Global Peace And Justice Auckland Newsletter #42, July 30, 2003

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Dear friends,

Monday, August 4, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn GPJA FORUM: BOOK LAUNCH WITH GUEST SPEAKER JANE KELSEY

GPJA invites you to the Auckland launch of "FREE TRADE AT ANY PRICE?" THE DOHA ROUND OF WTO NEGOTIATIONS Edited by DR JANE KELSEY

>From 10-14 September 2003, the ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) takes place in Cancun, Mexico. The scene is set for another showdown of the kind that brought the WTO to a standstill in Seattle. While the global corporate lobbies demand even stronger WTO rules to boost their profitability, the worlds peoples are insisting that "another world is possible".

In New Zealand a steady stream of propaganda tells us that "success" in Cancun is vital for New Zealand. However the radical trade and investment liberalisation agenda of Cancun is the same one that has caused the problems of poverty, inequality and failing infrastructure that surround us daily. To help New Zealanders understand what is really going on, ARENA has put together a stinging critique of WTO, our government's position in the current negotiations and the impacts on people throughout the world.

This Booklet follows the extremely successful ARENA publication Serving Whose Interests? A guide to New Zealand's commitments under the WTO Agreement on Trade and Services, published in February 2003.

WHAT'S ON IN AUCKLAND

Ongoing to Friday, 1 August - 'On arrival', the exhibition which features forty artists from the refugee and migrant sector from throughout NZ, at the Bashford Gallery, 24 Williamson Avenue, Ponsonby. For exhibition open times, please contact Arts Access Aotearoa tel (09) 916 4885 or email info@artsaccess.org.nz

Ongoing in August, Te Taumata Art Gallery, Presidential House, 124 Symonds St. AWHA KI UTA - A tribute to the whirlwind generation. A photographic exhibition by John Millar, represents a momentous period of Maori protest. Unwaveringly honest, Awha Ki Uta depicts the urban and tribal leaders, foot soldiers and the ordinary people caught up in the maelstrom of activity that would shape a new generation of political thought in Aotearoa. Email ttag@mwdi.co.nz

Saturday, August 2, 3.30pm, War Memorial Museum, The Domain. SPECIAL RALLY OF REMEMBRANCE For all those who have suffered or died because of the Israeli government's continued occupation of Palestine (West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem). A floral tribute will be laid to honour the memory of all those who died or suffered. Then we will march to the olive grove at the rear of the museum where another tribute will be laid Prayers for peace from the Christian, Muslim and Jewish Faiths will be said. Your own floral contributions would be appreciated too. Contacts: David Wakim 09 5200201 Tuma Hazou 09 4738677

Monday, August 4, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn GPJA FORUM: Turning up the heat: NZs role in September's WTO Ministerial meeting in Cancun. Auckland Launch of ARENA's new booklet on NZ's role in current WTO negotiations.

Monday August 4, Saint James Theatre MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD with KATCHAFIRE and VERSE TWO

Monday, August 4, 6.30-9pm, AUT Conference Centre, 55 Wellesley St, City "LEAD OR BE LED - NEW ZEALAND'S CRITICAL CHALLENGE". Two views are competing for our attention. One is to align ourselves with US strategy and action to protect our economic interest. The other is to take a more self-determined path and forge our own future according to the principles and objectives of our own. A distinguished panel will speak, opening it up for public discussion. Dr. Paul Buchanan, Univ. of AK, Political Science Lecturer, previous Analyst with US Defense Department, http://www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/pol/staff/pb.html Dr. Wayne Mapp, National MP, Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Disarmament and Arms Control, www.wayne-mapp.co.nz Ella Henry, Head of Maori Studies, UNITEC, Member UN Panel on Trade and Indigenous People, http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/mgroups/mgipday3.htm Matt Robson, Progressive Coalition MP, Deputy Leader, Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Select Committees, www.robsononline.co.nz/ Part of Anew NZ Forum Series; "Creating a New New Zealand" $20 each, concessions for Anew NZ associates, students and seniors - $15. Register by email to ensure a place anewnz@anewnz.org.nz. Contact Greg Liggins 3585790 or Dave Breuer 4139146

Saturday August 9, 1pm to 4pm at the Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn END THE GRIDLOCK! Transport Teach In Your chance to find out about Auckland's transport woes and the plans to overcome them. Speakers and workshops will include members of the Auckland Regional Council, Infrastructure Auckland, Auckland City Council, The Green Party, The Alliance, and others with transport expertise gained from working on Auckland local bodies and Transit NZ. This is a public forum. All welcome. Contact: Jill Ovens or Len Richards at 276 9433, kairos@actrix.gen.nz or Bob van Ruyssevelt at 838 8602, bobvanruyssevelt@yahoo.com

Sunday, August 10, 7pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby FOCUS ON WEST PAPUA - OPPRESSION AND RESISTANCE: A critical issue for the Pacific Hear West Papuan Human Rights Advocate John Rumbiak of the West Papua Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy (ELS-HAM) and other delegates to the International Solidarity Meeting for West Papua. Contact: Kevin McBride Pax Christi Aotearoa NZ 377 5541 Maire Leadbeater Indonesia Human Rights Committee 815 9000 David Tutty Catholic Justice and Peace Office 360 3037

MESSAGES

THE FRONTIER TOURING COMPANY, 95bFM and RADIOACTIVE PRESENTS MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD NZ TOUR. The Frontier Touring, 95bFM and Radioactive 89FM are proud to announce the return of Michael Franti and Spearhead for shows in Auckland and Wellington in August. Joining them in Auckland are the wonderful Katchafire and Verse Two. Verse Two also join them in Wellington. Dubbed the "gentle giant" by international media and always outspoken about his political and social beliefs, Michael Franti and Spearhead have recently joined a list of artists in America dubbed "anti-American" as a result of their stance against war. At a time thick with political tensions it seems somewhat appropriate that an artist who has made political messages his mainstay should visit our shores this August. Monday August 4 Auckland - Saint James Theatre with KATCHAFIRE and VERSE TWO Tuesday August 5 Wellington - Starlight Ballroom with VERSE TWO TICKETS FROM TICKETEK (www.ticketek.com) AND REAL GROOVY AVAILABLE NOW. Contact: Helen Eccles 09.638.8235 helen@eccles.co.nz.

ROGER AWARDS: Dunedin is to host the event to announce the winner(s) of the 2003 Roger Award for the Worst Transnational Corporation Operating in Aotearoa/New Zealand. It will be held in the first few months of 2004 and details will be announced closer to the time. This will be the first time that Dunedin has hosted the Roger Award event (the first three were held in Christchurch; one in Wellington, and the last two in Auckland). The organisers - Christchurch-based groups CAFCA and GATT Watchdog - are pleased that the only major city not to have thus far hosted the Roger will now do so. And Dunedin is even more appropriate because of the high profile role played by its Mayor, Sukhi Turner, who has been a judge several times, from the very beginning, and is again this year.The judges are (in addition to Sukhi Turner, Mayor of Dunedin): Dr Ranginui Walker, Emeritus Professor at the University of Auckland; John Minto, veteran Auckland activist and National Chairperson of the Quality Public Education Coalition; Alister Barry, documentary maker, of Wellington; and Jill Hawkey, of Christchurch, National Director of Christian World Service. They will be given a shortlist of nominations from which to make their decision. You can read all about the Roger Award and access the online nomination form at the CAFCA Website www.cafca.org.nz Click on the below for the nomination form: http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/Rogernomination.pdf Nominations close on October 31, 2003. Send your nomination to: The Roger Award, Box 2258, Christchurch or fax it to (03) 3663988. E-mail: cafca@chch.planet.org.nz

FROM THE SOLDIERS OF THE 2ND BRIGADE, 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION 1 July 2003

To Whom It May Concern:

When you hear about heroes, you think of people whom you would envy. None of us asked to be called heroes, or anything else. For the past 9 months we have lived a hard life. We trained for nearly 6 months before the war started, were the first U.S. forces into Iraq on March 20th, and were responsible for the daring strike into Baghdad on April 7th and 8th that virtually ended the war. We are the forgotten and betrayed soldiers of 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, also known as the "Send Me" Brigade. Our Task Force motto is "Can Do" and we have been living true to those words for a very long time. We are also the unit that is sitting in the city of Al Fallujah, as we enter the month of July.

Our men and women have completed every mission we have been given, even when that mission kept us from coming home on time. We have received the occasional newspaper, each one showing us that the rest of the armed forces are returning home; even as we are getting orders for our next mission. We also read the letters that our Commanding General (MGBufordBlount) writes in our local newspaper. Each time we read his words our desperation grows deeper, because we know that most of our countrymen are hearing his lies about our situation here.

Our morale is not high or even low. Our morale is non-existent. We have been told twice that we were going home, and twice we have received a stop movement to stay in Iraq. Where is the honor and integrity the army preaches to soldiers in Basic Training? The closer you get to the frontlines, the worse the soldiers get treated. Every single one of my men has diarrhea, because none of us on the front lines have had a single fresh vegetable in over a month. Meanwhile MG Blount and his cronies are enjoying Burger King at Baghdad International Airport (which we captured). The 3rd Infantry Division soldiers feel betrayed, and forgotten. Many of our brothers in arms have paid the ultimate price to help liberate this country. Every one of us has made sacrifices, and what is our reward? Being treated like farm animals. We have had more support from the press, who were embedded with us throughout the fight, than we have ever received from our chain of command.

Our troops, and our equipment are worn out. Many of our troops have been through some truly terrible experiences; They have been told by mental health professionals that they need to get out of this environment. MGBlount, and LTG Sanchez (the V Corps Commander) however, either don't care about those of us out here on the front lines or they have been lied to by their subordinates and have passed those lies on to the rest of the world.

In closing, all I am really trying to ask for is your help. Please send this letter on to your representatives in congress and to your local media, and ask them to get the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division home. Our men and women deserve to be treated like the heroes they are, not like neighborhood mongrels. Our men and women deserve to see their loved ones again and deserve to come home.

Thank you for your attention, Sincerely, The Soldiers of 2nd Brigade, 3rd ID.

BEST ON THE WEB

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WTO Countdown to Cancun, Ruth Somerville, War on Want http://www.oneworld.net/article/view/64309/1/ Multilateral Punishment: The Philippines in the WTO, 1995-2003 By Walden Bello http://www.focusweb.org/pdf/multilateral-punishment.pdf The Crisis Of The Globalist Project & The New Economics Of George W. Bush By Walden Bello http://www.focusweb.org/popups/articleswindow.php?id=334 WTO: Why is it Bad for You | Video Let people from around the world explain why the WTO is BAD for YOU. The video strips away jargon and exposes the WTO for what it really is! This is documentary interviews eminent people from around the globe who work on the WTO and related issues. It has had rave reviews. "It's an excellent material, very clear and simple on such a complicated issue. " This video will soon be available is many languages. It can be viewed from the Focuswebsite http://www.focusweb.org/test/clip1.htm http://www.focusweb.org/test/clip2.htm http://www.focusweb.org/test/clip3.htm http://www.focusweb.org/test/clip4.htm http://www.focusweb.org/test/clip5.htm http://www.focusweb.org/test/clip6.htm

ANTIWAR Keating says US has kicked off new nuclear arms race http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2582927a11,00.html Nuns sentenced to jail for antiwar protest http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2003/07/25/stat e1633EDT7480.DTL New BushFlash Animation: Occupied This new animation is about the occupation of Iraq... One of the most egregious omissions in recent mainstream US news is accurate reporting as to the true nature of conditions in Iraq. http://www.bushflash.com/occupied.html US Army DU training video they don't want you to see http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article3581.htm

IRAQ WAR Victims of trigger-happy Task Force 20 Rage triggered by US raid that claimed five lives http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1007694,00.html U.N. Faulted for Legitimising Iraqi Governing Council http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=19352 Robert Fisk: Injustice & Iraq : United States Concentration Camps The Ugly Truth Of America's Camp Cropper, A Story To Shame Us All http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=15&ItemID=3947 Operation Oily Immunity http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=16480 Weapons of Mass deception http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/07/22/1058853076257.html Troops Accused of Killing in Mosul U.S. Denies Allegation That Its Forces Fired On Crowd After Clash http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48589-2003Jul25.html Why did the US use cluster bombs in Ira q http://www.wrmea.com/archives/june2003/0306013.html

AFGHANISTAN Rights Group Reports Abuses by Afghans, Some Backed by U.S. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/29/international/asia/29AFGH.html?hp To view the report, please see: http://www.hrw.org/reports/2003/afghanistan0703/

PALESTINE/ISRAEL Stonewalling the peace process: The 'security fence' constructed by Israel in the West Bank is in reality a massive wall that enables the seizure of Palestinian land. http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=16448 Palestine Press Service http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ He risked all for others: "On Friday 11 April, my eldest son, a photojournalist, was shot in the head by an Israeli soldier. He was trying to protect two young girls in the Israelis’ line of fire in Gaza. He is 21 and now lies in a coma, with severe brain damage." http://news.scotsman.com/features.cfm?id=781552003

DPRK - NORTH KOREA This site is maintained by Tim.Beal@vuw.ac.nz as a contribution to the understanding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and to peace and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula via the provision of information from various viewpoints. http://www2.vuw.ac.nz/~caplabtb/dprk/

Korea Korean War: The problem of memory, By Yu Bin http://atimes.com/atimes/Korea/EG26Dg01.html

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