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abolition-usa-digest      Sunday, October 7 2001      Volume 01 : Number 477




----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 04 Oct 2001 15:21:16 -0400
From: ASlater <[e-mail]>
Subject: (abolition-usa) Fwd: FAST TRACK ALERT - mark-up this Friday!

Dear Friends,
Now that the globalization folks have joined the peace movement in urging that
we not go to war, they need our help on this.  We're all one movement now.
Regards, Alice


>Fast Track mark-up on Friday with possible floor-vote next week
>Call Congress at 1-800-393-1082 and tell YOUR Member:
>Vote NO on Fast Track!
>
>Despite the incredible inappropriateness of pushing such a controversial
issue
after the tragic events of September 11th, Rep Thomas (R-CA) has decided that
he wants to try to push Fast Track through Congress.
>
>Today at a press conference,  Thomas unveiled his Fast Track bill, tried to
label it as a bi-partisan measure, and scheduled it for a mark-up in the Ways
and Means committee on this coming Friday, October the 5th (a "mark up" is
when
a bill gets voted on in the relevant committee clearing the way for a floor
vote).
>
>This is no bi-partisan bill, instead it is a lite-version of the truly
offensive GOP-Crane bill. There are a few Democratic co-sponsors, but they
would have supported the original Crane bill anyways. The vast majority of
Democrats are disgusted with Thomas for his crass political profiteering and
lack of bi-partisanship.
>
>Thanks to the great work done by people like yourself around the country - we
have been able to stall of Fast Track. Now Thomas is playing a game of
chicken.
The Fast Track bill can only get momentum if there is a perception that there
is no cost for moving forward. We need to do a sudden pile on to any and all
swing members and also to Speaker Hastert. Thomas is going to have a hard time
pushing his bill through - especially if we all join forces and start calling
our Members of Congress NOW to tell them to oppose Fast Track. The AFL-CIO has
put up a toll-free number to the Capitol: 1-800-393-1082 (enter your zip-code
to get connected to your Member). You know what to do: CALL AND GET EVERYONE
YOU KNOW TO DO THE SAME!
>
>Some talking points:
>        - This is no time to bring up a controversial and divisive issue like
Fast Track. Congress needs to focus on issues that unites it, as well as the
responses to the terrorist attacks.
>        - Fast Track will set the terms of U.S. trade and investment policies
for the next 5-10 years and needs a thoughtful and thorough debate.
>        - There is nothing bi-partisan about Thomas' proposal, and does not
address in any meaningful way the real negative impacts that trade agreements
like NAFTA and the WTO have had on jobs, the environment and our family
farmers.
>
>Key Targets in New York -
>Call these targets after you have called your own Rep and make sure you talk
with the trade staffer
>
>Steve Israel (D-2nd)
>Trade Staffer: Priya Dayananda
>Zip Code: 11706
>
>Gary Ackerman (D-5th)
>Trade Staffer: Howard Diamond
>Zip: 11361
>
>Gregory Meeks (D-6th)
>Trade Staffer: Melvenia Gueye
>Zip: 11412
>
>Joseph Crowley (D-7th)
>Trade Staffer: Jody Lieberman
>Zip: 11372
>
>THEN - call Speaker of the House Hastert and tell him you appreciate his work
to create a bi-partisan spirit in the House and that you hope that he will
oppose this crass attempt by Thomas to break it. You can reach his office
in DC
at 202-225-2976 (or call the toll-free number and enter the zip-code for
Hastert's district: 60510).
>Tell us what you are hearing from your Member - e-mail us at
[e-mail]. For more information about Fast Track, please visit
www.tradewatch.org. To see the Thomas Fast Track bill:
http://waysandmeans.house.gov/fullcomm/107cong/tpa/tpa.pdf
>
>
>
>Katie West
>Legislative Assistant
>Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch
>215 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
>Washington, D.C. 20003
>[phone]
>
Alice Slater
GRACE Public Fund
215 Lexington Ave.,  Room 1001
New York, NY 10016
tel:  [phone]
fax:  [phone]
email:  [e-mail]
http://www.gracepublicfund.org


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------------------------------

