General Assembly of the Anti-War Movement
General Assembly of the Anti-War Movement CONFERENCE REPORT One of the most successful big conferences at the WSF was the one on "US Occupation of Iraq, and the Problems of Palestine and Afghanistan". It was sponsored by the Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (India) as well as by numerous other organisations including the Asian Peace Alliance, Focus on the Global South, All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation, Alternative Information This was held in the biggest indoor hall at the WSF on January 18 between 1400 and 1700 hours. There were representatives from Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Afghanistan, the USA, Britain, Canada and India on the ten member panel which was jointly chaired by Rania Masri of Lebanese origin and What made this huge conference, attended by over four thousand people, so successful was that it was also interactive with almost as much time devoted to contributions from the foor as for the panelists. This conference also helped set a more informed political context for the all-day activist meeting the next day on January 19 - the anti-war activists assembly - which discussed various practical and concrete measures that could be taken to further the global anti-war solidarity movement. The other eight panelists besides the chairs were Amir Rekaby (Iraq); Imanullah Dileru (Afghanistan); Joseph Gerson (US); Michael Warshawski (Israel); Pierre Beaudet (Quebec); Mike Marqusee (UK/ Strategy Session Report Session One: Globalization and War. The Current Conjuncture The aim of this frst session is to establish an understanding of US Imperialism's strategy as it relates to the occupation of Iraq and threats against other countries and movements. The role of the UN, multilateral organizations such as the IMF/WB/WTO and other imperialist powers (UK, Germany and France) should also be broached. The objective of this session is to come up with an initial short list of common demands for the global movement and begin discussion on strategic objectives. Moderators:
Speakers:
Walden Bello: A marked change in the global context between Iraq invasion, the "war on Iraq is over" and today: the "Awesome display of might" of the US thrown into question by Iraqi resistance on various levels both paramilitary and civil. Iraq is becoming another Vietnam for the US, which is now seeking an honourable exit. The situation is becoming unmanageable and the US wants UN and European aid, which is not forthcoming. The factor that made the difference: the Iraqi people began the Resistance! Plans for regime change in North Korea, Iran and Syria are on hold and neo-conservatives pushing them are under attack from other sectors of US elite. US Empire is wreaked by crisis of over-extension. New opportunities for challenging empire. Cancún - the WTO collapsed because developing countries blocked US plans for further neo-liberalization. Those formations would not have occurred if US was not seen as weak. This also carried in Miami as they failed to clinch key agreements in the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas. Resistance is infectious! Let us not underestimate the crisis of empire: Afghanistan, Palestine, the collapse of the Atlantic Alliance, Islamic fundamentalist forces stronger, revolt against neo-liberalism in country after country in Latin America, especially the Lula government in Brasil and the Chavez government in Venezuela. Massive opposition linking global anti-corporate and anti-US military movements represent trans-border, global superpower contesting US power. It is easy to underestimate our Iraq created massive opposition - it linked the global anti-war movement with the anti-globalization movement. This is the world's second global superpower - international civil society. The US is now in Vietnam type situation in Iraq - US is overextended. But it will try to come back, do not underestimate for example, the WTO and its comeback in Hong Kong later this year. Quoting Arundathi Roy, what the defnition of the movement is - we as a movement are at war against the Empire. We do not use instruments of violence though we respect the people who do use it because they have no other option. There are more and more coordinated actions. February 15, the Jakarta Peace Consensus - where we adopted resolutions,and then March 20 - aneven bigger globalmarch against militarism. We will get the Americans out of Iraq! Amir Rekaby: I want to discuss key aspects of US occupation. US/UK has raised the slogan of "regime change" but has destroyed a country. It has set up a governing council. With the experience of last 82 years of the Iraqi people - it has transformed the occupation into an impossible occupation. This has created