No subject

STATEMENT BY THE FORUM OF INDIAN LEFTISTS ON THE EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11,
2001

We, the members of the Forum of Indian Leftists, deeply grieve the
human loss sustained in the attacks on New York City and Washington
of September
11, 2001. Our deepest condolences go out to the friends and loved
ones of those who were killed or injured. We see these actions not as
an attack
on America alone, but as an assault on humanity in general. As
citizens of the world, we unequivocally condemn these acts of
horrific and unconscionable violence.

We call on all those who deplore such acts to act now to prevent the
proliferation of hatred, retribution, and war. We condemn the
precipitous drive to put the world on a war footing against an as yet
unconfirmed assailant--a move that can only compound the already
immense human tragedy we have witnessed. We reiterate our belief that
violence is not the solution to violence, nor can it provide a
solution to longstanding political problems anywhere in the globe. It
is of critical importance to stand united at this moment and denounce
all acts of violence against civilians, whether by terrorists, the
state, or our fellow civilians. A cycle of violence can only be
broken if we work to create alternatives to violent retaliation. In
the words of M.K. Gandhi, "An eye for an eye only makes the whole
world blind." Therefore we stand together to demand in the loudest
possible voice that the US state not retaliate with violence, and in
the same voice to condemn any attempts to undermine civilian life and
democratic freedoms in New York City, Washington, and elsewhere in
the USA.

As a group with a particular stake in working for peace and justice
in India and its fellow South Asian nations, we are especially
distressed by certain responses to this tragedy from within India. At
a time when the world must stand together in unity and find ways
toward peace and justice for all, we condemn polarizing and
opportunistic statements from members of the Indian government and
sections of the Indian press suggesting that certain nation-states
such as India, Israel, and the USA must band together against others
such as Pakistan and Afghanistan. We do not believe that advocating
retribution against the scapegoat of "Islamic Fundamentalism"
reflects the rational, democratic, non-violent, and tolerant values
espoused by the majority of the Indian people. We call on the Indian
government to respond to this calamity in a way that befits these
values, and to stand firm against demands for uncritical support and
abetment of acts of vengeance. As ordinary citizens, groups, and
governments reflect and deliberate upon their responses to this
terrible tragedy, we hope that all nations and peoples will use this
opportunity to abandon the pursuit of intolerance, repression, and
hatred in favor of reconciliation, solidarity, and reconstruction.

In this moment of grief and mourning, let us proclaim our commitment
to working towards peace and justice everywhere in the world.



========

8.


Subject: Statement of solidarity for the victims of wanton violence in
the
USA
Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2001
Organization: South Asia Forum for Human Rights [ Kathmandu, Nepal ]

Statement of solidarity for the victims of wanton violence in the USA

We the members of South Asia Forum for Human Rights express our
anguish and shock over the criminal attacks against innocent people
in the United States of America. We express our most sincere sympathy
to the victims and families and people of the United States of
America.

The manner in which these acts of violence were perpetrated
by unknown actors or agencies leave no room for doubt about their
utter disregard for human life. The use of civilian aircrafts full of
innocent travellers as a weapon to strike at buildings
housing thousands of people adds a new chapter to the book of horrors
that the sickness of the human mind is capable of conceiving.The fact
that these violent acts were carried out inside the United States,
targeting the biggest commercial centre and the most secure military
command centre, shows that today no nation, however powerful and
security conscious, is safe from such attacks.

Justice demands that the perpetrators of these heinous  crime againt
innocent persons be found and punished. The world community should
assist the United States in this task. However, we would appeal to
the USA and other governments that in their search for
the perpetrators of these crimes,  governments should be careful
about the methods they apply. They should use law and established
forms of legal investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. We
caution against the use of force, illegal means and methods and
indiscriminate unilateral military retaliation, which unfortunately,
has been done by powerful western states in the past.  Such actions
destroy the people's faith in rule of law and justice and cause more
innocent deaths. It also perpetuates the cycle of recrimination,
revenge and terrorism.

We appeal to the leaders of the world governments, particularly the
west to strive for a just social and political world order which
alone can remove the sense of injustice and discrimination that
motivates desperate people to perpetrate such acts of violence
against innocent peoples.

______

#9.


13 September 2001

President George W Bush
President of the United States of America.

