By Robert Fisk, Middle East CorrespondentIt is the "vision" thing again. When President George Bush wanted Arab support for the US bombing of Afghanistan in September, he suddenly announced he had a "vision" of a Palestinian state. Then it disappeared off his radar screen. Yet now it`s back in a watered-down, US-framed UN resolution that affirms "a vision of a region where two states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side..." Could it be that Mr Bush has another war in mind for the region, that perhaps Vice-President Dick Cheney, now touring the Arab world and Israel, wants Arab support for an attack on Iraq? UN resolutions don`t disappear as fast as presidential "visions" and the world now has the idea …­ and it`s only an idea …­ embedded in a serious UN document. Indeed, it`s … [read more]

PFLP Press Release Ramallah: The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine has commented about the meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister, Shimon Peres, and Speaker of the Palestinian Parliament, Ahmad Qurei. The Popular Front stated that this meeting constitutes a departure from the will of the Palestinian people and provides a political cover for the crimes, the massacres, and the mass butchery of the government of Zionist unity and for its decision to continue and intensify these crimes against our people, as it also circumvents the option of resistance struggle that has brought Sharon`s military program to a real impasse after the qualitative blows of the resistance demonstrated the failure of this program in its confrontation with the intifada and resistance. The Popular Front … [read more]

By Teresa Gutierrez, Mexico CityMore than 600 participants representing dozens of countries around the world on March 4 and 5 took part here in the Second International Encounter in Solidarity and for Peace in Colombia and Latin America.This historic conference reflects the growing worldwide movement against U.S. intervention in Colombia, specifically against the menacing Pentagon "Plan Colombia." It also reflects the deepening solidarity of the progressive and revolutionary movements in Latin America and the Caribbean that each day is growing stronger and bolder.The Second Encounter had significant support from a broad and prominent sector of anti-war, peace and progressive elements. Conveners included Nobel Peace Prize winner Adolfo Perez Esquivel; Ahmed Ben Bella, former president of … [read more]

Amman, Jordan, March 9, 2002At noon sharp on Saturday 9, 2002, a human chain suddenly formed on the sidewalk between the First and Second Circle in Amman, Jordan. Every few yards a sign was raised: "Support the Intifada, No to Defeatist Initiatives"; "Lift the Official Arab Siege on Iraq"; "Palestine is ARAB"; "Sharon and Bush are Partners in Crime"; "NO to the Aggression on Iraq and the Palestinian People"; etc.. Each sign was repeated dozens of times in one sequence as if to make the point clear to whomever it may concern, and to passers-by who started gathering around like the clouds before the rain. A line of dedicated activists and citizens stood SILENTLY steadfast beneath those signs to underscore the point: WE CANT WATCH WHAT´S GOING ON IN PALESTINE AND IRAQ IN SILENCE … [read more]

Rome, March 9, 2002Despite heavy rain and the boycott by the big mass media as well as by a big part of the pacifist left, 100,000 people demonstrated yesterday, March 9, in Rome in solidarity with the Palestinian Intifada. This was, in fact, the biggest demonstration in support of the Palestinian cause ever in Italy. Moreover, there is no doubt that this was also the biggest mass manifestation in support of Intifada that has ever taken place in a western country. The idea to hold this demonstration was launched in October last year by the Forum for Palestine. Thanks to the efforts of a united basis committee (part of which was the Italian section of the Anti-imperialist Camp) this idea could become reality. The call for this demonstration included five points: withdrawal of the Israeli … [read more]

...concerned with the future of democracy in IndiaFriends, In a few days from now India´s parliamentary system of democracy will face one of its gravest challenges. Not by an attack on Parliament from the outside, but ironically from the very people who presently preside over it by virtue of an opportunistically cobbled together alliance that seems devoid of any coherent programmes and principles, save one, sticking to power at all costs. In fact many of its constituents, including the Samata Party, the BJP-Sena alliance, the DMK, the TMC, the Akali Dal etc have lost elections at the state level after assuming power in Delhi. Most recently in fact, the leading party in this alliance, the BJP, has been defeated in the elections in UP, even though the party had made its … [read more]

by: Communist Mazdoor Kissan PartyOn Wednesday, 13th February 2002, in Lahore (Pakistan), a press conference and a large procession was organized by the Communist Workers Peasants Party (CMKP) and ASR Resource Center in collaboration with other progressive organizations. The venue for this event was the Lahore Press Club. The press conference and protest has been held at a critical moment, when the peasants of Pakistan are fighting tooth and nail against the oppression and violence perpetrated on them by the state and feudal lords. On the one hand, the poor peasants of Charsada (Hashtnagar, NWFP) are warding-off a brutal act of forceful evictions from their lands. On the other hand, the military, in alliance with (MNCs), IMF and WTO, is imposing its imperialist-dictated agenda on the poor … [read more]