an armed resistance in part of rebuilding the nation. Today US gambles on superfcial elements - religious and ethnic. But potential for unity in rebuilding nation in various regions and sectors of Iraq. Therefore, Iraqi nation will return united. Occupation has failed to meet US strategic goal to dis-unify in order to dominate. International forces against economic globalization - we Oupa Lehulere: Look more into what I suggest are tendencies toward a state of quasi-permanent war, stage is set for proliferation of war. Also Franco-German imperialism a factor. Immediate forces driving toward war in Iraq. Challenge to US hegemony by Iraq, Iran, Venezuela, generated perspective of regime change - frst in Iraq. Global crisis of US economy and other economies key. Iraq war closed a period that opened after WWII and completed an aspect of globalization. Competition among imperialist powers in face of Red threat was suppressed. Now there is a renewal of economic competition. European bloc challenges US hegemony. European Union provides new framework for Europe to re-arm. Franco-German imperialism completes globalization process. Numerous consequences: realignment of power - successful Franco-German resistance in the UN, split in NATO, build European military force. This also reverberates through international institutions - IMF defed by the US. The US would like face-saving retreat in Iraq. Stage is set for interventionist European Union. Global economic crisis and attempt by US efforts to deal with that through military means. US is tied up. India-Pakistan confict - French intervention to back India, US intervention to back Pakistan. Split in old imperialist alliance sets ground for new wars as two powers manoeuvre. Expect escalation for military expenditures. We must look at new long term developments. Jeremy Corbyn: In my study, one must look at the history of how war is presented and people's perception. Notion of peace since 1945 - ignoring colonialist and imperialist wars after 1945 and ignoring present conficts today - wars in Congo and other parts of Africa, in Colombia. Congo - armed groups fghting each other, manipulated by MNC's - especially mining companies. We must not allow our agenda on war to be decided by CNN, BBC and others. We need to focus on US/British occupation in Iraq but also take up these others. In Colombia - "evil and drugs" used by US government as a pretext, by MNC's who seek Setting up US/British approved regime in Iraq, as opposed to truly democratically representative government, sets up new future problems. Human revulsion against inhumanity and lies related with the war in Iraq results in mass protests, through which many people become politicized and radicalized. Essential for building global justice movement. Nuclear threat looming - especially given possible future confrontations with China - makes international anti-war movement important. We must build a world of peace based on human needs and sustainable development. Interventions from the floor: Nahla Chahal, CCIPPP: One aspect of US occupation of Iraq. Anti-occupation calling for troops out - good but not enough. Very concerned about non-military aspects of the occupation, see real political process going on in Iraq today. Our duty and role have a real effect on the ground against US sponsored governing council - here some members of the Iraqi communist party are wrong - they are making the US occupation possible. Enrique Gomariz, Costa Rica: Why are there no representative of Latin America on the table? Conference of Security of Americas and Heads of State summit, more signifcant than developments in Venezuela. It changed the situation completely in Latin America. Fabio Alberti, Bridges to Baghdad, Italy: Not everything that is against the US is useful to us. We have to discuss fundamentalist, fascist forces - these are not our allies. Our goal is "another world" not just anti-US. In Iraq - not only to kick out the US, but to give peace for Iraqi people and unity of Iraqi people. Armed resistance is not the only form of resistance. If it is only armed resistance, then it won't succeed. Be prepared to oppose certain forms of armed resistance - like the terrorist killing of Iraqi civilians. Brian McDonough, Echec a la guerra, Canada: Our coalition mobilized several hundred thousand people in opposing US war in Iraq - far more than ever. We sense impact in Canada of militarization, economically and culturally. Culture of fear in the US after 9/11, phobia about weapons of mass destruction. Canada too, tightening up immigration restrictions. It impacts on UN and other international organizations. UN approval of occupation of Iraq giving "legitimacy" to US occupation. Milan Rai, Justice not Vengeance, UK: US not attempting to carry out regime