Dear Mr President,

I am submitting to you condolences on behalf of concerned scholars,
writers,

human rights activists and others - Pakistanis, Indians, Bangladeshis,
Swedes, British, Americans and others - expressing our deep sympathies
on
the very sad loss of innocent American and other lives on 11 September
2001
in various US cities as a result of a terrible terrorist slaughter.

Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed
Campaign Organizer
Associate Professor
Department of Political Science
Stockholm University
SWEDEN.


SOUTH ASIANS AND OTHER PEACE-LOVING PEOPLE OF THE WORLD CONDEMN
TERRORIST
ATTACKS AGAINST INNOCENT PEOPLE IN US CITIES

The terrorist outrage against innocent men, women and children in
various US

cities on 11 September 2001 is feared to have claimed several thousand
lives

and
inflicted injuries to even more people. Crimes against innocent people
are
crimes against all humanity and the perpetrators of these grotesque
crimes
should be brought to justice.

At the same time, it is important that the Government of the United
States
does not fall prey to the same sort of perverted psychology that drives
fanatics to perpetuate terrorist acts against innocent people. Military
retaliation and revenge can result in grievous injury to innocent lives
in
areas suspected of harbouring suspects. Just as civilized governments
are
not deterred by dastardly acts of terror similarly victims of
indiscriminate

revenge attacks cannot accept that they should be punished for crimes
they
have not committed. It is therefore important that no action is taken
without proper investigation and identification of the culprits.

It is imperative that the terrorists involved in the present crime and
others all over the world are denied safe haven everywhere, and the
whole
world community works together to exclude and isolate such barbarians
and
they are brought to justice.

In the longer run one has to consider in a rational and dispassionate
manner

what drives people to such acts of utter desperation. Unless those
causes
are removed the spectre of violence will continue to loom large over the
horizons the world over. Therefore it is important that justice is
provided
to all. It is now, more than ever before, necessary to examine seriously
the

non-violent alternative provided by Mahatma Gandhi and effectively
employed
by Dr Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders of the world to challenge
and

defeat forces representing brute might.
1. Ishtiaq Ahmed
Associate Professor of Political Science
Stockholm University
I support this statement:
2. Dr Ajaz Anwar
Lahore, Pakistan.
3. Prof. Hassan Gardezi
Ontario, Canada.
4. Harsh Kapoor
France.
5. Prof. Asghar Ali Engineer
Centre for the Study of Secularism in Society
Mumbai, India.
6. Prof. Pervez Hoodbhoy
Islamabad, Pakistan
7.Michele Micheletti
Associate Professor of Political Science
Stockholm University
8.Anil Viakara
CEO, Invenio Technologies
Cambridge, Massachussetts
USA:
9. Rafi Khawaja
Software Quality Engineering
LifeScan, Inc., Milpitas, CA
(408) 942 5754
10. Gulzar Ahmed
USA.
11. Prof. Bilal Hashmi
USA.
12. Group Captain (rtd), Cecil Chaudhry
St. Anthony's High School
Lahore, Pakistan.
13. Ameek A. Ponda
Sullivan & Worcester LLP
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
14. Dr. Leo Rebello,
Senator-Minister for India of
the International Parliament for Safety and Peace
Bombay
15. Dr. Partha S. Ghosh
Director
Indian Council of Social Science Research
P.O.Box 10528
Aruna Asaf Ali Marg
New Delhi-110067
16. Kripa Sundar, Ph.D.
  Software Engineer
USA.
17. Sharmila Gopinathan
Software Engineer
Boston, USA
18. Pritam Singh
Brookes Oxford University
UK.
19. J. Sri Raman
    Convenor
    Journalists Against Nuclear Weapons &
    Movement Against Nuclear Weapons
    Chennai
    India
20.. Razia Malik, USA
21. Ameek Ponda
USA.
22. Robin Khundkar, USA
23. Pritam K. Rohila, Keizer, OR, USA
24. Mustafa Hussain
Knastebakken 151.1.
DK-2750 Ballerup, Danmark
25. Kaushik Thakrar
Business Development Manager
Egroupe AB.
26. Colonel Brian Cloughley
Writer
UK.
27. Prof. Susan M. Akram
Associate Professor
Boston University School of Law
(for identification purposes only).
28. Ilyas Khan
Campaigner against Child Labour and Peace Activist, Sweden.
29. Sain Sucha,
Writer and publisher, Sweden.
30. Dr Babar Mumtaz
Reader, UK.
31. Prof. Björn Beckman
Department of Political Science
Stockholm University.
32. Dr Henrik Berglund
Researcher and Teacher
Department of Political Science
Stockholm University.
33. Dr  Ghazala Anwar
   Lecturer, University of Canterbury
   Christchurch, New Zealand.
34. Geoffrey Cook,
Vice Chair
East Bay, Sanctuary Covenant
Berkeley,
California
U.S.A.
35. Abul Fazal Mahmud
Pakistan.
36.  SM & Asha Shahed,
Los Angeles, USA.
37. Syeda Khundkar
USA.
38.  Dr. Zafar Iqbal
Health Science Specialist
Washington, DC, USA
39. Nuzaira Azam
Journalist, USA
40.  SM & Asha Shahed,
Los Angeles, USA.
41. Fr. Joe Mangalam SJ
    Movement for Secular Democracy
    Ahmedabad
42. Sukla Sen
India.
43. Prof. A.H. Nayyar
Department of Physics
Islamabad, Pakistan.
44. T.N.GOPALAN
JOURNALIST, CHENNAI, INDIA
4/A PRAJWAL SQUARE,
ELANGO NAGAR ANNEXE
VIRUGAMPAKKAM
CHENNAI 600 092.
45. Ammu Abraham,
Women's Centre, Bombay, India.
46. Khalid Lakhani,
Chief Executive Officer
Rabico,
Karachi, Pakistan.
47. R.ARUL, Secretary, PASUMAI THAAYAGAM,
PASUMAI THAAYAGAM (Green Mother Land),
No. 9,(old No: 5)
Lynwood Lane,
Mahalingapuram,
CHENNAI -600 034, India.

