[Peace-discuss] Fwd: USA/Africa: Anti-War Statements, 1
Alfred Kagan
akagan at uiuc.edu
Fri Mar 7 11:14:09 CST 2003
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>From: "Africa Action" <e-journal at africaaction.org>
>Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2003 10:24:35 -0500
>Subject: USA/Africa: Anti-War Statements, 1
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>AFRICA ACTION
>Africa Policy E-Journal
>March 7, 2003 (030307)
>
>USA/Africa: Anti-War Statements, 1
>(Reposted from sources cited below)
>
>This posting contains a press release from Africa Action and
>TransAfrica Forum, the texts of letters from Africa Action,
>TransAfrica Forum, African American leaders, and the Advocacy
>Network for Africa, as well as a statement from the Angola Peace
>Network. Other postings today contain excerpts from an interview
>with the outgoing Nigerian ambassador to the United States
>and a background report from the Association of Concerned Africa
>Scholars on U.S. military programs in sub-Saharan Africa.
>
>+++++++++++++++++end summary/introduction+++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>March 7, 2003
>
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>Contact: Africa Action 202/546 7961
>
>TransAfrica Forum 202/223 1960 Ext. 113
>
>African American Leaders & Africa advocacy groups call on African
>Members of UN Security Council to Vote Against War
>
>Letters to African Ambassadors warn of devastating consequences of
>war for Africa; Urge support for peaceful resolution to current
>crisis
>
>Friday, March 7, 2003 (Washington, DC) - Africa Action today
>joined with TransAfrica Forum and other key Africa advocacy
>organizations in sending letters to the Ambassadors of the African
>countries on the United Nations (UN) Security Council, urging them
>to oppose U.S.-led moves toward war against Iraq. Signatories to
>the letters also include such prominent individuals as Danny
>Glover, Mary Francis Berry, Joseph E. Lowery, Walter Mosley &
>Sylvia Hill.
>
>The letters to the Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives of
>Guinea, Cameroon and Angola warn that a war in the Middle East
>will have devastating economic and political consequences for
>Africa. They urge the African states to stand firm against
>pressure from the U.S. and Britain, and to promote a course that
>will encourage a peaceful resolution of this international
>dispute.
>
>In a letter initiated by Africa Action and TranAfrica Forum,
>signatories declared that war against Iraq would be "unwelcome and
>unwarranted." They note that, "At least 81% of African-Americans
>oppose the planned war...(and) around the globe, millions of people
>have stood up in opposition to this planned aggression."
>
>The letter emphasizes that, "Africa, in particular, would suffer
>significantly from the global economic consequences of war at a
>time when Africans are facing the truly greatest global threat to
>human security, namely the HIV/AIDS pandemic. This should be the
>scourge receiving the attention and resources that have been
>devoted instead to debating and designing interventions against
>Iraq."
>
>In a separate letter initiated by the Advocacy Network for Africa
>(ADNA), a national network of more than 200 Africa-focused
>organizations of which Africa Action is a member, endorsers affirm
>their solidarity with the people of Guinea, Cameroon and Angola,
>asserting that "a policy of pre-emptive war violates the principles
>upon which the United Nations was founded, and it will create a
>dangerous precedent."
>
>The letter continues: "We are convinced that your governments'
>having the courage to stand for peace will not only contribute to
>a peaceful resolution in this case, it will also strengthen
>African voices in international forums in the future."
>
>The letters were endorsed by dozens of organizations and activists
>from across the U.S. The text of the letters and the full list of
>signatories of the first letter are included below.
>
>--
>
>March 7, 2003
>
>To the Governments of Guinea, Cameroon and Angola
>
>Dear President Lansana Conte, President Paul Biya, and President
>Jose Eduardo dos Santos:
>
>As African-American leaders and activists we urgently call upon
>your governments to stand firm against the efforts by the United
>States, Britain and Spain to undermine the work of the United
>Nations' weapons inspectors now working in Iraq and to initiate a
>war against Iraq.
>
>We understand that your respective governments are under
>considerable pressure from the United States and Britain to support
>their resolution designed to authorize war with Iraq. We believe
>that this would be a terrible mistake. The USA and Britain are
>committed to commencing a war that breaks all international laws
>and precedent. It is a war that is not based on a real threat to
>Iraq's neighbors or to other countries. Indeed none of Iraq's
>neighbors have made a call for an international military
>mobilization against the Baathist regime in Iraq.
>
>As you may know, there is considerable opposition within the USA
>to the planned war. At least 81% of African Americans oppose the
>planned war. Support within the rest of the country for war is
>extremely limited, with answers to polling questions varying
>dramatically depending on how the questions are phrased. And, as
>you certainly know, around the globe, millions of people have stood
>up in opposition to this planned war.
