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control. It's also designed to create fortress North America by militarising the continent under US command. potentially lethal adversary. US soldiers are told not to take any chances (see Story no. 9). According to US military statistics, again reported by the Brookings Institution, these patrols currently result in just under 3,000 firefights every month, or just under an average of 100 per day (not counting the additional 25 or so involving Iraqi allies). Thousands of patrols result in thousands of innocent Iraqi deaths and unconscionably brutal detentions. By early 2008, the best estimate, based on extrapolations and replications of the Lancet study, was that 1.2 million Iraqis had died as a consequence of the war. This figure has not been reported in any mass media outlet in the USA. Brookings Institution, these patrols currently result in just 3. InfraGard: The FBI Deputises Business under 3,000 firefights every month, or just under an average More than 23,000 representatives of private industry are of 100 per day (not counting the additional 25 or so —_ working quietly with the Federal Bureau of Investigation involving Iraqi allies). Thousands of patrols result in (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security to collect thousands of innocent Iraqi deaths and unconscionably _and provide information on fellow Americans. In return, brutal detentions. members of this rapidly growing group, called InfraGard, By early 2008, the best estimate, based on extrapolations —_ receive secret warnings of terrorist threats before the public and replications of the Lancet study, was that 1.2 million _ and, at times, before elected officials get them. Iraqis had died as a consequence of the war. This figure has "There is evidence that InfraGard may be closer to a not been reported in any mass media outlet in the USA. corporate Total Information Awareness program...turning private-sector corporations—some of which may be in a 2. Security and Prosperity Partnership: Militarised position to observe the activities of millions of individual NAFTA customers—into surrogate eyes and ears for the FBI," Leaders of the USA, Canada and Mexico have been _ according to an American Civil Liberties Union report titled meeting secretly to expand the North American Free Trade "The Surveillance—Industrial Complex: How the American Agreement (NAFTA) with "deep Government is Enlisting Private integration" of a more militarised Parties in the Construction of a trinational Homeland Security force. . lot ‘ Surveillance Society". Taking shape under the radar of the It reaffirmed SPP's intentions InfraGard, with members from respective governments and without to create a borderless North 350 companies of the Fortune public knowledge or consideration, A . di l . l 500, started in Cleveland, Ohio, in the Security and Prosperity merica, dissolve nationa 1996, when the private sector Partnership of North America (SPP), sovereignty and put corporate there co-operated with the FBI to headquartered in Washington, DC, investigate cyber-threats. "Then aims to integrate the three nations giants—especially big US the FBI cloned it," said Dr Phyllis companies—in control. Schneck, chairman of the InfraGard National Members Alliance and the prime mover behind InfraGard's growth over into a single political, economic and security bloc. The SPP was launched at a meeting of US President George W. Bush, Canada's Prime Minister Paul Martin and Mexico's __ the last several years. President Vicente Fox in Waco, Texas, on March 23, 2005. FBI Director Robert Mueller addressed an InfraGard The official US web page describes the SPP as "a White —_ convention on August 9, 2005. "To date, there are more than House-led initiative among the United States and Canada —_11,000 members of InfraGard...from our perspective, that and Mexico to increase security and to enhance prosperity". amounts to 11,000 contacts...and 11,000 partners in our The SPP is not a law or a treaty or even a signed agreement. —_ mission to protect America," he said. All these would require public debate and participation of On May 9, 2007, President George W. Bush issued US Congress. National Security Presidential Directive 51, entitled The SPP created the North American Competitiveness "National Continuity Policy". In it, he instructed the Council (NACC) that serves as an official trinational SPP —_ Secretary of Homeland Security to liaise with "private sector working group. The group is composed of representatives of | owners and operators of critical infrastructure, as 30 giant North American companies, including General _ appropriate, in order to provide for the delivery of essential Electric, Ford Motors, General Motors, Wal-Mart, Lockheed _ services during an emergency". Martin, Merck and Chevron. NACC's recommendations centred on "private sector involvement" being "a key step to 4. _ILEA: Is the US Restarting Dirty Wars in Latin enhancing North America's competitive position in global | America? markets and is the driving force behind innovation and A resurgence of US-backed militarism threatens peace and growth". NACC stressed the importance of establishing democracy in Latin America. By 2005, US military aid to policies for maximum profits. Latin America had increased by 34 times the amount spent A fourth SPP summit was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2000. In a marked shift in US military strategy, secretive from April 22 to 24, 2008. George Bush, Canada's Prime _training— including in torture and execution techniques—of Minister Stephen Harper and Mexico's President Felipe Latin American military and police personnel that used to Calderon attended. It reaffirmed SPP’s intentions to createa —_ take place just at the notorious School of the Americas in borderless North America, dissolve national sovereignty and _ Fort Benning, Georgia, is now decentralised. put corporate giants—especially big US companies—in The 2008 US federal budget includes US$16.5 million to sovereignty and put corporate giants—especially big US companies—in control. 4. ILEA: Is the US Restarting Dirty Wars in Latin America? A resurgence of US-backed militarism threatens peace and democracy in Latin America. By 2005, US military aid to Latin America had increased by 34 times the amount spent in 2000. In a marked shift in US military strategy, secretive training—including in torture and execution techniques—of Latin American military and police personnel that used to take place just at the notorious School of the Americas in Fort Benning, Georgia, is now decentralised. The 2008 US federal budget includes US$16.5 million to 12 ¢ NEXUS It reaffirmed SPP's intentions to create a borderless North America, dissolve national www.nexusmagazine.com DECEMBER 2008 — JANUARY 2009