GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER #9, September 22, 2002

Dear friends,

This month’s newsletter is focused on getting people out for an international day of action on Saturday, September 28, against the coming war on Iraq. In Auckland we will be assembling at 12 noon in Queen Elizabeth Square for a march up Queen St to a rally at Aotea Square. Please come and bring some friends.

HELP NEEDED URGENTLY: Tomorrow there will be an event around lunchtime where we need a few volunteers to wear business clothes and pose as oil company execs supporting a new war. We also have a few thousand leaflets left that need distributing. Phone Nicholas 846 4896.

On the GPJA website you can find posters, leaflets, and a fact sheet in plain text or PDF format. If you can print a few to distribute in your school or workplace that would be a great help. Go to: http://www.gpja.pl.net/index.html

Checkout the British site for September 28 at: http://www.stopwar.org.uk/

Other centres are also planning action on September 28 and we’ve been asked to include the details. NAPIER: The rally will start at 11am, in Clive Square, followed by a march to Saint John's Cathedral. People are invited to bring a flower as a reminder of the fragility, preciousness and beauty of life. For more info contact Odile Balas tel 06 835 0141 or email odile@xtra.co.nz WELLINGTON: Music, speakers, and information tables, from 12 noon, in Cuba Mall. Organised by Peace Action Wellington, as part of the international day of action, for more info contact PAW peacewellington@hotmail.com tel (04) 382 8129.

COMMENT

It seems the arrogance and imperial delusions of the Bush administration knows no bounds. The contemptuous dismissal of the Iraqi offer of a readmission of the weapons inspectors and the determined continuance of war plans make a new war all but inevitable. Every bit of international pressure will be needed to stop the warmonger’s hand.

The US is also attempting to use its power to bully and cajole the United Nations to give this war some legitimacy. We should be careful not to get trapped into a position that a decision by an unrepresentative UN Security Council dominated by the US would make such a decision just. Faced with the inevitability of a US attack it is possible that the other countries on the Council could see a war under the UN flag as a way of getting some influence in the hoped for post-Saddam Iraq. Both Russia and France have massive outstanding loans to Iraq and lucrative economic deals waiting for a lifting of sanctions. They may see their only hope of getting a piece of the pie as being through the UN giving its sanction. Others are so utterly dependent on the US economically or militarily that their resistance could easily crumble.

We must remember that the world ignored the unilateral and illegal character of the war in Afghanistan when faced with just such an inevitability in the military course of the US. It would be easy to find speeches by members of this government urging caution, emphasising the importance of the UN etc before the bombs started falling and the US spelt out its “with us or against us” line.

See “Gangster Diplomacy Bush Style” by John Pilger: http://pilger.carlton.com/print/117026

REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11

Counting for Nothing: Reflections on the First Anniversary of 9/11, BY Aziz Choudry http://www.zmag.org/sustainers/content/2002-09/06choudry.cfm Remembering September 11, by John Pilger http://pilger.carlton.com/print/116244

WHAT’S ON IN AUCKLAND

Monday, September 23, Pl.net news, 10pm, on Triangle TV “The Price of Oil”. Features interviews with among others myself on behalf of GPJA explaining the relationship between war, oil, and the Bush administration. Pl.net News is a weekly 30-minute news programme focusing on environmental, human rights and information technology issues. Repeated Tuesday 9.30am and 3pm. Check out the website at http://www.pl.net/ for further information. If you want to find out about other interesting programmes on Triangle or have trouble tuning your TV for the station go to: http://www.tritv.co.nz/

Tuesday, September 24, 12 noon outside the Auckland District Court, Albert Street Support the Ngawha people who are opposing the construction of the prison on wähi tapu: Please write to Mark Gosche (Minister of Corrections) about the prison construction congratulating him on his decision to review the decision; demand that the work on the construction site be stopped immediately, and that the prison must not be built at Ngawha. Contact details: fax (04) 495 8468, mgosche@ministers.govt.nz or write to him at Parliament Buildings, Wellington (no stamp needed). He is currently reviewing the decision, and will be meeting with the Ngawha people on 26 September, so letters in support of stopping the prison would be particularly useful at this time. More detailed information is available on-line at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/ngawha.htm To support the campaign to stop the destruction of Ngawha send a cheque made payable to The Dove Account, to PO Box 601, Kaikohe (include your name and address if you want a receipt).

