Stellungnahme der IKuR zum Samstag Abend, 25.1.2003

Gestern Samstag Abend ist es nach der Rückkehr der TeilnehmerInnen der
Demonstration gegen das WEF in Davos zu Zusammenstössen zwischen
Polizei und DemonstrantInnen gekommen. Aus der Sicht von
AugenzeugInnen ist der Einsatz der Polizei unmittelbar nach dem
Verlassen des Bahnhofes gestartet worden, ohne dass es bis dahin in
Bern zu Sachbeschädigungen gekommen war. Wie üblich wurde von den
Medien die Reitschule "ins Spiel" gebracht.

Bereits in unserer Medienmitteilung vom 14. Januar 2003 haben wir an
die Eigenverantwortlichkeit einzelner BesucherInnen für ihre Aktionen
appelliert, und aufgerufen, Verantwortung zu übernehmen. Die
BetreiberInnen der Reitschule sind auch nicht im Stande, Aktivitäten,
die unseren Interessen entgegenlaufen, in jedem Fall zu
verhindern. Der Appell gilt gleichermassen für die Polizei, die die
Demo bewusst Richtung Reitschule gedrängt hat, und somit die
Reitschule, und die Anwesenden im besonderen, massiv gefährdet hat.

Die IKuR nimmt dazu wie folgt Stellung: Bevor der Zug mit den
Demo-TeilnehmerInnen überhaupt den Bahnhof Bern erreicht hatte,
gelangte die Stadtpolizei mit der Mitteilung an die Medien, die
Innenstadt zu meiden, da es zu einer Nachdemo mit Ausschreitungen
kommen werde. Vorsorglich wurde auch der Strom der Bus- und Tramlinien
abgestellt. Nach den Auseinandersetzungen in der Innenstadt wurde die
Demo von der Polizei bewusst Richtung Bollwerk zur Reitschule
abgedrängt.

Die Reitschule ist ein Kultur- und Begegnungszentrum, ein Medium das
via Kultur politische Inhalte vermittelt. Kultur umfasst für uns
alles, was uns ermöglicht, uns selbst, die Gesellschaft und die Umwelt
zu erkennen, sie zu verstehen, zu entwickeln und zu verändern. Wir
haben kein Interesse, Schauplatz von Strassenschlachten zu sein. Im
Gegenteil: In einer kritischen Situation ziehen sich die Leute an Orte
zurück, die ihnen bekannt sind und sicher erscheinen. Wer sich nach
einer Demo in die Reitschule zurückziehen will, soll das tun
(können). Wohin sonst sollen sich Leute im Raum Bollwerk/
Schützenmatte zurückziehen oder sich nicht an der Demo beteiligen oder
sich von der Polizei umstellt wissen. Dass das das übliche Verhalten
von DemonstrantInnen, BesucherInnen, BetreiberInnen der Reitschule -
oder zufällig anwesenden Menschen - ist, sollte auch der Polizei
bekannt sein.

Gestern fanden im Theater, Kino und Dachstock der Reitschule
Veranstaltungen statt. Auch die Bars waren geöffnet - ein "normaler"
Samstagabend. Der Grosseinsatz hat die ca. 600 BesucherInnen der
Reitschule massiv gefährdet. Sämtliche Innen- und Aussenräume waren
voll Reizgas, da auch der Innenhof mit Gaspetarden beschossen
wurde. Es gab keine Fluchtmöglichkeiten, weil die Polizei die
Reitschule eingekesselt hatte. Die Lüftungen sogen anstelle von
Frischluft das Reizgas in die Räumlichkeiten. Zum Glück ist es nicht
zu grossen Panikreaktionen und Unfällen gekommen.

Aus der Perspektive Reitschule hat die Polizei durch ihren Einsatz bei
der Reitschule, die sich bereits beruhigende Situation wieder massiv
aufgeheizt.

Wir protestieren gegen den unverhältnismässigen und unverantwortlichen
Einsatz der Polizei. Die Auseinandersetzungen in der Innenstadt
rechtfertigten in keiner Art und Weise den Einsatz gegen die
Reitschule und ihre BesucherInnen.

Wir fordern eine Untersuchung über den Befehl und seine Auswirkungen,
unmittelbar vor und im Hof der Reitschule Reizgas einzusetzen.

Wir fordern, dass die Direktion Wasserfallen aufhört, die Reitschule
für ihre Propagandaarbeit zu missbrauchen.

Wir fordern, dass die Polizei zu einem vernunftbestimmten
Deeskalationskonzept zurückkehrt - im Interesse aller Beteiligten.

Bern, 26. Januar 2003

[Quelle: indymedia schweiz ]

==================================================
14 Davos: Erklärung auf den Demonstrationen gegen das WEF
From: info@linkeseite.de
==================================================
am 25.01. 2003 in der Schweiz

Wir begrüssen alle DemonstrantInnen, die heute in Davos, Landquardt,
Bern, Zürich, an den Schweizer Grenzen und vielen anderen Orten
weltweit gegen die kapitalistische Globalisierung und die globale
Kriegspolitik der Nato-Staaten Widerstand leisten. Wir sagen: Das WEF
mit seinem Projekt der kapitalistischen Globalisierung und der globale
Krieg der Nato-Staaten sind zwei Seiten derselben Medaille.

Deshalb mobilisieren wir vom Münchner Bündnis gegen die
Nato-Sicherheitkonferenz in zwei Wochen am 7. und 8. Februar 2003
gemeinsam mit der Schweizer Anti-WTO-Koordination seit Monaten
gemeinsam gegen das WEF in Davos und die Kriegskonferenz in München.

Wir sagen: Es ist nicht die Aufgabe einer internationalen
Protestbewegung, den Herrschenden dieser Welt zu gefallen. Wir lassen
uns nicht in sogenannte "Gute" und "Böse" DemonstrantInnen spalten.

