Cabinet. Defence Minister from the cost of the project and the Mitch Ewan of CSE Submarine Beatty originally presented Cabinet fact that there will be a couple more Group says it "would not be a prob with his department's "reasonable federal elections before the boats are lem" to switch from plans to build and responsible" position - average in the water. nuclear submarines to conventional annual increase of 5 - 5.5 per cent, Defence Minister Beatty told the subs after the next federal election if which DND considered necessary to Standing Committee on National the need arises. He said CSE could do all the tasks contained in the Defence in November that "we are go with a conventional design, "it's White Paper. Cabinet rejected that toying with increasing the fleet of the nuclear aspect that makes the formula and Beatty presented DND's nuclear-powered submarines to more project difficult". fallback budget - 3 per cent real than 12". Rear Admiral John Ander growth for the first 3 years and 4.5 son has been appointed Chief, Sub INF Agreement per cent for each of the remaining 12 marine Acquisition. He will direct Prime Minister Mulroney sent Presi years. Cabinet also rejected that, and DND was left with a "2 per cent plus" formula. The Business Council on National Issues fears that the 2 per cent real growth will become a ceiling instead of a floor for defence increases. DND then tried to get Cabinet to fund the Ship Replace ment Program (Phase 2) entirely out side the 2 per cent formula. This pro posal was sixty percent successful. DND's newly approved budget for mula will give it 3 percent real growth annually for the next 5 years and 5 percent real growth later in the 1990s. Under the terms of the new formula, worked out by Finance Min ister Michael Wilson and Defence Minister Perrin Beatty, about 60 per cent of the $3.5 billion Ship Replace ment Programme (Phase 2) will be funded above the 2 percent budget formula. That extra $2 billion will be spread over 10 years and the annual allocations will range from $100 mil lion to $300 million. the team of naval experts whose task dent Reagan a congratulatory message Nuclear Submarines it is to recommend which design to on obtaining an INF agreement. The While the Conservatives clearly fav buy. Five Canadian companies have Prime Minister said: "We in the West our the idea of Canada deploying up lined up at the starting gate for the must learn an important lesson from to 12 nuclear-powered submarines by competition to build the nuclear-pow this — that unity, strength and per 2014, the cabinet has not yet commit ered subs. It is said that the federal severance are recipes for success, not ted itself to buying any. There are government will narrow the field failure." This ''hang tough" interpre persistent rumors that some cabinet down to two finalists by mid-1989 tation of INF negotiations basically members don't share Perrin Beatty's and will select the winner in late ignores the historic importance of enthusiasm for the nuclear subma 1990, more than a year after the cur Gorbachev's orientation towards the rines. The opposition is supposedly rent government's mandate expires. demilitarization of Europe. Unfortu led by External Affairs Minister Joe Meanwhile DND, at Beatty's nately, there is no evidence of the Clark. Also, Finance Minister behest, has begun an aggressive pro Prime Minister sending any messages Michael Wilson, is said to want to motional blitz by the military to ped to President Reagan or the NATO hold defence budget increases to 2 dle the nuclear subs. The campaign allies indicating Canadian disapproval per cent in real terms. The recently will send some of the Armed Forces' of the proposition that the withdrawal of ground-launched Cruise and Persh known about Mr. Ouellet's views on expected that the NDP caucus docu ing missiles should be "compensated" international matters, and he has not ment will come up for some criticism for by introducing sea-launched served on the House of Commons in regards to what critics call its "For Cruise missiles into Europe. External Affairs Committee. tress Canada" approach to Canadian Another misreading of the INF During the weekend of February defence and NDP NATO policy will agreement was made by Joe Clark 5-7, the Liberal Party of Canada held undoubtedly be discussed. who said the agreement "may well, a policy conference on Sovereignty by changing the nature of weaponry and Foreign Policy In the 1990s. Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and arms, cause countries like Can Peace and Security was one of the 6 On December 14 of last year the ada... to consider whether we have to main topics discussed. Individuals House of Commons voted on NDP bear even higher costs for conven from outside the Liberal Party were MP Neil Young's private member's tional forces and conventional arms". invited to participate and I had the bill. Young's initiative called on the pleasure of representing Project government to "consider the advis SALT II Ploughshares. Unfortunately, the ability of declaring a nuclear arms On a more positive note, Prime Min Monitor went to print beforehand, free zone by prohibiting the deploy ister Mulroney is said to have written thus preventing a conference report in ment, testing, construction and trans privately to President Reagan on four this issue. portation of nuclear weapons and separate occasions between May and associated equipment through and November 1986 expressing Canada's New Democratic Party within Canada, the export of goods belief that the U.S. should continue to In October 1987, the NDP's Federal and materials for use in the construc comply with the terms of the SALT II Council mandated the party's Interna tion and deployment of nuclear arms treaty. tional Affairs Committee (IAC) to and further, the government should examine the NDP caucus response to encourage cities, provinces and states Liberal Party the Defence White Paper. The IAC throughout the world to take similar Liberal leader John Turner has solicited views from both within and action". Although the motion was appointed a new External Affairs outside the NDP and met at the end defeated 93 to 34, there was signifiant critic, Andre Ouellet. Not much is of January to begin its review. It is Liberal support for the bill.

