Posted on 30-4-2003

GPJA What's On
April 29, 2003

Website http://www.gpja.pl.net/ Contact details: Forums - John Minto, (09)
8463173 jbminto@xtra.co.nz; Newsletter Editor - Mike Treen 0212547440 /
3616989 miket@pl.net Web page - Geraldine Peters (09) 3570655
bern@ihug.co.nz Donations can be sent to GPJA, Private Bag 68905, Newton,
Auckland.

This week we have several important events including the May Day march on
Thursday and Roger Awards on Friday to participate in. I have included a
special commentary by Auckland writer Dean Parker at the end of the
newsletter. It deals with the discovery that the British occupation forces
in Northern Ireland were operating a death squad targeting republican
opponents. This extraordinary official confirmation by a senior British
police officer has received little media coverage and deserves wider
attention. Check the films on from May 3 at the Academy re Kissinger,
Chomsky, and 9-11, and Scott Ritter. Note change of venue for Mayfest on May 3.

NB NEXT GPJA FORUM THIS MONDAY MAY 5 WITH GUEST SPEAKER MURRAY HORTON.

WHAT'S ON IN AUCKLAND

Until May 17, North Art Community Arts Centre, Northcote Shopping Centre,
Northcote 'A Portrait of East Timor' - photographic exhibition by Gerald
Lopez. It portrays, first hand, stories of the lifestyle of the East
Timorese and the ways in which the people are rebuilding their lives
following the devastation of the Indonesian occupation of their country.
.
Thursday, May 1, 5.00pm, QE2 Square, Customs St, Downtown MAY DAY march to
Aotea Square. International Workers' Day Auckland Rally - Oppose the
invasion and occupation of Iraq - Oppose job casualisation - Support higher
benefits; 5pm at Downtown Queen St for open mike session, 5-30pm march to
Aotea Square for official speakers. For more info contact Daphna tel 021
037 4544 or Garry 021 326 261.

Friday, May 2, 5.30pm, Freyberg Square, High St, Auckland City Two
Christchurch-based groups (CAFCA and GATT Watchdog), which organise the
annual Roger Award, say that TNCs are the real "government" of New Zealand;
the public were invited to nominate the worst of 2002. The criteria for
judging are by assessing the transnational that has the most negative
impact in New Zealand. Music and revelry preceding the awards begin at
5.30pm. For more information on the awards ceremony contact the Roger Award
organisers: g.baxter@auckland.ac.nz CAFCA-Campaign Against Foreign Control
of Aotearoa Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand cafca@chch.planet.org.nz
www.cafca.org.nz

Saturday, May 3, 12noon-6pm, Hayman Park, Manukau City.
MAYFEST 2003. Workers and Youth united against war. Free concert, song,
dance theatre, Hip Hop, Rap, Reggae and more. Hot food stalls, information
stalls. Contact Jean at 2684364 or email nitsuj_naej@hotmail.com

Saturday, May 3, 7.30pm, Titirangi War Memorial Hall, Sth Titirangi Rd
(beside Library).
WAITAKERE PEACE CONCERT. Featuring Kurdish musicians from Iraq and the very
best of West Auckland's songwriters and musicians. Live music, dance, food
and drinks, peace in the community. $15 waged, $10 unwaged and family
concessions. For tickets and more details contact Laurie Ross 8118696 or
David Lynman 8178338. Tickets also from Titirangi Pharmacy. Presented by
Free Spirit Peace Productions.

Saturday, May 3, 1-4pm, Old Government House Lecture Theatre, Auckland
University
The Invasion of Iraq: 'Justified War'? A seminar looking at the many issues
and questions raised by this war: the history leading to this invasion: why
now? Is this a 'legal' war? The role of the UN in the lead-up to the war;
half-truths and media spin: whom do you believe? The role of the USA in
Iraq: now and in the future; what is Washington's agenda for the Middle
East in the years to come? With presenters: Steve Hoadley, Associate
Professor in Political Studies at The University of Auckland; Heval Hylan,
a Kurd from Kurdistan , military conscript and lawyer; and David Robie,
Senior Lecturer in Journalism at the Auckland University of Technology and
co-convenor of Pacific Media Watch. There will be an opportunity at the
conclusion of the seminar for open and vigorous debate chaired by Joe
Atkinson, Deputy Head of Department, Political Studies, The University of
Auckland. Corner Waterloo Quadrant and Princes Street; entry fee $15 ($10
unwaged, UOA staff). Pre-enrolment is essential, for more information,
including how to enrol for this Course G1.920, please contact Continuing
Education, tel (09) 373 7599 x87831 or x87832 or email conted@auckland.ac.nz

