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Nothing Bloodshed: Can Justify Further !!
Nothing Bloodshed: Can Justify Further !!
"But what makes these 'experts' preach their opinion and call
it truth?" asked the inquirer. "Is it an inheritance of
humankind to do this, or is it merely something they gain
satisfaction from?"
-Majjhima Nikaya
From "Buddha Speaks," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2000.
Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications,
Boston, www.shambhala.com.
Let us begin on this premise: that the major factors in youth frustration are less likely to
be religious fundamentalism and ethnic sentiment, and are more likely to be CHILD
POVERTY, raunchy nationalism, poor leadership and bad regimes, among others…
Actually, what kind of a World is it that we are passing on to our Children? A World filled
with war, violence, deep perversions, murder, mayhem, looting, arson, sexual assault,
plunder and child abuse including paedophilia.
Before you read on, please beware that what you are about to read might shock you…
So, first of all, there are the grave humanitarian consequences of potential military
intervention on civilians, and these might lead to serious humanitarian crises. Moreover, a
military strike on Iraq cannot be justified. Millions of Iraqis are highly vulnerable to any
military action, which could increase civilian suffering and fuel regional instability. Up to
16 million people already rely on a fragile system of food aid for their survival.
OXFAM, a leading international NGO, has assessed that over 15 million people of Iraq’s
22 million people are already on World Food Program (WFP) rations- a consequence of
the last war, over 10 years of Sanctions, and the policies of the Iraqi Government- there
are huge risks to millions, especially, vulnerable groups such as children, and the Elderly.
“Air strikes”, as during the last Gulf War, pose a grave risk- of targeting and destroying
power stations. If that happened, the Iraqi Water and Sanitation system, which depends
on electricity, would collapse, leaving millions of people vulnerable to diseases and
epidemics, malnutrition and child mortality. Other serious consequences might include
possible internal displacement and even refugee movements of over 1.62 million people,
as well as major political destabilization in the region. According to Oxfam International
Executive-director, Mr. Jeremy Hobbs, “This could be from huge refugee movements but
also from the anger that is already evident in many parts of the region, whether in the
Middle East or in countries with significant Moslem populations such as India…”
Perhaps, the only solution is to negotiate through the United Nations.
“…We cannot see…how such an attack could be waged without violating international
humanitarian law”, says Director of Oxfam Great Britain, Barbara Stocking. Here, there
are three major considerations: (i) War could lead to an increase in the suffering of
ordinary people in Iraq and the rest of the Middle East; (ii) It would be likely to aggravate
instability in the region, and hinder progress towards a just solution of the Israeli-
Palestinian Conflict; and, (iii) It would diminish respect for international humanitarian
law- and of the role of the UN as the genuine voice of world opinion.
But, pray you, what about innocent civilians in Iraq? What have they done to deserve
this? And, WHAT IF THE REVERSE WERE TO HAPPEN? WHAT IF, IRAQ AND /OR
SOMEONE ELSE WERE TO “INVADE THE UNITED STATES”, despite its mammoth
size? President George W. Bush called it “War”, but I should say that there is a difference
between the term “War” and the events of 9/11. 9/11, undoubtedly, was a horrific thing to
happen, it should never have happened, and should never again happen. It involved the
loss of innocent people. I DO INDEED CONDEMN 9/11. BUT WAR IS NOT THE
ANSWER. I will not say much beyond this, except for the fact that Iraqi Children (as
well as all others likely to be affected by this War) will grow up on a diet of obscene
hatred in the event that there should be War…CHILDREN CANNOT FORGET THE
HORRORS OF WAR??? And, Iraq’s Children, her “INNOCENT FLOWERS”, ARE
SIMPLY NO EXCEPTION TO THE RULE.
The Pope has asked Catholics to fast for the cause of Peace (Feb. 23, 2003, the Vatican
City, AP) in the light of impending war against Iraq. He has said that he is worried a U.S.-
led war against Iraq could unsettle the entire Middle East. He has denounced war as a
way to resolve the conflict.
“We Christians in particular are called upon to be sentinels of peace,” John Paul said,
calling on Catholics to dedicate their fasting on Ash Wednesday, March 5, for the cause
of peace. On that day, the Pope said, faithful will pray for “the conversion of hearts and
the long-range vision of just decisions to resolve disputes with adequate and peaceful
means.” He also reiterated that the fast is an “expression of penitence for the hate and
violence which pollute human relations.”
In fact, there are people who believe we shouldn’t torture suspected terrorists. Dr.
Orlando Tizon, himself a survivor of torture, and now Assistant Director of the
Washington, D.C.-based “Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition
International”, feels that we can’t possibly practice the terrorism that is torture in order to
fight terrorism…This, he further adds, would run in contravention to the UN Convention
against Torture which was adopted in 1986 and signed by the U.S. and hundred other
nations. Every man (or woman) is entitled to certain basic rights, and acting contrary to
international law, human rights, and democracy, according to Tizon, would mean
“winning one battle, but not winning the war…” I should add here, that torture would
further, be unjust to our children, our future…
I wish to wind up with what one group of Canadian, American, and other “Christian
Peacemaker Team Volunteers” posted in Iraq has to say (Monday, Mar 17, 2003), “…we
write to clarify our presence…We accompany civilians who are suffering, largely due to
the combined effects of the U.N. sanctions and the Gulf War…We have [visited]
important humanitarian sites because of relationships we have built with people, and
because of the death that sanctions has caused them, and because of the horror that would
be caused by the further attacks…We are convinced that…non-violence is more life-
sustaining than violence…friendship is more sustainable than enmity…” They further go
on to point out that war is criminal, and that they will respond non-violently and
respectfully to all people, including those with whom they disagree or even those who
use violence against them. Finally, they say “…we hope for peace for all of us and for all
of our children…”
I personally feel, as do many others like Peggy Gish, one of the volunteers, “it is
especially important that people of conscience and faith act strongly and boldly to declare
a gospel of peace…or we lose our very soul…”