Tuesday, September 24, 7.00pm, 308 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn STV Campaign meeting. To organise a petition campaign to force the Auckland City Council to have a referendum on a more democratic voting system for the city. Background: Under the Local Electoral Act passed by Parliament in 2001, local authorities can decide to use STV at the next local body elections for Mayor, Council and Community Boards. The Act already requires District Health Boards to be elected using STV, so voter education and training will already be taking place. Wouldn’t it be easier to have one system – the fairest system? On 25 July, however, the Auckland City Council not only voted against switching to STV but they even voted against public consultation on the issue (surprise, surprise). Fortunately, residents can gather signatures to ask for a referendum on changing the voting system. Five percent of enrolled voters would have to sign the petition by December 2002. For more information email lynneserpe@xtra.co.nz or go to: http://www.greens.org.nz/campaigns/electoralreform/stv-auckland.htm

Tuesday, September 24, 7:30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn Socialist Forum: “Capitalism's strategy of armed globalisation”. Discuss the links between globalisation, capitalism and war. This is the first of Socialist Worker's new monthly forum series. Contact: 634 3984 socialist-worker@pl.net

Saturday, September 28, 12 noon, Queen Elizabeth Square to Aotea Square “Stop the Iraq War, End Economic sanctions, Justice for Palestine” March and Rally.

24 September to 17 October, Aotea Centre, BNZ Foyer, 9am-5pm daily. Hiroshima-Nagasaki A-Bomb Exhibition - a collection of photographs and artefacts that depict the consequences of the bombings from 1945 through to the international peace initiatives of today. The exhibition aims to promote the total abolition of nuclear weapons through increased knowledge and understanding. The Auckland exhibition is being organised by The Peace Foundation. It is co-sponsored by The Community Arts Programme at The Edge and by the Japanese Consulate in Auckland. Entry free. For further information contact: Marion Hancock (Peace Foundation Director) 373 2379

Monday, September 30, 7.30pm, Freemans Bay Community Centre General meeting of Wake Up Auckland. Its theme is "Where to from here?" and will focus on getting ready for the 2004 elections, the Local Government Bill, and developing a vision for Auckland City from the grassroots up. Contact: Marney Ainsworth Mobile: 021-284 7122 Ph: 09-376 6213, Fax: 09-376 0403, email marney@xtra.co.nz

Monday, September 30, 6pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont Street, Ponsonby 'Some Reflections on Women's Human Rights in the 21st Century', Dr Feride Acar (Vice-Chair, United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women - CEDAW) speaks at a public forum, 5-30pm for refreshments. Organised by the Human Rights Commission, please RSVP by 26 September if you're planning on going, to Bernadette Gleeson email bernieg@hrc.co.nz or tel (09) 306 2653.

Monday, September 30, 7pm, Orakei Marae (end of Kupe Street) Action for Children and Youth Aotearoa AGM 2002, business followed by an update by Alison Blaiklock on the draft report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, light supper and Refreshments will be served. (Go to the end of Kupe Street, continue past the Health Centre on the left and through the gateway, veer right into the car park, the meeting room is in the building ahead). If you are planning on going, please RSVP by 23 September to Bettina Schempf (ACYA Secretary) email tina.sch@ihug.co.nz or tel (09) 271 3532.

Thursday October 3 to Saturday October 6, Nga Kete Wananga Marae, Manukau Institute of Technology. - Treaty 2002 conference, for anyone who already has at least a basic knowledge about Te Tiriti and wants to strategise with others towards a Treaty-based Aotearoa; at For more info or to register, check out http://www.manukau.ac.nz/treaty2002

Sunday, October 6, 2pm, Fickling Centre, 546 Mt Albert Road, Three Kings “IN A LAND OF PLENTY: The Story of Unemployment in New Zealand” – A new film by Alistair Barry. Made for a general audience, In A Land of Plenty cuts through the smokescreens and spin doctoring to reveal the heart of Rogernomics and the modern free market economy. Narrated by Ian Johnstone and using extensively researched archive footage and interviews with those close to the action, this feature length documentary traces the origins, the politics and the effects of New Zealand’s policy of unemployment through to the present day. Entry by donation.Organised by the Auckland Alliance. If you need transport, contact - Auckland Isthmus: Trish Thomas, phone 815 5077, mob 021 115 3930; West Auckland: Gwen Shaw, phone 378 2188, mob 027 414 4074; South Auckland: Len Richards, phone 276 9433; North Shore: John Read, email j.read@auckland.ac.nz

Monday, October 7, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn GPJA FORUM: "Is democracy a ‘foreign flower’ in the Pacific". Hear David Robie, Pacific journalist and senior lecturer in Communication Studies at AUT; John Ondawame, Australasian representative of the Free Papua Movement.

