US: Fewer and Fewer Latinos Willing to Die in Iraq May 31st, 2005
Dear Editor,
You have a thoroughly criminal administration. It has misled you, lied to you, killed and physically and psychologically injured you, made you less free, made you undemocratic, cost you a very large amount of money (and counting), lost global respect for you, and earned global hatred of America. Why on Earth would anyone want to enlist in the Department of Offence? Defence of one’s country is worth fighting for, but how can the destruction of an entire country and its people, who were no threat whatsoever to the U.S., be a cause worthy of dying for?
You need to get rid of those criminals in the White House.
US: Fewer and Fewer Latinos Willing to Die in Iraq May 31st, 2005
Dear Editor,
The trials at Nuremberg after World War II, over which the United States unofficially presided (they were conducted by all the victorious allies, but the US was the prime mover behind the trials) established this principle of international law and the laws of war: That a soldier who obeys an illegal order is committing an illegal act. One cannot excuse an illegal action by saying, “I was ordered to do it.” Nevertheless, the prime offenders, and the guiltiest, are those who have issued such orders.
As UN Secretary Kofi Annan has bravely and truthfully stated, and as the recently leaked British intelligence document proves, this war was a premeditated illegal action by the Government of the United States. Its motivation was not the security of the USA, but the theft of Iraq’s oil and other resources. A hundred thousand Iraqis have died as a result of this criminal enterprise. As such, it is Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz and Ashcroft who are the criminals who belong behind bars. Sergeant Camilo MejÃa was illegally and falsely charged - he has courageously followed the laws of war, he is innocent of any crime under international law, and all the soldiers who continue to serve in Iraq are the ones committing criminal acts.
This is the principal reason the United States adamantly opposes establishment of the International Criminal Court in the Hague - our leaders know that they have committed war crimes under the very principles laid down by the United States itself, and are afraid of being charged with those crimes.
DEVELOPMENT: ‘Aid Policies Turning Killers’ May 31st, 2005
Dear Editor:
TThank you for reporting on this shocking situation. I knew the World Bank is ruining poor people everywhere but had few specific cases to cite recently other than the tsunami survivors.
This Indian situation is appalling. I belong to a liberal e-mail political group with whom I will share this report immediately. Surely the blogosphere is responding to this?
What about Daily Kos? Is he on your mailing list? I know I found you through a link with some liberal blog. Let’s see, it was “Booman Tribune” I think they get a lot of hits per day. But I’ll bring it to people’s attention and see if we can’t get some reaction.
Paul Wolfowitz, the new head of The World Bank is a notorious neoconservative and part of the group that orchestrated the privatization schemes for Iraqis — who are damned well going to be Democratic because we say so. So, there’s little chance of a change in the World Bank or IMF unless the EU countries fight for it. I don’t know how much people who care can accomplish here.
ARTS WEEKLY/BOOKS-TIBET The Karmapa’s Dance of Politics May 28th, 2005
Date: 28 May 2005
Ref:
Dear Ms. Gutierrez,
Concerning the article published on May 24 “The Karmapa’s Dance of Politicsâ€?, I would like to clarify certain issues and set the record straight.
It is understandable that the article was somewhat one-sided, as it referred mainly to a very biased account by the Author, Mick Brown, who has come under heavy criticism since the publication of his book. However, I feel it is important to clarify the background to the violent episode in New Delhi that was mentioned: the ‘melee’ which happened at the 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje’s enthronement in 1994.
The facts, well documented in the Indian press, speak for themselves. The “melee� was started by supporters of Ogyen Trinley, the Chinese government’s choice for the title of Karmapa. The rabble-rousers, who were local thugs dressed in monks robes, threw rocks and bottles to disrupt the ceremony. They were subsequently arrested, charged, taken to court and sentenced for their role in the violent incident.
The facts also reveal that all of the violence in the Karmapa controversy has been instigated by supporters of Ogyen Trinley. In 1993 Rumtek Monastery, the seat of the Karmapa in Sikkim, was besieged by Ogyen Trinley’s supporters. The rightful occupants were threatened and forcefully expelled. One monk was even dragged by the neck by his robes and seriously injured. Since this time the legitimate administration of Rumtek has been prevented from returning to fulfil its duties. After a decade of legal wrangling, the Indian Supreme Court finally ruled in 2004 that Rumtek and its contents are the rightful property of the Karmapa Charitable Trust, which supports Karmapa Thaye Dorje as the genuine Karmapa. This confirms that the monastery has been occupied illegally since 1993, a point which Mick Brown ‘conveniently’ omits to mention in his book.
