OPINION

WEDNESDAY, January 6, 1993

WZ

The Castiggar Sun

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PUBLISHER MARILYN STRONG

SHARLENE IMHOFF EDITOR

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editorial comment

Good

intentions?

An obvious rookie in Castlegar’s po!

litical game, Doug

Green has just learned an important lesson in municipal pol-

out.

itics—determine your support before sticking your neck

Castlegar’s newest city councillor tried, unsuccessfully, to have Castlegar Mayor Audrey Moore removed, through a notice of motion, from her position of director on the

Regional District of Central Kootenay, Castl

might

an earlier story

THESE PEOPLE FEEL THAT I'VE

WRONGED THEM,

AND NOW THEY WANT TO METE OUT PUNIGHMENT.... ACAANCE iy GET RID

THEY'RE JUST WAITING FOR OF ME FW

It's the season for revelations and resolutions

For Christians the Christmas Season is not yet over, for today is

which focused on city council's very

way of

appointing Moore to that position—through a secret ballot,

which had to be carried out on three before a decision could be made. After

Separate occasions a 43 decision was

finally made, favoring Moore over Councillor Doreen

Smecher, council followed protocol and

finished the act by

voting on the final motion accepting Moge for the position.

This vote was unanimously in favor accept Moore—meaning ALL counc

including Doug Green.

x of the motion to illors voted yes—

When asked why, after an amount of time had passed, he had chosen to make a motion to appeal the appointment, Green said he believes Moore should be concentrating on local issues, and that she might be spreading herself to thin

by taking on other heavy responsibi RDCK.

If.that's the way he truly feels, then more effective for him to raise these. c

lities, such as the

it would have been oncems during the

actual meeting when Moore was appointed in the first place

_ Green raised his hand, along with other c

ouncillors, to allow

Moore ‘that position. Had he not, he could have questioned the wisdom of council right there and then. His vote, whether for or against, would have also been officially recorded to support his beliefs. Unfortunately, Green did not

vote by his own convictions—and the

incident is seen, at

least by council, to be a finished one. So it's unlikely that Green was surprised to find out the support he thought he

might have was not there. Even Doreen

Smecher, who was

Green's first choice for RDCK and-more than likely would

have seconded the motion for appeal had

he not rescinded it,

admitted she was glad that he did in the end.

Smecher admitted that Green brou

ght up some good

points, but past experience has also taught her that some- times it is in no one's best interest to rehash an old issue,

especially one with which you are involv

ed.

To Green's credit, he had the stamina to take a chance, and when he fell—it was eloquent to say the‘least. There's something else as well—his presence on council, and igno- rance of ‘allegiances—is refreshing. Green is seeing through

mew eyes. And even though his planning

was a bit of canter,

if the reasons he lists for his attempt are valid—and truly his

own—then he's only got Castlegar's best

interests at heart

By Don Addis

Epiphany, the Feast of the Magi.

Some use trinkets, such as rings, money and charms, which are sym- bols of future events and are secret» ed in “The Twelve Cakes of the Epiphany”. «

The Festival of Epiphany, the Revelation, is celebrated on January 6 to commemorate the manifesta- tion of Christ to the Gentiles, as represented by the Magi. It is also called “The Twelfth Day”, the twelfth day after the birth of Christ

In the Easter church it is cele- brated as the commemoration of the baptism of Christ. There are many interpretations, depending upon tra- dition and belief. Perhaps the mod- ern tale, as filmed by Franco Zeffirelli in “Jesus of Nazareth”, is easier to understand but takes the widest leap from traditional Views. Thomas Sheehan has described the “First Coming as Christianity dis- covering what it always was about, the endless, unreasonably mystery inscribed at the heart of being human” -

This discovery is certainly still underway, at a time when women, and some unorthodox men, are demanding their rightful place in a

Is self-determinati

DALTONCAMP Sterling News Services

As the year closes, the good peo- ple of Azerbaijan, some 7 million of them, are beating upon about half as many of the good people of Armenia. This has been going on since the year began, with no end in sight and little result other than the loss of more than 7,000 lives.

Many nations are worried about this festering conflict, including, the United States, Russia, the rest of the 51

jar Sun ZS 1S POLITICALLY INDE PENDEN

TAND A

MEMBER OF THE STERLING NEWS SERVICE E i

November 28. 1 Published by The Castlegar

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of the Confe: on Securi- ty and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE), and the United Nations, and, surely, Armenia and Azebaijan. Still, worrying about it is one thing and is in and about Nagorno-Karabakh, a small comer of Azerbaijan with a pop- ulation of 162,000, most of them Armenians. The hub of the problem

Nagorno-Karabakh really intend to

annex themselves to the republic of Amnenia.

