Paul Martin sought support of terrorist group

[Canuck E Stan]

Paul Martin solicited the support of the terrorist group

Paul Martin solicited the support of the terrorist International Sikh Youth Federation in his failed bid for the federal Liberal leadership in 1990, The Vancouver Sun has learned.

Martin made an impassioned speech to the ISYF's national convention in which he said he was honoured to "meet friends who share the same belief in this country, the same belief in peace, the same preparedness to defend themselves."

At the time of Martin's spring 1990 speech, the ISYF had already been identified as a terrorist group by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. Four in the group had been convicted in B.C. of the attempted assassination of a visiting Indian politician. Other B.C. members had met with a young would-be assassin who shot newspaper publisher Tara Singh Hayer in 1988.

The Martin speech came two years after then Conservative external affairs minister Joe Clark warned Canadian politicians to steer clear of the federation, the Babbar Khalsa and the World Sikh Organization because of terrorist links. The ISYF was banned in Canada in June 2003 by the Liberal government of Jean Chretien.

Bevilacqua also praised convention delegates saying: "What I really admire about your community is that you fight for the things you believe in."

Martin, Guarnieri and Bevilacqua are still members of the Liberal caucus, which has taken a position against extending part of the Anti-Terrorism Act, which the RCMP is using to advance the Air India investigation. The Liberals claim concern for civil liberties in supporting the expiry of certain provisions of the act.

After being told by CSIS and then external affairs minister Joe Clark to steer clear of International Sikh Youth Federation because of terrorist connections, Martin still sought out their support and praised the terrorist group.And the terrorists said it was good to have politicians in their back pocket.

Are there other terrorist groups that the Liberals look for support?

Scarey,really, really, scarey.

[na85]

From the article:

"It is not just the Liberal party," Fatah said. "[The politicians] go to temples and mosques and they have no clue what is being said."

After being told by CSIS and then external affairs minister Joe Clark to steer clear of International Sikh Youth Federation because of terrorist connections, Martin still sought out their support and praised the terrorist group.And the terrorists said it was good to have politicians in their back pocket.

Are there other terrorist groups that the Liberals look for support?

Scarey,really, really, scarey.

The same could be said for the NDP and the Tories.

[Catchme]

From the article:

"It is not just the Liberal party," Fatah said. "[The politicians] go to temples and mosques and they have no clue what is being said."

After being told by CSIS and then external affairs minister Joe Clark to steer clear of International Sikh Youth Federation because of terrorist connections, Martin still sought out their support and praised the terrorist group.And the terrorists said it was good to have politicians in their back pocket.

Are there other terrorist groups that the Liberals look for support?

The same could be said for the NDP and the Tories.

canuck E stan missed some pertinent quotes, and misquoted, in his attempt to further the dirty politics campaign initiated by Harper and the Vancouver Sun.

The Martin speech came two years after then Conservative external affairs minister Joe Clark warned Canadian politicians to steer clear of the federation, the Babbar Khalsa and the World Sikh Organization because of terrorist links. The ISYF was banned in Canada in June 2003 by the Liberal government of Jean Chretien.

Liberal MLA Dave Hayer, whose father Tara was assassinated in 1998, was shown a video copy of Martin's speech by The Sun.

Hayer said he was disturbed to see a future prime minister standing in front of a banner of a terrorist organization.

"When you start going to some groups that are involved in terrorism, people think you are endorsing that group's beliefs," Hayer said. "We as politicians have to be careful not to look like we are supporting extremist views."

Hayer said witnesses have been reluctant for years to come forward in cases like the 1985 Air India bombing and his father's murder because they see how closely suspects are aligned with politicians of all stripes.

And last week in Surrey, (*BC) Liberal (*who are closely affliated with the CPC) and NDP MLAs stood in front of a Khalistan sign at Surrey's Dasmesh Darbar temple as they were praised by worshippers for acknowledging the tenets of Sikhism in the legislature.

"It is not just the Liberal party," Fatah said. "[The politicians] go to temples and mosques and they have no clue what is being said."

* added on, was not in the article to give clarity to the biased Sun article

And its pretty interesting that Hayer also said this:

"It is difficult to find witnesses when suspects have very close connections with politicians," Hayer said. "It sends the wrong message."

when indeed his own fellow BC Liberal MLAs were standing in front of a Khalistan sign just last week. Wonder if he was as disturbed about that as about Paul Martin standing in front of the banner? It would seem not, as he made no comment to condemn them.