Statement by the Anti-imperialist CampThe corporate media does not know how to cope with Milosevic´s accuse against NATO. In order to avoid a collapse of the amalgam of lies, which have been proven to be fakes by the ex president´s arguments, these very same lies are being once again inflated and endlessly repeated, for example:The picture from Trnopolje, which suggests a Serbian concentration camp by showing an emaciated man behind a barbwire is displayed again and again on all the TV screens of the world – despite the fact that the photograph was taken from inside the fence. A fact which actually should be known to the journalists.The alleged massacre of Racak, which was used as the pretext to legitimate the NATO attack, has been refuted by both Dr. Helena Ranta, head of the … [read more]

by Brasilian Trade Unionists Open Letter to the Trade Unionists and Activists Participating in the World Social Forum 2002 in Porto Alegre, Brazil Dear Brothers and Sisters,We, the undersigned Brazilian trade unionists, want to open a dialogue with you. We are living through a terrible situation the world over. The U.S. government, under the cover of the United Nations, is using the heinous terrorist attacks of September 11 to intensify a political agenda of "full-scale, protracted war" -- as Bush himself has stated. It is a war that started with the bombing of Afghanistan and is far from over.In neighboring Argentina, the people -- after years of governments that had submitted to the dictates of the IMF and applied the politics of privatization, destruction of workers` rights, and … [read more]

Statement by the Anti-imperialist CampColombia: Pacification will never bring peace for the peopleThe Colombian oligarchy breaks off the peace process with the FARC after not having succeeded in imposing its "peace" without structural changes.On Wednesday, February 20, Colombian president Pastrana announced the definitive breaking off of the peace process with the FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejercito del Pueblo – Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-Peoples Army) and gave orders for the immediate entering of troupes into the demilitarised zone of San Vicente Caguán. The pretext for this breaking off of negotiations, which had already been announced by the "anti-terrorist" crusade of US-imperialism, was the alleged kidnapping of senator Jorge Eduardo Gechem … [read more]

by "Stop The War Brigade"Call for an international Delegation to converge on Guantanamo to protest and expose The USA`s hypocritical and criminal posture vid-a-vis the treatment of prisoners, adherence to international treaties and the right to self-determination among Peoples and Nations.Let`s go to Guantanamo - Shut "Camp X-ray" down ! !"For the past few days the US Military has been transporting suspected members of the Taliban & Al Queada from a military prison in Kandahar Afghanistan to another prison on the island of Cuba at the US Naval base at Guantanamo Bay.(That) was leased to the US Government by the new Cuban Government installed after the war between the US & Spain in 1898 which ended hundreds of years Spanish colonial rule in the Caribbean & South Pacific(Guam & the … [read more]

Vietnam Veterans gegen die US-Kriegspolitik "In den letzten Tagen hat das US-Militär mutmaßliche Mitglieder der Taliban und Al Quaida aus einem Militärgefängnis in Kandahar in ein anderes Gefängnis auf der Insel Kuba, in die US Marine Basis in Guantanamo Bay, verlegt. Guantanamo Bay war 1898 der USA von der neu installierten Regierung überlassen worden, nach dem Ende des Krieges zwischen der USA und Spanien, der hunderte von Jahren spanischer Kolonialherrschaft in der Karibik und dem Südpazifik (Guam und die Philippinen im besonderen) beendete und Spanien verlor seine gestohlenen Schätze. Ich habe im Fernsehen gesehen wie die Militärwachen ihre Gefangenen vor den Fernsehkameras in Kandahar Parade laufen ließen und offen damit prahlten, dass sie wie Tiere gefesselt und … [read more]

