Okay, moving on to a few things that are
a little more important than a monkey poem.
Here I forward two posts, the first condemning the recent air strikes
and the second calling for attention to the horror in which women are
living in Afghanistan. Both are acts of terrorism by governments -
one of the most important subjects we can discuss and act on. Sue
From: International Action Center <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
www.iacenter.org
International Action Center
39 West 14th St., # 206, New York, NY 10011 Tel: (212) 633-6646 Fax
(212) 633-2889
Demonstration To Protest Racist US Bombings in Sudan and Afghanistan
Friday, August 21, 4:30 PM, Times Square
The International Action Center (IAC), headed by Ramsey Clark , the
Islamic Brotherhood, Inc., and the International Socialist Organization
are calling for all anti-war forces to demonstrate against the latest U.S.
air strikes in Afghanistan and the Sudan under the demand "Money For Jobs,
Not Wars," on Friday, August 21 at Times Square in New York City starting
at 4:30 pm. The IAC is also urging anti-war and peace activists to protest
across the U.S. as well as internationally.
"In the name of combating terrorism, the U.S. government is guilty of
another blatant act of state-sponsored terrorism in the high-tech
bombings of the capitol city of Sudan and in Afghanistan," stated
Brian Becker of the International Action Center.
"This shows the arrogance of the White House and the Pentagon who have
appointed themselves the 20th century Caesars. They act as though they
have a divine mandate to rule the world through the lawless use of
mass violence. Their use of aerial bombings against areas populated
by civilians is proof again of the terrorist tactics of the U.S.
Government," Becker stated.
"The horrors of these bombings are masked in the mass media by the
predictable pattern of demonizing the targets as `terrorists.' What
proof do they offer before they strike? None! The Sudanese government
has stated for instance that the so-called chemical weapons facility
was in fact the Al-Shifa Pharmaceutical factory in Khartoum. In order
to discourage protest at home the U.S. administration seeks to
insulate the people from their crimes. They do this by disregarding
the devastation wreaked by their bombing and focus public attention
instead on the use of racist stereotypes of their victims," Becker
asserted.
>>From the National Organization for Women Action Center:
>
>NOW Press Office
>202-331-0066
>202-785-8576 fax
>
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>August 20, 1998
>
>CONTACT: MIRA WEINSTEIN ext 705; or REBECCA FARMER
>
>NOW REMINDS STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMITMENT TO AFGHAN WOMEN
>
>NOW leaders today called on the state department to honor its commitment to
>the 9 million women and girls living under oppressive Taliban rule. News
>reports indicate that if the Taliban is willing to stop protecting
>suspected terrorists, the US would consider granting the radical Islamic
>faction recognition as a government. US Secretary of State Madeleine
>Albright said the Taliban's protection of terrorists is one issue on which
>recognition would hinge.
>
>"While we agree that the Taliban should not harbor terrorists, we insist
>that the US continue to deny recognition to the Taliban until human rights
>are restored to Afghan women and girls," said NOW Membership Vice President
>Karen Johnson. In the past, Johnson and leaders from the Feminist Majority
>have met with officials from the state department and received their
>assurance that the US government would not recognize the Taliban until the
>Taliban recognized women's human rights.
>
>"I hope these news reports do not represent an attempt to go back on that
>commitment," Johnson said.
>
>NOW and other feminist organizations oppose any favorable treatment granted
>the radical Islamic movement that rules much of the country. "Women in
>Afghanistan live under oppressive conditions most of us can only imagine in
>our worst nightmares," Johnson said.
>
>Among the restrictions Afghan women face are: a ban on outside employment;
>dangerously strict dress codes for women; very limited medical treatment;
>threats of violence if seen without a husband, father or other male
>relative; and denials of humanitarian aid. Women are denied their share of
>any humanitarian aid delivered to the country under the premise that the
>men will take care of the women. Also, Afghan girls are forbidden from
>attending school.
>
>"The Taliban refuses to recognize the human rights of 60% of the
>population. I expect that the US and other governments will not reward the
>Taliban's criminal behavior to score political points in the wake of
>tragedies like the Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam bombings," Johnson said.
>
>She also expressed concern that any recognition as a government could give
>international corporations the green light to invest in Afghanistan. The
>Unocal Corporation is allegedly interested in securing a contract to build
>an oil pipeline across that country. NOW views any project that would help
>sustain the oppressive Taliban regime as a contribution to the abuse and
>suffering of Afghan women and girls.
>
>Link to this release at http://www.now.org/press/08-98/08-20-98.html
>
>To receive news release via Email, go to http://www.now.org/press/signup.html