I hope this will help your readers form a more balanced view of the issue in question.
Best wishes,
Dafydd Morriss
London Diamond Way Buddhist Centre
London, UK
HEALTH: HIV/AIDS Campaigns Turning Communal, Say Hindu Leaders May 27th, 2005
Dear Sir,
This was a real good story. I want to congratulate the author. It was pleased to see that there are people who wants to look AIDS from a different angle. Today we can find that every second person on this earth is talking about the spreading of AIDS, but there are few who had tried to go beyond that and smelled the fishy into this. Mr. Ranjit has presented the other group’s views very well.
It’s quite unsettling to be American these days – I recall growing up with the theme, “I’m proud to be American.� I no longer feel that way. In some ways I am embarrassed.
We are leading country in this world – with more millionaires than any other country and yet we disrespect the human race – torturing people, engaging in war – haven’t we grown beyond this small thinking? It appears not. How can I proudly call myself American when Americans are torturing people and disrespecting the human race? What has happened to us?
I was in Europe during the last election and my eyes were opened in a way they never had been before about the Bush Administration, the war and much more. A 22-year old kid in Germany asked me what I thought of Michael Moore’s movie and because I was a “sleeping� American, I did not even know who Michael Moore was. That was the kicker – right there. I made a commitment upon returning to the U.S. to learn more about our government, the war and politics. I wrote two letters to the editor of our local newspaper upon returning home about my awareness in Europe and neither were published. Shortly thereafter, I received a call from a U.S. Army recruiter looking for my daughter and told the recruiter I would not under ANY circumstances send my kid to war. I told this recruiter I was embarrassed by our country’s motives.
DISARMAMENT: Israeli Arsenal Vexes Nuclear Negotiators May 26th, 2005
Dear Editor,
I strongly protest my characterization as a “pro-Israel policy advocate” by your reporter Mr. Rizvi.
I work for The Heritage Foundation, a conservative US organization which takes a neutral position on the Middle East issues. It is neither pro- or anti-Israel (or pro- or anti-Arab). A misleading epithet was is was a gratuitous editorializing by your reporter or editor. Moreover, he never characterized Cirincione as “anti-Israel policy advocate”.
Finally, while your reporter characterized other quoted sources, such as Carnegie’s Cirincione by his full title (”director”), he misreported my title: he referred to me as a “senior analyst”. My title in fact is Senior Research Fellow. I told Mr. Rizvi what my title was; he could also have checked our website.
Let me conclude with a hope that next time your reporters and editors will do a better job.
Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
Senior Research Fellow
International Energy Security
The Heritage Foundation
TSUNAMI IMPACT-SRI LANKA: Pledges and More Pledges, But Where Are the Houses? May 25th, 2005
Dear Editor,
The only thing preventing the 3 billion dollars in pledges reaching people in Piyasena’s plight is the intransigence of the government in refusing to share it with the Tamil speaking people. Two-thirds of the tsunami damage occurred in areas where the Tamil speaking people live, most of which is under Tamil rebel control. The donors insist that Sri Lanka develop a ‘Joint Mechanism’ with the rebel group to distribute the funds in an equitable manner. The government foot-dragging on this is the only delay.
RIGHTS-IRAN: Exiled Rebel Group Said to Torture Dissidents May 25th, 2005
Dear Editor,
Along with Posada Carriles and many other Miami based ex-Cubans, the MKO would be classified as “good terrorists” — those who use terror to further US interests.
ARTS WEEKLY/BOOKS-TIBET: The Karmapa’s Dance of Politics May 24th, 2005
Sir/Madam,
The Dalai has no business recognizing new incarnations of the Karmapa. This is a never heard-of novelty. It was actually the Karmapa, who recognized the first Dalai. There are many straightforward ways of how the new incarnation is to be found, and the 16th Karmapa left clear indications of how the 17th would be found. A little more controversy for you: the Dalai Lama wants to free Tibet. However, he supports a Chinese pawn as the “karmapa”.