Date: Thu, 04 Oct 2001 17:13:40 -0400
From: ASlater <[e-mail]>
Subject: (abolition-usa) Fwd: Don't Hide Your Light Under A Bushel

>Date: Thu, 04 Oct 2001 17:02:46 EDT
>From: [e-mail]
>Subject: Don't Hide Your Light Under A Bushel
>To: <[e-mail]>
>X-Mailer: Unknown (No Version)
>X-Original-Envelope-From: [e-mail]
>X-Loop-Detect: 1
>
>Excuse my reference to the words of Jesus, but I thought it might be an
attention grabber.
>
>If you know of actions taking place around the country in solidarity with the
vigil and march in New York City, please post them to this list so they can be
added to a comprehensive list.
>
>I've fielded several press calls today and it is embarassing to be able to
name only two items.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Chris
>

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------------------------------

Date: Thu, 04 Oct 2001 14:40:12 +0100
From: Sally Light <[e-mail]>
Subject: (abolition-usa) NDE Press Release - Trial & Conviction of Erik Thompson

MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - OCTOBER 4, 2001

Contact:  Sally Light, Executive Director, Nevada Desert Experience,
[phone]

ACTIVIST ERIK THOMPSON, CONVICTED OF TRESPASS ON THE NEVADA TEST SITE,
IS SENTENCED TO FINE PLUS COMMUNITY SERVICE.  COURT ALLOWED THOMPSON TO
MAKE A PREPARED STATEMENT.

Beatty, Nevada -  After a trial that lasted approximately 45 minutes,
Erik Thompson, the faith-based, anti-nuclear activist who was arrested
for trespass at the Nevada Test Site on August 6, 2001, the 56th
anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during WWII, was found
guilty and sentenced by Judge Coldin.  The judge ordered him to pay a
fine of $50.  Upon asking whether he could either serve time in jail or
pay the money to a charity, rather than pay to the court, the Judge
allowed him the option of paying a non-waivable fine of $25 plus
completing 10 hours of community service with any bona fide 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization.  He accepted that option, paying the $25 fine,
and is considering Nevada Desert Experience (NDE), among other
nonprofits, as his choice for community service.  NDE is the group that
organized the peaceful direct action at the Test Site when Mr. Thompson,
a Board member of NDE, was arrested.

During the trial, the judge allowed Mr. Thompson to read a prepared,
powerful statement, as follows:

STATEMENT PREPARED FOR TRIAL
ERIK THOMPSON
OCTOBER 4, 2001 (FEAST DAY OF ST FRANCIS OFASSISSI)

=93This is a time that calls for heroes.  Your honor has the opportunity,
and maybe even the obligation, to join that number.

=93You have determined that the Nevada Test Site is within your
jurisdiction.  The Nevada Test Site is being used to develop new weapons
of terror and maintain old weapons of terror.  The government that has
these weapons has used them against non-combatants in the past, killing
perhaps a quarter million human beings.  I believe there is a very real
possibility that government will use them to kill again, and I believe
there is a certainty such weapons will be used to create a threat of
terror.

=93I was arrested on the anniversary of our slaughtering 40 or 50 times a=
s
many Japanese as were killed on September 11. Officers of your county
determined that my presence on what they believed to be Test Site
property constituted trespass.  You have the authority to now speak for
your county - and for all of humanity - and say that your resources will
not be used to harbor an organization engaged in developing weapons of
mass destruction.

=93The good people outside Auschwitz tried to ignore the horrors happenin=
g
in the camp.  Laws passed by the national government tried to legitimize
the terror, but we know that what happened then was wrong.

=93The good people of Nye County have tried to ignore the development of
mobile Auschwitzes which is happening at the Test Site.  Laws passed by
the national government have tried to legitimize the terror, but we know
- - we are telling the world - that the targeting of innocent men, women,
and children for the perceived sins of their government is wrong.  And I
stand here before you today because officers of your county chose to
enforce state law to permit such activity within your jurisdiction.

=93In the Paquete Habana case, the US Supreme Court held that standards o=
f
international law shall be applicable within the United States.  The
International Court of Justice has held that there can never be a
justification under standards of international law to use nuclear
weapons.  The Nuremberg Principles, under which the US government took a
leading role in prosecuting and executing war criminals, and which are
one of my chief motivators, not only permit but require those of us with
knowledge of crimes against peace and humanity to attempt to halt them.