At the Table October-December 1987 Compiled by Carolyn Musselman-Wigboldus

October 1 October 13 October 22-23 The US Air Force announces that the Costa Rican President Arias receives Gorbachev states that the USSR will Advanced Cruise Missile will be the Nobel Peace Prize for his Central unilaterally halt work on the Kras deployed during FY88, and that train American Peace Plan. noyarsk radar facility for one year, ing of the B-52H crews has already and would expect the US to take a begun. Up to six tests over Canada similar step with the US radar in are planned between January 1 and October 14-15 Scotland. The USSR also offers on March 31, 1988, but the present During a debate on the effects of site inspection of two radars that the ALCM (air-launched cruise missile) atomic radiation in the UN Special US considers a possible violation of will be tested, not the ACM. Cana Political Committee, a Samoan repre the ABM Treaty. dian Defence Minister Beatty says no sentative asks France why it does not link exists between the INF agree conduct nuclear tests in France. The October 26 ment and ALCM testing in Canada. French representative states that the Belgium agrees to the dismantling of soil in metropolitan France is "not its GLCMs (ground-launched cruise appropriate for nuclear tests." missiles) by mid-1989 if the INF agreement is signed. However, Secre October 2-3 tary of State Shultz continues to insist The final draft of a treaty creating a that deployment continue until the Central American Parliament is October 16 deal is ratified. approved by Central American Vice- French Defense Minister Giraud states Presidents and Foreign Ministers. that tactical nuclear weapons will be October 27 The Parliament will be an annual upgraded in order to compensate for A captive-carry test of the air- forum to discuss and resolve regional the withdrawal of American INF mis launched cruise missile is conducted problems. siles. in Canada. This is the first test occurring outside of the regular test ing period of January to March.

O ctober 28 The Foreign Ministers of the Central American countries reaffirm Novem ber 5 as the date to implement the peace plan. These provisions include amnesty, cease-fire, democratization, an end to military aid to rebels, and Jam as concerned denial of use of territory for any about ujortcf peace country to attack another. as any peace marcher.

November 3 Former Soviet chief negotiator, Viktor Karpov states that the US and USSR have "an understanding" which .^youjeve.r, tne_ay;inQ5> would permit a START (strategic in d u stry is a profitable arms limitation treaty) in the next investment. r year.

November 5 Central American countries comply with peace plan provisions: Nicara gua agrees to negotiate with the con- Nevertheless, idorit tras through an intermediary regard want war. On the other ing cease-fire arrangements, and h a n d le don't, want announces the release of 981 prison total peace,either. ers; El Salvador announces a unilat eral offensive cease-fire and an amnesty for right-wing death squad members and left-wing rebels; Guate mala announces amnesty for political business ana asJmuch prisoners. At the same time, the US peace ta\R as prevent- House approves $3.2 million in short war.Thenlhe w o rld will term non-lethal aid to the contras, to be safe- •-tor business. be distributed by the CIA.

November 7 The International Verification Com mission states that the Central Ameri can peace plan is working, and accepts Nicaragua's demand that amnesty be linked to an end to contra aid.