change in Iraq as opposed to using same British elements. Our strategic objectives must involve fguring out what "they" are planning to do in the future. We must not be reactive but pro-active - to end the war altogether. There should have been mass non-violent civil disobedience against the war. Beware of 2004 elections in US - precludes war for the year - it gives us time. We must expose the fact that the governing council is chosen by the US. Salim Vally, Anti War Coaliton, South Africa: The intent of the frst session is to deepen our understanding of US imperialism, multilateral organizations, the WTO, IMF, WB, UN and others and develop our analysis. Much richer discussion, some requiring debate. We need to develop a perspective re: UN's role, etc. We cannot be agnostic about it. We must analyse role and nature of Israel, struggle of Palestinians. We need to develop perspective on the governing council in Iraq. Ellen Woodsworth, Canada: City Council member. There will be a World Peace Forum in Vancouver in 2005-2006 against militarism and military spending and for human needs. Urge people to contact her if interested. Keun Soo Hong, Globalize from Below, South Korea: US occupation since 1945, Korean troops sent to Iraq. We struggle with non-violent methods. We are debating violent vs. peaceful methods. Ramesh, Mumbai: One fundamental reason why people back war - desire of masses of people to buy consumer products. We must oppose consumerism. John Morris, Australia: Imperialism US in Iraq - but used as a cover for other countries to be involved. Australia occupied Solomon islands. Russia using it as an excuse to wage war in Chechnya. Israel/Palestine - we need to give attention to this in our work. Somie, UK: Role of Islamists and terrorists often pointed to but we must support anti-US resistance, regardless of nature. US imperialism is the main enemy. Carmen Sita, Philippines: People's Forum for Peace and Life supported by churches - forum of very committed ecumenical, resisting empire, globalization, state terrorism and US hegemony. Would we be able to be part of the assembly? Unity with diversity - church people, pro-peace, non-violent, respect people's rights to defend themselves from state sponsored terrorism. Victor Nzuzi, Congo:I'm a farmer and also an activist. Very interested in the discussion but only speak French. The war in Congo: 3.5 million deaths. Everyone is pretending that the war is fnished. War is over cotton and mineral. Apart from copper, oil and diamons, cotton was the cause. The major powers want and need this mineral. The wars in Africa are wars over the resources of the African land. Debt and debt repayment = death of people. In Congo, only 2% is employed. Even those with salary get less than $5 a month. My country has many riches but 5 billion dollars worth of resources stolen during the war. Today the international community has imposed on us a government of warlords. MODERATOR SUMMARY (Petros): We are united in the streets - the global superpower - we can defeat them. We can build our next steps and building our movement internationally. We support the right of the Iraqi people for self-determination. We must build on what we've done in the past such as February 15. Don't overestimate the enemy or underestimate them. Link struggle against war with struggle for global justice. Another world is possible - peace not war, people not proft. Session Two: Global Resistance The aim of this session is to refect on past global days of action (Feb and Sept) - successes and challenges. The objective is to ensure that future actions such as the proposed March 20th 2004 and other international campaigns build on our successes and address our weaknesses. Moderators:
Speakers:
Notes: Yung Chan Choi: War against Iraq is a critical issue for the politics of last year and this year. There could be another war against North Korea, Iran, Syria. We also saw the collapse of the WTO Ministerial in Cancún. Sharing anti-war moves around the world. Korea - 1st genuine movement against war. Recently, the Japanese anti-war movement has attracted and included the a lot of young people. We are witnessing the anti-war fervour in the laymen now - all the conferences around the issue have been full packed. India - also a very huge anti-war movement - did not send their troops to Iraq. If we want to win and defeat the US imperialism - we need to have worldwide action. March 20 is an important call - we Chris Nineham: It's quite hard to speak of Feb 15th - changed a lot of things, it created a new movement, it saw the joining of the anti-war movement and the anti-corporate movement. Blair admitted there might not have been any weapons of mass destruction. Blair can go any moment. We are a global superpower. March 20 is a very