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The Times Advocate, 2006-12-13, Page 22 Times -Advocate Wednesday, December 13, 2006 Canada must make a decision, filmmaker says Continued from front page gerous the area was when a convoy he was travelling in with Canadian forces was hit by a roadside bomb in April resulting in the deaths of four soldiers: Cpl. Matthew Dinning, Bombardier Myles Mansell, Lieut. William Turner and Cpl. Randy Payne. Fotoussi, who was embedded with the unit at Kandahar, said he had gotten especially close to Dinning and had filmed he and Payne having their last meal the night before the attack. The idea of Canada as a peacekeeping nation "with blue helmets on 18 year olds is a myth," according to Fitoussi who said Canada is involved in peace enforce- ment and nation building...sometimes it means killing people." Fitoussi blames politicians and the media for hiding behind the myth that Canada is a nation of peacekeep- ers, saying that making the film was a revelation. "We're peace enforcers," he says. Making his film, which is titled "Ghosts of War Waging Peace in Afghanistan," was a revelation, said Fitoussi, who is home to work on its production. He is hoping it will be shown in the spring on a chan- nel such as Bravo, Showcase or the CBC. Fitoussi said the situation in Afghanistan is going to get worse and Canadians have to decide what type of country we want Canada to be and whether to make a long term commitment to Afghanistan "or abandon the Afghan people." After decades of war with the Soviet invasion and Taliban control in the '90s the country has also suf- fered from a seven year drought. But one of the worst reminders of the past wars are millions of mines scattered around the country. Fitoussi said there is one mine for every person in the country and children are usually the main victims. According to Fitoussi a factory in Kabul is turning out 500 prosthetic arms and legs a month for landmine victims but can't keep up with the demand. "Landmines have been a crusade of mine for seven years," said Fitoussi who has used his photography to Back from Afghanistan — South Huron District High School principal Jeff Reaburn (middle) welcomed filmmakers Richard Fitoussi (left) and Brent Radford to the school Dec. 7 for an assembly on Canada's mis- sion to Afghanistan, which the two are making a film about. (photo/Pat Bolen) raise awareness of the landmine issue with an exhibit of photography at the Telluride Mountain Film Festival as well as at the United Nations and National Geographic buildings. Cambodia is still trying to recover from the genocidal regime of the Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot in the '70s, which has left the country as a failed state with Cambodians turning to crime out of necessity, he says. Fitoussi said there are massive human rights viola- tions in the country. Fitoussi was able to bribe his way into a prison to take pictures of the inhumane condi- tions prisoners are subjected to. Fitoussi was also on the scene of the southeast Asia tsunami in 2004, capturing images of the devastation. "It's easy to take pictures of dead bodies, but it's a cheap way to tell a story," he says, and prefers to use other images to tell the story. Despite the devastation in Afghanistan, Fitoussi says progress is being made despite the attacks of the Taliban, who are killing teachers and burning schools to prevent the education of women. But he says the Afghans appreciate what Canada is doing, and have told him they thank Canada for send- ing people there. Although he describes himself as anti -war, Fitoussi said the war in Afghanistan is legal by international conventions and there is no conspiracy to take over the country by oil interests. "We have a great reputation which was earned by our grandfathers," says Fitoussi. "It's time we hold the torch." But he added it will be expensive and take a lot of blood. "We have to have patience to ride this out," he says. Stephane Dion was Steckle's first choice Continued from front page have a country we wouldn't know in a year and a half." "The things he is doing to the wheat board and the things he's cancelled, this is just unbelievable. Steckle added the Conservative govern- ment has taken credit for putting $13 bil- lion against the debt. "In fact, that $13 billion was raised by a previous government of which I was a part of. This was not money they put in the cof- fers. It was money there and the money had to be placed into the debt account because that's where it had to go. It's man- dated to go there by law...I can assure you one thing, there won't be $13 billion in sur- plus in next year's budget. In fact, if the economy goes into a bit of a slump, we would be lucky to get out of it without going into deficit." According to Steckle, an early election is unlikely with neither the Liberals nor Conservatives wanting one. Although polls have shown the Liberals support increasing after selecting Dion as leader, Steckle said he has urged members of the party to be cautious about seeking an election. "We have to earn the right to govern, and I think we lost the right to govern because of things that happened. "But we have to prepare governance and come with REGIONAL WRAP UP NFUWomen's president to speak ourselves for a clean sheet and a good agenda." T w o PERTH -OXFORD — The National Farmers Union (NFU) Women's President, Colleen Ross is the highlighted speaker Dec. 14 at the meeting of the Perth -Oxford farmers group. On behalf of the NFU, Ross has shared the experiences and concerns of Canada's farmers at many international gatherings, including the World Trade Organization meetings in Hong Kong last December. Local executive member Bruce Hunter says, "I would encourage anyone involved in the production of food to attend and hear Colleen's perspective on the common bond that exists among farmers world wide." Ross will discuss the NFU participation at the WTO meetings in Hong Kong, worldwide efforts to stop the commercialization of terminator tech- nology, how the NFU works with other international peasant and small farmer groups through Via Campesina to protect the interests of farmers and more. The meeting is at Fullarton Township Hall at 7:30 p.m. Golf coupon program HURON — The Lung Association is selling a new golf coupon program book, supporting the organization's mission, "to improve lung health." The 2007 Golf Smart Ultimate Golf Savings Book features discounts at over 200 golf courses across Ontario, including the Exeter Ironwood Golf Course, Seaforth Golf Club and St. Marys Golf & Country Club. The coupon book costing $49.95 also offers discounts on golf products and 'stay and play' getaways. To order or for more information call The Lung Association at 519-271- 7500 or 1-866-333-4045 ext. 247 or ext. 248. All proceeds from the sale of the coupon book sold through The Lung Association will help the one in five Ontarians living with a breathing problem. ssues Steckle said Dion will be concen- trating on are sustainable development and the envi- ronment, "which are near and dear to most people in this country. What we have now is really nothing. We have given to the world the understanding we really are not part of Kyoto anymore." Steckle was preparing to vote Dec. 7 on the motion that would have directed the government to prepare a bill to repeal the same-sex marriage law but was rejected 175-123. Steckle said before the vote he was plan- ning for the motion even though he didn't agree with the wording. "My support is still for the belief marriage is between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others. "That's my view and the view of a major- ity of my constituents." Steckle said Harper wanted to have the vote before Christmas so he could say it was another promise kept even though the prime minister wanted the vote to fail. "The vote is insignificant because he (Harper) has already indicated he would never take it...before the notwithstanding clause," said Steckle. NOW AVAILABLE AT TIMES ADVOCATE "wHITh SQURREL SO U Y _E_XIIlRS" • magnets • post car • note rkt • prinb ardt • pins o0kmt 424 Main St., S. 519-235-1331 01 0:0P, J Gaiser h Kni Ins. keale EXETER - 235-2420 GRAND BEND - 238-8484 CLINTON - 482-3401 Business Directory REPAIRS Sewing Machine REPAIRS TO ALL MAKES Free estimates 90 day Warranty Experienced since 7952 Sew and Save Centre Ltd. 149 Downie St., Stratford Phone 271-9660 advertisers. . 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