May 3 to 19, The Academy Theatre,
The upcoming World Cinema Showcase has some films that might be of interest
to you THE TRIALS OF HENRY KISSINGER The Academy - Sat 3 May at 12:45pm,
Sat 3 May at 4:40pm, Sun 4 May at 12pm, Tues 6 May at 6:30pm
POWER AND TERROR: NOAM CHOMSKY IN OUR TIMES The Academy - Thurs 8 May at
10am, Sat 10 May at 1:15pm, Sat 10 May at
4:45pm, Sun 11 May at 1pm
11/09/01 - 11 SHORT FILMS BY 11 DIRECTORS ON THE IMPACT OF SEPTEMBER 11 The
Academy - Thurs 15 May at 8:15pm, Fri 16 May at 1:30pm, Sun 18 May at
8:15pm, Mon 19 May at 11:15am
IN SHIFTING SANDS - DOCUMENTARY BY SCOTT RITTER ON IRAQ The Academy,
Thursday May 15 10am, Saturday May 17 4.15pm, Sunday May 18 12.15pm, Monday
May 19 8.15pm

Monday, May 5, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn GPJA
Forum with Murray Horton, Anti-bases Campaign and CAFCA.

Friday May 16, Venue to be announced. "I'm currently organising in
conjunction with Performing Artists For Peace Association a Full Moon Dance
For Peace event celebrating life, unity and peace on the 16th of May at a
venue yet to be confirmed. It will be a chance for people to make a stand
for peace while experiencing other forms of dance and acknowledging our
creator and Mother Earth." Helpers, leaders, performers or supporters
inspired by a stand for peace please contact Clancy at
clancycroft@hotmail.com or 021 452177.

Sunday, May 18, 1.30pm, St Mathew-in-the-City Anglican Church
A team of top-billing Kiwi and international performing artists are joining
forces with AINZ to stage the first Artists for Amnesty
International Human rights benefit concert. The concert will promote the
message that 'no peace is possible without human rights' and raise urgently
needed funds for Amnesty International's worldwide human rights
campaigning. Featuring Jackie Clarke, Miranda Adams, Jonathan Besser With
Ensemble Philharmonia, Vivo, Bravura, Tango Tiempo Dancers & more! Tickets:
$30 adult; $20 student/concessions; Children under 12 FREE. Available at
Ticketek (from 20 April) or at the church door from 12.30pm. All proceeds
to Amnesty International. An Artists for Amnesty International event. For
more information contact: john.shaw@amnesty.org.nz

Thursday, May 22, 7.30pm, St Columbus Church, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby
Public meeting with Fatima Mahfoud, a representative of the Polisario
Front, which leads the struggle for independence of the people of the
Western Sahara from Moroccan occupation. She is also a representative of
the National Union of Sahrawi Women, and has recently been working
representing the Sahrawi independence struggle and National Union of
Sahrawi Women in Europe. Before that she worked in the refugee camps where
many Sahrawi people live in western Algeria. She in fluent in English.
Contact Felicity Coggan, Ph 5795707, email fcoggan@xtra.co.nz

Thursday, May 22nd, 6.30pm, Romford's, Tamaki Drive
The Peace Foundation's Bid for Peace Celebrity dinner and auction. MCs
Craig Parker and Elizabeth McRae. Tickets $58 includes pre-dinner drinks
and nibbles, dinner, wine, door prizes etc.

Tuesday, May 27, 7.30pm, St Columbus Church, 44 Vermont St, Ponsonby
Human Rights Network Public Forum: World Trade Organisation and General
Agreement on Trade in Services (WTO and GATS). Who needs them? And why? A
chance to explore GATS' ramifications for all NZers. Contacts for HRN: Nola
Harvey n.harvey@ace.ac.nz Ph: 623 8899 Xt: 8455 or Joan Hardiman
dominicans3@xtra.co.nz Ph: 377 5541 A koha would be welcome to defray expenses.

Every Saturday - picket at 12 noon, outside the US Consulate, Citibank
Building, Customs St East. Because the US is still occupying Iraq and
killing Iraqis. Organised by Direct Anti War Action, for more info contact
email euphemiak@yahoo.com

NATIONAL PEACE WORKSHOPS 2003 - MAY 9-11
The National Peace Workshops 2003 are being hosted by Peace Action Network
Otautahi, in association with Peace Movement Aotearoa, from Friday 9 May to
Sunday 11 May 2003 in Christchurch. The programme general information and
registration form are available on-line at
http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/npw03.htm Since the last National Peace
Workshops, a number of new peace and anti-war groups, coalitions and local
networks have formed. This will be the first national meeting to bring
together people from established peace and social justice groups with those
from the groups which formed after 11 September 2001. These National Peace
Workshops are non-residential, but there are some billets available. If you
wish to be billeted, please register as soon as possible. If you have any
general enquiries, please contact Peace Movement Aotearoa email pma@xtra.co.nz

COMMENTARY: STATE TERRORISM IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Article 17 of the United Nations (who?) Basic Principles of the Role of
Lawyers states, "Where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of
discharging their functions, they shall be adequately safeguarded by the
authorities." Seems a fair enough sentiment, especially if you're a lawyer.

