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by Sharon Grimes, W A M M
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Poll shows populace to be more compassionate and peaceful
According to a poll by the Pew Research Center for People and the Press, more people now support government programs to help disadvantaged people. In 1994, when the Republicans took control of Congress, 57 percent said the government had a responsibility to take care of people who could not take care of themselves compared with 69 percent in the recent poll. In addition, only 49 percent now say the best way to ensure peace is through military strength compared with 62 percent in 2002. (Los Angeles Times, 3/23/07)
Senators vow to cut off war funding
Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he would join Sen. Russell Feingold (D-Wis.) in an attempt to cut off funding for the war if President Bush vetoes the bill that contains deadlines for removing the troops from Iraq. Feingold’s bill would cut off war funding with three exceptions, effective March 31, 2008. “Congress has a responsibility to end a war that is opposed by the American people and is undermining our national security,” Feingold said. (USA Today, 4/2/07)
UN committee upholds right of return for refugees
Palestinian refugees should be allowed to return to their land and their property in Israel according to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The committee oversees implementation of the provisions of the UN’s International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in many countries. Israel has been a signatory since the late 1970s and is required to report every two years, but has not submitted a report in nine years. The committee said that Israel should examine its policies to be sure they do not discriminate against the Arab population. (Information Clearinghouse, 3/12/07)
Ecuadorian activists aim to close U.S. bases
Activists with the International Network for the Abolition of Foreign Military Bases gathered in Quito, Ecuador, in March. The group is especially focused on closing U.S. bases and called for the air force base in Manta, Ecuador, to be shut down. They issued a statement condemning military bases for their role in “wars of aggression [that] violate human rights; oppress all people, particularly indigenous peoples, African descendants, women and children; and destroy communities and the environment.” (Upside Down World, 3/15/07)
Czechs reject U.S. base, Iraq War
The residents of Trokavec, Czech Republic, voted to reject establishment of a U.S. antimissile radar base in their village, fearing it will make the village a military target. Polls show two-thirds of Czech citizens oppose the plan, and in the capital Prague, several hundred people gathered to protest the Iraq War and antimissile bases. (Al Jazeera.Net, 3/18/07)
Marine recruit achieves CO status
On March 29, a federal judge ordered the Marine Corps to grant an honorable discharge and conscientious objector status to Robert Zabala. In 2002 Zabala began training and became increasingly concerned with the “bloodlust” of the Marines. He said he couldn’t come to terms with the military culture’s callousness and violence, and began asking himself, “Am I a Marine first, or am I a human being?” He petitioned in 2004 for conscientious objector status. His lawyer said the ruling is important because “it lets other potential conscientious objectors know that there is hope.” (Santa Cruz Sentinel, 4/4/07)
South Korea to pull troops from Iraq
South Korea, one of the largest U.S.-led coalition partners in Iraq, is preparing a plan to pull its troops out of the country, a Defense Ministry official said. “We’re drawing up a mission termination plan and will submit it to the National Assembly in June,” said the official. South Korea, a key US ally in Asia, began its troop presence in Iraq in 2003 with a 600-strong contingent. It sent 3,000 more troops the following year at Washington’s request, making it the biggest coalition partner after Britain. Troop levels have since gradually declined amid rising public opposition. (AP, 4/14/07, Seoul)
U.N., AU Announce Darfur Peace Plan
The United Nations and African Union announced a two-pronged plan to bring peace to conflict-wracked Darfur, pledging Tuesday to move “expeditiously” to deploy 3,000 U.N. peacekeepers while intensifying efforts to achieve a political settlement. At the end of two days of meetings, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and AU chief executive Alpha Oumar Konaré asked their envoys who have been trying to promote a political settlement to prepare “a roadmap” to bring all rebel groups to the peace table. (washingtonpost.com, 4/17/07) |
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© 2007 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
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Complete May 2007 Index - click here
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