Friday, 18 October, 7.30 pm, Somervell Church and Community Centre, 497 Remuera Road Pacific Women's Watch (NZ) will hold a Discussion Forum "Poverty - What is the Reality for Women in New Zealand?" Speakers will focus on "Poverty - No Money and Why; Domestic violence: Refugees and Migrants - Barriers to Integration. Coffee and Dessert to follow. $20 or unwaged Koha. Ph. contacts 5283727 or 4456431 or 4280700

Thursday, October 24, 7:30 pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby United Nations Day: Human Rights Network Auckland Forum on “HOUSING in NZ - a right or a commodity?" with knowledgeable speakers, plenty of time for general discussion. Wanted: Input re housing issues for NGO / Alternate report to UN ICESCR. For more information re Forum or Report, contact: Kevin McBride, phone: 377 5541, email: paxnz@xtra.co.nz

~ 31 October - Roger Award for the Worst Transnational Corporation Operating in Aotearoa/New Zealand in 2002 - nominations for the 2002 Award close on 31 October. Roger Award nomination form and criteria are available on-line at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/rog2002n.htm

Monday, November 4, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn GPJA Forum: “The WTO, Gatts and Privatisation”. Hear Jane Kelsey (ARENA), Penny Bright (Water Pressure Group) and others. A WTO ministerial meeting is planned for November in Australia and pressure is building for extending privatisation (in the form of so-called public-private partnerships) into roading, water, health and education services. What’s wrong with these plans and what can be done to stop it? See “The Last Frontier: Explaining Gatts” by Claude Barlow http://www.theecologist.co.uk/archive_article.html?article=151

Friday November 8, 6pm - Sunday November 10, 3pm, Kotare Education Centre - 510 Wayby Station Rd, Wellsford. A workshop for key networkers in different activist groups such as peace and justice, Te Tiriti, women's liberation, anti corporate globalisation or GE FREE Aotearoa. We invite groups to send a person who is a good networker, plays a facilitator role and understands both coalitions and the central values of your group. A fundamentalist view of struggle or methods is not relevant. Enrol early as numbers are limited to 15. Facilitators Catherine Delahunty and Tim Howard will lead the process. Email cdelahunty@clear.net.nz

Thursday 14th November - 7.30pm, Maidment Theatre, University of Auckland 2002 MEDIA PEACE AWARDS. Nga Tohu Rongomau Papaho. In association with the 'Like Minds' Awards Special Guest Speaker: Tom Scott - Journalist, Cartoonist. Tickets: $25.00 waged, $15.00 unwaged Tickets at Maidment Theatre, Phone: 09 308 2383. http://www.peace.net.nz/

OTHER NEWS The first batch of 1,064 signatures on the new 'No NZ support for the 'war on terrorism' petition supported by GPJA were handed in September 11. Keith Locke MP presented it to parliament on 19 September. There will be further presentations of signatures to parliament as they are collected. The petition form is available on-line at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/pet003.htm or as a Word 6 attachment on request to pma@xtra.co.nz

Amina Lawal is a Nigerian woman convicted of adultery and having a child outside marriage, who has been sentenced by the court to 'death by stoning'. The court of appeal has upheld the decision and decided that she should be stoned to death as soon as her eight-month-old daughter is weaned. Amnesty International has organized a petition which you can sign online and which will be forwarded to the President of Nigeria. Go to: http://www.mertonai.org/amina/ and click on the link marked "Sign our Letter". It will only take 2 minutes of your time, but could save a woman's life and give a child a mother, for life.