As a principle, it was quoted in a letter from the New Zealand Law Society
to Tony Blair, British Prime Minister, in April 1999. The Law Society,
prompted by the group Information On Ireland and some concerned lawyers,
was calling for an independent and impartial inquiry into the death of a
civil rights solicitor in Northern Ireland. Rosemary Nelson had been
murdered the previous month in a car bomb attack at her home in Lurgan, Co
Armagh. The killing had been preceded by threats against her by members of
the Northern Ireland police, the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

There was an enquiry, though conducted largely by the RUC. No one was
charged. The following year, the Law Society wrote again. Some time later
two men were arrested. And then promptly released.

Nothing ever came of that campaign over Rosemary Nelson, the murdered civil
rights solicitor from Lurgan. But now we can guess what happened. Now we
have an official report on the way the security forces of Northern Ireland
treated those who questioned the nature of Britain's sectarian colony.

According to this report, by Britain's most senior policeman, Sir John
Stevens, British army intelligence operatives, together with Northern
Ireland police officers, deliberately helped pro-British loyalist
paramilitary groups murder Irish republicans. Among those murdered was Pat
Finucane, a lawyer who had represented republicans detained by the army and
the police and who was shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries in front of his
family in his north Belfast home in 1989.

The British Army had its own men inside the loyalist paramilitaries, the
Ulster Defence Association. One of them was Brian Nelson, an enthusiastic
gunrunner for the loyalists, who could draw on his sources in British
intelligence and pass on the names and addresses of known republican
activists to the UDA. He scouted Pat Finucane's house before the killing
and passed on a photograph of the lawyer
to his loyalist accomplices.

Another British agent was William Stobie, a UDA quartermaster, who told his
British handlers that Finucane was going to be murdered. No attempt was
made to halt the killing. In fact, there are those in Belfast who say the
latest confirmations help explain how Pat Finucane's killers moved so
easily through British patrol units on the night of the murder.

Stevens said his investigations - which he said were blatantly hampered to
the extent of an arson attack which burnt down his office in Belfast ­ had
pursued allegations that senior Belfast police officers had briefed British
Home Office minister Douglas Hogg that some solicitors were "unduly
sympathetic" to the IRA cause. Hogg extraordinarily repeated this view in
the British House of Commons, weeks before the killing of Pat Finucane. As
well, in an interview in the London Daily Telegraph, May 1999, the former
Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary claimed Finucane was known
by police "to associate with members of the IRA". Presumably, this is why
he was killed. And why Rosemary Nelson was.

The only people ever charged over the Finucane murder have been potential
witnesses for the prosecution: a former member of the security apparatus
charged with breaking state secrets and an investigative journalist for
refusing to disclose sources. According to an editorial in the London
Guardian, April 18, "The Stevens Report is one of the most shocking
commentaries on British institutions ever published. (It) tells a shameful
story of state sanctioned murder, collusion and obstruction more commonly
associated with South American dictatorships
than with western parliamentary democracies." A columnist in the same paper
went further. Deborah Orr wrote, "The depravity, evil and corruption
outlined by Sir John Stevens is unbearably shocking, chilling and vile."
"It is sobering to look at this emerging story of something uncomfortably
close to British state-sponsored terrorism, and see confirmation that some
of the most awful allegations made against Ulster and Britain by the
republicans [and, one could add, by those who patiently and stubbornly
stood outside the British Consulate in Queen St at lunchtimes, handing out
leaflets] had very much more than a slender basis in truth." "Now, as the
West is being is being asked by its various governments to surrender its
civil liberties as part of the war against terrorism, it is timely to
remind those who believe this to be a small price to pay, that the price is
not always small. When the state itself cannot be trusted to uphold civil
liberties, then the population cannot afford to surrender a single one of
them."

Stevens' report, which in its fuller, unpublished version deals with many
more killings, has been sent to the Northern Ireland Director of Public
Prosecutions. It is said that something like 20 key people have been named
as culpable. However the DPP is notorious for not pursuing cases against
Britain's security forces. And the truth is that the whole British war
machine and its colonial police force in Northern Ireland should be
standing in the dock.

A final note. The head of the British army intelligence unit that
sanctioned the murder of Pat Finucane was one Colonel, now Brigadier,
Gordon Kerr. Where is he now? He was sent to the Middle East in February of
this year to head the military intelligence wing of yet another British
occupation army.

Dean Parker

STEVENS REPORT
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2003/04/17/MP-Stevens-Enquiry-3.pdf