Deshalb sind die militärischen Absperrungen rund um Davos, die
Grenzkontrollen und die Einschränkung der Bewegungsfreiheit von
tausenden KritikerInnen dieser Politik völlig inakzeptabel. Die
geplante Aussonderung von DemonstrantInnen in den polizeilichen
Kontrollschleusen in Fideris ist ein Skandal. Ein Skandal ist auch der
Einsatz von bayerischen Wasserwerfern und Polizisten zum Schutz des
WEF, einem privaten Treffen der "global players" in Davos.

Unsere Solidarität gilt allen, die in Landquardt, in Fideris und
sonstwo auf dem Weg festgehalten werden, weil sie die unmenschlichen
und entwürdigenden Kontrollen nicht akzeptieren. Dieser Angriff auf
unsere breite und vielfältige Protestbewegung soll uns im Namen der
"Sicherheit" in "Gute" und "Böse" GegnerInnen des WEF spalten. Das
werden wir nicht zulassen!

Diese Versuch der politischen Spaltung hat nicht nur in Davos, sondern
weltweit das Ziel "Sicherheiten" allein für diejenigen zu garantieren,
die Privilegien besitzen, und diejenigen, die davon ausgeschlossen
werden, davon abzuhalten, ihre Rechte einzufordern. Im Namen dieser
"Sicherheit" werden nach rassistischen oder politischen Zuschreibungen
ganze Gesellschaftsgruppen zum Feinbild erklärt. So haben bereits
tausende Flüchtlinge im Namen dieser "Sicherheit" an den Aussengrenzen
der Festung Europa ihr Leben verloren.

Wir sagen: Die sogenannte "Sicherheit", von der die Manager der
Konzerne, die Politiker der reichen Staaten, die Generäle der
Nato-Staaten und die schweizer und deutschen Polizeichefs in Davos und
München sprechen, bedeutet in der Realität weltweit Armut, Hunger,
Krieg, Folter und die rassistische und sexistische Unterdrückung der
Mehrheit der Menschen. Es ist die Sicherheit für Profit und Ausbeutung
gegen die Interessen der Mehrheit der Menschen. Diese Sicherheit
bedeutet Repression gegen den Kampf für eine emanzipative Gesellschaft
ohne Krieg, Hunger und Ausbeutung und gegen die Entfremdung der
Menschen in unmenschlichen Arbeitsbedingungen, deren einziger Zweck
die Steigerung der Profitrate ist.

Diese sogenannte Sicherheitspolitik soll Ruhe in den Metropolen
herstellen und sie soll eine permanente Situation der Angst
produzieren, ein Szenario der Bedrohung, das die Menschen zu Anpassung
und Zustimmung bringen soll. Dieses Szenario der Angst müssen wir
kollektiv durchbrechen.

Wir sagen: Das WEF und unser Widerstand dagegen ist überall!
Globalisieren wir gemeinsam die Bewegung gegen kapitalistische
Globalisierung und Krieg!

Wir laden Euch alle ein: Kommt zur internationalen Demonstration gegen
die Nato-Kriegskonferenz am 8. Februar in München.

Bündnis gegen die NATO-Sicherheitskonferenz

==================================================
15 Summary from the EU-summit in Copenhagen 2002
From: gipfelsoli-l-admin@lists.nadir.org
==================================================
Gipfelinfo - Meldungen über globalisierte Solidarität
und die Proteste gegen unsolidarische Globalisierung

SUMMARY FROM THE EU-SUMMIT IN COPENHAGEN 2002

About 60 people were arrested during the EU-summit and protesting
days. Most of them held for a few hours or a day and were later
released and had their charges dropped. Some of the protesters were
also deported from Denmark.

Four people were put on trial in January 2003:

One English woman was found guilty of violently resisting arrest. She
was sentenced to 30 days, which she had already been sitting, and was
deported from Denmark. She is not allowed to enter the country for the
next 5 years.

One Swedish man, who were arrested at the demonstration against police
state Europe was found guilty of kicking a plain-cloth cop who
attacked him in the middle of the demo. Another Swedish man was found
guilty of throwing a bottle, in the same demo. Both of them were
sentenced to a few days in prison, which they had already been
sitting.

One French man was arrested at the demonstration against police state
Europe and charged with violence against the police. He was sentenced
to 40 days, which is the same time he has been sitting. He is not
allowed to enter the country for the next 5 years. It's worth noticing
that he refused to attend the trial.

All of the people charged also have to pay the cost of the trial,
which is about 900 Euro each.

There are no more trials to be expected.

[geschickt von ISN Malmö]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
gipfelsoli infogruppe

Die AutorInnen der Beiträge, so sie nicht von uns verfasst sind, sind
mit eckigen Klammern versehen. Wir können leider keine Verantwortung
für die Richtigkeit der Beiträge übernehmen. Auch geben die Beiträge
nicht zwangsläufig unsere Meinung wieder.

Kontakt, Kritik, Beiträge: gipfelsoli@nadir.org

==================================================
16 Russian Experts on Seismic Consequences of Iraq War
From: "RAWNEWS" <rawnews@btopenworld.com>
==================================================
Rossiiskaya Gazeta
No. 13
January 24, 2003
[translation from RIA Novosti for personal use only]
RUSSIAN EXPERTS ON SEISMIC CONSEQUENCES OF
IRAQ WAR

Unique research done by scientists of the Russian Academy of Sciences
and experts of the Defence Ministry on the basis of the latest
national discoveries show that a new Gulf war may provoke a series of
major geophysical catastrophes, such as destructive earthquakes caused
by the use of super-heavy munitions.

Aleksei NIKOLAYEV, a leading Russian expert on geophysics, non-voting
member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and head of the experimental
geophysics laboratory, told our correspondent about the potential
consequences of mass bombing of Iraq.

What we expect in Iraq will not be the first time to happen, but the
scale of catastrophe will be more destructive not only for Iraq but
for the region as a whole, said the scientist.

Take the NATO aggression in Yugoslavia in 1999. On April 30, the 28th
day of the bombing operation, a Force 5.5 (magnitude 4.5) earthquake
took place outside Belgrade. It was preceded by several smaller quakes
that happened roughly 500 km from the Yugoslav capital: in the Czech
republic on April 16 and in Romania and Crimea on April 28.