November 9 US plans are revealed to test a chemi November 10 November 19-20 cal laser which in the opinion of Shultz tells the Organization of Soviet military experts visit the some experts would violate the ABM American States that additional fund American chemical weapons depot in Treaty. Labelled Zenith Star, the test ing for the contras would not be Utah, which houses 42% of the US is described as the "best bet for test sought unless the Central American supply. ing of an exotic SDI weapon." In a peace process collapses before Janu secret meeting, Reagan reportedly ary. November 23 noted that since the test would vio British Prime Minister Margaret late the narrow interpretation of the Thatcher states that after an INF ABM treaty, it should be done in treaty is signed, NATO's nuclear doc secret. While others urged that the November 15 trine will remain flexible response, test be done openly and the Soviets The US accepts the Soviet invitation and therefore nuclear weapons must informed of the intent to violate the to inspect two radar stations. The be updated and developed in order to treaty, Reagan said that Congress was Joint Chiefs of Staff express concern have the doctrine credible. British "at his throat" because of Irangate that this inspection can establish a Labour Defence spokesperson Davies and it would be too dangerous to precedent whereby Soviets could comments that Thatcher will thus abrogate the ABM treaty at this point. inspect American radars as well. attempt to circumvent the treaty. December 7-10 December 13 President Reagan and General Secre Discussion regarding a chemical Shultz states that the Administration tary Gorbachev meet in Washington. weapons treaty has slowed down, will seek Congressional funding for The treaty on intermediate-range according to Gorbachev, due to the Star Wars tests on a case-by-case nuclear forces is signed. Other topics American decision to manufacture basis, and no longer insists that Con discussed include reduction of con binary weapons. He also states that gress accept the broad interpretation ventional and strategic weapons, Reagan only wants to ban production of the ABM treaty. interpretation of the ABM treaty, at state-owned factories, which would human rights, Afghanistan, and the result in elimination of all Soviet fac December 18 Iran-Iraq war. tories, and almost no American ones. French President Mitterand states that Gorbachev also agrees to end all France will keep its nuclear weapons military aid to Nicaragua, contingent even if the US and USSR scrap all of on cessation of US aid to the contras. theirs.

