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Afghanistan—One Year Later By Kathryn Smick
Ahmed Rashid, scholar and author, attributes the country's instability to the U.S. concentrating its strategy on the military to the near exclusion of political and economic considerations. The U.S. now spends $1 billion per month on the war; but has only spent $300 million this year for reconstruction. As another winter approaches six million people will depend on humanitarian aid. While 5000 international forces protect Kabul, the forces promised for five other cities have not materialized. The international community is not coming through with the help pledged at the Tokyo Conference in January 2002. And President Bush, focused on Iraq, is not providing the leadership necessary to gain the support of other countries to keep Afghanistan from again falling into chaos. By Bob Maxwell
Classically, a preemptive strike is launched to prevent an attack that is about to take place. This is usually preceded by some actual evidence that an attack is about to take place. For example, the Israeli preemptive strike on Egypt that touched off the Six-Day War was preceded by Nassar’s declaration that he was going to drive Israel “into the sea,” followed by a massing of troops and aircraft on the border and a demand that UN peacekeepers get out of the way. Has Iraq done anything remotely like this in relation to the United States or any of its allies? If so, it’s news to me. It is also argued that an invasion of Iraq is justified because the regime of Saddam Hussein is reprehensible. Now the regime of Saddam Hussein is, indeed, guilty of a long list of human rights violations and, if it were to collapse tomorrow, I wouldn’t shed a single tear. If there were a “United States of the World” that, like the U.S. Constitution, guaranteed member states a “republican form of government” or, at the least, the enjoyment of basic human rights, international action to produce such a “regime change” might well be justified. But, if it is argued that individual nations have the right to bring about ideologically-motivated “regime changes” on their own initiative, how can we keep from justifying even more reprehensible things — like the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia? In any case, such a “Bush Doctrine” is hardly calculated to increase respect for the international rule of law! BRIEF ITEMS
Last July, the Bush administration decided to stop funding the UN Population Fund, a loss to the Fund of $34 million. They said the Fund supported coercive abortion in China, yet these charges were not substantiated and Congress had stipulated that no U.S. funds could be spent in China. The loss of $34 million puts at risk millions of women and children in 141 poor countries who rely on the services funded by the UN Population Fund. Inland Planet, a west coast outgrowth
of the Planet Campaign formerly funded by the Hewlett and Packard Foundation,
has initiated the “34 Million Friends Campaign” as a way to ensure that
the Fund’s necessary services continue. They ask people to send just $1
to the following address:
This is the season to harvest olives, but the Israel-imposed curfew keeps everyone indoors. Those who venture into the olive orchards risk being shot by soldiers or settlers. Amnesty International condemns both sides for the "utter disregard" of children. In the past year 250 Palestinian children and 72 Israeli children have been killed in the conflict. Mary Robinson, outgoing UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, is quoted in In These Times, Oct. 14, 02: "I find it very disheartening that there is not more understanding here (in the U.S.) of the appalling suffering of the Palestinian population." In Eastern Colombia a 500-mile long oil pipeline transports 100,000 barrels of oil a day for Occidental Petroleum of Los Angeles. This pipeline has been bombed numerous times by guerrilla groups that view Occidental Petroleum as a symbol of American imperialism. It is this pipeline, in particular, that the Colombian military will be trained to protect. One has only to recall another example of U.S. military interference in a Latin American country at the behest of an American company to understand why allowing corporations to influence foreign policy is unwise. In 1954 CIA-trained mercenaries supported by American fighter planes invaded Guatemala and overthrew the country’s democratically-elected president, Jacobo Arbenz. The Arbenz government, in trying to institute land reform, had expropriated 234,000 acres of land owned by United Fruit Company. United Fruit was offered compensation for the land but refused it saying the compensation was “unacceptable.” The coup began 38 years of civil war and resulted in the deaths of at least 200,000 Guatemalans. We can’t help but ask: What has changed? Letters to the editor of Contra Costa Times Most of us are attracted to babies. They seem to remind us of all that are sacred, innocent and full of promise. Perhaps we are all looking for a reminder of our own innocence, a new sense of life full of potential. The question shouldn't be "Should the U.S. invade Iraq?" The questions should be "Should we begin any war?" or "Why, if we are so fascinated with birth, are we so eager to destroy life?" or "Why are the most creative people of all times still using violence, something we know only begets more violence?" We know that viruses travel the world,
we know that pollution travels the world; why are we so blind that we can't
see that we are global citizens and that what affects Iraq affects us?"
I will pay attention to who in my
government votes in favor of this war. I guarantee them that they will
lose my vote and that I will work to influence others to vote for candidates
who support peaceful solutions.
He’s made it clear that his peacekeeping mission can only be realized through war on Iraq. It’s inconceivable to me that Iraq, a country impoverished by war and a decade of sanctions, poses a military threat to the most heavily militarized nation in the world. Surely the American people can see that this entire crisis over Iraq has been fabricated for power and oil, fabricated to take our attention off the weakening economy, corporate scandals and the dangerous trend toward authoritarian rule in our capital. Kathryn Smick - 9/29/02 The Bush administration’s “National Security Strategy of the United States of America” was released on Sept. 20. This is the new security policy for the United States and it states: “The United States can no longer solely rely on a reactive posture as we have in the past.” In other words, it is now the stated policy of the United States to “pre-emptively strike” other countries. Pre-emptive strike? Isn’t that what the Japanese did at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941? We call that day “a day that will live in infamy.” Americans were justifiably and rightfully horrified and outraged that any country would attack another without first declaring war. If we truly believe that Japan’s pre-emptive strike on our own country was wrong, how can be permit the legitimization of “pre-emptive strikes” by allowing them to be included in a national policy for the United States? It isn’t being naïve to insist that international laws be obeyed;
it’s being civilized.