important date of the movement if we did manage to retreat the troops from Iraq - it will be a great day and moment for the anti-war movements. US is isolated and the war has polarised - war is so naked! We should mobilise for March 20 and already start to publicise the call here at the WSF. Rania Masri: How Feb 15 proceeded in the USA and what problems we faced. Tens of thousands of people in the streets and people thought we will stop the war. When it did not happen, they lost energy. Now we are facing a problem of building the energy again. Iraq is being sold bit by bit. Democracy is being fabricated. Challenge the economic occupation of Iraq. Call for free and fair elections. Amplify what everyone is doing around the world, please write to UFPJ. We Americans have to defeat Bush. Avenues of discussion need to be open as well to all. Interventions from the foor: Delegate from Turkey: 15,000 people demonstrated, it was very good and we are now preparing for March 20. Enrique Gomariz, Campana Por La Paz, Costa Rica: In building March 20th we should not be anti-US - we must seek to win over public opinion among the people in the US in a manner that will impact on US politics. Building a strategic alliance with the North American people is needed to an occupation of Iraq and to make another world possible. Tactics should be designed to advance that process. Delegate from Australia: A lot of people felt that their voice was not being heard. What is the point? Go beyond talk of morals and illegality of war. War is unacceptable. Delegate from Kyrgyzstan: Not much history of anti-war movement but still on the March 20 mobilisation. We were able to do wonders. Delegate from Congo: We organized 2 conferences - destruction of mankind. All the innocent people of Iraq who were being killed were the same as being killed in Congo 2 years - we draw comparisons between Congo and Iraq. Cancel the dictatorship, take the opportunity - rise up!! Delegate from Australia: Not many demonstrations after Feb 15. Stop demonisation of Islam. Mobilise the people on March 20 around the world. Delegate from Greece: In our country, March 20 has been endorsed. 250,000 demonstrated against the war. We stood against war and imperialism. Delegate from Finland: Choose to American TNC's we should attack and shoot down all over the world. Find out similar strategies and work to make it a success, also for March 20. Delegate from US and Middle East: No War in Our Name - this is how we mobilised. We also talked about it in our workplace. Jessica Marshall, National Youth and Student Peace Coalition, US: Even if we don't mobilize as many on March 20 as we did last February 15, there are even more people who see now that going to war was a bad decision. In US we're doing a lot of local based demonstrations instead of only focusing on one big one. Youth have to actively be engaged and feel part of the movement since we were out in full force through the whole anti-war movement. We have also developed a Books Not Bombs project. Delegate from South Korea: I am an organizer for March 20, we have already begun preparations. Paul Le Blanc, US: We need to win hearts and minds among varied layers of US people. This was done during Vietnam war, when anti-war sentiment shifted from minority to majority, putting pressure on all policy-makers (Democrats and Republicans). More people were anti-war during Iraq war than during Afghanistan confict - over a million mobilized on February 15. Growing numbers drawn into protests become radicalized. Making March 20th an effective international protest will help process in US Delegate from India: I'd like to raise the secular aspect of the mobilisations. Are we just concerned with numbers? We should also work to reach out to as broad a base as possible. Make linkage to natural resources, development issues to militarism. Delegate from Iraq: End of war should a goal in itself. Send the people to Iraq to see with your own eyes. Delegate from Cairo: Not only against war but about democracy - equality. Delegate from Iraq: End the Occupation. We want peace in Iraq. They have politicised peace in Iraq. People who are revolting are called terrorists now. Bush does not liberate us. We women of Iraq liberate ourselves. You strengthen our struggles. Delegate from Italy: It is not enough to just mobilise, is it possible to ask all people to do something against the war - consumers boycott multinationals, pressure on media that does not give information, good discussion not only on mailing lists. We go beyond abstract vision - war is a way of doing politics differently. All the movements against US bases, against the anti-terror legislation and Delegate from US: 50% of troops are against the war - desertions are up 2%. Worldwide movement against this