=93Your honor, justice requires that you find me not guilty and thereby
send a message to your County=92s officers and citizens that the resource=
s
of your county will no longer be used to support terrorist activity.
The law that you must uphold also provides you an opportunity to do so,
by recognizing the primacy of international treaties, which are co-equal
with the constitution as the highest law of this land.

=93I know that such a finding will not be easy; that is why I am asking
you to be heroic.  Most, maybe all, true heroes do not go gladly into
the fray.  They do what needs to be done.  Frequently they suffer and
sometimes they forfeit their lives, their treasure, and their sacred
honor.  Our country was founded by such heroes.  Our country has been
reformed by such heroes.  Our country needs such heroes again, this time
for a reformation that will make us less hated around the world.  Please
join this honorable cast and provide the moral leadership for your
citizens.=94

At the time of his arrest, Mr. Thompson was inside the Nevada Test Site,
but within 5 feet of its perimeter.  He has =93crossed the line=94 at the
Test Site many times over many years, but his arrest and prosecution on
Aug. 6 of this year is the first such prosecution in about the last ten
years of NDE=92s peaceful, risk-arrest style actions there.

Since the early 1950s, the US Department of Energy has used the Test
Site for more than 900 nuclear weapons detonations involving more that
1,000 bombs.  Underground =93subcritical=94 nuclear tests, paid for by fu=
nds
from the US=92 nuclear weapons development program, the =93Stockpile
Stewardship Program,=94 are still going on, the latest being the =93Oboe =
8=94
test last week, on Sept. 26, 2001.  A large protest of =93Oboe 8=94 occur=
red
in Tokyo, Japan, and smaller protests were held in Nevada and San
Francisco in the US.

For further information, please contact Nevada Desert Experience at
[phone].
- -30-



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------------------------------

Date: Thu, 04 Oct 2001 14:31:34 +0000
From: Joan Russow <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (abolition-usa) Fwd: Don't Hide Your Light Under A Bushel

Alice

There have been walks all across Canada. Here is Information about
Victoria. Paul Swann has been circulating information about England. Do you
have it?
In Victoria, BC. Canada, we have set up the Victoria Peace Coalition. So
far we have had three peace walks, several public meetings. Every Wednesday
we have a vigil at the Cenotaph, and will be having a substantial walk on
October 15.

Joan Russow

War is not the answer.