It would seem the SUN and Harper et al are believing that people will just see the Liberal portion of the propaganda, and will perceive them as "Liberals" when indeed the BC Liberals and their supporters are ALL CPC supporters. Which is truly a laugh if they do believe Canadians are that stupid. Everyone in BC knows for sure that the BC Liberals are the CPC federally. It would only be those who are being exposed to the Sun article on line that may not know.

The slithering hyporcrisy of it all, and fabrications for propaganda are beyond belief.

[na85]

I take anything that comes out of Sun Media with a grain of salt anyways.

[geoffrey]

I take anything that comes out of Sun Media with a grain of salt anyways.

The Vancouver Sun isn't part of Sun Media. It's a CanWest paper, definitely the most reputable daily in Vancouver.

[na85]

I stand corrected.

[geoffrey]

I stand corrected.

Easy and commonly made error.

[imatitlover]

PM Steve Harper needs support.

About a 34C I would guess

[imatitlover]

The Vancouver Sun isn't part of Sun Media. It's a CanWest paper, definitely the most reputable daily in Vancouver.

Actually if you check the online version,it is almost exactly the same as the Vancouver Province and BC Global TV

[jdobbin]

Paul Martin solicited the support of the terrorist group

Why didn't the Tories list this organization as a terrorist organization? They were in power at that time.

Mulroney let this organization exist for three years of his government *after* Martin met with them.

[madmax]

Paul Martin solicited the support of the terrorist group

Why didn't the Tories list this organization as a terrorist organization? They were in power at that time.

I can't believe you have taken this troll bait. Since when is Paul Martin the topic of the day. If this was so important why wasn't this an issue when he ran for the Prime Minister in 2004. It's not.

Fact is, Harper made a tactical error, and his supporters are tossing the smoke grenades.

[jdobbin]

I can't believe you have taken this troll bait. Since when is Paul Martin the topic of the day. If this was so important why wasn't this an issue when he ran for the Prime Minister in 2004. It's not.

Fact is, Harper made a tactical error, and his supporters are tossing the smoke grenades.

You're right. It is just part of the Conservative talking points.

[geoffrey]

Actually it's quite obvious that Dion is being influenced by those close to current investigations or terrorism. All the security experts in his party have been in favour, his deputy leader has written books extensively on these exact powers, the former writter of the legislation is in favour, and the former leader of the Air India inquiry, a Liberal, is strongly demanding that these measures be continued to progress with the investigation.

So where the hell is the influence for Dion to go the other way? It's unusual for the leader to stand alone against much of his party on such an important issue.

Who's giving him the advice? And why is he following such poor advice?

[madmax]

So where the hell is the influence for Dion to go the other way? It's unusual for the leader to stand alone against much of his party on such an important issue.

Who's giving him the advice? And why is he following such poor advice?

Yeah, Sikh terrorists are influencing Dions choice. I don't think so. I think you are buying into hype more extreme then the claim.

Dion may not be the best choice for leader. Perhaps now, the Liberals are having second thoughts. The party is split and he is forcing them to unify. I am not certain this is a good strategy for the Liberals.

But to hear the CPC members and supporters tell it, he is getting his marching orders from terrorists.

I don't buy into the radical hype. It is this over the top stuff the CPC do, that puts me off.

If Dion is making a bad choice for his party, then too bad for him. He will pay a price.

[Spike22]

I see that the liberals do not want to alienate the all too important East Indian, ethnic, minority vote. They have to be perceived like all parties should to be a centre based. Affend no one, be pro-security one day, freedom far all the next, gun laws in, gun laws out, porn good, porn bad all depends on the audience, mood of the country at a given moment bla bla bla.

[jdobbin]

I see that the liberals do not want to alienate the all too important East Indian, ethnic, minority vote. They have to be perceived like all parties should to be a centre based. Affend no one, be pro-security one day, freedom far all the next, gun laws in, gun laws out, porn good, porn bad all depends on the audience, mood of the country at a given moment bla bla bla.

Why do the Tories have so many ethnic candidates? They even had a Tamil running for them last election.

bla, bla, bla.

[Spike22]

I said like all parties...no exceptions> All parties have the same official mantra: we will take your weak, freaks, ethinic, racial, political, handicapped, mentally unstable retards into our fold and make you one of u$. Now lets hold hands and sing the (insert name of the Canadian political party of your choosing) song...

[jdobbin]

I said like all parties...no exceptions> All parties have the same official mantra: we will take your weak, freaks, ethinic, racial, political, handicapped, mentally unstable retards into our fold and make you one of u$. Now lets hold hands and sing the (insert name of the Canadian political party of your choosing) song...

Makes me wonder why you'd even bother with a political forum.