war, demos are important - they have an effect on the troops. All people's struggle against imperialism. Iraq is just 1 stepping stone, 1 part of this overall strategy, get away from the stop the bush campaign, the democrats won't be any better. Delegate from UK: Bush's lies about going into war, 400 billion dollars, US is the epitome of capitalism, UK and US - they knew about suffering of children. More confict, more problems - expose the truth, one thing that joins us all - a vision: let's tell them about our vision - every child Closing from speakers: Rania Masri: The slogans of UFPJ for March 20 are no to war, no to occupation, which includes Palestine and no to ongoing war in the US. We aced to be organizing for March 20 - we need to continue even after - for the sake of economic and human security in Iraq. Chris Nineham: US is trying to draw other countries into sending troops. Everywhere we should have protests on March 20 - part of our work is to engage the movement and beyond. US and UK trying to whip up a climate of fear, Muslims in Britain are a target. 9/11 is a tragedy but Moderator summary (Luciano): No solution is possible as long as troops are still occupying Iraq. We should get the troops out of Iraq and return Iraqi's national sovereignty. We have to give a strong message from here in Session Three: Global Campaigns Aim of this session is to provide information, clarify and discuss our ongoing campaigns. The main objective is to strengthen and fnalise plans for specifc campaigns. Moderators: Speakers:
*For more information on the campaigns and complete reports of their events at the WSF, please contact the following people:
The session started with one of the moderators, Salim Vally, acknowledging the presence of a living legend in the midst of the Anti-War Assembly - Leila Khaled. Leila was invited to speak before the campaign presentations. Leila Khaled: You are the international law, not in New York, you are the global superpower. You were there in South Africa during the apartheid, and you won. Let us act - action speak louder than words. Let us boycott US and Israeli goods. Let us escalate the resistance and the armed struggle. We will do it hand in hand with the Iraqis, and the Palestinians and we will follow the example of the Lebanese on how to liberate the land! Ayse Berktay: In March 2003, when the US administration began bombing Baghdad and started invading Iraq, all of those involved in the unprecedented global anti-war movement felt a profound desire to see the aggressors punished for their crimes.Hence, it was no coincidence that initiatives to hold an international war crimes tribunal sprang up almost simultaneously in several regions of the world. The proposal to hold a world-round tribunal linking the various initiatives in different places was brought to the attention of the global antiwar movement in various international meetings: Berlin, Geneva, Jakarta, Brussels, Naples, Paris, Cancún... Of particular signifcance here were the Jakarta Peace Conference which made a commitment to realize this tribunal and the Networks meeting of the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation in Brussells where some of the initiatives that had already taken to work linked with eachother, with the Russell Foundation and other interested groups and individuals, and decided to move on as a network. Based on our decision to make sure that the tribunal does not remain an academic exercise but becomes a global campaign with global impact and to be inclusive, since the end of June 2003, we have been contacting anti-war movements and social movements, discussing and inviting them to join the effort and to undertake to organize tribunal sessions in their countries. We set up an e-mail list including all those working to realize this tribunal - which currently has over 100 subscribers from around 20 countries. This coordinating group held its frst planning meeting in Istanbul at the end of October. The general plan is to hold an independent world tribunal with associated events, sessions, etc. in various countries, each focusing on different aspects of the aggression against Iraq and culminating in a fnal session in Istanbul. Until now, events linked to the WTI have taken place in London, in Munih and here in Mumbai. The ICTI will be holding its frst hearing in Osaka on February 1st, these hearings will continue throughout the year. There will be sessions around the globe from now till 2005, in March 2005, there will be the fnal session in Istanbul. You are all invited to join the effort. Lindsey Collen: The WSF is the start of the No US bases network. We believe that targeting the US bases is a way of strengthening the anti-war movement because the Empire needs bases, templates are that of Iraq and