>> Victoria-- Last night, over 100 concerned citizens representing a wide
>> diversity of organizations (list below), ages, religions and races, met at
>> the University of Victoria to found the Victoria Peace Coalition. Those
>> attending formed six committees to voice Victorians' deep concern about
>the
>> US terrorist attacks, the drive towards war, and the increase of racism.
>> The following statement was agreed to unanimously by all attending the
>> founding meeting:
>>
>> "Concerned that terrorism in all its forms has resulted in the tragic loss
>> of innocent lives and in societal disintegration, the Victoria Peace
>> Coalition calls upon the Canadian government to respect international law
>> and justice, and to not support military action in any form."
>>
>> The Victoria Peace Coalition announces the following activities:
>>
>> A Walk for Peace & Justice will start at Victoria City Hall's Centennial
>> Square this Wednesday, September 19, starting at 5 pm. After a rally at
>> Centennial Square, the Walk will slowly proceed down Government Street to
>> the BC Legislature.
>>
>> The Walk will join a Peace Vigil, which begins at 7 pm this Wednesday
>> evening at Victoria's Cenotaph, on the front lawn of the BC Legislature.
>> There will be wreaths, speakers, songs and peaceful silent remembrance.
>>
>> The Vigil will continue each Wednesday evening at 7 pm at the Cenotaph
>> until further notice. If and when a war begins, there will be a Peace
>Vigil
>> that evening at 7 pm at the Cenotaph.
>>
>> Another Walk for Peace & Justice will be held Sunday, September 23,
>> starting at Victoria City Hall at 1 pm.
>>
>> An educational forum will be held September 26, starting at 12 noon. The
>> venue is to be announced.
>>
>> The Victoria Peace Coalition is also forming a buddy system, for those who
>> feel threatened, especially in the Muslim community, and are now living in
>> fear of unjust retaliation.
Peace walk on Sunday September 30
Peace walk on October 15
>>
>>     - END -
>>
>> Information:      http://victoria.indymedia.org/   and
>> http://www.islandnet.com/sunshine/peace.htm
>>
>> Joan Russow, 598-0071
>> Al Rycroft and Kealey Pringle, 592-8307
>>
>> -----------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> The Coalition is formed of individuals from the following groups:
>>
>> ARC Aboriginal Rights Coalition
>> Action Victoria
>> Amnesty International
>> Anglican Church of Canada
>> Anti-Poverty Coalition
>> Autonomous Roots Housing Cooperative
>> BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
>> BCGEU - BC Government Employees Union
>> BC Nurses Union
>> Buddhist Peace Fellowship
>> Canadian Centre for Political Alternatives
>> Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice
>> Canadian Voice of Women
>> Capital Region Race Relations Association
>> Carols
>> Central America Support Committee
>> Centre for Compassionate Social Change
>> Coaliton for Jews for Just Peace
>> Community Coalition Against Racism
>> Conscience Canada
>> Council of Canadians
>> Earth First
>> Fernwood Community Association
>> Forest Action Network
>> Global Compliance Research Project
>> Goods for Cuba
>> Greater Victoria Teacher's Association
>> Green Party
>> Health Science Association
>> Industrial Workers of the World
>> International  Association for Transformation
>> International Socialists
>> IUCN Commission on Education (World Conservation Union)
>> Mobilization for Global Justice
>> NDP - New Democratic Party
>> Together Against Poverty
>> United Church  of Canada
>> United Nations Association (Victoria Group)
>> University of Victoria Alumni Assn
>> Victoria Independent Media Centre
>> Vancouver Island Human Rights Coalition
>> Vancouver Island Public Interest Research Group (VIPIRG)
>> Victoria Humanist Group
>> Victoria Peace Centre
>> Victoria Raging Grannies
>> Victoria Status of Women Action Group
>> Victoria Women's Sangha
>> Victoria Interfaith Committee for 10 days for Global Justice
>> VISO (Victoria Iraqi Solidarity Organization)
>> World Federalists of Canada (Victoria Branch)

At 05:13 PM 10/4/01 -0400, you wrote:
>>Date: Thu, 04 Oct 2001 17:02:46 EDT
>>From: [e-mail]
>>Subject: Don't Hide Your Light Under A Bushel
>>To: <[e-mail]>
>>X-Mailer: Unknown (No Version)
>>X-Original-Envelope-From: [e-mail]
>>X-Loop-Detect: 1
>>
>>Excuse my reference to the words of Jesus, but I thought it might be an
>attention grabber.
>>
>>If you know of actions taking place around the country in solidarity with
the
>vigil and march in New York City, please post them to this list so they
can be
>added to a comprehensive list.
>>
>>I've fielded several press calls today and it is embarassing to be able to
>name only two items.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Chris
>>
>
>-
> To unsubscribe to abolition-usa, send an email to "[e-mail]"
> with "unsubscribe abolition-usa" in the body of the message.
> For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send
> "help" to the same address.  Do not use quotes in your message.
>
>
>


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------------------------------

Date: Thu, 04 Oct 2001 18:41:48 -0400
From: ASlater <[e-mail]>
Subject: (abolition-usa) Plan for National Security

Dear Friends,
Here's a letter I sent to the editor.   Alice Slater

                                        October 4, 2001

To the Editor,  New York Times
BY FAX:  [phone]

President Eisenhower  passed the National Highways Act in 1956 by convincing
Congress that this generously funded federal works program was essential for
our national security.  As the Congress debates the components of a $75
billion
economic stimulus package, in the wake of the tragic assault on our nation,
serious consideration should be given to an investment in sustainable
energy on
the scale of the National Highways Act.   With a solar panel on every roof in
America, windmills down the center of our windswept Great Plains and sited off
the shores of our gusty oceans, we would be well on our way to energy
self-sufficiency.   Rather than bail out the gas-guzzling airlines, we
would be
far better off subsidizing our auto industry to develop the infrastructure
that
would support the already technologically feasible hydrogen fuel cell to power
our automobiles.

