MPs call for probe of Peltier extradition By KIM LUNMAN Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - Page A6 http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/PEstory/TGAM/20021120/UPELTN /nat\ ional/national/nationalTheNationHeadline_temp/19/19/39/
OTTAWA -- The controversial case of Leonard Peltier resurfaced in the House of Commons yesterday after some MPs called on the federal government to hold a public inquiry into the native activist's extradition from Canada to the United States 26 years ago. NDP MP Bill Blaikie introduced a private member's bill calling for the return of Mr. Peltier to Canada. He was convicted in 1977 of murdering two agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation near Wounded Knee, S.D. "We believe this is an enduring stain on Canada's record as a country that values of human rights," Mr. Blaikie said. "Mr. Peltier was turned over to the FBI on the basis of evidence that is now known to be manufactured and it seems like the right thing for Canada to do is to try to make amends for having done this." Opposition MPs called on the federal government to hold an independent commission of inquiry into the circumstances that led to Mr. Peltier's extradition from Canada in 1976. He is currently serving two consecutive life sentences for the offences. There have been calls on Canada to intervene in the case in recent years since a key witness, Myrtle Poor Bear, revealed she made up evidence that was used in the extradition. Ms. Poor Bear told a privately commissioned legal inquiry she made up the story implicating Mr. Peltier under pressure from the FBI. The federal government maintained the extradition was handled properly after an internal review of the case by the Justice Department. But Justice Minister Martin Cauchon refused to comment yesterday. "It was something that took place a long time before me," he said. "My habit is not to comment on any extradition case, so it's going to be that way for that case as well." Canada's involvement goes back to February, 1976, when Mr. Peltier was arrested in a one-room schoolhouse in Hinton, Alta. He was arrested six months after FBI agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams were killed on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation while investigating the theft of a pair of cowboy boots. The murders followed a gunfight between FBI agents and a group of about 50 natives. Mr. Peltier, a member of the American Indian Movement, acknowledged being present at the battle. A native also died. Canadian Alliance MP John Reynolds also joined Mr. Blaikie and the Leonard Peltier Defence Committee in Canada in calling for a public inquiry into Mr. Peltier's case. "I think there's some real questions that need to be asked," Mr. Reynolds said. "It seems to me, we sent him down there [to the United States] improperly." Warren Allmand, a former Liberal MP, has also joined the call for an inquiry, saying the extradition was flawed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hunter Gray [Hunterbear] www.hunterbear.org Protected by NaŽshdoŽiŽbaŽiŽ and Ohkwari' _______________________________________________ Leninist-International mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] To change your options or unsubscribe go to: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/leninist-international