Not so, according to the “acting president”. of Nagorno-Karabakh who, according to the New York Times, is visiting Washington; he says his “people” have given up on joining the Armenian republic but instead want to become ~‘an independent ter- Mitory.” In view of anything else that has happened recently, it is difficult for me to find much wreng with the Position of the acting president of Nagomo-Karabakh. I can only assume that once our people in External Affairs have located the place in their atlas, we will recognize Nagorno-

heretofore- masculine church Regardless of belief, this is the sea- son for revelation ,.a time when we become most aware of the presence of the future; as epitomized by the arrival.of God among men and women, which may have been the

heart of Jesus’ message

For those of us who remember the significance of the twelve days of Christmas, we still have our Christmas trees and decorations in place.

Before we either save them to plant in our gardens, toss them out, or store them away for next year, depending on your level of commit ment to recycling, we could turn our thoughts to the symbols of the future and contemplate our roles in, this the seventh last year of the 20th century. This will give all those who neglected New Year’s Resolu. tions one last opportunity to con

Karabakh instantly and begin estab- lishing full diplomatic relations.

I say this because it has been our position, as Canadians, that all peo- ples have the right to be whatever they wish.This is called Canada’s Doctrine of Self-Determination, which has become part of our foreign policy as well as our domestic policy. If the people of Nagorno-Karabakh decide to become an independent republic then it must be Canadian pol- icy to extend formal recognition to all 162,000 of them. Similarly, should Prince Edward Island decide to go it alone, Canadians will cheerfully oblige, providing only that islanders conduct some sort of referendum.

This is certainly the least trouble- some way to conduct one’s foreign policy since it spares anyéne from thinking about the implications of instant recognition down the road.

Thus far, Canada has shown the way with alacrity and zeal in recog- nizing the Baltic republics, Ukraine and Stovenia, among others Although in some cases not soon enough to please restless Canadians

SUS “ON TO eV=Menice— whatsoever the Primet Minister of dragging his feet. The Prime Minis- ter, in fact, has never hesitated to uphold the doctrine of self-determi- nation; indeed, he has sometimes out- footed his friend U.S. President George Bush in his eagerness to wel- come those republics who once struggled under the yoke of commu- nism — to the democratic fold

I take it, however, there has been some delay in coming to grips with recognizing the right of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to choose their own destiny: Ottawa remains mute on the issue.

Nothing appears to have been said by the Prime Minister, directly or

tribute something worthwhile to your family, your neighbours, your neighbourhood, and/or your com- munity, or even onto a larger scale.

Before the spirit of Christmas leaves us for another year, we could do much to ensure that spirit is kept alive and well around us

Those of us who are beyond the age of total commitment to self, oftén speak of the lack of respect many modern citizens have for each other and the lack of responsibility they attribute to éach other, or even expect from others.

We speak also of the younger generations growing up to demand full services but expecting someone else to provide them‘and pay for them. We talk about the common feeling that there are numerous occasions, circumstances and events taking place all about us that-we perceive as ‘wrong.

Our common solution is that someone else is responsible, but certainly not us. Problems with the children? The. schoolfeachers or the church ‘should deal with it! Prob- lemS with some “thing: in the Provincial arena, such as legislation, taxes or health? Well, the Provincial Government has failed to do what- ever it is they promised they would

do, at election time, or should have done to ensure that it did not hap- pen in the first place. And if Canada has problems, well, it's obviously the Prime Minister's fault and the Federal Government must-change the .law/s, or the rules, and, if all else fails, we can blame it on Free Trade, NAFTA, the GST or, defi- nitely, someone else, but not us, and certainly not me!

If, whenever we encountered something wrong, we simply resolved to deal with it, would it not make some things change for the better? Perhaps this sounds too sim- plistic for those who love to argue a point, whatever the point is, rather than resolve to take action

I don’t have to tell my friends and associates I much prefer to take action. If we set out to make the world a better place; it has to make a difference, even a small differ- ence.

A small difference is better than

- casting blame. “If everyone lit just

one little candle, what a bright world it would be!" It is still true in 1993! It is-still Christmas, and the Christmas spirit is alive and well among us in the season for revela- tions and resolutions

on a wise policy?

indirectly. I have made myself a New Year's resolution to find out the answer to this puzzling question:

One of the lessons learned by some in 1992 is that the policy of self-determination may make more trouble than good sense. Clearly, those who have been the beneficia- Ties of early recognition have includ- ed opportunists, neo-fascists and thugs of other persuasions. It would be nice to think a lot of this hurrying and scurrying to anoint new republics abroad has been done free of political Pressures, often amounting to hyste- ria, at home. This has not been the case. The doctrine of self-determina- tion has been fashioned, in part, in the streets and represents, in part, purely domestic political strategy. It is not a good enough way to manage foreign policy in the present world.