Scientists noted then that a substantially larger number of
earthquakes happened in Europe within two weeks. According to
available information, the summary yield of the bombs dropped on
Yugoslavia amounted to roughly 500 kilotons. The Americans dropped a
similar amount on Kuwait and Iraq in 1991, causing a serious increase
in seismic activity there and in neighbouring Iran.

The initiation effect of contact (surface) explosions during bombing
raids is several times lower than the effect of underground
explosions. But NATO is now using penetration bombs that explode at a
depth of several dozen metres, which greatly increases the effect on
the crust.

Bombing can initiate earthquakes not only by directly influencing the
cores of nascent tectonic quakes but also through other processes. It
can provoke the growth of cyclone activity owing to the emission into
the atmosphere of combustion products of fires at oil storage tanks,
as can well happen in Iraq.

As for the Balkans, we expect a growing threat of destructive
earthquakes after bombing raids not only in Yugoslavia but also in
Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania and Crimea.

Question: But several years have passed since the bombing raids.

Answer: The thing is that the earth's crust absorbs dynamic blows like
a sponge and "discharges" them some time later. It is difficult to say
if this will happen in a month, in a year, or in several decades. But
it is a fact that these explosions can provoke earthquakes.

Question: How far can the seismic wave reach? Answer: Let's recall
May 1998, when India and Pakistan exploded nuclear bombs at their
testing ranges. The summary yield of explosions amounted to some 100
kilotons within 20 days. Eleven hours after the May 28 underground
explosion of the Pakistani bomb, a powerful Magnitude 6.1 earthquake
hit an area in Western China some 1,300 km away from the testing
range.

On May 29 a Magnitude 5.3 quake hit Kyrgyzstan 1,500 km away from the
testing range, and on May 30 a Magnitude 6.8 quake reached
Afghanistan. Over 6,000 people died in those quakes and the seismic
wave spread to a distance of over 2,000 km.

Question: The Pentagon is not so mad as to use nuclear bombs in Iraq,
or is it?

Answer: What difference does it make? Today the effect of conventional
super-powerful munitions is as destructive as that of nuclear
bombs. Intensive bombing of Afghanistan in 2001 resulted in a series
of earthquakes; the largest of them took place in Afghanistan and
Pakistan on March 3, roughly nine hours after the Americans dropped
some 100 tons of ground bombs and several tons of powerful new vacuum
bombs.

That bombing provoked a Force 6 quake in Dushanbe, a Force 4-5 quake
in Tashkent and Samarkand, and a Force 3 quake in Bishkek. The seismic
effect of the spread vacuum explosion is hundreds of times larger than
the effect of an equal amount of ground bomb explosives. In other
words, the explosion of a 900-kg vacuum bomb will have the same effect
as a 1-10 kiloton detonation.

In this case we can expect earthquakes within a radius of up to 150
km. Unknowingly, the Americans had successfully held a unique
natural-technical experiment. We can expect the growth of seismic
activity in a vast area around East and South Afghanistan, in the
Pamirs, South Tien-Shan, the Himalayas and the north-western part of
India. Former Soviet republics in Central Asia will also be hit by
this wave.

Question: Has humankind created "seismic weapons"?

Answer: I wouldn't say so. The thing is that the initiation effect can
be felt only when the explosion affects a ready core, the place where
an earthquake was brewing. This means that we must learn to predict
the place and time of earthquakes and solve the problem of short-term
forecasting. Today seismology cannot predict earthquakes sufficiently
correctly and will hardly learn to do so quickly, which is why there
are no "seismic weapons" and they will hardly be created.

***

Induced seismicity is one of the effects of modern warfare and a
result of intensive bombing of quake-prone territories. It can take
the form of one more, geophysical strike several weeks after the end
of bombing. Russian scientist forecast that the use of powerful bombs
in Iraq may provoke slow shifts in the crust that would disrupt oil
beds and destroy oil wells. As a result of active "movement" of the
crust, oil may dribble into the new underground reservoirs, changing
the location of strategic oil fields.

It should be also remembered that oil and gas have been produced in
the region for decades, and their production is connected with some of
the most destructive earthquakes in the past few years. The recent
example is the Neftegorsk quake in Sakhalin in 1975, which happened
close to an oil field. An earthquake was bound to happen in the region
anyway, even if several decades or centuries later.

So, humankind should be very careful with oil production. Any
military conflict close to oil-bearing fields can provoke not just a
series of man-induced catastrophes but also economic and political
disasters. Oil beds may vanish in Iraq's neighbours - Iran, Kuwait and
Saudi Arabia. What would happen to the global economy in this case?

--
brendan howley
76 nile street
stratford ontario
n5a 4c5

519.273.6190 voice+fax

==================================================
17 Operation Northwoods: Manufacturing the Pretext for War
From: "RAWNEWS" <rawnews@btopenworld.com>
==================================================

I have a document kindly provided by Fred Seavy dated 1962 which lays
out the plan to manufacture a pretext to justify US military action to
overthrow the Cuban government. The document is a declassified
memorandum marked Top Secret.

It offers clear evidence of the lengths to which the US government was
prepared to go and its willingness to fabricate incidents to justify
actions that otherwise would be unjustifiable, either to the
international community or to the people of the U.S. It is too large
to send as an attachment to my lists, but will be provided to anyone
who wants it sent individually. It is in PDF format.

Page 5 of Appendix A:

"....Such a plan would enable a logical build-up of incidents to be
combined with other seemingly unrelated events to camouflage the
ultimate objective and create the necessary impression of Cuban
rashness and irresponsibility on a large scale, directed at other
countries as well as the United States...."

Page 6 of appendix A:

"....Inasmuch as the ultimate objective is overt military
intervention, it is recommended that primary responsibility for
developing military and para-military aspects of the plan for both
overt and covert military operations be assigned to the Joint Chiefs
of Staff...."

