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Re: [SANET-MG] Canadian government sends scientist packing



Hi Michael,
Your interpretation that an outstanding Ethiopian scientist is a troublemaker does not agree with the article below that you referred to. However, there is an important point and that is that the Canadian government presently has an unhealthy addiction to manipulating international meetings to promote the spread of GM crops worldwide.Canada has not only dishonored the Montreal Meeting but is has cast a fatal shadow on the Montreal Biodiversity Centre. The only remedy is to move the Centre to a safe haven in a truly free country, otherwise the Biodiversity Centre will remain, in the public eye, just another cheep public relations centre for corporations.
Sincerely, Joe Cummins


Canada Denies Visa for Africa's Top Biosafety Negotiator - Montreal's status as UN's biodiversity headquarters is jeopardized
    OTTAWA, May 19 /CNW Telbec/ - In a breathtaking display of political
interference, the Canadian government has blocked entry of Africa's chief
negotiator for the Cartagena (biosafety) Protocol who was scheduled to attend
meetings beginning next week in Montreal. The Protocol is the United Nations
treaty that governs the international movement of genetically modified (GM)
organisms.
    Dr. Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher, the Ethiopian government's chief
scientist and its representative to the Montreal-based UN Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD) had his passport returned without the requested
Canadian visa yesterday, and without explanation.
The renowned scientist submitted his passport to the Canadian embassy on
May 5 and had planned to fly to Oslo, Norway for inter-regional negotiations
prior to attending the Montreal meetings that begin Wednesday, May 25. Because
his passport was returned May 17, Dr. Tewolde was forced to miss the Oslo
meeting.

    Labeled dangerous?

    Officials at Foreign Affairs and Citizenship and Immigration have been
unable to offer an explanation for rejecting the negotiator's visa.
Dr. Tewolde has been in Canada often over the past decade, participating in
intergovernmental negotiations on biodiversity and biosafety. Since the Rio
Earth Summit of 1992, Dr. Tewolde has been one of the most well known leaders
among African diplomats addressing environmental issues. However, his
positions have not been popular with the Canadian government.
During the negotiations on a UN treaty on crop genetic resources adopted in Rome last year, Dr. Tewolde spoke on behalf of all developing countries in
demanding the right of farmers to save and exchange seeds and in opposing
"life patenting" (intellectual property over biological products and
processes). In the negotiations that led up to the Cartagena Protocol, the
Ethiopian clashed with his Canadian counterparts, demanding higher standards
to prevent GM contamination. At UN meetings in Montreal and around the world, Dr. Tewolde has spoken passionately against Terminator technology (genetically
modified seed rendered sterile at harvest time, forcing farmers to buy new
seeds each growing season). In February, the Canadian government was prepared to dismantle a de facto moratorium on Terminator at a UN biodiversity meeting
in Bangkok. Canada was deeply embarrassed (and highly criticized) when its
position became known.
    The Ethiopian scientist had made it known that he would be coming to
Montreal next week to press for the labeling of genetically modified seeds and
food products, and for companies and governments to accept liability when
their seeds lead to GM contamination. Canada has thus far failed to ratify the
UN biosafety protocol and is known to be opposed to both GM compulsory
labeling and liability.
    "I had planned to participate in these negotiations and continue with
trying to help finalize the unfinished business of protecting biodiversity and
human beings," wrote Dr. Tewolde in a letter sent today to colleagues around
the world.
    Montreal's UN future in doubt: In 1995, the Canadian, Québec, and
Montreal governments persuaded the United Nations to locate the Secretariat
for the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Montreal.
    One of the critical requirements for hosting a major UN agency is easy
access for foreign diplomats to attend intergovernmental discussions.
    "In barring Dr. Tewolde from participating in the Montreal meetings,
Canada is jeopardizing Montreal's future as a United Nations city," said Eric Darier, a campaigner with Greenpeace in Montreal, "If Ottawa is doing this for
its own political purposes, it is making a grave mistake and tarnishing
Canada's reputation in the process."
"Dr. Tewolde is one of the most respected scientists in his field," said
Pat Mooney, Executive Director of ETC Group in Ottawa, "If the Canadian
government can't make sure Dr. Tewolde has his visa for the opening of the
meetings, Canada does not deserve to host the Convention on Biological
Diversity." ETC Group is a Canadian-based international civil society
organization with observer status in the United Nations. Mooney talked with
Dr. Tewolde by telephone today.
Dr. Tewolde himself is concerned that Canada's actions signal a pattern, "Now that I have been prevented from coming to Montreal, who knows which ones
of you will be prevented next time?" he wrote.
    Dr. Tewolde is the recipient of a number of awards and honors for his
work in defending biodiversity and the environment. In particular, he received
the Right Livelihood Award (also known as the Alternative Nobel Prize).



For further information: Pat Mooney, ETC Group - Ottawa, Canada,
(613) 241-2267, mobile: (613) 261-0688, etc@etcgroup.org ; Ban Terminator
Campaign - Lucy Sharratt, Ottawa, Canada, (613) 241-2267; Greenpeace Canada -
Eric Darier, Montreal, Canada, (514) 933-0021 x 15 or mobile: (514)


Michael Elvin wrote:
The Canadian government deals with a troublemaker going to the Cartagena Protocol by denying him a visa. Read why.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2005/19/c1507.html

 

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