Have you not heard about the previous one and the age issue? Can a new incarnation be born before the previous one dies? Have you not read about documents that the other side will not have scientifically checked, signatures verified? Have you not heard that they have been sent packing out of Rumtek by Indian courts?
This book is written by a person who takes sides and refuses to do his research properly, thus causing even more damage than has already been caused. In order to find balance, one needs to see it all together.
With my best regards,
Alex Travnickova
Owner and Director
Komtessa, Canada
BIODIVERSITY: Overfishing Threatens Vietnam’s Marine Life May 19th, 2005
Dear Sir or Madam,
Your story about Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher is of great importance to everyone involved in the environment and consumer movement. I do hope you follow up on the developments. His role as a negotiator is unparalleled, and if the Canadian government cannot allow him to enter the Biosafety talks in Montreal, the talks should be boycotted by others. It is a scandal that a developed nation like Canada would not permit Teowolde to enter. Please make sure we all find out what is behind this.
Sincerely,
Martin Frid
Japan Offspring Fund (NGO)
Tokyo, Japan
A Tale of Two Stories is really the tale of one “lying son-of-a-bitch” that holds the Office of the President of the United States. The Pentagon got their asses caught once again and the spin is in over-drive. With the illegal ascension of the Bush war-mongers, the gutting of the U.S. military has gone forward with a full head of steam. The civilians that run the Department of Defense have cut the legs out from under the generals that usually run Defense and America is the worse for it. The atrocities that are cloaked and hidden and occurring daily at Guantanamo Bay and the other cute little secret prisons that are run by the U.S., cannot stay hidden forever. These horrors will come out a little at a time and hopefully, the scurvy bastards that have usurped our government will be held to account.
IMMIGRATION: New U.S. Bill Would Let the Undocumented Work and Stay May 16th, 2005
Dear editor,
This will work only for honest people. This bill will not stop illegals and this plan would increase taxes collected. But who would work and pay taxes if they can work and not pay taxes. If we can not control the problem now, how is a piece of paper going to do it?
DEVELOPMENT-ASIA: Non-Aligned Movement Takes on New Social Role May 13th, 2005
Dear Editors,
I am responding to the article by Baradan Kuppusamy Non-Aligned Movement Takes on New Social Role, particularly the plight of women and children in Afghanistan, after the U.S. Government set-up democracy there.
What has been told is a clear example of the hypocrisy followed by the developed nations against the lesser developed nations. They strip the nation of all its wealth and leave it high and dry. The example of Haiti is there for the whole world to see. No wonder, terrorism rears its head by the oppressed, to give vent to their oppression. No community can tolerate such oppression for long time and society has to pay the price for such inequalities created by the wealthier nations against the poor nations.
Transparency and accountability in all actions of all individuals and governments is a must to ensure creation of level playing field and all round peace and prosperity.
RIGHTS-INDIA: Tsunami-Like Devastation Hits Mumbai Slum Dwellers May 13th, 2005
Dear editor,
This article is so one-sided. All in the name of humanitarian concern. Many of these slum dwellers have been rehabilitated before but they sell of their rehabilitated dwellings and come and live in the slums again. They do not want to be relocated outside the city. Are these so call social and humanitarian workers willing to accept responsibility if a major security breach occurs at the Mumbai airport due to the slums and 500 people lose their lives due to a terrorist attach or an aircraft losing control and slamming into the slums? Just because someone is living on a pavement for the last 10 years does not mean that it is their home. This demolition will also be a good signal to the rural citizens to not migrate to the cities. The quality of life is much better in the towns and villages. So why move to the cities and cause more problems?
TRADE: India Backs Lamy as WTO Head, But Activists Furious May 13th, 2005
Sir:
I appreciate reading your article but would like to clarify a couple of points to make it even more factual. Perez del Castillo had all of Latin America. That includes countries in South America (12), Central America (6), as well as Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. He reportedly carried China, Namibia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Angola, New Zealand, Australia, Myanmar (Burma), Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Indonesia, Singapore and others in Africa and Asia as well as those Arab countries that received on time the instruction to vote after their Heads of State and Government formally expressed their endorsement at the South American-Arab Summit held in Rio
10-11 May.
