Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - April 12, 2005, Winnipeg, Manitoba A8 Canada / world w Winnipeg f ree p Resst tuesday pril 12, 2005 Manitoba schizophrenia society offers free Public presentations on schizophrenia and psychosis in Winnipeg Call 786 1616 sunday april 17, 2005 1 00 pm Cabot Centre 1055 Wilkes Avenue by Sheldon Alberts w Ashington u. S. President George w. Bush yesterday publicly chided israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon Over a decision to expand a major jewish settlement in the disputed West Bank expressing concerns the move jeopardizes the chances for a peace agreement with the palestinians. While heaping Praise on israelis upcoming pullout from the Gaza strip Bush said Sharon is plans to add thousands of new Homes to a settlement near Jerusalem contravenes israelis commitments under the u. S. Backed Road map to peace. I told the prime minister of my concern that Israel not undertake any activity that contravenes Road map obligations or prejudices final status negotiations Bush said following a Summit with Sharon at the presidents ranch in Crawford Texas. Ive been very Clear about Israel has an obligation under the Road map. Thatus no expansion of settlements. Bush repeated the admonishment twice More during a joint news conference with Sharon. The first phase of the 2002 Road map which foresees the creation of an Independent palestinian state Calls for a freeze in jewish settlement activity. Earlier this month Sharon gave his approval for the construction of 3,650 new Homes in maale Adu Mim the largest settlement in the West Bank with an existing population of 30,000 people. The palestinians say the expansion would Cut off a West Bank corridor to Eastern Jerusalem which they want to become the future capital of Palestine. Ending the expansion of settlements is the key to everything Saab Ere Kat the chief palestinian negotiator said yesterday. Israel maintains the expansion of maale Adu Mim is allowed under the Road map based on Bushes pledge to support the country is plans to keep Large West Bank settlements under a future peace Deal. Assurances about the maintenance of most jewish settlements in the West Bank have been a key component of Sharon is efforts to sell israelis on the Gaza pullout. Sharon vowed to remove unauthorized outposts and settlements As part of israelis Road map commitments. But he said the maale Adu Mim settlement will be part of Israel and did not signal any intention to reverse his decision on its expansion. Under the plan approved by israelis parliament four of 120 West Bank settlements will also be dismantled. Can West news service by Grant Robertson Ottawa the Federal liberals Are confident they can push through same sex marriage legislation when it comes to a vote today even As the controversial plan faces a Challenge from the conservatives looking to stymie the Bill. Justice minister Irwin Cotler said the minority Liberal government has rallied enough support from opposition parties and within its own ranks to defeat a bid by conservative Leader Stephen Harper to delay the legislation. The tories want to prevent the same sex marriage Bill from being Given second Reading because it fails to define marriage As a Union Between a Man and a woman. The two major parties have been divided Over the matter and the liberals worked yesterday to Shore up support for the legislation. Ism not saying that All the liberals Are in our favour ism saying that a significant majority will vote in our favour Cotler said yesterday outside the House of commons. Together with the new democrats and with the support of the bloc Qutb Cois Well defeat the motion. The comments came two Days after Harper spoke at a parliament Hill rally against same sex marriage telling 15,000 people who attended that the governments legislation is an attack on religious Freedom. If the conservative amendment passes harpers proposal could face an immediate court Challenge. A group of Legal experts made up of 130 University Law professors told a press conference in Ottawa on yesterday that the tory Effort to stall the process is unconstitutional. Martha Jackman a constitutional Law professor at the University of Ottawa said the amendment goes against the wishes of several provinces who have approved same sex marriage along with the supreme court of Canada. Harpers Only Legal option Jackman said is to use the Canadian Charters notwithstanding clause which proponents of same sex marriage say would violate human rights. We do not have human rights in this country if we say they apply to some canadians and not others Jackman said. The tories Are girding for a Legal Battle. Vic Toews the tory Justice critic said his part yes amendment is Legal and challenged opponents to test its legitimacy. Toews a former Manitoba Justice minister said the supreme court did not Rule on the definition of marriage but sent that matter Back to parliament to be debated. Go ahead let it go to court Toews said in an interview. Ive taken on Legal experts before. The conservatives Are angered the commons committee studying the same sex marriage Bill a snot been allowed to tour the country to see what canadians think of the legislation. Amid whispers yesterday that a handful of disgruntled liberals is contemplating leaving the party in the fallout from the sponsorship scandal Toews said the same sex Issue has spurred similar talk. And despite the new democrats plan to support the same sex Bill nip my Bev Desjarlais has said she opposes the legislation. Can West news service Bush rebukes Sharon Over expansion plans says adding Homes to jewish settlement jeopardizes peace same sex marriage Bill goes to vote j. Scott Applewhite / associated press Sharon left reads a statement to reporters As Bush listens ;