48. Dr. Yahya Hassan Bajwa
(Member World Conference on Religion and
Peace/Peace Education Standing Commission / TransCommunication - Baden -
Switzerland.

49. Dr. Khalid Duran; Editor,
Transislam Magazine; Provisional President, IbnKhaldun
Society.

50.  Prof. Paul Wallace
  Dept. of Political Science
  University of Missouri, USA.
51. Prakash N. Shah
Editor, Nirikshak ( views fortnightly )
Convener, Movement for Secular Democracy.
“Prakash” B/H Navrangpura Postoffice, Ahmedabad –380 009 India.
52. Dr Ajay K Mehra
Director
Centre for Public Affairs
New Delhi, India.
53. Dr Inayatullah
Islamabad, Pakistan.
54. Dr Pramod Kumar
Director
Institute for Development and Communication (IDC)
Chandigarh, India.
55. Welay Songur
Doctoral Student
Department of Political Science
Stockholm University, Sweden.
56. Riaz Cheema
B.A. LL.B
Solna, Sweden.
57. Prof. Vikram Vyas
The Ajit Foundation,
Jaipur, India.
58. Prof. Satish Saberwal
Professor Emiritus, Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi, India.
59. Prof. Khushi Muhammad Khan
Hamburg, Germany.
60. Magnus Lembke
Doctoral Student
Department of Political Science
Stockholm University
Sweden.


=========


10.


>
>>RAWA statement on the terrorist attacks in the US
>>
>>The people of Afghanistan have nothing to do with Osama and his

