Here are several keynote papers relevant to the three main themes of our Conference, which are:
The first paper has been written for us by Gabriel Kolko, the foremost historian of warfare. It is entitled "Iraq, the United States, and the End of the European Coalition". It is relevant to all our discussions, and particularly to the first and second themes.
The second paper combines two pieces by Phyllis Bennis asking "Who rules the peace when the rulers break the rules?", and answering with a call for the building of a global movement against empire. This paper is especially relevant to our second theme on the fate of the institutions, particularly the United Nations. Richard Perle's article "Thank God for the death of the UN" provides some disturbing context.
The third paper, by Tony Bunyan of Statewatch, is entitled "The War on Freedom and Democracy". It analyses the effects of this war since September 11, 2001 on civil liberties and democratic culture in the European Union. Though written before the war on Iraq, it is particularly relevant to the third of our main themes.
To these we have added an informative paper by the Spanish human rights organisation, Equipo Nizkor, on how "the aim of the war on Iraq is to declare a global state of exception that does away with the United Nations system". This is particularly relevant to our second and third themes.
We also attach an "Analysis of the Iraq Crisis and Aftermath", which has been submitted to our conference by a collective working in the Middle East/West Asia region.
Ken Coates - Dealing with the Hydra
In addition, we are receiving many other papers from participants. We shall not be able to circulate all these, but we shall endeavour to make as many as possible available at the conference.
Issue 78 of The Spokesman Journal 'Appointment in Cordoba' reports on the special meeting which took place in that city in November 2002, and brought together representatives of peace and human rights movements from Europe, West Asia and the United States.
Our Conference in Brussels began at 11am on Thursday 29 April, and continued until lunchtime on Friday 30 April.
Workshop reports have been posted on the invitation page where full details of
Yours sincerely,
Ken Coates
Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation
Draft Programme
Please
find some information about our upcoming conference in Barcelona which is
a part of
the exciting Barcelona Forum, a major 5-months cultural festival - see www.barcelona2004.org.
THEMES:
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Prevention and nonviolent resolution of armed conflicts
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Economy and war
*
Disarmament
*
Education and mobilization for a culture of peace
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Human security
For more details on the events at the Barcelona conference