Coordinator's Corner — Jeanelyse Doran I am still glowing from a very full three days of a Peace Rally, the Walk-A-Thon fundraiser, and a Raising Nonviolent Children presentation. In less than two weeks several of us coordinated a Peace Rally in Walnut Creek which drew a crowd of 250 people from Contra Costa. People from a coalition of groups, many with differing views, were able to come together with a united voice to say "No war on Iraq". We arrived at Civic Park to find out we did not have access to the power (electrical power) that we had anticipated. While we made contingent plans and phone calls to correct the problem we apologized for the delay and began using the power of our voices to create community by singing. This was a powerful demonstration of our unwillingness to be silenced and our commitment to use our voices in opposition to the war and preemptive strikes on other countries. Thankfully for our voices, the power was restored and we heard from an impressive list of speakers that included people who have been political for a long time, mothers, grandmothers, educators, clergy, and elders, all speaking for peace. During an earlier demonstration, hecklers in both Lafayette and Walnut Creek were heard to say, "Go home to Berkeley." Well, we are at home and we care very deeply that the values this country were founded on are honored. This Peace Rally was an opportunity for people who live in Contra Costa to see that their own neighbors are the very people out demonstrating. It was an opportunity for people who have felt alone in the midst of flag waving and cries for war to see that they are not alone. A question that I keep hearing is "Where are the polls coming from? They do not represent my feelings." This rally gave people an opportunity to see that people just like them agree that violence and war were not the answer to terrorism and that real security depends on a foreign policy that respects the worth and dignity of all people. Perhaps, more importantly, the rally modeled the respect, cooperation, diplomacy, and the peace that we want to see in the world. It was a risk to have all these groups come together, trusting that we could put aside differences to stand together for the common cause of peace. Our success was summed up best by a compliment we received after the rally "Thank you for putting on a peaceful peace rally." We are very grateful to all the people who made the "The Silenced Majority Speak Out" peace rally a success, particularly Terry Leach of the Board of the Lamorinda Democratic Club and Jeanne Rosenmeier of the Green Party, who helped coordinate the event. I am deeply grateful to be included in a community of caring, dedicated people working for peace. Peace and blessings, Jeanelyse Volunteer Spotlight We are predominately a volunteer organization, and without the dedicated services of many people we could not continue our work. This month we recognize Bob Grinstead. Bob serves on the Peace Council and holds the position of Treasurer. He is also on the fundraising committee and most recently helped coordinate the Peace Center's Walk-A-Thon. Bob, with the help of his wonderful wife Helen, has compiled a collection of articles that Bob has written and published over the years about world issues. His vision and clarity are as relevant today as when he originally wrote the articles. Helen, Bob's agent and peacemaker in her own right, has generously copied and donated Bob's collection to benefit the Peace Center (call or stop by the Peace Center to see how you can get your copy). Bob is a man of many talents. He and his Dixie Land Band provided music for our BBQ lunch and he keeps us provided with pears and persimmons from his orchard. Bob launched and coordinates Sweet Teeth for Peace, a service that provides you with fresh baked goods and donations to the Peace Center. He has generously agreed to mentor and train a successor. If you are interested in peace and learning from a professional, please call the Peace Center to volunteer at 925/933-7850. Grandmothers for Peace There is a Hopi saying that when the Grandmothers gather there will be peace and healing. During a recent meeting at Rossmoor the Grandmothers began to gather. Gina Kozak and others are coordinating a gathering around the lake at Rossmoor on October 21 at 10:00 AM. There are also plans for a labyrinth walk at the newly dedicated "Labyrinth for Peace and Healing" at the Walnut Avenue Methodist Church in Walnut Creek (date and specifics to be announced). Please call the Peace Center for more information 925/933-7850. Actions for Peace
Volunteers Needed The Peace Center is under reorganization and revitalization with a focus on nonviolent education. We are working to create a culture of peace through education, activism, and community building. We are looking for people committed to peace and social justice to help us restructure and organize our programs to better provide our community with services that inspire and cultivate peace. Positions are available on the Peace Council and various committees. We are especially looking for assistance with fund raising, marketing, organizational development, and administrative assistance. Youth involvement is encouraged and appreciated. Please call 925/933-7850. The Labyrinth Project On September 21 there was a dedication of the Labyrinth Project for Peace and Healing. The Walnut Avenue Methodist Church built and generously offered to the community a labyrinth for Peace and Healing that is available 24/7. On the evening of the International Day of Peace, as declared by the United Nations, many of us gathered to walk the labyrinth, dance the Universal Dances of Peace, listen to music, and offer our prayers for world peace. The labyrinth is a beautiful outdoor space available for individuals or groups who would like to join in the archetypal journey thorough the maze of the labyrinth.
Some Alternative Media Websites : Principles of Nonviolence
Season for Nonviolence Pledge from Nan Diebels While the Season for Nonviolence began on January 30, and continues through April 4, any time of year is a good time to practice the principles of nonviolence. The following nonviolence pledge is intended to be completed and posted in a prominent place (like your refrigerator). It’s suggested that the pledge be reviewed monthly to assess your growth. Individuals, families, classrooms, and organizations can use it as a tool. for better communication and increased collaboration. I, ____________________________________________
To Respect Myself and Others
To Communicate Better
To Listen
To Forgive
To Respect Nature
To Be Courageous
This is my pledge. These are my goals. I will check myself on what I have pledged once a month on the the _____________________day of the month for the next twelve months. Signed_________________________________________________
Date:__________________
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