Canadian Political Parties on DPRK-Canada Relations

Communist Party: Yes, we strongly favour developing full diplomatic relations between our two countries, including opening up respective embassies in Pyongyang and Ottawa. We strongly welcomed the long-overdue establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2001. Unfortunately, no sooner had such a positive development occurred than the Canadian government began to downplay this achievement, presumably under pressure from Washington over the so-called 'nuclear issue'.

Marxist-Leninist Party: The Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada (MLPC) fully supports the opening of a Canadian embassy in Pyongyang, as well as opening a DPRK embassy in Ottawa as soon as possible. This will greatly assist in strengthening and normalizing bi-lateral relations and co-operation between the two governments and peoples in all spheres.

It is worth noting that diplomatic relations between Canada and Afghanistan were re-established in January 21, 2002, following the end of the U.S. war against Afghanistan, assisted by Canada, Britain and other countries. By August 6, 2003, then Minister for External Affairs Bill Graham announced the opening of a new Canadian embassy in Kabul. Why did the Canadian government not waste any time in establishing an embassy in Kabul, but is dragging its feet regarding an embassy in Pyongyang? In the opinion of the MLPC, the reason is that Canadian foreign policy is more and more closely tied to U.S. foreign policy and is based on self-serving considerations. In Afghanistan, Canada has troops who are defending U.S. interests. By doing this, Canada stands to gain potentially lucrative trade contracts for Canadian companies and other benefits. On the Korean peninsula, Canada is assisting the U.S. in isolating the DPRK, by spreading the disinformation that the DPRK is a nuclear "rogue" state, so that a pretext can be given to justify another U.S.-led war of aggression on the Korean peninsula.

Communist Party: We favour the provision of humanitarian aid to the DPRK and all other countries seriously afflicted by natural disasters, serious accidents, etc. While this aid may be bilateral or multilateral in form, we believe that it should abide by the following principles: (1) it should be disinterested in character; (2) it should be non-conditional, without any attempt to extract concessions from the recipient state; and (3) it must not be used in any manner to otherwise interfere in the internal affairs of the recipient state.

Marxist-Leninist Party: The MLPC's view is that Canada has a duty to provide as much aid as soon as possible to the DPRK or any other country in the event of humanitarian crises. The aim should be to minimize human suffering and normalize life as soon as possible. All aid could be channelled through UN agencies instead of having conditions imposed that are intended to make countries in dire need submit to demands of donor countries. It is the view of the MLPC that humanitarian aid must not be used for self-serving political ends.

Communist Party: We believe that Canada's foreign trade relations are heavily distorted insofar as well over 80% of trade occurs between Canada and the U.S. While it is natural that neighbours should develop extensive trading relations, we believe that such a heavy reliance on this single economic force seriously undermines Canada's economic and political sovereignty. We therefore favour measures to diversify Canada's foreign trade as much as possible, especially with developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. This can be accomplished by withdrawing from the existing NAFTA trading bloc and from negotiations for the proposed FTAA, by supporting the worldwide effort to forgive the external debt of developing countries, and with respect to the DPRK, by promoting all-rounded economic, social, cultural and political exchanges between the peoples and governments of our two countries.

Marxist-Leninist Party: The MLCP is in favour of increasing the level of trade between the DPRK and Canada. The main reason that the current level of trade is small is because of the interference of the U.S. in the internal affairs of Canada. The U.S. exerts pressure on the Canadian government not to normalize relations with the DPRK, and to conform to the economic and trade embargo it has imposed on the DPRK for over 50 years. Canadians would be surprised at the mutual benefit increased trade would foster.

Communist Party: The temporary armistice/ceasefire is no substitute for durable peace. We believe that the main reason that a permanent peace treaty has yet to be signed on the Korean peninsula is because certain powers wish to maintain tensions between North and South Korea, prevent any lasting reconciliation, and head off public support for reunification. The CPC fully supports a permanent peace treaty, combined with an official undertaking of mutual non-aggression by all parties, including the U.S.

Marxist-Leninist Party: The MLPC fully supports the diplomatic initiative of the government of the DPRK to sign a permanent peace treaty with the U.S. It would immediately diffuse the tense situation that exists now on the Korean peninsula created by the presence of some 37,000 U.S. troops, an estimated 1,000 missiles with nuclear warheads that are scattered over South Korea, as well as combat-ready warplanes, ships and submarines (all violations of the Armistice agreement). That the government of the DPRK has advanced this proposal shows that it stands for peace and lays to rest the disinformation that it is the DPRK that is the main threat to peace on the Korean peninsula. The fact that the U.S. has refused to sign such a permanent peace treaty without any pre-conditions is clear proof that the aim of the U.S. in Korea is not peace but war and occupation such as it has instigated in Afghanistan and Iraq. The MLPC considers the proposal of the DPRK for a permanent peace treaty to be signed between itself and the U.S. as just and reasonable. It calls on the Canadian government which itself was an aggressor in the U.S. war against Korea from 1950-53, under the UN flag, to take a principled stand on the issue. The demand for a peace treaty and non-aggression pact not only deserves the support of the Canadian and world's peoples, but also is crucial to safeguarding peace on the Korean peninsula.

Communist Party: We believe that the U.S. troop presence in South Korea is dangerous and highly destabilizing, and we demand their immediate removal.