accomplices
>>On September 11, 2001 the world was stunned with the horrific
>>terrorist attacks on the United States. RAWA stands with the rest of
>>the world in expressing our sorrow and condemnation for this
>>barbaric act of violence and terror. RAWA had already warned that
>>the United States should not support the most treacherous, most
>>criminal, most anti-democracy and anti-women Islamic fundamentalist
>>parties because after both the Jehadi and the Taliban have committed
>>every possible type of heinous crimes against our people, they would
>>feel no shame in committing such crimes against the American people
>>whom they consider "infidel". In order to gain and maintain their
>>power, these barbaric criminals are ready to turn easily to any
>>criminal force.
>>
>>But unfortunately we must say that it was the government of the
>>United States who supported Pakistani dictator Gen. Zia-ul Haq in
>>creating thousands of religious schools from which the germs of
>>Taliban emerged. In the similar way, as is clear to all, Osama Bin
>>Laden has been the blue-eyed boy of CIA. But what is more painful is
>>that American politicians have not drawn a lesson from their
>>pro-fundamentalist policies in our country and are still supporting
>>this or that fundamentalist band or leader. In our opinion any kind
>>of support to the fundamentalist Taliban and Jehadies is actually
>>trampling democratic, women's rights and human rights values.
>>
>>If it is established that the suspects of the terrorist attacks are
>>outside the US, our constant claim that fundamentalist terrorists
>>would devour their creators, is proved once more.
>>
>>The US government should consider the root cause of this terrible
>>event, which has not been the first and will not be the last one
>>too. The US should stop supporting Afghan terrorists and their
>>supporters once and for all.
>>
>>Now that the Taliban and Osama are the prime suspects by the US
>>officials after the criminal attacks, will the US subject
>>Afghanistan to a military attack similar to the one in 1998 and kill
>>thousands of innocent Afghans for the crimes committed by the
>>Taliban and Osama? Does the US think that through such attacks, with
>>thousands of deprived, poor and innocent people of Afghanistan as
>>its victims, will be able to wipe out the root-cause of terrorism,
>>or will it spread terrorism even to a larger scale?
>>
>>From our point of view a vast and indiscriminate military attacks on
>>a country that has been facing permanent disasters for more than two
>>decades will not be a matter of pride. We don't think such an attack
>>would be the expression of the will of the American people.
>>
>>The US government and people should know that there is a vast
>>difference between the poor and devastated people of Afghanistan and
>>the terrorist Jehadi and Taliban criminals.
>>
>>While we once again announce our solidarity and deep sorrow with the
>>people of the US, we also believe that attacking Afghanistan and
>>killing its most ruined and destitute people will not in any way
>>decrease the grief of the American people. We sincerely hope that
>>the great American people could DIFFERENTIATE between the people of
>>Afghanistan and a handful of fundamentalist terrorists. Our hearts
>>go out to the people of the US.
>>
>>Down with terrorism!
>>
>>Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA)
>>September 14, 2001
>>
>>



======

11.


17th September, 2001.


PRESS RELEASE

The Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP) condemns the
indiscriminate mass murder perpetrated in the USA on 11 September,
2001 using hijacked passenger aircraft as weapons. CNDP joins the
world in expressing its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved
families and the American people. There can be no justification for
mass murder committed either by stateless fanatical groups or by
states. This is the reason that the peace movement, all over the
world, opposes weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear,
biological and chemical weapons. September 11 has shown that mass
murder today does not need sophisticated technology. Such barbaric
activity poisons all peace processes, and sets back all efforts at
disarmament.  This crime also shows that neither nuclear weapons nor
defence shields (NMD/TMD) provide any additional 'security'.

There will be forces in the United States government and elsewhere
calling for retaliatory strikes and reprisals. Any response that does
not distinguish between perpetrators and innocent people will be no
different from the barbaric acts of 11th September that have drawn
justified worldwide condemnation. It is also necessary to distinguish
between the acts of terrorism and the causes driving it. Addressing
only terrorist acts will not stop the current spiral of violence.
Negotiated and just settlements of various conflicts around the world
are the only long term guarantees for peace and against terrorism.

It appears that the United States, is now preparing for unilateral
action in Afghanistan. CNDP strongly believes that any such action
should only be under the aegis of the UN. CNDP believes that India
should not be a party to such unilateral US action and, deplores the
Vajpayee government's willingness to compromise India's sovereignty.
                                               (sd/)
(Prabir Purkayastha)                                            (Praful
Bidwai)



========


12.

The Dalai Lama's message to President George Bush

12 September, 2001

Your Excellency,
I am deeply shocked by the terrorist attacks that took place involving
four apparently hijacked aircrafts
and the immense devastation these caused. It is a terrible tragedy that
so many innocent lives have been
lost and it seems unbelievable that anyone would choose to target the
world trade Center in New York
City and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. We are deeply saddened. On
behalf of the Tibetan people I
would like to convey our deepest condolence and solidarity with the
American people during this painful
time. Our prayers go out to the many who have lost their lives, those
who have been injured and the many
more who have been traumatized by this senseless act of violence. I am
attending a special prayer for the
United States and it's people at our main temple today.

I am confident that the United States as a great and powerful nation
will be able to overcome this present
tragedy. The American people have shown their resilience, courage and
determination when faced with
such difficult and sad situation.

