Posted on 24-12-2002

2002 With GPJA

Dear friends,

Thanks to everyone who joined the protest on December 15 against the war on
Iraq. (For news report see below). Unfortunately the war preparations
continue their relentless course. Iraq hands in its 12000-page report; it
gets hijacked by the US which immediately concludes Iraq is in “material
breach” of the UN resolution. Iraq responds that the US can send its own
CIA agents to join the inspectors to visit any site and the US dismisses
the offer as a “gimmick”. Hans Blix asks the US/UK for the information they
claim to have to allow them to do their job and is brushed off. It is clear
that for the US/UK there is only one outcome they will allow – a war. The
next deadline is the inspectors report due January 17. It has become
obvious that the tight timetable imposed on Iraq and the inspectors by the
UN resolution was designed to fit the war planning of the US. Military
action will probably begin during February – March with a bombing campaign
the clear winter nights followed by a ground invasion. The UN Security
Council, which remains unaccountable to the General Assembly, has been
continuously bullied or bribed by the US with impunity. Meanwhile the NZ
Prime Minister pledges that “should the Security Council decide on the use
of force, New Zealand as a committed member of the UN would endeavour to
make a contribution.”

When the war begins there will be an emergency picket outside the US
consulate from 5pm the same day. Plans are also underway for a big “Peace
in the Park” concert/festival on February 16 from 2pm in Potters Park,
Balmoral. If you can help see below. The Council of Trade Unions have also
come out in opposition to any involvement in the Iraq war which can provide
opportunities for antiwar groups get more support from the unions GPJA
members have been active in alerting local councils of the danger that the
WTO Gats negotiations pose for the provision of council controlled services.

PEACE IN THE PARK CONCERT/FESTIVAL - SUNDAY FEB 16TH - FROM 2PM AT POTTERS
PARK (Cnr Balmoral and Dominion Roads) This festival - a family type fun
daywith a strong political message against the American war plans for Iraq
is being planned and we need help from GPJA supporters!

(1) We have several acts lined up including Shona Laing but we need to hear
from you if you would like to be part of the entertainment - anything from
30seconds to 20 minutes! e.g. music, sing, band, dance, poetry, cultural
items, street theatre, comedy etc etc Contact Chris Holland re
entertainment Ph 3370332 or email
chrisholland@paradise.net.nz

(2) Sound and Stage - We need a good stage and a very good sound system but
we hope we can keep the cost down as this is not a commercial venture.
Can you help? Please contact Chris Holland - details above.

(3) Stalls for organisations - Would your group like to have a stall for
information, sales etc. Please contact John Minto at Ph 8463173 or email
jbminto@xtra.co.nz

(4) Speakers -we plan to have interspersed between the entertainment
several 3-minute slots for people to talk about the war against Iraq and/or
about their organisation. Would you like a spot? Contact John Minto -
details above

(5) Food stalls - know any group that would like to run a food stall? -
contact us

(6) Any other creative ideas - banners, bouncy castle for kids, face
painting, stilt walking. Please get in touch if you can help with any of
these.

WHAT’S ON IN AUCKLAND

Saturday, January 4, 2pm, Aotea Square, Queen St Palestine/Israel Rally for
Peace, supporting peace and justice based on Removal of Israeli Occupation,
Right of Return for Refugees, Sharing Jerusalem and Cessation of Jewish
only Settlements in occupied Palestine. Contact David Wakim tel (09) 520 0201.

Sunday, February 2, 2pm, outside the Synagogue, Greys Ave (Pitt street end)
City A March for Justice and Peace (Synagogue to Church to Mosque) -
assemble at 2pm outside the Synagogue at Kadimah College Greys Ave (Pitt
street end) City; then march via Hopetoun St, to Ponsonby Rd, to Vermont St
to the grounds of the Church then to the grounds of the Mosque opposite -
at each place there will be time for prayer, comments and song. The march
is to support the international 'Open Jerusalem - end occupation' peace
march supported by Jews, Christians and Muslims walking between Bethlehem
and Jerusalem on 31 December 2001. For more info contact Kevin McBride, Pax
Christi, email paxnz@xtra.co.nz tel (09) 377 5541 or David Wakim tel (09)
520 0201.

Monday, February 3, 7.30pm, Trades hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn 1st
GPJA Forum for 2003. We return to the themes of globalisation and war with
Mike Treen updating the situation regarding Gulf War II and Dr David
Bedgood reporting on a recent trip to Argentina to see working class
resistance to the crisis there.

Sunday, February 16, 2003, 2pm, Potters Park, Balmoral “Peace in the Park”.
A festival of music to protest against war.

Wednesday, February 19, 7pm, Auckland Community Learning Centre, Poronui
St, Mt Eden. 1st of 7 weekly classes on “Human Rights” led by Anthony
Ravlich. The political nature of human rights and globalisation has
resulted in an increasing gap between the rich and the poor both in NZ and
internationally. There is a need to have economic, social and cultural
rights in law so all interests are represented and causes of crime,
suicide, terrorism and refugees addressed. Course fee $40. Registration
required. Phone 6388780.