Salutations to the struggle of the brave peasants of Hashtnagar!!The oppression faced by the poor peasants of Pakistan has reached ghastly proportions. On the one hand, the poor peasants of Charsada (Hashtnagar, NWFP) are facing a brutal act of forceful evictions from their lands. On the other hand, the military, in alliance with the multi-national corporations (MNCs), IMF and WTO, is imposing its agenda on the small farmers and poor tenants of Okkara, Khanewal, Sargodha and various other areas of the Punjab, so as to deprive them of their right to own the land that they till with their immense hard work. Their very survival and livelihood is under threat. WHAT A SHAME! The ones who feed the people are themselves living on an empty stomach in this country.However, in spite of all the … [read more]

by: Information Department of PRSince 04.02.2002. in city Kragujevac, Serbia, 250 workers from `Partizan` factory which try to defend their factory and their jobs are at hunger strike! Send your protest to nearest Yugoslavian embassy, to Serbian government, or directly to strikers at partizan@email.com. More information`s, addresses and other information`s will … [read more]

Call for an anti-imperialist solidarity delegationIn their so-called "war on terror" the US has declared all forces opposing their global dictatorship as enemies due to be smashed, crushed and routed out by military violence regardless of whether they might be states, popular movements or political organisations.Iraq and its people is one of those forces mounting tenacious resistance against the tyrannous US world order which has been erected by the war of the "Holy Alliance" against it in 1991. This war and the ongoing aggression by steady aerial attacks and the vicious embargo – which have led to more than two million deaths and have forced a formerly rich nation into abject misery and starvation – is the very evidence of the terrorist character of this "New World Order". It does … [read more]

International Committee to Defend Slobodan Milosevic (ICDSM) International Meeting in Amsterdam,February 11, 2002 On February 12, the ICTY will start the so-called trial against President Slobodan Milosevic. This takes place after many years during which President Milosevic and the Serbian people have been demonized on a scale of magnitude and intensity never seen before.After being kidnapped by NATO, with the support of the present Yugoslav government, President Milosevic has been subjected to humiliation and violations of human rights. In particular, he has been denied the right to meet and communicate with advisors of his choice including attorneys who are legally challenging his kidnapping. He has been forbidden the basic right to communicate with the press although the so-called … [read more]

by South Africans of Jewish descent; October 2001We the undersigned are compelled to express ourselves on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict as a matter of conscience and concern for the safety and well being of the Israeli and Palestinian Peoples and for world peace.1. The Fundamental Causes of the ConflictWe assert that the fundamental causes of the current conflict are Israel`s suppression of the Palestinian struggle for national self-determination and its continued occupation of Palestinian lands.We do not dispute that certain sectors of the Palestinian population have resorted to terror and we condemn innocent killings of civilians from whatever quarter. Yet this is not the root cause of the problem.The state of Israel was founded as a homeland for the persecuted Jews of Europe. It … [read more]

Speech by Ronnie Kasrils1. In just six weeks a statement on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict issued by Max Ozinsky and myself has attracted 220 signatories – from South Africans of Jewish descent.Some of us are fully practising Jews and others like Max and I, not so, but we are all proud of our Jewish origins, and feel compelled to speak out, in the name of justice and as an act of conscience, against Israel´s occupation of the Palestinian territory and cruel suppression of the Palestinian´s struggle for national self-determination – which we cite as the fundamental cause of the conflict.2. Our signatories include veteran activists who fought against Hitler, and who continued to fight for South Africa´s freedom throughout their lives.Our signatories include several generations of … [read more]

Palestine Monitor: Urgent AppealThis morning after giving a press conference at the American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi was questioned and taken by five or six Israeli plainclothes policemen.After taking his ID the police then demanded he accompany them to the …‘Maskopeya´ Police compound – also know as the …‘Russian Compound´ in West Jerusalem. No one else in the group was asked for ID indicating that the police were aware of whom Dr. Barghouthi was – and they had targeted him in particular.Four and a half hours later he was released - HOWEVER as he was being released from the custody of the Israeli police he was re-detained by the Israeli Military.While talking to foreign delegates at Ar-Ram checkpoint it appears that the Border Police handed him … [read more]

by: Women`s Affairs Technical CommitteePalestinian women have played a key role throughout the struggle for independence over the long years of Israeli occupation. As a result, many women have been arrested, for political reasons, held in solitary confinement, forced to give birth in their prison cells, tortured, verbally and sexually abused and threatened. Many are held among Israeli criminal prisoners, as well. They have been subjected to extreme brutal and violent conditions, deprived of basic human needs and prisoner`s rights, contradicting by this major international declarations, agreements and principles.Despite harsh conditions, Palestinian women prisoners have shown strength, perseverance, internal unity and solidarity. Before the outbreak of the current Intifada, the number of … [read more]