Page 7 of the Annex to Appendix A:

"....A series of well coordinated incidents will be planned to take
place in and around Guantanamo to give genuine appearance of being
done by hostile Cuban forces...."

The document goes on to list some of the tactics to be employed:
starting rumors, landing friendly Cubans in uniform to stage an attack
on the base, capturing 'Cuban saboteurs' inside the base, starting
riots near the main gate to the base, blowing up munitions inside the
base, starting fires, burning aircraft to give the appearance of
sabotage, lobbing mortar rounds from outside the base into it,
capturing an 'assault team' approaching from the sea, capturing
militia which storms the base, sabotaging a ship in the harbor,
sinking a ship nearby the harbor entrance, conducting funerals for
mock victims....

"....We could arrange to cause such an incident in the vicinity of
Havana or Santiago as a spectacular result of Cuban attack from the
air or sea, or both. The presence of Cuban planes or ships merely
investigating the intent of the vessel could be fairly compelling
evidence that the ship was taken under attack....The US could follow
up with an air/sea rescue operation covered by US fighters to
'evacuate' remaining members of the non-existent crew. Casualty lists
in US newspapers would cause a helpful wave of national indignation.

"We could develop a Communist Cuban terror campaign in the Miami area,
in other Florida cities and even in Washington....We could sink a
boatload of Cubans enroute to Florida (real or simulated). We could
foster attempts on lives of Cuban refugees in the United States even
to the extant (sic) of wounding in instances to be widely
publicized. Exploding a few plastic bombs in carefully chosen spots,
the arrest of Cuban agents and the release of prepared documents
substantiating Cuban involvement also would be helpful in projecting
the idea of an irresponsible government....

Use of MIG type aircraft by US pilots could provide additional
provocation....Hijacking attempts against civil air and surface craft
should appear to continue as harassing measures condoned by the
government of Cuba....It is possible to create an incident which will
demonstrate convincingly that a Cuban aircraft has attacked and shot
down a chartered civil airliner enroute from the United States to
Jamaica, Guatenals, Panama or Venezuela....The passengers could be a
group of college students off on a holiday or any grouping of persons
with a common interest to support chartering a non-scheduled
flight...."

Page 10: Enclosure B

"The Joint Chiefs of Staff have previously stated that US unilateral
military intervention in Cuba can be undertaken in the event that the
Cuban regime commits hostile acts against US forces or property which
would serve as an incident upon which to base overt intervention....It
is understood that the Department of State is preparing suggested
courses of action to develop justification for US military
intervention in Cuba..."

For a more recent example, recall the 'Gulf of Tonkin' incident that
was fabricated to justify US escalation of the war in Vietnam. (Just
because we're paranoid does not mean they aren't out to get us.)

We should expect an incident to occur in Iraq or elsewhere that serves
a similar purpose. Watch for a U.S. plane to be downed by enemy fire
in the no-fly zone, or US military personnel who are attaked or taken
prisoner, or sabotage against a US ship or embassy, etc.

FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of
which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright
owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance
understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic,
democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted
material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In
accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site
is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior
interest in receiving the included information for research and
educational purposes.

For more information go to:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml If you wish to use
copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go
beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright
owner.

SolidarityInfoServices

Solidarity4Ever, LaborLeftNews, BayAreaNews, Labor4Justice: new
listservs for social justice activists and others who want in-depth
coverage of issues, insightful analysis, thought-provoking commentary
and notice of important social change events and activities News -
Analysis - Commentary in Service to Social Justice What you need to
know, not just to understand the world ... but to change it!
Subscriptions are offered without charge, but your tax-deductible
contributions keep this service going. Now you can make that
contribution on-line by using the link below.

It will take you to PayPal, an Internet site that will process a
credit card contribution and will transfer those funds to SIS. If you
have used PayPal before, just fill in the amount of your
contribution. If you are new to PayPal, it will ask you to complete
information about your credit card account so that your contribution
can be properly processed. The entire process is quick, easy and
secure. Click on this link or copy and paste this address into your
web browser:
https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=SolidarityInfoServices%40igc.org&item_name=SolidarityInfoServices&item_number=2002-

Your contribution makes it possible for SIS to continue bringing you
the news, commentary, analysis and events announcements you need to
remain well informed. It provides you the information you need to be
most effective in your world-changing social justice work. Would you
rather contribute by check? Make your tax-deductible contribution
payable to SolidarityInfoServices/OTC. Mail it to SIS at 1737 Allston
Way, Berkeley, CA 94703. (SolidarityInfoServices is a non-profit
project sponsored by ORGANIZE! Training Center, Pacifica, CA) If you
find this service to be useful, please tell others. If not, please
tell us.

To view Solidarity4Ever on the web:
To
view LaborLeftNews on the web:
To view
BayAreaNews on the web: To view
Labor4Justice on the web:

To subscribe to Solidarity4Ever, send a blank email to
Solidarity4Ever-subscribe@igc.topica.com To subscribe to
LaborLeftNews, send a blank email to LLNews-subscribe@igc.topica.com
To subscribe to BayAreaNews, send a blank email to
BAN-subscribe@topica.com To subscribe to Labor4Justice, send a blank
email to Labor4Justice-subscribe@topica.com

Solidarity4Ever is distributed by SolidarityInfoServices, which
gathers the news you can use to understand and change the world.

This is a read-only list, but if you have an item you want posted,
send it to the list moderator at SolidarityInfoServices@igc.org, who
will determine whether it is appropriate for redistribution. You can
temporarily suspend delivery by sending a request to the same address.

Notify the moderator at the time you want delivery resumed. You can
also manage this function yourself by going to the list at
www.igc.topica.com/lists/Solidarity4Ever where you will have to
register with Topica in order to administer your own subscription.