We would then be free of the need  to compromise our principles in order to
maintain our access to oil from corrupt, undemocratic governments.  We could
cut our military spending and infrastructure substantially.  Tens of thousands
of new jobs would be created.  We would avert the perils of global warming and
would have a decrease in diseases as our air becomes more pure.  A commitment
to jump-start the economy with a National Sustainable Energy Act would bring
many blessings to America.  We know the technology is available.  Why is this
not being discussed seriously?

Sincerely,



Alice Slater
President


Alice Slater
Global Resource Action Center for the Environment (GRACE)
215 Lexington Ave.,  Room 1001
New York, NY 10016
tel:  [phone]
fax:  [phone]
email:  [e-mail]
http://www.gracelinks.org
GRACE is a member of Abolition 2000, a global network for the elimination
nuclear weapons.

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------------------------------

Date: Sat, 06 Oct 2001 10:15:23 +0000
From: Joan Russow <[e-mail]>
Subject: (abolition-usa) Who are the real threats?

WHO ARE THE REAL THREATS?

With the recent tragic incident in New York, there has been the progressive
call for ômore intelligence workö and the complementary concern about the
increased potential violation of civil and political rights.
Recently, a message has been circulated on the internet about the various
categories being used by the FBI to determine what constitutes a terrorist.
With the current failure of the ôintelligence commuityö to distinguish
legitimate dissent these categories could lead to a violation of civil and
political rights.

The FBI has included the following in their designation of terrorists:

"... category of domestic terrorists, left-wing groups, generally profess a
revolutionary socialist doctrine and view themselves as protectors of the
people against the "dehumanizing effects" of capitalism and imperialism.
They aim to bring about change in the United States through revolution
rather than through the established political process."

"Anarchists and extremist socialist groups -- many of which, such as the
Workers'World Party, Reclaim the Streets, and Carnival Against Capitalism
- -- have an international presence and, at times, also represent a potential
threat in the United States. For example, anarchists, operating
individually and in groups, caused much of the damage during the 1999 World
Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Seattle."

"Special interest terrorism differs from traditional right-wing and
left-wing terrorism in that extremist special interest groups seek to
resolve specific issues, rather than effect more widespread political
change. Special interest extremists continue to conduct acts of politically
motivated violence to force segments of society, including, the general
public, to change attitudes about issues considered important to their
causes. These groups occupy the extreme fringes of animal rights, pro-life,
environmental, anti-nuclear, and other political and social movements."

In 1998, I found out that I was on the Canadian RCMP Threat Assessment
list.. After I found out that I was on the Treat Assessment List, I have
been working on the RT ( the real threat) list. Here is an excerpt from the
RT list.