>
>We believe that the U.S. and British effort to initiate a world war
>in the Middle East is not only unwarranted and unwelcome, but also
>that it will have devastating economic and social consequences for
>the most impoverished and most vulnerable citizens and countries
>throughout the world. Africa, in particular, would suffer
>significantly from the global economic consequences of war at a
>time when Africans are facing the truly greatest global threat to
>human security, namely the HIV/AIDS pandemic. This should be the
>scourge receiving the attention and resources that have been
>devoted instead to debating and designing interventions against
>Iraq.
>
>We hope that with Guinea taking over the Chairmanship of the
>Security Council this month, that the African members will provide
>the necessary leadership to avoid a war that will be especially
>antithetical to the interests of African and Arab peoples, and
>disastrous for the rest of the world.
>
>We hope that in the consideration of this matter that you decline
>to support the US/British/Spanish initiative and will, instead,
>promote a course that encourages the peaceful resolution of this
>international dispute.
>
>Respectfully submitted by,
>
>Mary Frances Berry, University of Pennsylvania*
>Salih Booker, Executive Director, Africa Action
>Bill Fletcher, Jr., President, TransAfrica Forum
>Patricia Ford, Executive Vice President, Service Employees
>International Union*
>Danny Glover, Actor/Activist
>Richard Gordon Hatcher, President of National Civil Rights Hall of
>Fame; Valparaiso University School of Law*
>Sylvia Hill, University of the District of Columbia*
>Jesse L. Jackson, Founder and President, Rainbow/Push Coalition
>Joseph E. Lowery, Co-Founder and President Emeritus, SCLC;
>Chairman Emeritus Black Leadership Forum
>William Lucy, President, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists
>Julianne Malveaux, Economist/Author
>Fred Mason, Maryland/DC AFL-CIO*
>Walter Mosley, Author
>Harold Rogers, International Affairs Director of the Foreign
>Affairs Committee and Executive Board Member of the Coalition of
>Black Trade Unionists
>Damu Smith, Founder, Black Voices for Peace
>
>(*--signifies for identification only)
>
>- - - - - - - -
>
>The Advocacy Network for Africa
>c/o The Washington Office on Africa
>212 East Capitol Street - Washington, D.C. 20003, U.S.A.
>Phone: 202/547-7503 - Fax: 202/547-7505 - E-Mail: woa at igc.org
>
>March 7, 2003
>
>Ambassador Mohamed Aly Thiam
>Embassy of the Republic of Guinea
>2112 Leroy Place NW
>Washington, DC 20008
>
>Dear Ambassador Thiam:
>
>The Advocacy Network for Africa (ADNA), originally founded in the
>late seventies as the anti-apartheid South Africa Working Group, is
>a network of 231 US-based human rights, religious, development-
>oriented and other organizations working with African colleagues
>and networks to address common concerns regarding US-Africa
>policy. Thirty to forty representatives of these organizations
>meet monthly in Washington to discuss current issues and to
>coordinate common advocacy. We share a passion for and a
>commitment to political, social and economic justice for Africans
>and a more just and mutually beneficial relationship between the
>US and African countries.
>
>We come today to express our solidarity with the people of Guinea
>as decisions are reached regarding Security Council actions on the
>Iraqi question. We believe, as do you, that peace should be given
>a chance in Iraq. We note approvingly the action of the African
>Union meetings in Addis Ababa last month, where heads of state and
>government urged all parties to make sustained efforts to avoid the
>use of force and reaffirmed the central role of the United Nations
>and, particularly, the Security Council, in any action or
>initiative aimed at maintaining and strengthening peace and
>international security.
>
>Not only will a war against Iraq bring humanitarian catastrophe of
>great magnitude; it will also create reactions that no one can
>predict or control. It has the potential to threaten to
>destabilize African countries politically, and it will affect
>African economies negatively. At least 13 African countries lost
>1% of their GDP due to spikes in oil prices during the 1991 Gulf
>War, and there is no reason not to expect similar difficulties
>now. Moreover, a policy of pre-emptive war violates the
>principles upon which the United Nations was founded, and it will
>create a dangerous precedent.
>
>We therefore urge you to hold firm to those principles. No doubt
>there are risks for Guinea should you challenge our government's
>preparations for pre-emptive war and thereby refuse to serve the
>narrow self-interest of our government. We are convinced,
>however, that your government's having the courage to stand for
>peace will not only contribute to a peaceful resolution in this
>case, it will also strengthen African voices in international
>forums in future. Such an affirmation of our common humanity is
>the true sign of Security Council relevance.
>
>Please accept this letter as a respectful expression of our
>concerns and hopes.