==================================================
18 US Churches are Preparing for Civil Disobedience Against War
From: <rawnews@btopenworld.com>
==================================================
January 24, 2003 by the Guardian/UK
The Spirit of Martin Luther King: US
Churches are Preparing for Civil Disobedience Against War
by Giles Fraser

Designated a place of prayer "for national purposes", Washington
National Cathedral is as close as church and state get in the US. It
was here, three days after 9/11, that an emotional president rose into
the pulpit and declared war. As the Battle Hymn of the Republic rang
out, Bush initiated his crusade to "rid the world of evil".

This week, to celebrate Martin Luther King's birthday, bishops and
church leaders from across the theological spectrum met to claim the
cathedral back for the Christian priorities of peace and
non-violence. The symbolism was unmistakable.

For it was from this same pulpit, a few days before his assassination,
that Dr King delivered his last sermon: "It is no longer a choice, my
friends, between violence and non-violence. It is either non-violence
or non-existence. This is why I felt the need of raising my voice
against that war and working wherever I can to arouse the conscience
of our nation."

Dr King's opposition to the war in Vietnam won him few friends.
Former allies said that a perceived lack of patriotism would damage
the whole civil rights movement. The churches were also slow to follow
him in opposing the war.

But it's not like that this time and, with the exception of the
Southern Baptists, all the major denominations are on board. After a
weekend that saw the largest anti-war demonstration in Washington
since Vietnam, a packed cathedral of more than 3,500 spilled out on to
Massachusetts Avenue.

Stopping for prayers outside Dick Cheney's residence, then outside the
British Embassy, the congregation marched towards the White House,
where the Bishop of Washington led a candlelit vigil for peace. Police
looked on bemused.

What is remarkable about the coalition of churches opposing war with
Iraq is how broad their political sympathies are. It is not just the
left that is making the noise. Take Peter Gomes, Baptist minister,
Plummer professor of morals at Harvard, and die-hard Republican. He
gave the blessing at Reagan's second inauguration and preached at
George Bush Senior's inauguration service.

Here is Gomes in a recent sermon: "I demand a better excuse than
revenge or oil for the prosecution of a war that is likely to do more
harm than good, that will destabilize not only the region but also the
world for years to come, and that will confirm ... our country's
reputation as an irrational and undisciplined bully."

The senior Anglican bishop in the US, Frank Griswold, put it stronger
still: "We are loathed, and I think the world has every right to
loathe us, because they see us as greedy, self-interested and
... unconcerned about poverty, disease and suffering."

In the 16th Street Foundry United Methodist Church, the preacher
invoked Dr King's memory to draw another unflattering contrast with
Bush. For, whereas Dr King fought discrimination, Bush has attacked
affirmative action, in particular the racially weighted admissions
policy of the University of Michigan. Here, Bush finds himself on the
other side of the argument to Colin Powell, who is "a strong believer
in affirmative action". Dr King's memory is challenging Bush in two
areas of increasing vulnerability - race and war.

No wonder one headline spoke of Bush "straining at credibility" as he
appeared in a church to proclaim Dr King "a great American". Bush,
himself a Methodist, cannot remain deaf to a faith community so united
in its opposition to war. Until 9/11, the faith-based initiative was
the signature issue of his presidency.

As Bush has insisted, the government can only sign the checks; it
cannot change hearts or lives. Hence his commitment to fund
faith-based social welfare schemes. But this is as far as his faith
takes him, for his theology is one of self-help; his God the God who
helped him kick the booze.

Speakers at the cathedral urged him to expand his theological
horizons. "We appeal to President Bush, to a fellow brother in
Christ, to win this battle without war, to transform our swords into
ploughshares and, yes, to persevere in disarming the world of weapons
of mass destruction, including our own - but without the killing of
more innocents." Jim Wallis of the Washington-based Sojourners
movement concluded: "Mr President, what we need from you is a
faith-based initiative."

So far, this has been all very friendly. But if Bush were to choose
war there is talk of churches planning for civil disobedience. Again,
Dr King is invoked as justification and precedent. As he put it in
April 1967: "If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the
long, dark and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who
possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength
without sight."

The Rev Dr Giles Fraser is the vicar of Putney and lecturer in
philosophy at Wadham College, Oxford

giles.fraser@parishof putney.co.uk

==================================================
19 JAN. 29: Coordinated protests the day after Bush'sState oft adress
From: "RAWNEWS" <rawnews@btopenworld.com>
==================================================

JANUARY 29
BUSH'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS:
Coordinated day after protests

Bush's State of the Union address will be a "war speech." The speech
has one function: to prepare the population for war. That night, Bush
will dominate the air waves and the media coverage. The very next day,
however, it is crucial that people demonstrate in cities and towns
throughout the United States in coordinated actions to show that the
people reject Bush's State of the Union message.

Possible locations for rallies include the Federal Building, other
federal government facilities, or in a crowded central shopping area
(actions can be held during the day or in the evening). High schools
and college activists should plan actions at their school on January
29.

TO VIEW A LISTING OF JAN. 29 EVENTS, CLICK
http://www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/j29/j29events.html (this
page is being updated daily, so please check back regularly to find
out about the action in your city)

IF YOU'RE ORGANIZING A JAN. 29 EVENT, fill out the easy-to-use form to
list your event!
http://www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/j29/index.html#j29form
(you may need to scroll down)

DOWNLOADABLE SAMPLE FLYER:
http://www.internationalanswer.org/pdf/new%20york%20flyer.pdf This
flyer was created for the New York City protest, but you can easily
remove the information about the New York event and strip in your own
protest details.

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

Email circulated by:
A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition

The January 29 protests the day after Bush's State of the Union
address are part of the A.N.S.W.E.R. Action Plan. For details, go to
http://www.internationalanswer.org/news/update/012203actionplan.html

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
http://www.InternationalANSWER.org
http://www.VoteNoWar.org
dc@internationalanswer.org
New York 212-633-6646
Washington 202-544-3389
Los Angeles 213-487-2368
San Francisco 415-821-6545

To make a tax-deductible donation, go to
http://www.internationalanswer.org/donate.html

Sign up to receive updates (low volume):
http://www.internationalanswer.org/subscribelist.html

------------------
Send replies to answer@action-mail.org

This is the ANSWER activist announcement
list. Anyone can subscribe by sending
any message to
To unsubscribe

==================================================
20 >>>WORKERS POWER GLOBAL WEEK 26 January 2003
From: NEWSWIRE <newsire@workerspower.com>
==================================================
>>WORKERS POWER GLOBAL WEEK
E-newswire of the LRCI
26 January 2003

>>>WELCOME TO ISSUE #128

Workers Power Global Week is the English language e-newsletter of the
LRCI. To subscribe or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.workerspower.com/wpglobal/newsform.html Please forward this
to a comrade.