* All governments that have produced weapons of mass destruction such as
nuclear, chemical, and biological, in defiance of the global commitment
made at Stockholm to eliminate the production of weapons of mass destruction.
* All governments that have proliferated nuclear arms by selling civil
nuclear technology such as CANDU reactors to other states
* All governments that are circulating and berthing nuclear powered or
nuclear arms capable vessels
* All governments that mine and sell uranium for use in nuclear weapon systems
* All governments that have planted land mines throughout the world
*  All governments that have permitted the sale of arms around the world
* All governments that support a military organization like NATO that has a
first strike policy in violation of the ruling of the International Court
of Justice that the use or threat to use nuclear weapons was contrary to
international humanitarian law.
* All governments that perceive of justice in terms of revenge through
military intervention rather than respecting the jurisdiction of the
International Court of Justice
* All governments that have set up military bases in other sovereign nations
* All governments that have failed to reduce their military budget and
transfer the savings into global social justice as undertaken through
numerous UN Conference Action Plans and UN General Assembly Resolutions
* All governments that have failed to ensure the human right to safe
drinking water, the human right to unadulterated (non-genetically
engineered pesticide-free food), the human right to safe accessible
housing, the human right to be clothed, the human right to education, the
human right to universally accessible not for profit publicly funded health
care that stresses the importance of prevention of environmentally induced
diseases, and poverty related illnesses. ( many of these rights have been
protected through international human rights instruments)
* All governments that have denied civil and political rights including the
right to freedom of speech and the right of peaceful assembly, and
fundamental labour rights
* All governments that have approved genetically engineered foods and crops
and have led to a deterioration of the food supply, and heritage seeds
* All governments that have ignored the warnings of the Intergovernmental
panel on Climate change and have failed to discharge obligations under the
Framework Convention on Climate Change, and Kyoto Protocol
* All governments that have supported , and individuals that have
participated in the proselytizing of religion and the undermining of other
cultures
* All governments and individuals that have discriminated against the
following
grounds:
- - race, tribe, or culture;
- - colour, ethnicity, national ethnic or social origin, or language;
nationality, place of birth, or nature of residence (refugee or
immigrant, migrant worker);
- - gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or form
of family,
- - disability or age;
- - religion or conviction, political or other opinion, or - class, economic
position, or other status;
* All governments that have ignored the warnings of the Intergovernmental
panel on Climate change and have failed to discharge obligations under the
Framework Convention on Climate Change, and Kyoto Protocol
* All governments that have failed to revoke charters and licences of
corporations that have violated human rights, including labour rights, that
have contributed to war and violence, and that have led to the destruction
of the environment. All industries that have supported the development of
weapons of mass destruction, and all citizens and groups that have invested
in companies that have developed weapons of mass destruction.
* All governments that have been willing to accept corporate donations, and
still delude the public into thinking that citizens live in a democracy.

Perhaps one of the reasons that the "intelligence community " failed to
anticipate and prevent the attack on the World Trade Centre is that the
"intelligence community" has not yet learned to distinguish legitimate
dissent from criminal acts.

Joan Russow PhD
Global Compliance Research Project
1 250 598-0071



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------------------------------

Date: Sat, 06 Oct 2001 10:21:42 +0000
From: Joan Russow <[e-mail]>
Subject: (abolition-usa) RULE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND GLOBAL JUSTICE         - NOT REVENGE - MUST PREVAIL

RULE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND GLOBAL JUSTICE
        - NOT REVENGE - MUST PREVAIL
Published in the Times Colonist, Victoria, B.C. CANADA , September 25

In the face of human disaster, the calls for revenge and retribution are
predictable but these calls should be resisted. The rule of international
law, must be respected. For too long many member states of the United
Nations have failed to respect the International Court of Justice in the
Hague. States like the US have refused to accept the jurisdiction of the
international Court, and when the US does accept the jurisdiction, the US
refuses to accept the decision of the court (1988 ruling against the US
planting land mines in Nicaragua). In 1999, ten NATO countries including
Canada and the US refused to accept the jurisdiction of the International
Court of Justice when Yugoslavia brought the NATO countries to the Court
for violation of international law.

The United States should seek justice through international law, rather
than retribution through perpetuating the cycle of violence and revenge.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Manley in question period Wednesday
September 19, claimed that there was no recourse through international law
because the International Criminal Court proposal has not yet received the
60 signatures required for its implementation.. The  International Court of
Justice has, however,  existed for over 50 years and is responsible for
hearing cases brought to it by member states of the UN.

Francis Boyle, an American specialist in international law, is supporting
the use of the International Court of Justice. He affirms the following:

"The 1971 Montreal Sabotage Convention is directly on point here, and
provides a comprehensive framework for dealing with the current dispute
between the United States and Afghanistan over the tragic events of 11
September 2001. Both States are
contracting parties to the Montreal Sabotage Convention, together with 173
other States in the World. The United States is under an absolute
obligation to resolve this dispute with Afghanistan in a peaceful manner as
required by UN Charter Article 2(3) and Article 33 as well as by the
Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928, as well as in accordance with the requirements
of the Montreal Sabotage Convention -- all of which treaties bind most of
the States of the World. In addition, the United States should offer to
submit this entire dispute to the International Court of Justice in The
Hague  (the so-called World Court) on the basis of the Montreal Sabotage
Convention, and should ask the Government of Afghanistan to withdraw its
Reservation to World Court jurisdiction as permitted
by article 14(3) of the Montreal Sabotage Convention.

