Nukes
Paul Barnsley (Write on, GLW #601) has missed the point entirely. Whether or not Iran's decision to develop a nuclear power industry — given the insoluble problems of radioactive waste disposal — is a good idea, is a matter for Iranians to decide, not the US government.
Iran is not developing its nuclear power industry "in secret", as Barnsley implies. Iran is a signatory to the nuclear nonproliferation treaty and as such has accepted inspection of its nuclear facilities by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency — unlike Israel, Washington's chief ally in the Middle East, which has been assisted by the US to secretly build several hundred nuclear bombs and has not been subject to any UN sanctions.
The US government, which encouraged Iran under the pro-US autocracy of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi to develop a nuclear power industry, now claims that Iran's nuclear energy program is a cover for a secret nuclear weapons program. IAEA inspectors, however, say there is no evidence for this claim.
Washington's claims that Iran is secretly trying to build nuclear bombs are as bogus as its pre-invasion claims that Iraq had a secret nuclear weapons program. These claims also have the same purpose — trying to win US public opinion to back a future invasion of the country to (re)install a pro-US regime that will hand over the country's nationalised oil industry to the big US oil corporations.
Doug Lorimer
Summer Hill, NSW
A tale of two rallies
The successful End the Lies rallies across Australia on October 1-3 were organised by anti-war, refugee rights and a range of community groups. In Melbourne, there were two rallies. The Refugee Action Collective (RAC) held a 4000-strong Justice for Refugees demonstration on October 1 and the Victorian Peace Network, of which I am a member, organised the End the Lies rally two days later attracting about 2000 people.
The RAC protest was vibrant and broad — reaffirming the growing support for refugee rights and the great work done by many activists helped in no small part by RAC's open organising structure.
However, having two pre-election rallies on the same weekend created unnecessary division and confusion. Most made a choice about which rally they would attend; the smaller turn-out for the End the Lies protest was one consequence.
Many found it strange that there were two protests being organised around the same sorts of issues —— refugees, Iraq and Howard's lies. There is really no political argument to justify this split course of action which divided the movement.
Those of us concerned about building the movements should learn from this experience, and next time make the effort to work out a suitable compromise. Our strength lies in our numbers and our unity — there's no doubt we'll need to be prepared to mobilise again for refugees and against the war, whichever of the two major parties is elected.
Margarita Windisch
Melbourne
Conscientious objector
My husband has been a US naval officer for 25 years, which may have a little to do with our son Trent joining the delayed entry program for the marines in June 2003, then just 17 years old. He was shipped off to boot camp June 2004.
About two months before leaving he began to have second thoughts about his decision, but was told by his recruiter that she would not let him out of his obligation and that he had to go. While at boot camp he became depressed and experienced anxiety. Most of his letters home were hard for me to read, as he spoke of how much he did not want to be in the military. As he went through training and was exposed to the Marine Corps' kill, kill, kill mentality, he became aware that shooting and killing was not something he could do, but felt trapped with no-one to talk to.
He graduated on September 10 and came home on leave. He was depressed and confused and was sent to see a chaplain and a mental health counsellor at Quantico marine base. He wanted out of the military after realising that the whole way of life was not for him and never would be.
He had to report to Camp Lejeune on September 28. While home he heard about conscientious objectors. He did not know that people in the military who opposed killing might, if they are lucky, be discharged due to their feelings. He is supposed to start training next week for the infantry, but doesn't want to be in training to kill others. He has been told that he will be thrown in jail if he refuses.
I wanted to get his story out in hopes of getting him some support from others. He is against the war and killing and is willing to go to jail to stand up for his beliefs. I do fear for his safety as he was punched in the face two days ago by a fellow marine. He had to go to the hospital for stitches.
Kathie Helmkamp
Fredericksburg
Virginia, USA
Howard
We in the US are very involved in the presidential campaign, and working to get rid of Bush. But I wanted you to know that here in suburban Washington, DC, some of us are thinking of you, and supporting you in your efforts to get rid of Howard (elect Latham?). Someday I really want to visit Australia, but I won't do so under a Howard regime. Have always loved Australia, have always wanted to visit, and would have in these 2001-2004 years, except for Howard. I don't even buy Australian wine anymore, on principle. Supporting you from afar.
Danielle Greene From Green Left Weekly, October 13, 2004.
Falls Church
Virginia, USA
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