============================================================

>IVORY COAST: FRENCH MOVE TO SHORE UP GBAGO REGIME
>AUSTRALIA: PROTEST AT TROOP DEPLOYMENT
>AUSTRALIA: A REACTIONARY DAY OF CELEBRATION
>AUSTRIA: COMMUNIST PARTY WINS SURPRISE VICTORY

============================================================

>IVORY COAST: FRENCH MOVE TO SHORE UP GBAGO REGIME
Workers Power Global, Manchester

While the US and Britain lay their plans for imposing a de facto
colonial status on Iraq, France has been quietly showing the rest of
the West how to be the model of a modern imperialist power.

Since September 2002, Ivory Coast, the heart of France's undeclared
West African empire, has been slowly coming apart at the seams as
first one, and now three rebel armies have been raised against the
regime of Socialist International member Laurent Gbagbo.

Their initial demands were a mixture of the economic - pay and
conditions in the army - and the political - the result of the
devastating effects of the constitutional campaign against
"non-Ivorians" which has disenfranchised 20% of the population and
divided the country along ethnic lines. However, from groups of
disaffected soldiers, the rebels have turned into openly political
movements which now control over half the territory.

France has responded to this massive crisis in one of the world's
leading cocoa-producing countries by sending 2500 troops, together
with attack helicopters and light armoured vehicles, organised in what
is the country's biggest military expeditionary force for 20
years. Their proclaimed objective was to impose a cease-fire by
keeping the warring forces apart.

In fact, their role was to shore up Gbagbo's regime, and above all to
keep the rebel armies in the North and the West of the country out of
the key southern regime, which contains most of the wealth-producing
regions, in particular the plantations and the economic capital,
Abidjan.

As a direct result of the French intervention, Gbagbo's troops, backed
up by mercenaries, increased their attacks against local communities
they thought were backing the rebels. In December, a government
helicopter gunship, manned by mercenaries, flew unhindered over French
positions and went on to destroy a small fishing community at
Monoko-Zohi.

Over 100 civilians were massacred. The French armed forces attempted
to justify their distinct failure to act impartially by claiming they
could not intervene because they had no idea why the helicopter, heavy
with weapons, was flying into enemy territory! They have not been
quite so understanding when faced with rebel forces in the West: they
have simply opened fire.

Understandably, none of three rebel armies have accepted the right of
the French to impose their peace on the region. With Burkina Faso and
Liberia apparently supporting the rebels, for the worst territorial
and nationalist motives, the French were obliged to try and get
agreement from the warring parties to stop the fighting and ensure the
economic integrity of Ivory Coast - a major target for French
investment in the area, as well as being the most economically
developed country in the region.

As a result, all four factions - government and rebels - together with
their French imperialist masters, met outside Paris for a three-day
peace-meeting to try and impose a peace whereby imperialism's profits
would be safe. This was followed by a two day summit of African
leaders in the French capital, which predictably rubber-stamped the
agreement.

The "peace agreement" includes the immediate creation of a "government
of national reconciliation", which will include representatives of all
three rebel movements. This is clearly a blow to President Gbagbo, and
was greeted with massive government-inspired anti-French rioting in
Abidjan.

It seems unlikely that this agreement will last. French imperialism is
trying to impose a peace, for the simple reason that profits flow
faster in peace than in war. But the warring factions within the
Ivorian state, coupled with the economic and territorial appetites of
neighbouring states, are likely to lead to a collapse of the
agreement.

For all the participants, the stakes are high. In the absence of the
Ivorian workers and peasants taking action to impose a genuine
solution that would sweep away all the warring leadership and their
imperialist backers, the current political leaders will fight to the
end to preserve their privileges - over the dead bodies of the Ivorian
masses. Hundreds have died since September. That figure will probably
increase substantially in the coming months.

Soon, it may no longer be a question of a creeping civil war. The
agreement also contains the explicit threat that French intervention
could grow fiercer and stronger - the negotiators are instructed to
"oversee" the peaceful implementation of the agreement. The message to
is clear: while their imperialist rivals are at work in the Gulf,
France intends to ensure that it's domination of central Africa
continues unchecked.

FOR MORE ON THE IVORY COAST SEE:
http://www.workerspower.com/wpglobal/IvoryCoast-1.html

============================================================

>AUSTRALIA: PROTEST AT TROOP DEPLOYMENT
Workers Power Global, Melbourne.

As Prime Minister John Howard and opposition leader Simon Crean
farewelled Australian troops heading for the Gulf, protestors gathered
outside the gates to the port. About 150 people came with banners and
placards to make it clear that Howard is wrong to be pulling Australia
into a conflict which most people in the country don't want.

Demonstrators heckled Howard, shouting "You go". But maybe the most
interesting comments came from members of the armed forces
themselves. Sailors interviewed for the TV stated clearly they didn't
want to go. Military commanders openly voiced their concerns about the
conflict and talk back radio was full of military personnel arguing
against going.

The military are hardly the most progressive wing of society and so it
is some indication of how wary people are generally about the
impending war on Iraq that sailors and soliders should be speaking out
so openly.

The ALP too have begun to break their silence. Though Crean was there
to farewell the troops, his strong comments that Australia should be
involved only with UN sanction are at least an improvement from saying
nothing. In fact Crean was criticized by some families of troops for
using his farewell speech to emphasise again that he did not think
they should be going.

