[Peace] "Peace Facilitator Fired" - from IMC newswire

[John Wason]

Here's a thing that appeared on the IMC newswire a couple of days ago.
Don't know how many of you saw it, but at least a few of you might find it
compelling enough to write a quick e-mail to the chairman of the United
States Institute for PEACE.

John Wason

**********

   Peace Facilitator Fired For Opposing Bombing In Afghanistan 
   by Betty Reardon 11:38pm Wed Nov 7 '01
   
     Too Much Peace?
     
   Barbara Wein has been fired from the United States Institute for Peace
   for speaking out against the war in Afghanistan. She was told she
   would never lead another training program again because she expressed
   her opposition to the bombings of Afghanistan.

   Barbara has been there for 5 years as a program officer in the
   training division. She trains people in negotiation, peace building,
   cross cultural communication in war zones, including UN Peacekeepers,
   foreign service officers, NGO's, US police officers going to E Timor,
   Bosnia, Kosovo, etc. She was part of the civil society effort that
   helped create the USIP which is congressionally funded.
   There is growing evidence that some of our civil liberties and civil
   rights are being eroded in light of the tragic crisis. Several Members
   of Congress, worried about democracy, have called Barbara in a show of
   support.

   Barbara has an international reputation as a peace educator, a skill
   we desperately need more than ever. She should be reinstated and the
   USIP should protect the right to alternative voices as the bedrock of
   democracy.

   You can send a real letter to the Chairman of the Board to share with
   his Board members.

   Mail to:
   Hon. Chester Crocker,
   Chairman of the Board, USIP
   crockerc at gunet.georgetown.edu