Peace Shelf

Gandhi Today: A Report on Each fable is short and eminently 1981, and has continued while Mahatma Gandhi's Successors is the readable — simple enough for use by defense outlays increased from $134 result of author Mark Shepard's teenagers as well as by adults. (US) billion to $273.4 billion in FY search for evidence of the survival of Groups in Calgary have used Nuclear 1986. Gandhian tradition in India today. Pie as a successful fundraiser. Now a study by the Defense His investigation took him through Available from: Budget Project, an independent, non India, where he found that individu Brenda Weaver profit research organization, chal als, groups and whole movements are 2316 Cherokee Dr. N.W. lenges assumptions made by both actively involved in work based on Calgary, AB, T2L 0X7 sides of the debate, and states that Gandhian principles of active non-vi- both the Defense Department and its olence. Shepard finds an individual critics have overstated the effects of acclaimed as a saint who collected military spending. They contend that over 4 million acres of land given as "By and large, major changes in the gifts for the poor; a People's Court US economy appear to be far more that tries cases of murder and govern strongly influenced by broader events ment corruption; a nationwide move and economic developments—na ment of villages which hold all land tional and international—than by var in common and make decisions by iations in the level of defense spend unanimous consent, and many other ing." It is stated that there is "at the examples. He then broadens the most, mixed evidence with respect to scope, and considers groups in other the impact of defense spending on countries of the world working to civilian research and development." uphold the ideals of Gandhi. "The central economic issue is less The book is available from whether defense dollars are harmful Simple Productions, or beneficial to the economy than it is 12 East 15th St., #3, the kind of an economy that one Areata, CA 95521 wants, employing whom, producing what." Nuclear Pie: 14 Fables for Our Time by Calgary writer Barbara Weaver is a America, God and the Bomb: The collection of short fiction pieces each Legacy of Ronald Reagan of which illustrates an important Fred Knelman's update of the earlier aspect of the war problem. The Reagan, God and the Bomb examines author, a junior high teacher and how the military and foreign policies peace activist, has planned each story of the Reagan Administration have to look at a single "bite sized" topic. Defense Spending and the Econ developed under the influence of the Though she started with nuclear dis omy: Does the Defense Dollar Make New Right, the born-again Religious armament as her central theme, Ms. a Difference? Right, and the military establishment. Weaver soon began to see that "inter For years, a debate has raged about The power of each in affecting policy national development and disarma the effect military spending has on a has resulted in "an administration ment are truly interdependent" and country's economy. This debate has driven by ideology and theology, added stories on wider north/south been particularly intense in the US inclined toward Armageddonist themes as well. since President Reagan took office in prophesies, viscerally anti-Soviet, and bent on fighting, winning and surviv (Continued from page 3.) use of a small nuclear power reactor ing a nuclear war, if necessary." designed by Energy Conversion Sys Knelman discusses weapon strat Christian East Beirut and Moslem tems Inc (ECS) of Ottawa. The reac egies and the consequences of nuclear West Beirut as they passed through. tor or "plug" can be added or retrofit war, using recently declassified US The civil war has killed more than ted to conventional submarines to government documents. He describes 130.000 people and disabled at least increase underwater endurance by the nuclear warfighting "secret 30.000 since its outbreak in 1975, and providing additional propulsion and agenda" of the White House, and sees the March is to draw attention to the electrical power, including that difficulty in changing present trends. effects of the war, and encourage needed to sustain an internal atmos Not only is the nuclear arms infra Lebanese people to demand an end to phere. However, in a telephone inter structure firmly in place, and the the violence. view with Project Ploughshares in Right continuing its active opposition For more information about Disabled October, the engineering vice-presi to arms control and reduction, but Peoples' International, contact the dent of ECS, Mr. Davidson, denied four of the six Republican candidates Development Office at 504-352 Don that ECS was involved in the Paki are on record as opposed to the INF ald St., Winnipeg, MB R3B 2H8. stan deal. At that time he said that treaty and detente in general. "to the best of [his] knowledge there Order from: Canadian subs for Pakistan? was no connection" and that, when New Star Books, The Department of External Affairs ECS staff had discussed potential cus 2504 York Ave., sees "no legal impediment" to a Can tomers for their system, Pakistan was Vancouver, BC adian firm selling submarines to the not one of them. V6K 1E3 Pakistan Navy, according to the Janu Nevertheless, the External Affairs' ary 30 edition of Jane's Defence go-ahead means that SSI can now Weekly. As reported in the last issue proceed with contract negotiations Story telling, lectures and slide of the Monitor, Submarine Services with Pakistan. Any resulting contract presentations are the specialty of Inc (SSI) of Halifax applied to the would then be submitted to the Cabi Josie Wallenius, a Ploughshares department to export hybrid nuclear/ net of the Canadian government for local member from Northwestern conventional submarines to Pakistan. final approval. Since Pakistan is also Ontario. Josie's topics are as varied The proposed sale is worth $1.8 bil negotiating for submarines with sev as the peace movement itself: lion. eral other countries, there would be Greenham Common, Nicaragua, Canadian military export guide pressure on the Cabinet for quick visits to Libya and the USSR. Most lines do not provide a blanket prohib approval. prominantly she talks about the ition of military sales to countries like tactics used to repress political Pakistan which have bad human The Amazing (Sargeant?) debate in North America. As she rights records. Instead, the govern Kreskin says, "War needs two things, ment has expressed its willingness to The US National Academy of Sci weapons and an enemy. The peace allow such exports if "there is no rea ences has recently completed a study movement has spent itself on pro sonable risk that the goods would be of US Army proposals for mind testing the weapons, because if used against the civilian population." weapons using extrasensory percep you protest the concept of the At the same time the guidelines do tion (ESP) and other powers. enemy, you are called an prohibit military sales to countries in According to an NBC news report, enemy...." conflict. Yet it is clear that the subma "an unnamed Army officer told the Josie's presentations are always rine purchase would heighten ten Academy he wanted a battalion of informative, stimulating and pas sions between India and Pakistan, what he called warrior monks whose sionate. two countries that have been in regu powers would not only include ESP, Contact her at: lar conflict since their independence but levitation and walking through RR#7, Thunder Bay, ON almost 40 years ago. walls." P7C 5V5 The Jane's report also notes that The Academy reported that there (807) 964-2025 the SSI hybrid submarine will make is no evidence that ESP really exists.

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Project Ploughshares Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies Conrad Grebel College WATERLOO, ON, N2L 3G6 Phone: (519) 888-6541

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