Palestine, war by defense. We can decide when to have movements against bases. We learned a lot from our comrades, we had a meeting here with representatives from over 25 countries who have been fghting bases in every way possible. We have the power to make this movement. We are planning a fotilla of boats to go to bases, the frst proposals are to Diego Garcia, Mauritius. Achin Vanaik: The importance of March 20 - we have the opportunity to do this here at the WSF, this is very important, a tremendous boost forward. On the military dimension - the Empire rests on this - we should attack this. The long lasting movement - constant focus should also be our national governments and their collaboration with the US. We should target US bases, arms trade, nuclear weapons - linked to the issue of weapons of mass destruction. The US made a mistake of using this as an excuse. We must now say what are we going to do about the weapons of mass destruction of Israel and expose weak spot in this. Nahla Chahal: In Iraq - In order for the US to "leave" Iraq, there are plans for establishing 5 US bases. In Israel - the wall is about 1,000 km, destroying the continuity of Palestinian society. March 13 is the day of land in Palestine. 2 things to join: - civil missions to go to Palestine. To transform from European/American to international civilian campaign - special appeal to Indian movement because Indian government moving closer to Israel. Paul Nicholson: One thing is very clear: the increasing repression of farmers, example of Palestinian farmers being expelled from their land. Delegation is important because it shows importance of multinational opposition, especially trade unions, does not have to be experienced activists Nahla added: Paul led Via Campesina delegation to Palestine during one of the worst days to be in Palestine. Alessandra Mecozzi: The motto is "A Middle East without War and oppression is Possible". The caravan continues the practice of civilian missions and starts a new frst step in mobilising against war: European civil society and prominent people to go to Iraq, Palestine/Israel, Kurdistan/Turkey, Iran around March 20. Three main reasons:
Fabio Alberti: Occupation Watch Center came from the resolution in the Jakarta Peace Consensus. We need information from the ground in Iraq, discussion on projects and campaigns. The members of the Occupation Watch Center span the globe. We ask the occupation to endorse the Center. Gloria La Riva, ANSWER: (presentation for the previous session) We need to make Palestine central to our demand, along with Iraq. We'll never know who the US is going to attack next. This necessitates development of campaign of anti-imperialism. People are gearing up for March 20. Jan 5 - US government cancelled discussion with Cuba on migratory talks - this indicates something. Summit of the Americas: Bush urged Latin America to oust Fidel Castro. Interventions from the floor: Sani Evren, Turkey: We expect all of you in Istanbul for the NATO summit on June 27-28. We need to increase level of activity and solidarity around the world so that Bush and Blair will not only be unwelcome in Istanbul but elsewhere in the world. Pol de Vos, Stop USA, Belgium: An example of Tribunal as proposed by Ayse, April 14-17 will be the Brussels Tribunal against the war. We will analyse one element of American policy, the prject for the New American Century - blueprint for US policy, part of resistance against US war policy. Jiten Nandi, Boycott Bush Campaign: We need to boycott corporations as well. Pol D' Huyvetter, For Mother Earth and Boycott Bush Campaign: Coordinator of the Boycott Bush Campaign. The Boycott Bush campaign, targetting US multinationals fnancially sponsoring the presidential electoral campaigns, attracted activists from around the globe during the WSF in Mumbai. A clarion call for boycott already echoed following Arundhati Roy's speech during the WSF opening ceremony. Following a very successful seminar/workshop and several presentations it was decided to organize US boycott actions next Saturday March 20th targeting especially Exxon-Mobil and Chevron-Texaco (petrol), Coca Cola Company and Pepsico (soft-drinks), Philip Morris (tobacco) and McDonalds (junk food). A Boycott Action The gathered boycott campaigners in Mumbai also decided to consolidate the campaign and set up a Boycott Bush international e-network which is also planning to meet during next WSF in Brazil. Country contacts were identifed in over twenty countries and it was agreed to strengthen regional work. The secretariat will be hosted by For Mother Earth in Belgium. Hee-Jeon Cho, Boycott Bush Campaign: Boycott Bush Campaign and Defeat Bush campaigns have come together - Another America is possible! Melanie Alfonso: I propose to set up a network