Topic: Impact of War on Agriculture
Country: Canada
Delegate Name: Taylor Pawlanta
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Canada position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
Ever since the horrific events of September 11, the United States has aspired to end the battle against terrorism. Planes crashing into the World Trade Centers and thousands of innocent citizens being killed have led the United States to retaliate against their enemy- Iraq. Being over six years after the war was started, over $800 billion dollars spent, over five thousand lives lost, and over thirty thousand soldiers wounded causes our nation to think- Are we in this ostensibly endless war alone? Not entirely. Our neighboring country to the north, Canada, is seeking to help reach peace in the Middle East as much as what is doable.
In 2003, Canada opted out of joining the United States in their war in Iraq. Though Canada has declined taking part of the invasion citing The International Laws as reason, the true basis for this opposition derived from the United Nations disapproval of the United States’ invasion plan. The leader of the Alliance Party in Canada, Stephan Harper, disagreed with the countries decision and believed that Canada should be fighting alongside their neighboring country. Canadian leaders also opposed the falsely accused charges the United States and the United Kingdom urgently pushed to attack Iraq on. Help comes in more than just one form.
Aside from the actual invasion and battles in Iraq, Canada has aided the United States in numerous ways. Canada is to be thanked for the training of police and army-officers in post-war Iraq. Canadian officers and international teams were sent to observe the 2005 Iraqi elections and the writing of their constitution. Canadian Air Force members were allowed to fly in combat missions over Iraq with the American forces. Need we not forget the $300 million that was given to help reconstruct and rebuild the war torn cities.
The war efforts in Iraq have little effect in both the United States and Canada, but the opposite can be said about Iraq. Iraqi citizens can be frightened to leave their houses and have been forced to move from their familiar surroundings. Previous businesses, if thought to be the least corrupt, can be shut down. Farming and agriculture has always been a major staple in the Iraqi economy. The crop varies upon the weather, but the United States troops moving into the country have caused the availability of land to cultivate to decrease; therefore, the economy is deemed to suffer some.
Some may say the world is not as safe as it once was, some may say that war is the answer to all disagreements, and some may say that peace should always be kept no matter how tempting war may be. Canada is known to some as the historic peacekeeper in a world that struggles to keep peace. Though Canada does not instantly engage in combat, they engage instantly in efforts of creating peace without violence. All countries should first try to achieve peace without violence. This could save both lives and money.