Furthermore, all other contracting parties must invoke the Montreal
Sabotage Convention against both the United States and Afghanistan in order
to produce a peaceful resolution of this dispute."

In Addition, the US could take other states, signatories to the
International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights to the International
Court of Justice, and  Article 20 of the International Covenant of Civil
and Political Rights: this article states:

ôAny advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes
incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by
law".

Perhaps the best counter to terrorism would be for the global community to
act on previous commitments to substantively reduce the military and
transfer the peace dividend to the achievement of global social justice and
equity.

Throughout the years, through international agreements, member states of
the United Nations have recognized the need to reduce the military budget.

In 1976 at Habitat 1, member states of the United Nations affirmed the
following in relation to the military budget:

"The waste and misuse of resources in war and armaments should be
prevented. All countries should make a firm commitment to promote general
and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control,
in particular in the field of nuclear
disarmament. Part of the resources thus released should be utilized so as
to achieve a better quality of life for humanity and particularly the
peoples of developing countries"

In 1981, in the General Assembly resolution entitled Resolution on the
reduction of the military budget, the member states (I)  reaffirmed "the
urgent need to reduce the military budget, and agreed to freeze and reduce
the military budget"; (ii) recognised that "the military budget constitutes
a heavy burden for the economies of all nations, and has extremely harmful
consequences on international peace and security"; (iii) reiterated the
appeal "to all States, in particular the most heavily armed States, ..., to
exercise self-restraint in their military expenditures with a view to
reallocating the funds thus saved to economic and social development,
particularly for the benefit of developing countries"

These appeals were further reinforced through various international
documents, including the Programme of Action of the 1994
United Nations Conference on Population and Development:
 "quantitative and qualitative goals of the present Programme of Action
clearly require additional resources, some of which could become available
from a reordering of priorities at the individual,  national and
international levels. However, none of the actions required - nor all of
them combined - is expensive in the context of either current global
development or military expenditures."  (Article 1.19)

Currently the Global Community spends more than $840 billion per year on
the military budget at a time when many basic and fundamental rights have
not been fulfilled: the human  right to affordable and safe housing; the
right to unadulterated food  (pesticide-free and genetically
engineered-free food); the right to safe drinking water; the right to a
safe environment; the right to universally accessible, not for profit
health care; and
the right to free and accessible education. In addition, years of redress
and assistance to those who have been oppressed should be compensated and
"third world debt canceled. The time is now.

Joan Russow PhD
Global Compliance Research Project
Victoria, BC. Canada
1 250 598-0071




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Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2001 12:59:17 -0700
From: [e-mail] (marylia)
Subject: (abolition-usa) Vigil 7PM Livermore

Dear colleagues:
As you no doubt know by now, the U.S. (joined by the U.K.) began bombing
targets in at least 5 areas in Afganistan last night. Today, Defense
Secretary Donald Rumsfeld refused to discuss whether other nations may also
be bombed, as well as other "operational matters." It is hard to know the
nature and extent of civilian casualties from the airports and other
facilities that have been bombed. Too, it is hard to know what will come
next. We at Tri-Valley CAREs have invited all people who advocate for
nonviolent action (Justice, not Vengeance) to meet at 7 PM at the Livermore
Peace Monument, near the Livermore main library at 1000 South Livermore
Ave. Here is the invitation published in our newsletter (just mailed out --
you may not have received it yet). We also put fliers up around town ...

The Vigil We Work to Prevent...  (BUT MUST NOW HAVE --mk)

If the United States begins bombing another country, or if another terror
attack occurs in the U.S., meet that first evening at 7 PM at the Peace
Monument at the Livermore main library, 1000 South Livermore Avenue.

Bring a candle or song, or simply come with love. We will vigil for peace
and call for an end to hatred and violence in all of its forms.

We affirm the connectedness of all peoples everywhere. We condemn the acts
of violence perpetrated on September 11, and we mourn the loss of many
lives. Similarly, we do not condone any invasion or bombing attacks by our
own government that will likewise result in bloodshed and heartbreak in
cities in other nations.

Let peace begin with each of us.