>
>On behalf of my colleagues at ADNA, I am
>
>Yours sincerely,
>
>Leon P. Spencer Co-facilitator of ADNA and
>
>Executive Director Washington Office on Africa
>
>Cc: Permanent Mission of the Republic of Guinea to the UN;
>Permanent Mission of the Republic of Angola to the UN; Permanent
>Mission of the Republic of Cameroon to the UN; Ambassador of the
>Republic of Angola; Ambassador of the Republic of Cameroon
>
>************************************************************
>
>Angola Peace Network
>
>Declaration Against War in the World
>
>February 15, 2003
>
>[This statement was received from the Angolan Peace Network through
>AfricaFiles in Toronto (http://www.africafiles.org). Thanks to
>Thomas Brown for the translation from Portuguese.]
>
>Luanda
>
>February 15/03
>
>
>Inter-Church Committee for Peace in Angola.
>Luanda, Angola
>
>To: His Excellency Dr. Kofi Annan,
>Secretary-General, United Nations.
>Subject: Declaration Against War in the World
>
>Excellency:
>
>The world has today, February 15, 2003, marked the United Nations
>Day Against War, at a time when Angolans are experiencing the
>transition from a situation of war to one of peace, even though the
>armed conflict yet continues in one part of our national territory.
>
>Looking at the various conflicts in the world the Peace Network, as
>a living force in Angola civil society which struggled to bring
>about peace in Angola, notes with great pre-occupation that the
>world continues divided between those countries which as a result
>of their resources and their geo-strategic importance are of major
>importance to the super-powers and those, which given their small
>economic importance are not represented by the economic interests
>of the powers of this time.
>
>The imminent attack by the United States and its allies on Iraq and
>the war in the Middle East (between Palestinians and Israelies)
>today dominates the calendar of the United Nations and the
>international press, to the detriment of the long-standing
>conflicts in other parts of the globe, especially Africa, where
>wars never stop as a result of a lack of serious intervention and
>an investment of the resources and time, with a vision of finding
>ways conducive to the search for a genuine and lasting peace in
>these countries.
>
>In our African continent, of which Your Excellency is a beloved
>son, countries such as Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi,
>Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Somalia and Liberia, to name a few,
>continue to bleed because of the wars whose consequences are
>catastrophic, placing the people of these countries in a situation
>of total dependence and sub-human conditions. Sadly the connivance
>of the international community does not allow us to discern on the
>horizon an immediate end to these conflicts.
>
>As a people still emerging from a fratricidal war of 27 years, as
>well as the other wars which preceded it due to the resistance
>against Portuguese colonialism, Angolans know well the deathly
>results of any war. Thus we believe the justifications of a war,
>however objective, do not diminish the destructive character of
>war, nor diminish its immoral character.
>
>As agents of peace we are convinced that violence only generates
>more violence and for this reason we vehemently repudiate the
>attack which is being perpetrated against the sovereign state of
>Iraq, and call on the Security Council to use its power and mandate
>to promote world peace and stop the use of force against the
>martyred people of Iraq, since there has not been until now
>convincing reasons which justify such outrageous acts against a
>sovereign people.
>
>We repeat our appeal to the United Nations, as a legitimate
>representative of the aspirations of the world's people, to
>strengthen further this peace in the whole region of the Middle
>East, particularly for the people of Palestine and Israel who for
>50 years have lived on the edge of an explosion.
>
>In face of the inherent pre-occupation for universal survival we
>cannot allow, on the part of anyone, that we be diverted from the
>great struggles of humanity today, namely: the fight against
>poverty, drugs and the traffic in children and the great epidemics
>such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, as well as those
>efforts which are yet to be made for the establishment of
>governance which is just and participatory in this global village
>and respect, for all, of a international judicial order.
>
>We entreat the Permanent and Non-Permanent of the Security Council,
>especially those from Africa (Angola, Cameroon and Guinea) to
>re-affirm the commitment of the Organization of African Unity at
>its recent extraordinary assembly in its voting against any war
>effort.
>
>Luanda, February 15, 2003,
>
>For the Peace Network,
>Dr. Daniel Ntoni-Nzinga,
>Executive Secretary, COIEPA
>
>+++++++++++++++++++++Document Profile+++++++++++++++++++++
>
>Date distributed (ymd): 030307
>Region: Continent-Wide
>Issue Areas: +political/rights+ +security/peace+ +US policy focus+
>
>************************************************************
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>
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>
>Africa Action
>1634 Eye St. NW, #810, Washington, DC 20006.
>Phone: 202-546-7961. Fax: 202-546-1545.
>E-mail: africaaction at igc.org.
>************************************************************
--
Al Kagan
African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration
Africana Unit, Room 328
University of Illinois Library
1408 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801, USA
tel. 217-333-6519
fax. 217-333-2214
e-mail. akagan at uiuc.edu
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