Dear RN, If I understand the comments from Wendell W. Solomons (below) correctly, the idea is that if we deny funding for oil & gas projects through quasi-public institutions like the World Bank, then governments will go to big corporatations. Actually, we can see this happening with privatization of military operations as the next message will show. Thinking about this leads me to observe that the idea that we are not as responsible for privately funded horrors as we are for publicly funded ones is an illusion. The earth and its resources are the responsibility of all of us and part of that responsibility is to ensure that all of us, that includes governments, companies, individuals too, we all must stop killing each other and democracy and make true sustainability our priority. all the best, Jan ************************************************************************** Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 01:40:50 +0600 To: •••@••.••• From: "Wendell W. Solomons" <•••@••.•••> Subject: Wld Bank to stop mega(disaster) projects Thank you for the IMF post. The next World Bank post needs comment. I had been waiting for a reaction from the authorities to the opening of rally season. The authorities would hardly be asleep - would they - in "humanitarian" affairs? In September 1998 Milton Friedman had led the reaction by declaring, "the IMF helps rich bankers." That was his way of driving in a wedge between (a) poor developing nations who have nowhere to go but the IMF and (b) Western activists. To swallow Friedman's bait would make (b) appear Quixotic and irrelevant in the eyes of the developing world, an important part of (b)'s constituency. The FOE statement happened to come to us from a credible source, Janet Eaton. However, using local energy deposits is a choice made by China, Indonesia and several other nations primarily to save on imports. Thus, discouraging World Bank finance would not stop development but would force these countries instead into the clutches of Chevron or Shell, the tributaries of mega funds. We know that has become the fate of the once independent Caspian basin resources. It also drives in a wedge between (a) and (b). Activists must be cautioned to look at the 12th - 14th Century Church ban on lending money on interest which sent people to fortify a small group of clans and give them a head and shoulders start in building up capital to offer war loans to governments. rgds \' :--- ---- - -- --- -- -- --- --- -- --- -- -- -- -- --- -- -- -- : "..it does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.." : -- -- ---- -- -- -- ---Samuel Adams-- -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- ---: At 10:06 22/03/00 -0400, you wrote: >From: "Janet M Eaton" <•••@••.•••> >Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2000 14:40:57 +0000 >Subject: Call for World Bank to stop Oil, Gas and Mining Financing !! > >Given the dependency of the military on fossil fuels and certain >minerals, and the growing use of private armies to secure oil, gas >and mining projects in poor nations and the well established links >between economic globalization and militarism this may be of >interest !! > >" Friends of the Earth-US, in consultation with other > groups, has prepared an NGO platform statement that > calls on the World Bank to shift out of financing > oil, gas and mining projects and to announce an > immediate ban on financing these projects in > pristine, frontier areas. " > >This NGO platform contains >1] Ten Reasons the World Bank Group Should > Stop Financing Oil, Gas, and Mining Projects in Poor Nations >and >2] Ten Better Examples of Good Development <snip> ****************************************************** Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 13:42:24 +0800 To: •••@••.••• From: Dion Giles <•••@••.•••> Subject: Re: rn: On China & Taiwan The almost exclusively geopolitical and ideological arguments for and against Taiwan being part of China which Jan Slakov has helpfully gathered omit or downplay the only argument worth anything whatsoever -- that whether Taiwan accepts incorporation into China or de facto or fully declared independence is the business of the Taiwanese people and nobody else. The best the outside world can do, to help the spread of democracy in the world, is to make it clear to anyone seeking to challenge this right of the Taiwanese people by use of military force that they will be met with counter-force will be met with equal force as were the Argentinian fascists who challenged the right of the people of the Falklands to make their own arrangements for their own society and -- finally -- the German fascists who made the same challenge to the people of Poland. If this is not made clear to the Chinese "Communist" butchers then we have a re-run of the Munich betrayal all over again. Those who accept "left" or "right" ideological or geopolitical or trade or historical arguments to thwart the right of a people to run their own country have little commitment to democracy. A fitting answer to Chinese bluster about "One China" is that if it's to be one China embracing China and Taiwan then there is only one government for this "one China" which has been legitimised by an honest election, and that government is in Taipei. The suggestion in Philip Cunningham's article that the American workers are "obsessed" with human rights (can anyone claiming to speak or work for the people be less?) and probably really concerned with protecting inefficient American industry falls for one of Mr Greed's code words. For "inefficient industry" read industry which has to respect laws on rights of workers and protection of the environment and obligations to the social infrastructure that the thugs running the Chinese "People's" Republic would never have heard of. Dion Giles Fremantle, Western Australia ***************************************************** Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 17:57:59 +0000 To: •••@••.