(NOTE: If you cannot come to Livermore, please vigil in your home community,)

Marylia Kelley
Executive Director,
Tri-Valley CAREs
(Communities Against a Radioactive Environment)
2582 Old First Street
Livermore, CA 94550
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Web site: http://www.igc.org/tvc



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------------------------------

Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2001 13:11:44 -0700
From: [e-mail] (marylia)
Subject: (abolition-usa) Evaluating our Work in the Aftermath

All the more important now...
Evaluating our Work in the Aftermath

by Marylia Kelley with Inga Olson, Ann Seitz and Tara Dorabji
from Tri-Valley CAREs' October 2001 newsletter, Citizen's Watch

The tragic morning of September 11 is only two weeks past as we prepare
this edition of our newsletter. In the wake of the terror attacks,
Tri-Valley CAREs' staff, board, and members are engaged in an ongoing
discussion of our work. Our logo since 1983 has carried the slogan: "peace,
justice, environment." This overarching vision provides the touchstone for
our response.

We are organizing a "hate-free community" event in downtown Livermore - for
we have received reports of harassment from members of our community.
Simultaneously, we are sponsoring vigils and events that call us as a
country to a principled, nonviolent  response to the attacks.

One creative action that evolved out of an informal staff meeting involves
honoring Rep. Barbara Lee on Gandhi's birthday (see page 1). We are also
circulating letters for people to sign and send to President Bush, Defense
Secretary Rumsfeld and our elected officials calling for a reasoned
response based on rule of law, not vengeance (call us for copies).

This newsletter contains postcards for our 3,400 readers to use. On Nov. 1,
we will conduct a short educational course on the history and practice of
nonviolence as part of our "study group" series.

We believe that many "small actions" such as these, done now and done in  a
focused, visible and public way by folks all across the country, can make a
difference in stopping the cycle of violence.

We have evaluated our ongoing programs as well. Our work for global nuclear
disarmament has never been more relevant. Reports from the Pentagon that
the use of tactical nuclear weapons cannot be "ruled out" only underscores
the need to eliminate all nuclear weapons. Our "Project Exodus" to persuade
Livermore Lab employees to forswear work on nuclear and other weapons of
mass destruction also takes on an added imperative in the context of a
drumbeat for war.

Last week, Tri-Valley CAREs' executive director, Marylia Kelley, spoke to a
group of about 250 at Sonoma State University on the topic of missile
defense. Feedback from the audience was that all efforts to stop this
program should be redoubled as a consequence of Sept. 11.

We have tabled at many, many events these last 2 weeks, and our postcards
asking that all nuclear weapons be taken off hair-trigger alert have been
flying off our tables as fast as we can restock. The peace community is
speaking loud and clear through its actions.

Similarly, Tri-Valley CAREs' programs to protect the environment and obtain
cleanup in communities surrounding nuclear weapons facilities offer an
important component in the debate on "homeland security." Are we secure if
our children breathe plutonium dust?

Are more militarism and fewer civil rights the path to our security? Or,
does our salvation lie in a different direction; perhaps in our
inter-connectedness?  Might a true sense of safety come from understanding
that violence and injustice perpetrated anywhere in the world makes us all
less secure -- and in practicing that knowledge?

What would result if we put our resources into creating healthy communities
instead of more nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction?

That we have an opportunity (nay, a moral imperative) to engage in this
discussion - and to search for a common, global, human security - is the
silver lining in the dark, horrible clouds that rained death and debris on
September 11, 2001.


Marylia Kelley
Tri-Valley CAREs
(Communities Against a Radioactive Environment)
2582 Old First Street
Livermore, CA USA 94550

<http://www.igc.org/tvc/> - is our web site, please visit us there!

[phone] - is our phone
[phone] - is our fax

Working for peace, justice and a healthy environment since 1983, Tri-Valley
CAREs has been a member of the nation-wide Alliance for Nuclear
Accountability in the U.S. since 1989, and is a co-founding member of the
Abolition 2000 global network for the elimination of nuclear weapons, the
U.S. Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons and the Back From the Brink
campaign to get nuclear weapons taken off hair-trigger alert.



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------------------------------

End of abolition-usa-digest V1 #477
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