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by Sharon Grimes, W A M M
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Combatants for Peace
A group of 600 Israelis and Palestinians who were formerly involved in violence have pledged to abandon violence. Called “Combatants for Peace” they will work together to create nonviolent tools to build peace and justice. Two members, Israeli Yaniv Reshef and Palestinian Bassam Aramin, have been on a speaking tour of the northeastern United States. (Peacework—Global Thought and Local Action for Nonviolent Social Change, April 2009, www.combatantsforpeace.org)
Not at War with Islam
President Barack Obama said “The United States is not and never will be at war with Islam.” He made the statement in April in a speech to the Turkish Parliament during his first visit to a
Muslim country. Although some people remained skeptical, his comments received much praise. Obama also met with Muslim, Christian, and Jewish leaders in Istanbul. (IPS, 4/7/09)
Cuba Travel Restrictions Eased
The Obama administration eased restrictions on Cuba after a long history of U.S. sanctions since Fidel Castro took power on January 1, 1959. Cuban Americans will be able to travel to Cuba and send money from the United States to their families in Cuba. U.S. telecommunications firms will be allowed to bid for licenses on the island. In a May 2008 campaign speech, Obama said, “There are no better ambassadors for freedom than Cuban Americans.” (Reuters, 4/13/09)
Some U.S. Torture Chambers Closing
The CIA will close the secret overseas facilities where prisoners were subjected to torture. Shortly after Obama took office he ordered the prisons closed and banned torture. CIA director Leon Panetta also said the agency would no longer use contractors to conduct interrogations. (StarTribune, 4/10/09)
Term “Enemy Combatant” phased out
In a symbolic move, the Obama administration will no longer use the term enemy combatant. The Justice Department also said it will raise the legal threshold required to hold detainees. Only those who substantially support the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and other such groups would be detained, and those who “provide unwitting or insignificant support” to terror groups would not be included. (StarTribune, 3/14/09)
Sinn Fein Leader Facilitates Peace
Gerry Adams, the leader of Sinn Fein and a key player in the Northern Ireland peace process, met with Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza. Adams will brief the U.S. Mideast special envoy about his talks and plans additional meetings with Islamic officials. (StarTribune, 4/10/09)
A World Without Nukes
During his recent trip to Europe, President Obama said the United States has the moral responsibility to work to eliminate nuclear weapons. He told a crowd of 20,000 in Prague, Czech Republic, “I state clearly and with conviction America’s commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.” His plan would include the following:
• Change U.S. nuclear strategy and work with Russia to cut their stockpiles of warheads. (Negotiations were set to begin April 1 between the two countries to draft a new arms control treaty.)
• Control the spread of nuclear weapons by establishing an international fuel bank so non-nuclear countries can create nuclear power but not bombs.
• Start an international effort to secure from terrorists the materials needed for weapons.
(StarTribune, 4/1/09, 4/6/09)
Victims of Nuclear Testing to be Compensated
The French government agreed to compensate victims of nuclear tests conducted nearly 50 years ago in Algeria and the South Pacific. They will set aside about $13.5 million for the first year. (StarTribune, 3/25/09)
Jammin’ for Peace
This year’s Peacejam activities, held in the Twin Cities, included service projects and a talk by Nobel Peace Prize winner Adolfo Perez Esquivel of Argentina. Peacejam was founded in 1996 to bring young people and adults together to “strengthen leadership and peace-building skills.” (StarTribune, 3/29/09)
Former Bush Officials Face Prosecution
Spanish prosecutors will continue with a criminal investigation of six former Bush administration officials in connection with their role in the torture of five Spanish citizens held at Guantánamo. Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Federal Appeals Court Judge and former Assistant Attorney General Jay Bybee, University of California law professor and former Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Yoo, former Defense Department general counsel and current Chevron lawyer William J. Haynes II, Vice President Cheney’s former chief of staff David Addington, and former Undersecretary of Defense Douglas J. Feith are accused of approving torture and the mistreatment of prisoners. (Information Clearing House, 4/19/09)
Recruiters Blocked from Campus
Students at the University of North Carolina-Asheville managed to block U.S. Army recruiters from campus. As soon as the local Students for a Democratic Society chapter learned that recruiters would be on campus, they mobilized to shut down the recruiting booth. (Fightback News, April 2009)
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© 2009 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
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Complete May 2009 Index - click here
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