Meanwhile, in Melbourne about 100 demonstrators gathered on the steps
of the State Parliament to protest the sending of troops. In an action
organized only the evening before a cross-section of the community
spoke out about why any war on Iraq was wrong.

It's a positive sign of how big the movement could be in Australia
that so many people came out at such short notice. Equally positive is
the number of local groups that are being built. The Victorian Peace
Network - the umberella group for anti-war activities in Victoria -
has reported calls from around six new groups each day in the
far-flung suburbs of Melbourne and out in the country areas.

But despite the moves in public opinion further from the war and the
strong statements of many unions, Howard is not shifting. He was
quoted in newspapers this week saying he was prepared to ignore public
opinion because the issue was too important.

Anti-war activists are asking if they can in fact stop the war in the
face of such intransigence from the government. On its own the mass
movement on the streets did not stop the Vietnam War. But it was a
contributing factor. And it is that mass movement which can step in
behind direct action by unionized workers to halt troop and supply
movement out of the country.

The movement in Australia has to turn its attention to doing more than
building massive street marches, but to using the strength of those
marches to support and encourage the actions of the unions.

FOR MORE ON THE ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT SEE:
http://www.workerspower.com/wpglobal/wardemo.html

===========================================================

>AUSTRALIA: A REACTIONARY DAY OF CELEBRATION
Workers Power Global, Melbourne

"Australia Day", known to us as Invasion Day, is celebrated on 26
January. It marks the anniversary of the day the British fleet
arrived in Australia and took "formal possession" of the area bounded
by latitude 10 37' to latitude 43 49' south and inland to longitude
135 east - today the state of New South Wales.

The brutal colonisation of this country by the British at the expense
of indigenous Australians would seem to be cause for annual
celebration, with reportedly millions participating in grotesque
flag-waving activities each year.

Naturally, it has always been considered a day of mourning by the
majority of the Aboriginal community, as Invasion Day was a tragic
turning point in the history of their people.

In the current national climate of racism and fear since the Bali
bombing and imperialist preparations for the invasion of Iraq (in the
great tradition of invasions), Australia Day Committees around the
country are set to stage an orgy of nationalist symbolism like never
before.

In Melbourne we have been promised a record number of flag poles down
the main street and we have all been urged to recite a new "national
oath of commitment" on Sunday, both at public oath recitations and in
private in front of the barbecue (the customary Australia Day altar of
worship).

Here is the official oath:

AUSTRALIA DAY OATH
We are Australian
We stand here proudly
Brave, strong, open and tolerant
We stand here equal, fair, true and free
Together we will build the future but we will not forget the past
We will stand together
We are Australian

Here is our proposed alternative oath: We are un-Australian (a
frequently used insult, one the government leveled against anti-WEF
protesters in Melbourne, 2000):

INVASION DAY OATH

We are un-Australian
We stand here proudly
Brave, strong, for open borders, and intolerant of those who seek to poison
our minds with racist nationalism
We will not stand by while a privileged few enrich themselves at our expense
Under a system that perpetuates unfairness, lies and the imprisonment of
those who cross borders to flee poverty and oppression
Together with the workers and oppressed peoples of the world we will build
a future that fulfils the needs of the many, not just the few
But we will not forget the crimes and injustices of the past towards the
original inhabitants of this country and the peoples of this region
at the hands of our government and military
United against Australian imperialism, we stand together
We are un-Australian

FOR MORE ON REFUGEE PLIGHT IN AUSTRALIA SEE:
http://www.workerspower.com/wpglobal/OzRefugees2.html

============================================================

>AUSTRIA: COMMUNIST PARTY WINS SURPRISE VICTORY
Workers Power Global, Vienna

The election for the communal parliament of Graz - the third biggest
city of Austria - ended with a stunning result: the local Communist
Party (KPÖ) tripled its vote and became the third-largest party with
21%.

The Conservative Party which was the main winner in the national
elections two months ago also became the largest party in the city for
the first time with more than 35% while the social democratic party
slid 5% to 26% and also lost the post of local mayor. The right-wing
racist Freiheitliche Party of Haider received a blow it rightly
deserved and declined from 27% to only 8%.

True Graz has always been a certain exception and after the last
elections in 1998 the KPÖ gained more than 7% while at the national
elections it won only 0.6% of the vote. However the gain of 13% is
simply sensational.

What are the reasons for this huge gain by the KPÖ?

First it is a well-rooted party in the town which carries out work in
the working class districts. In particular it has a record of lobbying
and offering practical advice for people living in social housing. Its
leader - Ernst Kaltenegger - has a record of practical support and
also gives a substantial share of his income to support poor people.

Of course the policy of the KPÖ is reformist. While the regional
branch is on the left-wing inside the national party which is heading
into a civil-society, post-modernist version of "Marxism" its concrete
positions are nevertheless orientated towards building a socially just
and peaceful world without overcoming capitalism and without
revolution. At "some stage" in the future socialism will come
somehow. It is also not mobilising people on the streets in their
communal work.

Nevertheless, it is far more connected with the working class people
and lobbying for their defence than the social democrats. It is
therefor no surprise that a number of social democratic workers voted
for the Communist party this time.

Another reason is that a number of working class people are fed up
with the results of neo-liberalism. Social democracy does not give
them any political alternative. Quite the opposite - they adopt it
more and more. Normally there is no real alternative to social
democracy at elections because the Communist party and other far left
organisations remain small splinter groups which are not taken
seriously. But where there is an alternative to the left of social
democracy - like the KPÖ in Graz - people are ready to vote for it.

And this also shows another interesting aspect of these
elections. True, thousands of workers did not vote for the KPÖ BECAUSE
it has the name Communist. But it is also clear that many were not
worried by the name either. At least it represents something
progressive and different from neo-liberalism and its values of free
market, privatisation and mass-sacking.

It definitely shows that the time when the word COMMUNIST was a
guarantee for being discredited and hated is passing. The word
COMMUNISM is not something to be ashamed of anymore.