The World Social Forum 2003 will be launched on September 23rd in Porto Alegre and on the 24th in São Paulo. Pre-registrations will start at the end of this month. Web Page http://www.forumsocialmundial.org.br/eng/index.asp GPJA will be writing to groups in New Zealand to see if they are interested in participating in this unique world event that brings together tens of thousands of opponents of corporate globalisation and war. If you want further information email miketreen@yahoo.co.nz

MORE INFORMATION ON THE IRAQ WAR

Bush planned Iraq 'regime change' before becoming President http://www.sundayherald.com/27735

In Iraqi War Scenario, Oil Is Key Issue http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18841-2002Sep14.html

The Iraq page of an alternative news site based in the US http://www.alternet.org/issues/index.html?IssueAreaID=40

Nasty Truths About a Crude War – The Age (Australia) http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/09/07/1031115956290.html

WEAPONS CONTROL?

'US Drops Bid to Strengthen Germ Warfare Accord' , Washington Post The Bush administration has abandoned an international effort to strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention against germ warfare, advising its allies that the United States wants to delay further discussions until 2006. A review conference on new verification measures for the treaty had been scheduled for November." The full article is available on-line at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A36677-2002Sep18.html

QUOTES

“McDonald's cannot flourish without [arm's manufacturer] McDonnell Douglas. The hidden fist that keeps the world safe for Silicon Valley's technologies to flourish is called the US army, air force and marine corps.” - Thomas Friedman, New York Times columnist close to the US State Department

"Why, of course the people don't want war ... But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship...Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger." - Hermann Goering, Nazi leader, at the Nuremberg Trials after World War II

I think we all agree, the past is over. This is still a dangerous world. It's a world of madmen and uncertainty and potential mental losses. Rarely is the question asked, Is the children learning? Will the highways of the Internet become more few? How many hands have I shaked? They misunderestimate me. I am a pitbull on the pantleg of opportunity. I know that the human being and the fish can coexist. Families is where our nation finds hope, where our wings take dream. Put food on your family! Knock down the tollbooth! Vulcanize society! Make the pie higher! Make the pie higher! - George W. Bush (composed completely of George Bush quotes)

ENFORCING UN RESLUTIONS (SOMETIMES)