For an official to say that Perez del Castillo has no calibre as compared to any other candidate is ludicrous at best. But perhaps it is just plain ignorance so your source should be well advised to check their CVs and accomplishments. It should suffice to say that he was the only candidate, to my knowledge, that had chaired the main WTO bodies, including the General Council, headed an international organization and had dedicated 30 years of his life to trade and development matters. He also had the class that takes to exit a contest with dignity after giving a valiant fight against far more powerful adversaries and a bizarre combination of alliances.
Hopefully, Perez del Castillo will remain a force to reckon with in international trade and development issues. The press reported that Uruguay’s Ambassador to the WTO received an standing ovation at the Council session yesterday afternoon when he announced the withdrawal of his candidacy on account of not only the merits of the candidate who made it to the final against all odds but the class act of Perez del Castillo is.
IMMIGRATION-US: New Restrictions Draw Angry Response from Mexico May 13th, 2005
Dear editor,
Gee, I guess the author can not distinguish between illegal aliens and immigration. You can not possibly lump the two together, it doesn’t wash. My parents came here legally as immigrants and they are just as mad at the illegals getting in line ahead of people trying to do it the legal and right way. Look it up in the dictionary and see the difference.
HEALTH: Despite Modest Advances, Malaria Still a Major Killer in Africa May 12th, 2005
Dear Sir/Madam:
You know, these days, when I hear or read something on malaria not being under control I just become incensed and weary. What on earth is so complicated about getting rid of mosquitoes, or reducing this menace to human beings, pray tell?
The whole rigmarole, the net, the spray, the money, “the this and the that”, about malaria (among other health issues) just boggles my mind. Anyone with just one dot or jot of sense knows that malaria is an ecological problem, demanding ecological solutions - and that includes, health care, nutritious food and diet. One simple thing to do, at least in my times of living in Africa, is to keep the area dry and free of whatever will draw moisture, stagnant water (breeding spots) and so on. I mean it seems that my dead uncle was absolutely correct when he said to me (before he died of old age) that “the more we know the stupider we get”. Money is not just at the root of our “evil neglect” of humanity but money is truly a burgeoning wheel of misfortune generating intellectual waste and confusion. I am really worried about us.
IMMIGRATION-US: New Restrictions Draw Angry Response from Mexico May 12th, 2005
Dear Editor,
How can you talk about that similar anti-immigrant initiatives regarding Proposition 200? Where in Proposition 200 does it say that immigrants are denied these services? Illegal is the issue! Not law abiding immigrants. I’m a Latino and for Proposition 200. I don’t like it when other Latinos encourage crime. Not all Latinos believe in allowing anyone to get away with committing crime. And not all Latinos want to be known for expecting special privileges. How would you like to be resented?
In addition, various states are studying initiatives similar to Proposition 200, which was adopted last November in Arizona during the presidential elections, and restricts access to health care and education for undocumented immigrants.
IMMIGRATION-US: New Restrictions Draw Angry Response from Mexico May 12th, 2005
Dear Editor,
It should not be an issue for Mexico that the U.S. will not issue driver licenses to illegal aliens. Mexico only allows drivers license to citizens also. If that policy is good enough for Mexico, they have no right to complain when other countries do the same.
IMMIGRATION-US: New Restrictions Draw Angry Response from Mexico May 12th, 2005
Dear Editor,
What matters is not if Mexico is angry or not, what matters to me as a U.S. citizen is that I am angry. I cannot wait until the Minutemen organises the Texas project; I will be joining them with as many friends as I can. I cannot wait until Mexico finally starts caring for the welfare of its own people. I am thrilled to see passage of the real ID act, and I look forward to participating in future events to shut down the flow of illegals into my country, who are coming to sponge up U.S. taxpayer benefits. Here’s hoping for a lot more Mexican outrage in the months and years to come.
POLITICS-U.S.: Security Whistleblowers Demand End to Retaliation May 11th, 2005
Dear Editor,
Thanks for running this important story. The effort will continue until we get satisfaction, stop the lies and end the secrecy in accordance with the highest ideals of this country and our constitution.
POLITICS: Britain, Germany Push For Dialogue With Islamic World May 11th, 2005
Dear Editor,
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were seen as an important partner in the dialogue. But they have to be chosen carefully, Aslam Syed, a Pakistani academic working in Honolulu warned. Some NGO leaders do not have a lot of credibility in the Islamic world because they were keener on trips to Europe than doing something for the people. ‘’They know where the money is,'’ said Syed.