One of my most memorable corre- spondents in the past year was a Ser- bian Canadian (as he designated himself) who provided me an amply

illustrated accounting of (Croatian) terrorism, present and past, allegedly conducted in what was once Yugoslavia. He ended his letter by pleading, “Don’t give my name to ‘The Toronto Star. They will kill me.” (I knew, of course, what he meant, which was not that he felt himself endangered by The Star's editorial board, as'I often do.) It is sometimes hard for me to believe there are Canadians among us so consumed with the hatreds and passions of other histories, who are caught up in today’s slaughter not for its horrors but in the fierce belief in its justifica- tion. But it does make one wonder, since there is already blood on our hands, if self-determination is as self- evidently all that wise a policy, and if

m — anoth- ¢r national fetish — was meant to incorporate and perpetuate the mur- derous hatreds alive and stirring beyond our owp borders.

Mike William Makortoff

Mike William Makortoff was bom _

jana Makortoff in the village of Petrovka near Kamsack, Saskatchewan on Dec. 18, 1909. They moved to British Columbia in 1911 and first settled in Ootischenia. Mike later moved to Raspberry where he met and married Lucy Davidoff on March 28, 1932. They had four chil- dren, two daughters and two sons. Mike was a member of the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ. He was also a member of the Carpenters Union Local 2300. Besides carpentry Mike enjoyed gardening and was an expert at pruning trees. He was always hospitable and displayed a good sense of humor. Mike was predeceased by his par- ents, sister, Pauline Makortoff and

sister, Mable.

Moff of Raspberry, daughter, Maric (Lloyd) Wilson of Raspberry, son, Jack (Lavern) Makortoff of Parksville, 11 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and sister, Mary Com- tois. He was surrounded by his fami- ly when he passed away peacefully at his home on January 3;.1993. He will be sadly missed by all. May God acpe pt him into his heavenly home.

Funeral service was held at the Brilliant Cultural Centre Jan. 5 and 6, 1993 with burial at the Brilliant Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Castlegar Funeral C hape |.

”

a

Wednesday, January 6, 1993

The Castlegar Sun

Page 5A

Letters to thé Editor

C

Ugly situation surfaces questions Did your re

Dear Editor:

In response to Mr. Volovsek’s last letter. With regard to Dubrovnik and Split, the Serbs

..dgaintain that the Croats had turned Dubrovnik into an armed camp, bringing sophisticated weapons, Ustashi and interna- tional mercenaries in through Split. Remember, when they accused the Bosnian Muslims of firing on their own people, blam- ing the Serbs for international consumption, they were ridiculed, until this was con- firmed by Canadian peacekeep- ers. Nor is Slovenia as Sweetly blameless as Mr. Volovsek would have us believe. °

In war, as Colonel Ethel reminded us, there are no inno- cent parties. He is certainly right in saying that once the commu- nists took over in Yugoslavia they liquidated thousands of

“enemies of the people”. This .

included, according to British estimates, some fifty to sixty thousand citizens of Belgrade, mainly Serbs. So far as the inci- dent concerning refugees who surrendered to the British in Aus- tria is concerned, I assume he. is referring to the disgraceful episode that took place in the town of Klagenforth in Carinthia. The refugees involved were by no means only Slovenian. According to British officers who took part in this notorious -inci- dent, the people were of all eth- nic groups. They were “...men, women, children, Croat Ustashi, Croat_and Slovene Domobranci (Home guards), Serbian Chetniks and White Russians.” In order.to have them peacefully board trains that were destined to retum

Obituaries Larry Plotnikoff

On December 27, 1992, “Larry” Plotnikoff passed away at the age of 49.

Mr. Plotnikoff was born on April 11, 1943 in Nelson, B.C He grew up at Gibson Creek and lived there all of his life. He married Anita Tarasoff on December 9, 1967 at Robson, B.C.

During his life he worked in construction. He enjoyed hock- ey, ski-dooing, fishing and gar- dening around his home. He was a member of the Rock & Tunnel Workers Local #168.

Mr. Plotnikoff is survived by his wife Anita, son, Leroy and daughter-in-law, Kim, two daughters, Holly and Tracey Plotnikoff and one grandson Kyle, all from Pass Creek. His is also survived by two sisters, Irene Semenoff of Pass Creek and Ruth Buttnor of Rassland, and many nephews and niedés.

Funeral services were held December 30, at 7 p.m. at the Pass Creek Hall and on Thurs- day, December 31. Burial*took Place at the Pass Creek Ceme- tery at 12 noon.

Louise Dyck

On Sunday, December 27, 1992, Louise Dyck of Castlegar passed away at the age of 85 years.

Funeral service was held December 31, 1992 at the Cal- vary Baptist Church with Rev. Bob Marsh officiating. Interment was at the Robson Cemetery.

