“Continental Prosperity in the New Security Environment”: . What was discussed behind closed doors.,
Pentagon Records from “North American Forum” Banff Meetings
Judicial Watch Releases Pentagon Records from “North American Forum” Meetings
Defense Secretary, Senior Military and Staff Met with Mexican & Canadian Officials over “Continental Prosperity in the New Security Environment”
(Washington, DC) Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, today released documents obtained November 2006 under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) from U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM). The documents concern the participation of NORTHCOM Commander, Admiral Timothy Keating, NORTHCOM Political Advisor Deborah Bolton, and Plans, Policy & Strategy Director Major General Mark Volcheff in a meeting of the “North American Forum” at the Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Canada on September 12-14, 2006. A similar request for records concerning forum participation by then-Defense Secretary Rumsfeld and his entourage is still pending with the Pentagon.
The records include:
1) Proposed comments for Admiral Keating’s speech to the North American Forum;
2) Presentation outlines with handwritten marginal notes and comments from Ms. Bolton;
3) Policy papers;
4) Biographic sketches of participants; and,
5) Notes from Major General Volcheff.
The North American Forum presentations discussed immigration and border enforcement; full economic and energy integration including infrastructure and transportation; a North American investment fund; and common customs and duties. The idea of a carbon tax was raised as a means to combat so-called global warming. References to the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) occur throughout the documents.
The notes for the presentations document the need to overcome popular opposition to North American integration: “To what degree does a concept of North America help/hinder solving problems between the three countries?…While a vision is appealing working on the infrastructure might yield more benefit and bring more people on board (‘evolution by stealth’).”
“It is not encouraging to see the phrase ‘evolution by stealth’ in reference to important policy debates such as North American integration and cooperation,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “These documents provide more information to Americans concerned about the Security and Prosperity Partnership. The more transparency, the better.”
to read NORTHCOM Cover Letter http://www.judicialwatch.org/archive/2007/NORTHCOMCoverLtr.pdf
to read Forum Opening Remarks http://www.judicialwatch.org/archive/2007/ADMKeatingDocsBanff.pdf
to read Bolton Agenda and Notes http://www.judicialwatch.org/archive/2007/POLADBoltonNotesBanff.pdf
to read Volcheff Agenda and Notes http://www.judicialwatch.org/archive/2007/MGVolcheffNotesBanff.pdf
to read more about the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) http://www.judicialwatch.org/SPP.shtml
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