Marxist-Leninist Party: The continued presence of American troops in South Korea is a serious threat to the well-being of the Korean people, as well as the people of China, Japan, the Philippines and the whole world. These are troops of U.S. imperialism, a predatory force which aims to take over the whole world with utter disregard for international laws or civilized norms of conduct between nations and peoples. The MLPC calls for the scrapping of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) through which the U.S. military carries out crimes and indignities against the Korean people. Finally, the presence of U.S. troops in South Korea is a constant threat to the movement of the Korean people to re-unify their nation on an independent and peaceful basis. The MLPC's position is that all U.S. troops must leave South Korea immediately.

Communist Party: At the time of the war itself, our Party opposed the UN-sponsored 'police action', condemning it as a war of aggression against the Korean people as a whole. We also therefore opposed the participation of Canadian troops in that aggression. We believe that Canada can make up for its dirty historical role in the Korean conflict by pursuing the policies and actions we have set out above. Canada should also renounce its decision to have participated in that aggression, apologize to the Korean people, and make reparations, where appropriate.

Marxist-Leninist Party: The Korean War was an unjust war of aggression against the Korean people and Canada was wrong to involve itself in that war. In the current situation, Canada can play a positive role in a few ways.
First of all, Canada can support the initiative of the government of the DPRK for a permanent peace treaty to be signed between itself and the U.S. to end the Armistice Agreement of 1953, as well as any initiative such as the six-nations talks between China, the DPRK, Russia, South Korea, Japan and the U.S. to try and diffuse tensions on the Korean peninsula peacefully.
Secondly, Canada should fully support the Korean people's movement for the independent and peaceful re-unification of their country, thereby affirming the principle that all nations and peoples have the right to determine their own affairs themselves without outside interference of any kind.
Thirdly, Canada must demand the immediate withdrawal of all U.S. occupation troops in South Korea that threaten peace on the Korean peninsula, East Asia and the whole world.
Fourthly, Canada must also demand the ending of the economic and trade embargo against the DPRK that has caused untold suffering to the people of the DPRK and hardships upon the whole Korean nation.
Fifthly, Canada should assist the Korean people by establishing an embassy in Pyongyang and expediting the establishment of a DPRK embassy in Ottawa, thereby normalizing relations between the two countries.
Finally, Canada should oppose the U.S.-led disinformation campaign against the DPRK, which manipulates the nuclear issue to create the pretext for a U.S. invasion under the hoax that the DPRK is a "rogue" state and part of an "axis of evil." These lies of mass deception about weapons of mass destruction have been proven to be pretexts to break the peace and condone crimes against humanity as the whole world has witnessed in the case of Iraq. The Korean people suffered untold crimes during the Korean War, including biological and chemical warfare against civilians. This wound upon humanity must not be repeated. Canada must oppose these pretexts and the U.S. policy of so-called pre-emptive strike.

These measures will be a positive contribution to the people of Korea and to the world.

June 15, 2004

Korean Friendship Association

Enclosed, please find the Liberal Party response to your questionnaire.

In addition to the response to your questionnaire, you might also wish to consult the Liberal Party of Canada web site at www.liberal.ca to review our platform, Moving Canada Forward. This document provides details on Liberal goals and priorities – objectives which reflect the values and needs of Canadians at the beginning of a promising new century.

On behalf of our leader, the Right Honourable Paul Martin, thank you for writing to identify the major concerns of your membership. Your interest in the policies of the Liberal Party as they relate to these issues is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Mike Eizenga

President

Liberal Party of Canada

Korean Friendship Association of Canada

Thank you for your letter and questionnaire on behalf of the Korean Friendship Association of Canada.

2003 marked the 40^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and the Republic of Korea and the 50^th anniversary of the Armistice Agreement ending hostilities on the Korean Peninsula. These events were commemorated in both Canada and Korea.

Canada and the Republic of Korea are close allies and friends, cooperating through multilateral institutions such as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, the G-20, and the World Trade Organization.

We continue to have healthy trade relations with Korea - Canada’s 8^th largest trading partner globally and our 3^rd largest trading partner in Asia.

In other areas such as education and tourism, the future appears quite promising. South Korea is now the largest single source of students coming to Canada from the Asia-Pacific region. In the tourism sector, South Korea has become Canada's third-largest source of tourists from the Asia-Pacific region, after Japan and Hong Kong.

As I am sure you are aware, Canada officially recognized the government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in 2000. In 2001 the governments of Canada and the DPRK established diplomatic relations. Canada continues to provide all consular services to the DPRK through our embassy in China.

The Canadian Ambassador recently met with the DPRK foreign Minister in Pyongyang to relay this message. We continue to encourage the DPRK to resume membership in the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Canada continues to support the six party talks as a primary means to a negotiated solution of the nuclear proliferation crisis on the Korean peninsula.

Canada has maintained regular relations and continual dialogue with DPRK. Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, appointed Canada’s Maurice Strong as Special Envoy to North Korea.

Despite often-strained bilateral relations, Canada is committed to providing humanitarian assistance to the DPRK. Since 1997, Canada has contributed $70 million in food aid to the DPRK.

In 2003-2004 we provided over $19 million in humanitarian aid. Recently, in response to the United Nations World Food Program 2004 Appeal, the Canadian International Development Agency provided the DPRK with $2 million in food aid to date.

We support a peaceful, multilateral resolution and continue to encourage the DPRK to remain engaged in the six party process.