Mrs. Dyck was born June 16, 1907 at Alexandrovka, Russia and came to Canada in 1923 set- tling at Rosthern, Saskatchewan. She-married Julius Dyck in 1928 in Saskatchewan. They moved to Renata in 1934 and to Robson in 1965 when the Hugh Keenley-

pide.

husband's death in 1975 Mrs Dyck moved into Castlegar: «

She was a member of the Seriior Citizens group, and an attendant of the Calvary Baptist Church and nember of the Men- nonite Church of Canada. She was also an active meniber of, the Women's Institute while ih Renata.

She enjoyed singing, garden- ing, needlework, reading, cross- word and jigsaw puzzles

She is-survived by her daugh ter, Eleanor Dyck of Castlegar and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Castle- gar Funeral Chapel

them to Yugoslavia, the British assured them that they were being sent 16 Italy. Some of Tito's partisans were hidden on each train and the murder and robbery began even before they reached

Yugoslavia. It is nonsense to say Serbs for starting it? Who hired

that these “executioners” were from the “Serb and Montenegro” divisions of Tito’s army. No one, to this day, really knows who they were. Tito’s army at that time consisted of some 15,000 hardcore communists from all

ethnic groups, conscripts from Serb violations of the “No fly”

each region, Albanians, Bulgari- an, Italian and Croat Ustashi

deserters. : Special Envoy Cyrus Vance) that

As for suggesting that Serbs “put memories of their tragic past to rest”, having had the heart-stopping experience of reading translations of German and Italian military reports about this Holocaust, I for one would hesitate to ask that of them. It must be their decision, At the very least I assume they would require an acknowledgemen that it happened. The Croats deny it The West, for various seemy rea

* maited into doing so by Ger many?

Ghali, call th

conflict began? Why is the U:S.

than fly helicopters in with medi cal supplies and out with their

of the centuries-old Balkan game

Dear Editor The first recycling colle

ing Croatia until virtually black-~ ie , ction

of the New. Year will take place this coming Saturday, January 9 from 9 a'm. to 4 p.m. at the old North End Works Yard. (t City Hall on 13th Avenue), We wish to ¢ xpress our great appreciation to the Beta Omicron Chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for volunteering their time

Why did the U.N

Secretary-Genere

and refuse to blame the hind

war’ and paid for those Washington based public-relations firms, such as Rudder Finn and Hill & Knowlton to discredit the Serbs

and energy to internationally even before the Ry

host” th recycling day =

As usual, the volunteers will be decepting the following mate nals for recycling

1. Newspapers: stacked flat in a box or bag. Place flyers and “odd” sized newspapers in.a sep arate box or bag

Secretary of State lying about

ban when he knows perfectly well (having been told by U.N.

they have done nothing more

? Brown Grocery bags

s-Aluminum:Including

Serbian dead and wounded? Frankly, this whole thing smells

uncrushed beverage containers, clean foil, pots, lawnchair frames kitchen utensils

4. Office waste paper: Sorted into three bundles: bleached white, coloured (including off white) and computer. We'll take Photocopy, ledger, bond, comput er paper, file folders, receipts,

played by the big powers of “Divide et Impera”. Canada should not be invglved, except for humanitarian purposes.

Marjorie Radulovic

sons (i.e. the decision after WWI by British and U.S. intel ligence to recruit Croat Ustashi fOm the “coming fight against Communism”; Vatican involve ment, the fact that, in the immor- tal words of Richard Nixon “The Croats get out the vote"), prefer to ignore it

Audrey McLaughlin ‘has asked that there be a full parlia- mentary debate before Canadian troops are committed to fighting in this war. She is ,4rfectly right Some questions I would like answered are: Why..did all those European nations resist recogniz

Snow Flakes Snow is falling quiet and still. The beautiful snowflakes cover the smoke which comes from the mill. Snow is white, not dull or gray. It makes our world glow in a very pretty way.

This poem is dedicated to my father, Warren New

Happy Holidays Dad! From Jackie New Age 7

olution include recycling?

invoices and cash ‘Tegister tapes. NO carbon paper, sticky notes, tape or large metal fasteners (sta- ples are OK).

5. Corrugated cardboard boxes: Flattenedf possible. No cereal or shoe boxes, waxed or plastic coated cardboard. Egg cartons are OK

6. Tin Cans: Cleaned and flat- tened cans and ends.,No lids or bottle caps. Sort aluminum cans (eg. some cat food tins) into “alu-

naterial

It's really important that each householder take the time to sort

and bring the materials as described above. Otherwise it means a tremendous amount of extra work forthe few volunteers who receive the material and them onto the RDCK Recycles truck for the trip to the Nelson Recycling Depot ; Thanks to everyone for their great support for this recycling project..Seé you on Saturday.

Ann Godderis

Look for the Castlegar Recreation

WINTER PROGRAM

in today's paper

come see the &

yrom

the East a

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