05) THE FIRST CASUALTY OF WAR

 

People's Voice Editorial

 

    There is an old saying that "the first casualty when war comes is truth." This generalization reflects the tendency by imperialist powers to turn reality upside down to win public support for their crimes. Canadians remember that the tragic US-led occupation of Iraq, which has ultimately cost the lives of over half of million people, was "justified" by an outrageous campaign of lies orchestrated by the Bush White House. The U.S. shot down Iran Air Flight 655 in 1988, killing 300 civilian passengers, and Ukraine's military shot down a Siberia Airlines flight over the Black Sea in 2001. It now appears that a Ukrainian fighter jet was near Malaysian Air flight MH17 before it crashed on July 17.

 

    There are many unanswered questions and widespread public cynicism around accusations by the NATO powers that Russia or eastern Ukrainian defence fighters caused that crash, based on "taped phone conversations" and speculation about the location of missile systems. Canada's Conservative politicians were quick to urge NATO action against Russia, which could further destabilize the entire region and potentially spark a wider war. Coming from Stephen Harper and John Baird (supporters of Israel's killings of Palestinian children) this irresponsible rhetoric is highly dangerous.

 

    Instead of wild finger-pointing and threats, there is an urgent need for a calm and rational approach. Only an impartial international investigation can determine the truth behind the crash of flight MH17. That message should be sent to all the parties in Canada's Parliament, who shamefully continue to give full support for the fascist-backed regime in Kiev which is shelling and bombing civilians in southeast Ukraine.

(The above article is from the August 1-31, 2014, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading socialist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $45 US per year; other overseas readers - $45 US or $50 CDN per year. Send to People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3J1.)