of direct action groups launch a global campaign against war profteers by direct action. Short term proposal: go to Halliburton offce in Mumbai. Lasit, Narmada: Anti-war protests war in India not just Muslim. Organized left should be approached, fght is not against Bush but against US Empire. Jeff Conant: We are a silent majority but we should reach out. Let's repeat "Democracy, not Empire" around the world. Shared message from group in Bay area: "Global SOS from inside the Empire" To challenge Empire from within - need assistance from social movements around the world. People around the world should vote against Bush. August 30, we would like to informally open the elections. Nandini, Citizen's Law Group: When lawmakers break the law, people should take the law to their hands. Developing citizen's international law, equip protesters and people to fght the establishment. Marinella, Italy: Boycott not just an economic campaign. We should study boycotts by local municipalities, trade unions, governments and exploit fnancial weakness of the US. Moderator summary (Salim): Before we end the session, we'd just like to add as well the issue of repression of anti-war activists, disappearance in the US, not just in Latin America this is also related to the issue of the re-enactment of anti-terror bills. Session Four: Conclusions and Moving Forward The aim of this session is to discuss ways on sustaining and co-ordinating the global anti-war movement, links with social movements, information networks, resources and international gatherings. The objectives then would be to strengthen the global movement by understanding and addressing issues of importance to different anti-war initiatives, and lastly the fnalisation of proposals and dissemination at the WSF. Moderators:
No speakers, just open forum and moderators leading the discussion. Chris Nineham: It's been a good day. The idea of the fnal session is to discuss how to continue this international network, in concrete and practical way, how best to co-ordinate and how best to organize. We should come out of this meeting better organized and better prepared. Interventions from the floor: Milan Rai, Justice not Vengeance, UK: I would like to highlight the demand for free elections in Iraq. Expose phoney process, expose propaganda that occupation is going to end. We want to build capacity in our own countries that will act as a force. Every one of those of who wants to protest should be an organizer. March - April 15: a month of action against Iraq - gives us a year to share skills Paul Le Blanc, UFPJ, US: Propose statement to be inserted in the Activists Assembly declaration - "We call on people around the world to come together to end the occupation of Iraq" Ruth, Australia: We should give a vision "We demand our government's denounce violence and war and prepare for peace" Diego Azzi, Social Movements, Brasil: Just to give more information on the Activists Assembly - it is a continuation of the Social Movements Assemblies that began at the WSF in Porto Alegre. Everyone is encouraged to come and participate in the Assembly, they are everyday from 6:30-8:30pm. There will be a joint fnal Assembly of the Social Movements and the Anti-War Assembly. Yuka Hoshino, Japan: In Japan, social movements are not very active. Japan has been contributing US wars. Koizumi follows what America does. Change of Japan's policy - change of US policy. Abolish all nuclear bases. Change of money spending on defense. Japanese constitution about peace - expand our constitution. Give the Japanese government a message: 20th of March is the day to tell these things to the government. Fabio Alberti, Bridge to Baghdad, Italy: A similar meeting in Baghdad. Website for March 20 demonstrations - all can connect. Focus on the Global South can continue to coordinate - change later. Gloria La Riva, ANSWER, US: We need to show solidarity to Palestine in our statement. We have to replicate our successes. We celebrate the successes of last year. Brian McDonough, Canada: We refuse to acknowledge legitimacy of the occupation. Condemn new liberal economic policies which is putting Iraq on sale. Demands that people of Iraq are burdened by reconstruction - which is actually helping the US corporations. Prakash: Crucial to put the question of government, sovereignty, democracy - uphold the sovereignty of all nations. Countries in the war axis - Germany, Spain, France - are only the ones rising against it. But we have to extend beyond US and talk about demilitarisation of all countries. Muto Ichiyo, Asian Peace Alliance, Japan: Governments helping the US occupation by stationing the troops - we should call back their troops. Herbert Docena, Focus on the Global South, Thailand: US will pull out after establishing government of