6 — Wednesday, November 26, 1997 — North Shore News north shore news VIEWPOINT - New order ESPITE the many voices to the contrary, the coming of APEC to Vancouver has been a good thing. Canada has shown its true nature to the world. We are open to do busi- ness with most anyone. The formerly muddy issue of how we as a nation feel about linking human rights conditions to trading with less-than-democratic regimes elsewhere is crystal clear. __ We no longer suffer the illusion that our government cares to champi- on basic conditions of democratic ' society beyond its borders. People’s Republic of China, Indonesia and Republic of Korea are simple business opportunities in a world of ever expanding markets. “economies” beyond our borders? When trade barriers fall and more small- and medium-sized businesses actually make the Asian-Pacific trip, more people will be nicer to each other. Cultural oppression, dictatori- al repression, military transgression will ease when more coins fill more pockets. It’s as simple as that. The APEC dog and pony show also gave British Columbians a taste oi a possible future right here. By all accounts we passed the test with a minimum of grumbling. We accepted the conditions of a police state with little question. We marvelled at heli- copiers hovering over our heads, watching our every move. We felt safe knowing the leaders’ motorcades could pass freely through our streets unencumbered by the riffraff. We are And why not? Why attempt to influence the lot of lives in ready for To press time Tuesday, donations from over 2,000 _News readers and free speech supporters to the fund stood at $344,141. Legal fees expended thus far by the News _ have already exceeded $200,000. All funds received will help defray the legal casts faced by the News in its battle with the Human Rights ‘Tribunal over a complaint laid against the news- paper and its columnist Doug Collins by the Canadian Jewish Congress. The hearing into the matter, which began on May 12, concluded on June 27. The decision from tribunal chairman Nitya Iyer was handed down on Nov. 12. Full coverage of the decision appeared in the Nov. 14 News. lyer found that Collins* column was not hateful, but also ruled that, while the legislation under which tie News was prosecuted infringes upon the Charter’s guarantee of free expression, it was constitutionally valid. Extra copies of the News’ Free Speech Supplement, which was originally published in the Aug. 20 News, are available ar the News offices. Another excerpt from the thousands of respon- dents to the cause: : Q900 “This is our contribution for your efforts defending Sree speech in our country. We have read Mr. Collins’ con- tested article ... and consider bis writings as fair comment. We hope you will be able to defend all those unfair allega- tions against you successfully.” . — Max Donneffel_ Q00 _ Donations to the fund can be sent to: 1139 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver, V7M 2H4..Cheques should be made out to the North Shore News Free Speech Defence und. - . , — trenshaw@dlirect.ca Worth Shore News. founded n 1969 as an independem suburhan newspaper and quakfed under Schedule 111, Paragraph 111 of the Excise Tax Act. 1s published each Wednesday. Faday and Sunday by North Shore Free Press Utd, and distnduted to every door on the North ‘Shore. Canada Post Canadan Pubscations Mar Sales Product Agreement No. 0087238 Makng rates avallate on request the new order. BYE-BYE “globalization!” Will that be the paradoxical outcome — at least for the foreseeable future — of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum? For nine years the Asian side of APEC — anchored on japan, China and South Korea, with their “Little Tigers” to the south — has been touted as a model of what total globalization can eventually mean: one big happy world of countries busy making and selling goods to one another. But as the APEC nations’ leaders and delegates return home this week, maybe it’s time to think again. Today the “Little Tigers” are looking more like hungry stray pussycats and most of their big brothers are in poor shape, too. Since summer the currencies of Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines have plummeted by 30-40%. Even the sturdy Singapore and Taiwan dollars are down 10%, Japan has been battling a recession for five years. Bur it’s South Korea (Hi there, Hyundai own- ers!) that has emerged as the primary bas- ket case. Its won devalued by 20%, South Korea is secking an immediate $20 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund and may need up to four times more to stay afloat. Inadequate regulation of banks, leading to sloppy or corrupt jending practices, plus equally unregulat- da Ste PETER SPECK Human Resources Manager Sales & Marketing Ditector Publisher 985-213 (t77) 930-0511 (319) 985-2131 (101) a i "RED CARPET bo RN A & TREATMENT 1" BEFITTING APEC DICTATORS 7 Wait for the globe to catch up! | ed market speculation are blamed for these domino-effect crises from Bangkok - to Scoul —- crises that now threaten unwelcome repercussions on the area’s North and South American trading part- ners. Bur the revelation of how urgently the Asian nations need to smarten up economical- ly is not the only unforeseen outcome of APEC. Equally unex- pected has been the success of the parallel anti-APEC “People’s Forum”, focusing on the human rights abus- es, atrocious working conditions and foul environmental! records of numerous APEC countries. The many highly visible PF groups have had no shortage of protest material: China’s and Indonesia’s hundreds of thousands of slaughtered or imprisoned political dissidents; sweatshops employing women and children 70-80 hours a week behind locked doors for $40-S$50 3 month; poisoned waterways and factory air due to lack of pollutant disposal facili- ties. As a result, the PF, with its many peaceful but newsworthy demonstrations, has to some extent come to dictate the APEC agenda itself — something protest- ers at carlier forums have never succeeded in doing. For the first time in APEC his- tory Prime Minister Chretien has publicly called on delegates to provide not only strong economies but also “strong social programs, a healthy environment and respect for human rights.” Alas, however, wrapping rotten fish in |: f silver foii doesn’t step it smelling. With dictators like China’s Jiang and Indonesia’s Suharto still around, Chretien is unlikely to get his wish anytime soon.” Combine that fact with the self-inflicted financial carnage presently being suffered by most 6f APEC’s financially undisci- plined Asian members, and the question becomes inescapable: - If this is a foretaste of globalization, who in our reasonably civilized western -- - world needs it right now? Surely we've still enough problems of our own until: ” the rest of the globe catches up! - . 000 NOT SO LONG AGO 70 wasa respectable life span — but what about 70 years of marriage? That’s what West. Van’s Ralph and Irene McGreger, both 89, celebrate today, Nov. 26. Originally from Manitoba, Irene (now in Evergreen - House) was Ralph's school sweetheart _ whom he wed at 19, Two vears later they. - moved to West Van. Congrats and : warmest wishes, Ralph and Irene! ... Rush supper tonight, Nov. 26, when . West Van Historical Society meets (all. ”~ welcome) at 7 p.m. in West Van Seniors : Centre for Joel Lawson’s presentation of * ff “Modern West Van Heritage Buildings. : oa00 WRIGHT OR WRONG: I been rich and I been poor. Rich is better. (Right on, Sophie Tucker!). — The North Shore News believes strongly in freedom of speech and the right of all sides in a debate to be heard. The — - columnists published in the News present differing points of view, but those views are not necessarily those of the newspaper itself. - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters must include your name, full address & telephone number. VIA e-mail: trenshaw @ ditect.ca Renshaw Managing Editor 985-2131 (116) oe is Comptotter 985-2131 (133) Aort Michael Secker - News Editor ‘Garters Jonathan Bell Distribution Manager Creative Services Manager 986-1337 (124) 985-2131 (127) 61,582 (average circulation. Wecresday. Frigay & Sunday? grave ‘Genera! Office Manage: $85-2131 (105) internet- http//www.nsnews.cam 985-2131 (114) Andrew McCredie - Sports/Community Editor 985-2131 (147) Pots Frixt Agrios Photography Manager Promotions & Acting Display Manager 985-2131 (160) 985-2131 (218) Entite contents © 1997 North Shore Free Press Ltd. All rights reserved. Classified Manager 886-6222 (202)