Making points damages peace

Page 6

In both British Columbia and Ontario, there has been far too much third-arty interference during this time of tension. Premier Mike Harcourt, in particular, used the standoff situation to score political points. There have been knee-jerk reactions from many people across the country -- many of the "good-old-boy" ilk ? who said the police should have just gone and shot them Indians, and be done with it. Their penny's worth wasn't required.

The Native side has been just as confused. The bystanders, with as little on the line as white locals, have come in from surrounding First Nations, in the name of support, and done little more than clutter up the landscape. All jumping on the bandwagon of Native solidarity.

Politician Ovide Mercredi used both situations to attempt a resurrection of his dormant career. Lawyer Bruce Clark carried on like a delinquent child, stamping his feet and beating his chest with all the dramatics of a B-movie star.

The people in the camp at Gustafsen and behind the barricades at Ipperwash were badly served by almost everyone. It's a testimonial to tolerance and negotiation that only one life was lost and both standoffs have ended without further incident.