I wonder whether IPS can assist in the search for genuine NGOs in the Islamic World which are committed to educational improvement and human development, have an existing track record and are not linked either directly either with governments or undesirable (e.g. terrorist-linked) organizations.
Any European-based charitable foundation, independent of government(s), which seeks to foster improved relations with the Islamic World through a process of engagement and interaction without any hidden agenda has this problem and, moreover, has to deal with stringent financial regulations in place since 9/11.
Your advice on this issue would be most helpful.
Regards
Professor Richard Bonney
Director, Centre for the History of Religious and Political Pluralism / Institute for the Study of Indo-Pakistan Relations (INPAREL)
University of Leicester
Leicester, UK
POLITICS-HAITI: Former PM’s Hunger Strike Highlights Sense of Chaos May 11th, 2005
Dear Editor,
Well it looks as if everything in Haiti is going according to (the Bush administration’s) plan. No money for fair elections, thugs in power, uncertainty, violence and intimidation replacing law. Perfect! Next issue…
Neptune’s hunger strike is very much in vain I’m afraid. What a horrible turn of events there care of the US government. And the continued rhetoric of spreading democracy around the globe, it’s frustrating to say the least to hear such propaganda, and at the same time knowing what is really going on: the speedy privatization of all of Earth’s resources!
Thanks for your news coverage, I feel a bit better knowing you are out there pulling aside the curtains of secrecy.
DEVELOPMENT: Global Partnerships Key to Development, NGOs Say May 9th, 2005
IPS Editor,
The Millennium Campaign is about Poverty Eradication. I believe it is possible.
The first Kenya Lady, according to the latest media reports, handed back 35,000 hectares of land to squatters. All political leaders have masses of unoccupied land. After independence, there was land spared for Agricultural Development Programs that served for political self gains, leading to politically manipulated civil clashes which have never been resolved.
If f land could be distributed on equity terms, there would be no landless communities. Poverty would be reduced by half.
LABOUR: Closure of First Unionised Wal-Mart Sends Chilling Signal May 6th, 2005
Dear Editor,
I want to draw attention to every one concerned on a point of universal importance regarding the employment problem.
We have the scientific and technological tool today to employ very few people and produce enough for a very large mass of people. This would mean large scale unemployment and nobody to buy the product so produced. We cannot blame technology for this. We need it and I am no Gandhi to reject it. As a socialist I visualised that all men will work for less and less hours, there would be better prosperity for all and so that they will have lot of leisure to pursue art, literature, science and what not. But this can happen only if greed gives way to equality in opportunity,
May Day ideals of less working hours, better pay all those things are becoming meaningless before the challenge of technology. The traditional labour which is the basis of the ideals behind May Day has now become defunct. How do we solve it?
MEDIA: U.N. Highlights World’s Under-Reported News Stories May 6th, 2005
Dear Editor,
The truth is corruption is now the underlying global dynamic making all “positiveâ€? stories irrelevant. Journalists can not spin any “alternative developmentâ€? story into gold when the gold has been stolen in the name of development. In the new millennium, everything is an illicit commodity: guns, ammo, drugs, HIV medicines, children, food, women, organs, sex., air-pollution-shares… Top Ten Stories? There’s only one: corruption.
Congratulations on the superb job you are doing with the daily e-mail IPS Terra Viva UN Journal. Thanks to this service, I was and still continue to keep in good touch with what is going on at the UN. What is great with the IPS UN Journal is that it is the first thing one reads when arriving early in the morning in office.
Therese Gastaut
Former Director of Strategic Communications Division,
UN’s Department of Public information
I’ve answered your questionnaire but forgot a very important detail that is somehow criticism to your journalistic planning. This weekend was the Vietnam “anniversary” and you have had zero coverage of that. And I know that this is something that I have thought of many times when it comes to elections, anniversaries of different kinds and days that are regular from year to year, such as world-aids day, world women’s day, world freedom of speech day (which is tomorrow by the way) etc.
Other than that I think you are the best news agency available today.
Thanks for your good work.
Kind regards,
Madelene Axelsson
Redaktör Göteborgs Fria Tidning
Editor in chief / Global News dep Gothenburg Free Press http://www.goteborgsfria.nu/
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