It may seem presumptuous on my part, but I personally believe we need to
think seriously whether a
violent action is the right thing to do and in the greater interest of
the nation and people in the long run. I
believe violence will only increase the cycle of violence. But how do we
deal with hatred and anger, which
are often the root causes of such senseless violence? This is a very
difficult question, especially when it
concerns a nation and we have certain fixed conceptions of how to deal
with such attacks. I am sure that
you will make the right decision.

With my prayers and good wishes
The Dalai Lama


==========

13.

>MEDIA STATEMENT
>Contact: William R. Pace +1 917-214-5535
>   or Jayne Stoyles +1 212-687-2176
>
>U.S TRAGEDY HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR
>AN INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
>
>New York, July 2001
>On behalf of the more than 1000 members of the NGO Coalition for the
>International Criminal Court, we wish to express our horror and shock over
>the criminal attacks perpetrated yesterday against innocent people in the
>USA.
>
>We express our most sincere sympathy to the victims, their families and the


>people of the United States of America.  We are also thinking of the many
>people affected every day by terrorism, genocide, crimes against humanity
>and other atrocities in all parts of the world.
>
>As has been stated by USA authorities, this catastrophe represents a
>massive failure of USA intelligence and national defense.  The inability of


>the most powerful nation, with the greatest resources, to prevent such a
>crime reinforces the need for enhanced cooperation throughout the
>international community in outlawing, investigating and prosecuting these
>most serious crimes - which is what the International Criminal Court will
>do.
>
>This horrific crime clearly demonstrates the need for a fundamentally
>strengthened system of international criminal justice.  The International
>Criminal Court is expected to be established in 2002-2003 after entry into
>force of the Rome Statute of the ICC.  It will be permanent and
>independent and will prosecute individuals who commit genocide, war crimes,


>and crimes against humanity.
>
>Though the international community has not been able to agree on the
>definition of the crime of international terrorism, it is our unanimous
>opinion that yesterday's acts of terrorism were crimes against humanity -
>the murder of hundreds if not thousands of innocent civilians.
>
>We appeal to the government of the US and its allies to focus on bringing
>the perpetrators to justice and warn against indiscriminate military
>retaliation.  Such retaliation has been the response to past terrorist
>attacks  - it is not only illegal but has been ineffective and will
>inevitably result in more deaths and a cycle of recrimination, revenge and
>terrorism.  This cannot be the response of a civilized nation hoping to put


>an end to this kind of violence.
>
>The world community must join together in condemning this terrorist crime
>against humanity and join in using national and international laws in
>bringing those responsible to justice.
>
>Note:  The Rome Statute was adopted by a vote of 120-7 on July 17, 1998.
>It has been signed by 139 nations and ratified by 37.  The Rome Statute
>will enter into force after 60 nations have ratified the treaty.
>
>
>
>+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
>Jayne Stoyles
>Program Director
>NGO Coalition for an International Criminal Court
>
>777 U.N. Plaza  12th Floor
>New York, NY 10017
>U.S.A.
>Phone  212 687 2176  Fax  212 599 1332
>Email  cicc1 at iccnow.org
>Web    http://www.iccnow.org
>
>+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
>



======


14.

>
>Human Rights Watch Response to Attacks on the  U.S.
>Civilian Life Must Be Respected
>
>(New York, September 12, 2001) --  We profoundly condemn yesterday's cruel
>attacks in the United States and  express our condolences to the victims

and
>   This was  an assault not merely on one nation or one
>people, but on principles of  respect for civilian life cherished by all
>   We urge all  governments to unite to investigate this crime, to
>prevent its recurrence,  and to bring to justice those who are responsible.


>
>Last night, President  Bush said that the United States "will make no
>distinction between the  terrorists who committed these acts and those who
>   Yet  distinctions must be made: between the guilty and the
>innocent; between the  perpetrators and the civilians who may surround

them;
>between those who  commit atrocities and those who may simply share their
>religious beliefs,  ethnicity or national origin. People committed to

justice
>and law and human  rights must never descend to the level of the

perpetrators
>   That is the most important distinction of all.
>
>There are  people and governments in the world who believe that in the
>   But that is also the
>   Whatever the response to this outrage, it must not
>   Rather, it must uphold the principles that came under
>   That  is
>the way to deny the perpetrators of this crime their ultimate  victory.
>