UN Resolutions Against Israel, 1955-1992

1. Resolution 106: "... 'condemns' Israel for Gaza raid" 2. Resolution 111: "...'condemns' Israel for raid on Syria that killed fifty-six people" 3. Resolution 127: "...'recommends' Israel suspend its 'no-man's zone' in Jerusalem" 4. Resolution 162: "...'urges' Israel to comply with UN decisions" 5. Resolution 171: "...determines flagrant violations' by Israel in its attack on Syria" 6. Resolution 228: "...'censures' Israel for its attack on Samu in the West Bank, then under Jordanian control" 7. Resolution 237: "...'urges' Israel to allow return of new 1967 Palestinian refugees" 8. Resolution 248: "... 'condemns' Israel for its massive attack on Karameh in Jordan" 9. Resolution 250: "... 'calls' on Israel to refrain from holding military parade in Jerusalem" 10. Resolution 251: "... 'deeply deplores' Israeli military parade in Jerusalem in defiance of Resolution 250" 11. Resolution 252: "...'declares invalid' Israel's acts to unify Jerusalem as Jewish capital" 12. Resolution 256: "... 'condemns' Israeli raids on Jordan as 'flagrant violation"" 13. Resolution 259: "...'deplores' Israel's refusal to accept UN mission to probe occupation" 14. Resolution 262: "...'condemns' Israel for attack on Beirut airport" 15. Resolution 265: "... 'condemns' Israel for air attacks for Salt in Jordan" 16. Resolution 267: "...'censures' Israel for administrative acts to change the status of Jerusalem" 17. Resolution 270: "...'condemns' Israel for air attacks on villages in southern Lebanon" 18. Resolution 271: "...'condemns' Israel's failure to obey UN resolutions on Jerusalem" 19. Resolution 279: "...'demands' withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon" 20. Resolution 280: "....'condemns' Israeli's attacks against Lebanon" 21. Resolution 285: "...'demands' immediate Israeli withdrawal form Lebanon" 22. Resolution 298: "...'deplores' Israel's changing of the status of Jerusalem" 23. Resolution 313: "...'demands' that Israel stop attacks against Lebanon" 24. Resolution 316: "...'condemns' Israel for repeated attacks on Lebanon" 25. Resolution 317: "...'deplores' Israel's refusal to release Arabs abducted in Lebanon" 26. Resolution 332: "...'condemns' Israel's repeated attacks against Lebanon" 27. Resolution 337: "...'condemns' Israel for violating Lebanon's sovereignty" 28. Resolution 347: "...'condemns' Israeli attacks on Lebanon" 29. Resolution 425: "...'calls' on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon" 30. Resolution 427: "...'calls' on Israel to complete its withdrawal from Lebanon' 31. Resolution 444: "...'deplores' Israel's lack of cooperation with UN peacekeeping forces" 32. Resolution 446: "...'determines' that Israeli settlements are a 'serious obstruction' to peace and calls on Israel to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention" 33. Resolution 450: "...'calls' on Israel to stop attacking Lebanon" 34. Resolution 452: "...'calls' on Israel to cease building settlements in occupied territories" 35. Resolution 465: "...'deplores' Israel's settlements and asks all member states not to assist Israel's settlements program" 36. Resolution 467: "...'strongly deplores' Israel's military intervention in Lebanon" 37. Resolution 468: "...'calls' on Israel to rescind illegal expulsions of two Palestinian mayors and a judge and to facilitate their return" 38. Resolution 469: "...'strongly deplores' Israel's failure to observe the council's order not to deport Palestinians" 39. Resolution 471: "... 'expresses deep concern' at Israel's failure to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention" 40. Resolution 476: "... 'reiterates' that Israel's claims to Jerusalem are 'null and void'" 41. Resolution 478: "...'censures (Israel) in the strongest terms' for its claim to Jerusalem in its 'Basic Law'" 42. Resolution 484: "...'declares it imperative' that Israel re-admit two deported Palestinian mayors" 43. Resolution 487: "...'strongly condemns' Israel for its attack on Iraq's nuclear facility" 44. Resolution 497: "...'decides' that Israel's annexation of Syria's Golan Heights is 'null and void' and demands that Israel rescind its decision forthwith" 45. Resolution 498: "...'calls' on Israel to withdraw from Lebanon" 46. Resolution 501: "...'calls' on Israel to stop attacks against Lebanon and withdraw its troops" 47. Resolution 509: "...'demands' that Israel withdraw its forces forthwith and unconditionally from Lebanon" 48. Resolution 515: "...'demands' that Israel lift its siege of Beirut and allow food supplies to be brought in" 49. Resolution 517: "...'censures' Israel for failing to obey UN resolutions and demands that Israel withdraw its forces from Lebanon" 50. Resolution 518: "...'demands' that Israel cooperate fully with UN forces in Lebanon" 51. Resolution 520: "...'condemns' Israel's attack into West Beirut" 52. Resolution 573: "...'condemns' Israel 'vigorously' for bombing Tunisia in attack on PLO headquarters 53. Resolution 587: "...'takes note' of previous calls on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon and urges all parties to withdraw" 54. Resolution 592: "...'strongly deplores' the killing of Palestinian students at Bir Zeit University by Israeli troops" 55. Resolution 605: "...'strongly deplores' Israel's policies and practices denying the human rights of Palestinians 56. Resolution 607: "...'calls' on Israel not to deport Palestinians and strongly requests it to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention 57. Resolution 608: "...'deeply regrets' that Israel has defied the United Nations and deported Palestinian civilians" 58. Resolution 636: "...'deeply regrets' Israeli deportation of Palestinian civilians 59. Resolution 641: "...'deplores' Israel's continuing deportation of Palestinians 60. Resolution 672: "...'condemns' Israel for violence against Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount 61. Resolution 673: "...'deplores' Israel's refusal to cooperate with the United Nations 62. Resolution 681: "...'deplores' Israel's resumption of the deportation of Palestinians 63. Resolution 694: "...'deplores' Israel's deportation of Palestinians and calls on it to ensure their safe and immediate return 64. Resolution 726: "...'strongly condemns' Israel's deportation of Palestinians 65. Resolution 799: "...'strongly condemns' Israel's deportation of 413 Palestinians and calls for their immediate return.

Website http://www.gpja.pl.net/ Contact details: Forums – John Minto, (09) 8463173 jbminto@xtra.co.nz; Newsletter – Mike Treen 0212547440 miketreen@yahoo.co.nz; Web page – Geraldine Peters (09) 3570655 bern@ihug.co.nz Donations can be sent to GPJA, 84 Paice Ave, Sandringham, Auckland.

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