Visit our website: HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------------------------- Say no to war! Join us in a vigil! When: Thursday, 27th Sept. 2001 at 6:30PM Where: The Dail, Dublin All are welcome! Call 672 7803/087 2225742 for more details Please pass on this email to others. http://www.endiraqsanctions.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Statement from the Campaign to End the Iraq Sanctions. Justice not retribution is the only way forward for humanity. The Campaign to End Iraq Sanctions extends our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and friends of the innocent civilians who were killed in the United Sates on the 11th September in the World Trade Centre, the Pentagon and in Pensyliviana. The sudden and arbitrary taking of life by an individual, government or group is immoral and wrong whether it be in America, Iraq, Sudan or Yugoslavia. Since Tuesday the 11th September we have seen images of the carnage and the faces of human misery and loss from America. We have witnessed the magnitude of the waste and destruction. And we have shared their pain, confusion and fear. The coverage was however, in stark contrast to the media's past coverage of the Gulf War, when, instead of real buildings exploding over and over again, we saw only sterile views of concrete targets -- there and then gone. We did not see the destruction and carnage nor the misery on the faces of people whose loved ones were killed and buried under the rubble and whose lives had been changed terribly and unrecognisable in a matter of seconds. Yet, whilst thousands of American families mourned for the dead and injured the Bush administration took advantage of the tragic human toll to strengthen and intensify the Pentagon's war machine. Not two days after this attack, whilst the Pentagon and the World Trade Centre were still burning, President Bush, talked of how America was at War. This was before any group had taken responsibility or before any concrete facts were established who were America at war with? The Middle East was put centre stage backed up by irresponsible media coverage. A whole culture was held accountable and guilty. The backlash of anti- Muslim and Islamic feeling has had consequences for the innocent throughout the World, sadly from America to Ireland. Innocent people are being targeted with hatred and violence as a result of the naked racism expressed, condoned and encouraged by World leaders such as Tony Blair and President Bush. Throughout the week what has been glaringly absent and in fact has been repressed by the media, has been any attempt to explore, discuss or understand possible motives of the terrorists, why would they do it? What was their political agenda? At a time when the World is in shock we have seen Bush calling for retribution, revenge and war. Afghanistan, where an estimated 5.5 million people will be totally dependent on food aid this coming winter as a result of a three year drought, and the ravaging of their country by the repressive Taliban regime, is the prime target of American and NATO's vengeance. Poverty is already so severe that hundreds of thousands can not afford to travel to food distribution centres, and thus face certain starvation. The majority of the population have not even heard about the events in America. Yet, their fragile existence is the target of the most powerful and supposed democratic countries in the world. Pakistan has been handed an ultimatum by President Bush that either they assist in the destruction of Afghanistan or they will also be viewed as an enemy. The Campaign is calling on the Irish government and World leaders to truly live up to the values of humanity and halt the impeding human carnage that now faces our world. The potential destruction and decimation of a poor, oppressed and innocent people will not only result in the escalation of civilian deaths both in the Middle East and in the West, but will also result in the death of the spirit of humanity. It is a time for true democratic leadership based on the values of justice, peace and the equal value of life whether it be an American or Afghani life. It is a time for world reflection and not blind retribution. It is a time to truly invoke the values of peace and justice that reflects the values of humanity as we recognise the vulnerability and the fragility of all human life. No amount of body bags be they Irish, English, American, Afghan or Pakistani will bring the innocent victims of violence back to their grieving families. Justice not retribution is the only way forward for humanity. ------------------------------------------------- This Discussion List is the follow-up for the old stopnato @listbot.com that has been shut down ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9spWA Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: archive@jab.org T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
