Canada Sweden and Political Asylum

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Switzerland, Sweden, Other Nations & Political Asylum

Canada in the post 9-11 era signed an extradition treaty with the USA that would send back any future draft dodgers. In the event of a future draft, the Canadian government - currently dominated by the right-wing Tories, similar to America's Republican Party - would be inhospitable to those fleeing a US draft. Of English-speaking nations, New Zealand appears to be the most likely to provide some measure of hospitality to future draft dodgers, due to PM Helen Clark's strident opposition towards Bush/Blair foreign policy, a political culture well to the left of any other country in the Anglosphere, and generous immigration laws which give English speakers an advantage.

Sweden during the Vietnam War did provide asylum to US draft dodgers. It is unclear whether that would be the case in a future draft. The Swedes do have a long history of tolerance towards foreign dissidents but a harsh anti-immigration mood in the country, caused by ethnic-religious tensions involving Muslim immigrants, may change this in the future.

Switzerland accepted a small number of US draft dodgers as refugees during Vietnam, tolerated the presence of many more, and has a long history of accepting foreign political refugees (as well as a thriving counterculture). The authorities are generally unconcerned about Americans living there ; they are more concerned about illegal Moroccans and Algerians rather than people from the USA. Ethnic-religious tensions caused as a result of the arrival of Muslim immigrants, while extant, seem to be at a lesser level than the rest of Western Europe. Given the Swiss' long history of political neutrality, Switzerland may prove to be a future option in case of the draft coming back. Unlike the other countries mentioned, however, it would be best to know either French or German to fit in. Setting up a sham marriage is the best way to get into a European country. A like minded friend(even same-sex in some places) can marry you, granting you instant citizenship to their nation of origin.

If you're just looking to get the hell out of dodge and move to a better place, other english-speaking countries are a very good start. Australia, New Zealand and the UK now have tough immigration laws, but if your an Amerikan with a good job skill and you can give the immigration people a good impression, you'll probably get in and make big bucks. Canada is OK, but their immigration requirements are strict and until you're a citizen, you'll probably be forced to drive a cab or sell hamburgers as most skilled employment has a "Canadians First" policy. All three of these countries are accepting of like-minded Amerikans, with Australia probably the most accepting. Sweden has a very open-immigration policy even today. However, you'll probably be unable to get welfare money until you are a permanent resident. If you offed somebody, definietly go to Sweden. They will more than likely refuse to extradite you to a state with a death penalty statute.

China while an integral part of the tidy little corpgov fascist system is hardly part of the republicrat empire. You can get free transportation and housing as well as a salary in exchange for teaching English. There is no extradition treaty and quite a few high tech firms that will hire Americans. Beware Hong Kong does have extradition with the USA!

If you are in trouble a casual stroll against the tide of workers headed north will land you in sunny Mexico soon to be absorbed along with Canada by the Bushista empire, for now once across the border you can head toward an airport and freedom elsewhere. Mexico will deport non-Mexican citizens to the USA.

If you are Jewish or Israeli Arab or a descendant you can run to Israel while your wasp friends are stuck. Israel has very limited extradition but may try you for the crime and jail you there.

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Original Canada, Sweden & Political Asylum

If you've totally fucked up your chances of getting a deferment or already are in the service and considering ditching, there are some things that you should know about asylum.

There are three categories of countries that you should be interested in if you are planning to ship out to avoid the draft or a serious prison term. The safest countries are those with which Amerika has mutual offense treaties such as Cuba, North Korea and those behind the so-called Iron Curtain. The next safest are countries unfriendly to the U.S. but suffer the possibility of a military coup which might radically affect your status. Cambodia is a recent example of a border-line country. Some cats hijacked a ship bound for Vietnam and went to Cambodia where they were granted asylum. Shortly thereafter the military with a good deal of help from the CIA, took over and now the cats are in jail. Algeria is currently a popular sanctuary in this category.

Sweden will provide political asylum for draft dodgers and deserters. It helps to have a passport, but even that isn't necessary since they are required by their own laws to let you in. There are now about 35,000 exiles from the Pig Empire living in Sweden. The American Deserters Committee, Upplandsgaten 18, Stockholm, phone 08-344663, will provide you with immediate help, contacts and procedural information once you get there. If you enter as a tourist with a passport, you can just go to the local police station, state you are seeking asylum and fill out a form. It's that simple. They stamp your passport and this allows you to hustle rent and food from the Swedish Social Bureau. It takes six months for you to get working papers that will permit you to get employment, but you can live on welfare until then with no hassle. The following places can be contacted, for additional help. They are all in Stockholm:

Reverend Tom Hayes 82-42-11 or 21-45-86
Kristina Nystrom of the Social Bureau 08-230570
Bengt Suderstrom 31-84-32 (legal)
Hans-Goran Franck 10-25-02(legal)

Canada does not offer political asylum but they do not support the U.S. foreign policy in Southeast Asia so they allow draft dodgers and deserters to the current tune of 50,000 to live there unmolested. Do not tell the officials at the border that you are a deserter or draft dodger, as they will turn you in. Pose as a visitor. To work in Canada you have to qualify for landed immigration status under a point system.

There will be a number of background questions asked and you have to score 50 points or better to pass and qualify. You get one point for each year of formal education, 10 points if you have a professional skill, 10 points for being between 18-35 years of age, more points for having a Canadian home and job waiting for you, for knowing English or French and a whopping 15 points for having a stereotyped middle class appearance and life-style. Letters from a priest or rabbi will help here. Some entry points are easier than others. Kingsgate, for example, just north of Montana is very good on weekdays after 10:00 P.M.

The best approach if you are considering going to Canada is to write or, better still, visit the Montreal Council to Aid War Resisters, Case Postale 5, Westmount, Montreal, 215 Quebec or American Deserters Committee, 3837 Blvd., Saint Laurent, St. Louis, Montreal 3, Quebec. They will provide you with the latest info on procedures and the problems of living in Canada as a war resister. If you can't make it up there, see a local anti-war organization for counseling. If you are already in the army, you should find out all you need to know before you ditch. It's best to cross the border while you're on leave as it might mean the difference between going AWOL and desertion if you decide to come back. In any event, no one should renounce their citizenship until they have qualified for landed immigration status as that would classify the person as a non-resident and make it possible for the Canadian police to send you back, which on a few rare occasions has happened.

Because there have been few cases of fugitives from the U.S. seeking political asylum, there is not a clear and ample formula that can be stated. Germany, France, Belgium and Sweden will often offer asylum for obvious political cases but each case must be considered individually. Go there incognito. Contact a movement organization or lawyer and have them make application to the government. Usually they will let you stay if you promise not to engage in political organizing in their country. In any event if they deport you these countries are good enough to let you pick the country to which you desire to be sent.

We feel it's our obligation to let people know that life in exile is not all a neat deal, not by a long shot. You are removed from the struggle here at home, the problems of finding work are immense and the customs of the people are strange to you. Most people are unhappy in exile. Many return, some turn themselves in and others come back to join the growing radical underground making war in the belly of the great white whale.