its choice and will convince the world that the transition has happened and that it has withdrawn. If we get convinced, we are fnished. We should expose this and offer the alternative process. Lawad Mahdi, Iraq: Growing occupation day by day - resistance is also growing. Same time, the Iraqi people are refusing occupation tasking for withdrawal. Part of coalition building - national - general constituent assembly of Iraq. Friends are part of this process - a common goal. We are asking the movements to sustain our friends working for that - this twice a big help to people doing work in Iraq. Amir Rekaby did this for us. All of you as delegations to Iraq did that for us. Social forum is effective and practical - help in changing the world into a better world. See you all soon in an independent and unifed Iraq! Petros Constantinou, Stop the War Coalition, Greece: To build unity, it is a lifelong process - moving forward beyond March 20. Support the resistance and self-determination of the Iraqis - End the Occupation, Free Palestine, stop the participation in war of our governments. Condemn corporate looting and privatisation. Brian McDonough, Canada: Free and fair elections and corporate profteering should be included in our demands. Kate Hudson, CND, UK: It should not only be US forces but US/UK and coalition forces and Palestine should be included. (moderator) Christophe Aguiton, France: Palestine should be included, can we ask that the groups working on Palestine formulate this? Moderator summary (Chris): The fnal statement that has been agreed upon here will be submitted to the Activists Assembly where it will be integrated into the common declaration of the Social Movements and the Anti-War Assembly. We have all agreed to mobilise for March 20 and to maintain coordination even after March 20 and to support the campaigns presented here. We should all go to the Final Assembly of the Social Movements and Thank you to note takers: Paul Le Blanc, Varsha Berry, Mary Lou Malig and Herbert Docena Calls agreed on at the Anti-War assembly and Submitted to the activists Assembly final declaration We demand that our governments renounce violence and war. Instead we must prepare for peace through justice for all citizens of the world. We call on people of all countries throughout the world to join together on March 20th in an international day of protest against the war and occupation in Iraq by US/UK and other coalition forces. Anti-war forces in each country need to develop their own slogans and tactics to ensure broad participation and mobilization. Opposing any drive for global empire, and the proliferation of war and violence that it generates, we say:
We support the calls of the Iraqi people for free and democratic elections and we refuse to acknowledge any legitimacy to the transfer of power to the Iraqi civilian governing council because it will be controlled by US/UK and coalition military forces of occupation, and we condemn the imposition of policies that would put Iraq and its resources on sale. We say: No to the occupation wall Israel is building in Palestine, and support the Palestinian people's struggle for its national rights. Join together on March 20th against the war! Final Assembly Joint Closing Conference of the Activists Assembly, the Anti-War Assembly The joint closing conference of the Activists Assembly and the Anti-War Assembly began with reports from the Anti-War Assembly and the Close the US Bases Campaign. Chris Nineham reported on behalf of the Assembly and Lindsey Collen reported on behalf of the Close the US Bases Campaign. The draft declaration was then read and discussed extensively by the whole body. Speech delivered by Chris Nineham at the Closing Event on the World Social Forum on behalf of the Anti-War Assembly Bush and Blair's War on terror is in reality a war on the poor round the world. It is a war being fought in the name of neo liberalism. But our magnifcent movement is challenging US empire. Resistance is growing daily in Iraq and the movement which was born on Febuary 15 last year terrifes the warmongers in the White House and Downing Street. The assembly of the global anti war movement and the activists' assembly at the Mumbai WSF have agreed to call a global Day of Action against the war on March 20. A day of protest calling for an end to occupation and for sovereignty and self determination for the people of Iraq. We call on all the movements everywhere to join in organising action on that day. We wish to send a message to the warmongers that our movement will not rest until we have buried the Project For A New American Century once and for all. Demonstrate for peace and justice on March 20. |
Apoya el trabajo del Transnational Institute
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