It is another small, but significant proof that we are in a new world
historic period which is marked by more instability of capitalism but
also more opposition towards this system. Free market capitalism -
unchallenged ideologically for a decade - is becoming a dirty phrase.

FOR MORE ON AUSTRIA SEE:
http://www.workerspower.com/wpglobal/ausSPO.html

============================================================

>>>BECOME A CORRESPONDENT FOR WPG
The LRCI has members across the globe - but there are many countries where we have no correspondents. Send us your news and views:
newswire@workerspower.com

============================================================
>>NOW FORWARD THIS TO A COMRADE >> NOW FORWARD THIS TO A COMRADE

==================================================
21 [cuadpupdate] Dad Free From Prison Takes Children To Mall
From: "Abraham J. Bonowitz" <abe@cuadp.org>
==================================================
Sent to all abolitionists - at least once!
Please excuse cross-posts
Please forward

January 26, 2003

Dear Friends,

Below is today's Associated Press article about Rudolph Holton's first
full day of freedom after his release on Friday evening.

Visit http://www.FADP.org to see photos of Holton's first moments of
freedom, as well as the comments of several activists who were there.

While you are on Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalties'
web page, please consider a contribution to FADP's Exonerated Prisoner
Relief Fund. FADP has recently made some policy adjustments to the
way the fund works. Its a unique approach that hopefully will allow
FADP to help the steady stream of innocent people coming off of
Florida's death row, and also to keep public the faces of some of the
25 already freed. Check it out at
http://www.fadp.org/relief_fund.html

ALSO, CUADP/FADP has arranged to bring Juan Melendez
(http://www.fadp.org/24threlease.html), and possibly George White
(http://www.fadp.org/flm_bios.html#george), to Tallahassee so that
Rudolph can benefit from the experiences that George and Juan have had
in adapting to sudden freedom after wayyyy too long in the pokey. To
make this happen, CUADP/FADP needs your support:

Anticipated expenses:

Airfare for Juan: $280
Taxi in Puerto Rico: $200 (from the other side of the island)
Fuel for the car: $60
Meals (3 guys, 4 days): $250
Cost of being away from work (George): $400
Pocket money/support for Juan: $200

*** ADDITIONALLY, it's the end/start of the month and bills are coming
due. It seems that compassionate donors are currently supporting anti-war
efforts, and understandably so. While donations are trickling in (thanks
to those who have helped!), CUADP still needs help covering the basics. If
you are able, please help with a contribution to CUADP's general fund, or
to FADP to help cover the expenses of this very worthwhile road trip.

To reach CUADP's secure server, please click here:
https://www.compar.com/donation/donateform.html . Be sure to indicate
which program(s) you wish to support!

If you would like to contribute but don't wish to do so over the
internet, please call 800-973-6548 or mail your contribution to the
address shown below.

Send checks or money orders to:
CUADP
PMB 297
177 US Highway 1
Tequesta, FL 33469

Yours in the Struggle,

--abe

Abraham J. Bonowitz
Director, CUADP/FADP

(the small print)
CONTRIBUTIONS TO CUADP ARE NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL
REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE [FL]
DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE 800-435-7352 (FL
only) OR 850-413-0840. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT,
APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION # SC-11170. NO
PROFESSIONAL SOLICITOR IS CURRENTLY ENGAGED WITH CUADP. 100% OF ANY
CONTRIBUTION GOES TO THE ORGANIZATION.

*************************************
And now... the news.

Jan 26, 2003

Dad Free From Prison Takes Children To Mall

By JACKIE HALLIFAX
The Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE - Rudolph Holton tossed a few pennies in a shopping mall
fountain Saturday, his first full day of freedom after 16 years on
death row. He made a wish as he threw.

``For guys on the row who are left, trying to get help,'' he said.

Holton, 49, was released Friday after prosecutors determined they
didn't have enough evidence to retry him for the 1986 murder of a
Tampa teen. He was the 25th Florida death row inmate to be freed in
the past 30 years.

At Governor's Square Mall on Saturday, Holton alluded to other inmates
being freed from Florida's death row.

``Too many people getting off death row,'' he said. ``That should be
telling them something, that the system's got a lot of holes in it.''

Holton had been convicted of raping and killing Katrina Graddy, a
17-year-old prostitute, and then setting her on fire in an abandoned
drug house in Tampa.

About 10 days before she was murdered, Graddy told police another man
raped her. But Holton's defense attorney was never given that
report. Also prosecutors said a hair in Graddy's mouth came from
Holton; DNA testing later determined it was Graddy's. And jailhouse
witnesses recanted their testimony against Holton.

Last month, the state Supreme Court upheld a lower court's decision
that Holton deserved a new trial.

Holton arrived at the Tallahassee mall with his two children Saturday.

``I don't even know what I'm looking for,'' he said.

But he knew he wanted a Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey, a hat and dress
shoes. He also wanted to get an adjustment made to a watch his son
gave him Friday.

As he tried on the red football jersey, his daughter gave her approval.

``Oh, Daddy, that's fine,'' said Sontrivette Daniels, 31, of
Lakeland. ``You look awesome.''

Rudy Holton Jr., 28, of Inverness, gave his father advice in the
selection of his shoes.

Holton got everything on his list except for the hat. He also said he
would like to find an hourglass.

``I wouldn't mind having one of those,'' he said.

As he left the mall, he said he hasn't made a lot of decisions about
his future.

``One day at a time,'' Holton said as he walked across the parking
lot. ``I want to go to church and give my testimony.''

This story can be found at:
http://tampatrib.com/floridametronews/MGABBC0KEBD.html

***********

"People don't seem to realize that the magnitude of heroism is the
difference between what you have and what someone is willing to give
you in a time of need. The actual per unit value of the commodity is
unimportant. That's why people sometimes don't fully accept that their
personal contribution may have been unusually important to others."

--Jerry Olivieri

><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><
LINKS / VERWEISE / HINWEISE
><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><

==================================================
22 Reader: Antisemitismus/Antizionismus
From: Café Critique <cafe.critique@gmx.net>
==================================================
Neuerscheinung: