-#229: Protest The 5th Anniversary Of The Invasion And Occupation Of Iraq: Aotea Square 12noon Saturday 15
March.------------
Global Peace And Justice Auckland Newsletter #229, March 8 2008
Website [http://www.gpja.org.nz/] Contact details: Forums – John Minto, Work: (09) 845 2132, Home 09 846 3173
jbminto@xtra.co.nz; Newsletter Editor – Mike Treen 0295254744 / 09 845 4027 mike@unite.org.nz; Web page -
[media@ndu.org.nz] Donations can be sent to GPJA, P O Box 7175, Wellesley St, Auckland. To subscribe or unsubscribe to
this newsletter visit [http://www.gpja.org.nz/] or click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.
Kia ora koutou,
Saturday 15th March – GPJA Peace March on anniversary of invasion of Iraq. Gather Aotea Square 12noon for march to US
Consulate. This protest will also highlight the Israeli invasion of Gaza and brutality towards Palestinians by the
Israeli armed forces. Bring banners and placards!
FORWARD Kindly forward this newsletter to your friends and encourage them to join this mailing list @
[http://www.gpja.org.nz/]
QUOTE OF THE WEEK "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity." - Albert Einstein
WHAT’S ON IN NEW ZEALAND
Wednesday 12 March, Iraq after 5 years of war and occupation. Seminar by Continuing Education, Auckland University.
7-9pm, Room 039, Clock Tower Bldg No. 105, 22 Princes Street Fee (GST incl): $22.50 Student/Unwaged Fee (GST incl):
$13.50 Speakers: Heval Hylan , LLB (Baghdad), LLB (Waikato), PGDip Legal Studies Steve Hoadley, PhD
After five years of war and occupation in Iraq what has been achieved and what does the future hold? This seminar will
look at foreign involvement in Iraq which has created adversaries and divided friends and allies alike. It is an issue
that is both regional and international, and from which no government can walk away because all are implicated in the
consequences, even if they did not cause the conflict. An overview of the interests and actions of the major players,
together with a discussion of the many factors involved in rebuilding a war-torn Iraq, will reveal that simple solutions
are illusory. The seminar, in which the two speakers will present different perspectives, will encompass the need for
political renovation of a legitimate and capable state, economic reforms, the creation of rules and institutions that
enable a market economy, social reconstruction and issues of national security. The New Zealand government's policy on
Iraq will also be discussed. There will be an opportunity at the end of the seminar for questions and discussion. To
register contact: Continuing Education, phone 09 373 7599 ext 87831/87832, or email [conted@auckland.ac.nz] Website:
www.cce.auckland.ac.nz [http://www.cce.auckland.ac.nz]
Friday, 14 to Sunday, 16 March - 'Promoting peace through active non-violent resistance' is the theme of the 2008
National Peace Workshops - postponed earlier this year, the National Peace Workshops have now been re-scheduled and will
be held at the Quaker Settlement, Whanganui, in March. The weekend will include workshops and panel discussions with
Maori, Moriori, Pacific and Pakeha contributors who have experience of community and individual non-violent resistance,
and/or non-violent direct action in Aotearoa and overseas; as well as workshops on campaigns of our member and other
groups. More information and registration details will be available in late January at
[http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/npw08.htm]
Saturday, March 15, 8.30am-5pm, Auckland University On 15th March, the Faculty of Law, University of Auckland will be
hosting a one-day Symposium entitled "Civil Society: Using Law as a Sword". The symposium will be open to the public,
but pre-registration (cost $30) is essential. The organisers of the Symposium are Treasa Dunworth and Kris Gledhill of
the Law Faculty, Rt Honourable Ted Thomas, Janfrie Wakim and Deborah Manning. We are also pleased to have the support of
the Human Rights Commission with this initiative. If you are interested in this event or wish to register (there is a
fee of $30.00) please email Treasa Dunworth at [t.dunworth@auckland.ac.nz] or phone on (09) 3737599 ext 88008.
Thursday 20th March – Pot Luck Dinner with NELSON DAVILA – Venezuela’s Charge D’affairs for Australia, NZ and the
Pacific. (See bio details below) Bring something to share to Unite Union office, 6A Western Springs Road, Western
Springs, Auckland, 6pm. All welcome!
Friday 21st March – Special GPJA March Forum – A forum not to be missed! Meeting details: Trades Hall, 147 Great North
Road, Grey Lynn. 7.30pm Revolutionary Venezuelan diplomat, NELSON DAVILA to speak. Nelson, who is based in Canberra, is
Venezuela's charge d'affaires for Australia, NZ and the Pacific. He is not your traditional diplomat, starting out as a
student activist, then becoming an indigenous rights activist, and joining Huge Chavez's secret revolutionary group
inside the Venezuelan armed forces. He is one of President Chavez's closest and most trusted political collaborators
right up to this day.
Nelson will speak about the nature of the Venezuelan revolutionary process, including the recent formation of the five
million strong United Socialist Party of Venezuela, the government's strong support for indigenous rights in Venezuela,
and the growth of Communal Councils which have delegated powers to decide on local and regional priorities along with a
huge chunk of state funding to implement their own plans at the grassroots.
Nelson is hoping that his tour will give impetus to the establishment of a broad-based, inclusive Venezuela solidarity
movement in New Zealand. It is hoped Nelson’s tour (one week in NZ) will result in the creation of a nationwide
Venezuela solidarity network pave the way for a visit to New Zealand by President Chavez.
April 10th to 19th – The Hollow Men comes to Auckland One Man One Mission Many Advisers .. The Hollow Men Acclaimed Play
The Hollow Men Brings Politics Up-close in Auckland in April. Written by Auckland writer Dean Parker and based on Nicky
Hager’s controversial book, The Hollow Men is at Maidment Theatre, Auckland from Thursday 10 April to Saturday 19 April
for 10 performances only. The Hollow Men examines the months of Don Brash’s leadership of the National Party leading up
to the 2005 election. The play had its world premiere in Wellington in September last year followed by a season in
Palmerston and then a return season in Wellington. “Exciting, funny and totally absorbing” – Dominion Post "Full of
half-lies" -- National Business Review "Who was it described John Key as the priest with his hand on your knee...?" --
The Hollow Men. In The Hollow Men, the cast plays a variety of political movers and shakers; many of whom still walk the
corridors of parliament today. The Hollow Men plays at Maidment Theatre, Auckland for a strictly limited season from
10-19 April. Book by phoning 09 308 2383 or online at www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz [http://www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz].
Monday 7th April: GPJA Monthly Forum, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. 7.30pm Anti Terror laws – Special
Forum to update on the campaign to repeal the anti-terror laws. Details of panellists to follow.
Monday 12th May: GPJA Monthly Forum, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. 7.30pm Maher Mughrabi, Palestinian
writer and journalist now working in Melbourne at The Age and a member of the Palestinian Diaspora. This meeting comes
just two days before the anniversary of al Nakba – the anniversary of the proclaiming of the state of Israel in Tel
Aviv.
~ Ongoing - Help us ban cluster bombs, online petition: "I support the global call to ban cluster bombs", you can add
your name at [http://www.stopclusterbombs.org.nz/take-action/petition/]
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Support the defence of activists arrested in the so-called “anti-terror raids” A CD of great music… Double CD & Booklet $25 TU KOTAHI - Freedom Fighting Anthems 25 excellent tracks of sheer Kiwi music/voice !!!!!!!!! >From CD
sleeve note:- "Tu Kotahi - Freedom Fighting Anthems" is a non-profit, consciousness raising project. All funds will go
to organisations in Aotearoa who are working specifically with those affected by the Oct 15th 2007 state raids. The
booklet, called Wahanui, was put together by Conscious Collaborations T Shirts "Ke Whawhai Tonu Matu" $25 (orders taken
- state size required) To order or to help sell - Contact VANESSA - [spadarkle@hotmail.com] Ph 09 836 9002
[http://www.freedomfighterscd.org.nz/]
CLIMATE CHANGE - SOCIAL CHANGE CONFERENCE, APRIL 11-13, 2008, SYDNEY The world is teetering on the brink of unstoppable
climate change. Many now recognise the need for serious change in the way we produce and use energy, our transport
systems, food production, urban design and forestry practices. Yet politicians are still mouthing platitudes while
allowing corporations to continue to profit from polluting our atmosphere and destroying our ecosystem. The need for
social change has become an urgent part of preventing catastrophic climate change. Can the market fix the problem? What
is the real record of carbon trading? How can we build a social movement capable of averting this disaster? What models
and experiences can offer real solutions? To strengthen the exchange of ideas and contribute towards that urgent action
Green Left Weekly is organising the Climate Change - Social Change conference from April 11-13, 2008 in Sydney. We are
pleased to have confirmed: - John Bellamy Foster, author of Marx's Ecology: Materialism and Nature, editor of Monthly
Review ([http://sociology.uoregon.edu/faculty/foster.php]) - Patrick Bond, Director of the Centre for Civil Society,
University of Natal, South Africa; editor of Climate Change, Carbon Trading and Civil Society
www.zcommunications.org/zspace/patrickbond [http://www.zcommunications.org/zspace/patrickbond]
[http://www.zcommunications.org/zspace/patrickbond] - Roberto Perez, Cuban permaculturalist (featured in The Power of
Community: how Cuba survived peak oil) () We invite your participation in making this more than just an exchange of
ideas - important as that is - but a part of building up resistance to corporate-led climate change and strengthening
the movement for sustainable development. To receive updates about the conference, send an email to
[climatechange_socialchangeconf_announce-subscribe@yahoogroups.com] Please forward this conference call to your
networks. In solidarity, Kamala Emanuel and Pip Hinman, Climate Change - Social Change conference organisers
ANNOUNCING THE MAY DAY 2008 BRIGADE TO VENEZUELA Registration deadline: March 30th, 2008 (including payment). The
Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network’s (AVSN) next solidarity brigade to Venezuela is schedule for May 2008 and will
coincide with May Day (May 1st) in Venezuela. The brigade will be a unique opportunity to see first-hand the unfolding
revolution in Venezuela. If you are interested in being part of this inspiring and educational experience, please send
the completed registration form to [brigades@venezuelasolidarity.org]
BEST ON THE WEB
NEW ZEALAND
Link to excellent 25 minute interview of Dr Hans Koechler by Jane Kelsey during his recent visit to Auckland - produced
by Kamal of Teamwork Productions. Will be on Darpan - The Mirror, Triangle TV, 4pm Saturday March 15? 2008.
[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5534185595806557954]
The latest Greenpeace GE Free Food Guide reflects a strong ongoing non-GE position from New Zealand food companies and
an unprecedented anti-GE stance from Australasia's largest food company.
[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0801/S00243.htm]
WORLD ECONOMY The new Bank of the South assaults neoliberal economics
[http://www.forumdesalternatives.org/EN/readarticle.php?article_id=4616]
AFGHANISTAN NATO winning battles, losing Afghanistan: "Make no mistake", begins a new issue brief from non-partisan
think-tank the Atlantic Council of the United States, "NATO is not winning in Afghanistan".
[http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JB02Df02.html]
IRAQ New analysis ‘confirms’ 1 million+ Iraq casualties [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0802/S00012.htm]
LATIN AMERICA ALBA, an Economic Alternative for Latin America [http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/3116] Indianismo
and Marxism: The Missed Encounter of Two Revolutionary Principles by Álvaro García Linera, vice president of Bolivia
[http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/garcia310108.html]
WEST SAHARA Swedish Fund Öhman to divest from Wesfarmers Australia - The Australia Wester Sahara Association (AWSA)
applauds the decision of Öhman Funds from Sweden to divest from the Australian phosphate company CSBP (Wesfarmers) due
to its imports of phosphate rock from the occupied Western Sahara. [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0802/S00019.htm]
ends