|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
by Sharon Grimes, W A M M
|
|
Women Define Security
Mary Robinson, in her inaugural address as chair of the Council of Women World Leaders (CWWL), said her goal is “to reclaim the word security, and define it as most women would in terms of ordinary families, security from poverty, climate change, abuse, and discrimination.” Robinson was the first woman president of Ireland and is one of 35 CWWL members. The council’s mission is “To promote good governance and enhance the experience of democracy globally by increasing the number, effectiveness, and visibility of women who lead at the highest levels in their countries.” (Guardian Weekly, 3/28/08 and www.womenworldleaders.org)
Church Leaders Act to Ban Cluster Bombs
In a March 31 letter to Sen. Arlen Specter, 120 Pennsylvania religious leaders urged him to cosponsor legislation banning cluster bomb use. They asked him to “become a leader in the Senate working to prevent the indiscriminate use of cluster munitions,” and said that “Passage of the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act of 2007 is the right thing to do.” The effort was organized by the Friends Committee on National Legislation (a Quaker lobbying committee) and the Pennsylvania Council of Churches.
Cluster Bomb Exports Halted
Also, in December 2007, the FCNL, succeeded in getting Congress to ban cluster bomb exports for one year. The ban was part of the State Department funding bill, which also included $79.4 million for humanitarian demining efforts. (Friends Committee on National Legislation, 12/20/07,
Japanese Protest U.S. Base
Thousands of people attended a demonstration in Okinawa to protest against the U.S. military base on this southern Japanese island. The protest follows a series of incidents allegedly involving U.S. personnel, including murder and rape. Residents want to revise the Status of Forces Agreement to give Japanese authorities greater legal jurisdiction over U.S. military personnel, but so far both the United States and Japan have rejected the demand. The Japanese government also wants to move key functions of the Marine air base to a less populated town. Details have not been worked out. (Aljazeera.net, 3/23/08)
Humanitarian Visas Issued
Australia’s defense minister, Joel Fitzgibbon, said that his country would issue humanitarian visas to hundreds of Iraqis who worked for Australian troops as translators and in other positions. Iraqis who worked for foreign forces face danger if they stay in Iraq; visas will also be issued to their family members. (StarTribune, 4/9/08)
Israeli Activists Challenge Recruitment Efforts
Activists in Israel are protesting visits to schools by thousands of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) members. New Profile, a group that opposes what they see as brainwashing of school children by the army, planned a demonstration to call attention to the “militarization of Israeli society.” The demonstration was to take place outside a Tel Aviv high school that has the greatest number of draft dodgers. A New Profile spokesperson said, “I think the fact that military officers have free access to schools exploits the status of soldiers and the status of schools.” He also criticized the military for its hierarchical organization, lack of respect for life, and disregard for the equality of women. (The Jerusalem Post, 3/24/08, www.jpost.com)
Pope Denounces the Iraq War
Pope Benedict denounced the war in Iraq in March shortly after the body of the kidnapped Chaldean Catholic priest, Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho, was found near Mosul. At the Palm Sunday mass in St. Peter’s Square, he said the war has led to a breakdown in Iraqi society and, “Enough with the slaughter. Enough with the violence. Enough with the hatred in Iraq.” His remarks were met with applause. (StarTribune, 3/17/08)
Saudi Leader Promotes Inter Faith Dialogue
The king of Saudi Arabia has called for a dialogue among all faiths at a seminar, “Culture and the Respect of Religions,” in March. Abdullah is the first Arab leader to make such a proposal. The plan would bring together Jewish, Christian, and Muslim leaders from around the world not just the Middle East “so we can agree on something that guarantees the preservation of humanity against those who tamper with ethics, family systems and honesty.” He had discussed the idea with Pope Benedict. (StarTribune, 3/26/08) |
|
|
|
© 2008 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
|
 |
|
Complete February 2008 Index - click here
|
|
 |
|
|
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
|
|
|
|
|
|