••• From: Diana Rhodes <•••@••.•••> Subject: Peace Scroll 2000 Dear Friends The Peace Scroll is completed. This historic document is receiving acclaim for its role in the peace process. It is with great pleasure that the Seed of Life Peace Foundation can inform you of the completion of the First Edition Peace Scroll 1999 and that this inspirational and historic document has been presented to the United Nations University for Peace in Costa Rica. The Second Edition Peace Scroll 2000 is now in the process of being compiled and, as the First Edition, will include written proclamations of Peace from World Leaders, Spiritual Leaders, groups, organisations and individuals. This Second Edition Peace Scroll is to be dedicated, with their blessings and support, to the United Nations University for Peace, Costa Rica. The Seed of Life Peace Foundation requests that you send, and encourage others to send, words of peace to be included in this Second Edition. The intention is, with your help, to build on the millions of people already represented in the First Edition. The only commitment to this Peace Scroll is to the expression, desire and intent for Peace and Healing. The contributors and contributions cross all cultures and all creeds. All and yet no spiritual and religious beliefs are encompassed , each individual being allowed the freedom of expression toward peace and healing. Further explanation of the Seed of Life Peace Foundation’s work can be found on www.sol-star.demon.co.uk. When sending your words please make clear your name, country and who the words represent, e.g. personal, group (giving name and approximate numbers, organisation (giving name and approximate numbers), or specific relevant title and country. The contributions are entered in alphabetical order to encourage the idea that the famous names are not the object of this project. The object of this project is to bring together the energy and integrity carried by each individual, organisation or country. I thank you for your work toward peace and healing in the world and look forward to receiving your energy contribution to this Peace Initiative in the form of your words of peace. Infinite Peace and Blessings Diana Rhodes PEACE SCROLL First Edition 1999 A Peace Scroll has been compiled including written proclamations of peace from World Leaders, Spiritual Leaders, Groups, organisations and individuals. This inspirational and historic document now represents millions of people. This can be ordered from the following address. A gift for Christmas or someone who needs encouragement, a book of inspiration, humour, courage, serenity and joy. A must for every coffee table. Dip in and find a thought to carry with you throughout t day. The following are examples of unsolicited reviews and responses:- “Thank you for the BEAUTIFUL Peace Scroll. Thanks also for the wonderful work you’re doing to inspire such wonderful thoughts and inspirations for peace - this is a treasure!” Bob Silverstein, Co- Director, One Day in Peace/World Peace 2000 UN, NGO Representative, Pathways to Peace “The Peace Scroll is wonderful, congratulations! - Si vis pacem, para pacem - If you want peace, prepare for peace.” Elinore Detiger, UN University for Peace in Costa Rica: Founder Association of Wise Women. “I returned home from the Gathering with a copy of the Peace Scroll. To read through it, or to even just glance at it, is a constant reminder to me of both Gatherings and the beauty created by people. It is a wonderful reminder of the purpose we have in common, “healing for Earth Mother, for ALL people, and for all of our relations of creation”. It also serves to remind me of my brothers and sisters who were in Wales and of the great work that has been done and is being achieved. I pray that the Peace Scroll will bring many more into the awareness of what is required at this crucial time, and help them to join us in our mission of universal peace and love. God Bless.” Syd Melbourne ........................................................................ .................................................................. PEACE SCROLL I enclose my words of Peace to be included in the Second Edition Peace Scroll 2000. Please indicate whether words are personal, group (stating name), or Organisation (stating name). Please send me ........ copies of the First Edition Peace Scroll 1999. Each copy costing £4.00 plus postage and packing. Posting and packing UK 55p. plus 50p. each extra copy. Europe - airmail £1.25 plus 80p. each extra copy. World Zone 1 (USA) airmail $10, World Zone 2 (Australia) airmail $15. Please state name ...................................................... ....... Address................................................................. ...................................................................... Post/zip code......................... I enclose payment for Peace Scroll £ ......: Total amount: £ ...... to cover above, payable to:- The Seed of Life Peace Foundation, Garth Farm, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8HQ, UK. Fax: 44 (0)1654 702805 email: •••@••.•••. PLEASE SEND YOUR WORDS OF PEACE NOW, with or without an order. Stand up and be counted in the Project for Peace that this encompasses. -- Diana Rhodes