Other News

Judge Joyce has ruled that IKE FINAU will be jailed for 21 days for
contempt of court if he hasn't removed his signs by 17 January 2003. Ike
Finau's signs will stay up until Attorney-General Margaret Wilson confirms
that this Auckland City Council Bylaw and ruling that totally prohibits any
signage on private property complies with the Bill of Rights Act and
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Whether or not Ike Finau becomes a
political prisoner from 17 January 2003 is in the hands of Attorney-General
Margaret Wilson. Judge Joyce's has extended his February 1 2002 ruling to
cover signage on Ike's vehicle as well as signage on Ike's property. This
is manifestly unfair because signage on vehicles was never part of the
original complaint or Judge Joyce's ruling Feb 1 2002. What now constitutes
'signage on vehicles'? "Does this latest ruling of Judge Joyce now mean
that no-one in Auckland City is allowed to have a bumper sticker on their
vehicle either?" asks Ike Finau. Ike eagerly awaits the response from Mayor
John Banks to Dilip Rupa's letter asking whether his 'LOYAL' sign
supporting Team New Zealand is also illegal under this by law and this
bylaw and Judge’s ruling. Penny Bright, Media Spokesperson, Water Pressure
Group. Ph (09) 846 9825

Dear Friends, 10 days ago the President of the PALESTINE PEN Centre in
Palestine and Chair, Womens International League for Peace and Freedom,
Palestine, Dr Hanan Awwad visited in New Zealand to speak at the
international conference of WILPF held at Waipapa Marae, Auckland. She
arrived very late because the Israelis denied her a visa to exit on time,
but a few of us had an opportunity to meet with her before she left for
Australia. As a poet and author you can imagine how eloquent she was
describing some of her most recent experiences and views on progressing
justice for the Palestinian people, thereby securing peace for both
Israelis and Palestinians. She said that things have never been worse for
Palestinians and PEN which has a key role working with many NGO's is having
a particularly tough time. Currently, the Israelis are trying to shut down
the PEN Centre and as the economic situation for so many Palestinians is so
bleak, the group is having real difficulty paying the rent on their office
and they are facing imminent eviction.

With others in Auckland, we are trying to raise some funds to help with
this immediate problem and would welcome any assistance might be able to
offer. The plan is to collect the funds and have them taken to Jerusalem
with Dr Alan Kerr and his wife Hazel who are travelling to Gaza on January
9th to do a spell of medical and social work there. (Alan, formerly of
Greenlane Heart unit has committed to staying 2 months and work there with
injured and sick children mainly but also to train medical staff who are
unable to leave Gaza to get the training elsewhere. Hazel will meet up
with Hanan and give her whatever $ are gathered here in NZ and can
subsequently report back to donors.

It is a frantic time of the year to make and respond to such a request but
this is a very immediate need with such a direct link to Hanan Awwad and
PEN/WILPF through the Kerrs that it seems possible to accomplish and it is
something which Kiwis concerned with events in Palestine could contribute
to. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me. If you could
forward any donation to me asap I will receipt it. PHRC does not have
charitable status the gift would not be tax deductible. Please forward
this message on to anyone who may be able help. Thankyou for whatever you
are able to do - donate, pass on the message etc and sincere apologies for
any duplication of this message that you may receive. Send donations to:
Janfrie Wakim, 95 Market Road, Epsom, Auckland. Ph 5200201. Palestine Human
Rights Campaign.

The HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION is inviting nominations for membership of the
National Advisory Council to the National Plan of Action for Human Rights
project. Nominations are due by 28 February 2003 npa@hrc.co.nz

MESSAGES FROM IRAQ: John Gleisner (Religious Society of Friends,
Aotearoa/NZ) left Wellington this week on his way to Baghdad where he will
join the Voices in the Wilderness Iraq Peace Team. Messages received from
John during his time in Iraq will be available on-line at
http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/jgiraq.htm His reports will be uploaded to
that web page as they come in throughout the next three weeks when we will
be otherwise off-line.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES FOR IRAQ - Quaker Peace and Service Aotearoa/NZ are once
more raising money to buy medical supplies for Iraq. These will be used to
support the US-based NGO, LIFE for Relief and Development, mainly in their
cancer relief projects, and the Rome-based NGO, Bridge to Baghdad's
Sindibad Primary Health Care Clinic in Basra. Cheques can be made out to
Quaker Peace and Service and sent to QPS, 7 Moncrieff St., Wellington;
credit card donations can be made by email - for more info about that, or
about 'Medical supplies for Iraq', please contact Tony Maturin or Sandra
Jones email hoggard@top.net.nz

PETITION UPDATE: 'No NZ support for the 'war on terrorism'' A further 2,314
signatures on the national 'No NZ support for the 'war on terrorism''
petition were presented to parliament on 10 December 2002 (International
Human Rights Day). Together with the previous presentation on 11 September
2002, the total now handed in is 3,376. There will be a further
presentation of signatures on this petition when parliament resumes sitting
in February. If you haven't yet collected all your friends and family
signatures on this petition, why not use the holiday period to do just
that! It is available on-line at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/pet003.htm

Hello! I am a REFUGEE and Migrant Service volunteer supporter. At the
moment I am helping a Palestinian family, they came out of Mangere 17 days
ago. They are a lovely family, mum, dad, 4 kids and have taken 19 months
to get here from Iraq. I am approaching your organisation as they are
desperate for many things and their $1200 establishment grant and donations
has still left them 'wanting'. Anyhow, on a practical level...if anyone has
the following spare could they call me to arrange how to get it to Ahmed
and Firyaal. Dining table and chairs, Washing Machine, Tools, Desk,
Drawers, Vacuum, Lawnmower, Landscape paintings, Telephone, TV. If you can
help contact Steph Askeur ph: 620 0824 wk: 360 0745 stephaskeur@hotmail.com

Foreign Control Watchdog #101 now online
http://www.converge.org.nz/watchdog/01/index01.htm

Coinciding with International Human Rights Day, the World Council of
Churches (WCC) has today opened a new interactive version of its "Decade to
Overcome Violence (2001-2010): Churches seeking Reconciliation and Peace"
website. Its address is: http://www.wcc-coe.org/dov.

January 24-26 - WAIHOPAI Spybase protest! NZ is one of George Bush's most
enthusiastic allies in his apparently endless and borderless 'war on
terror' - the public face of that is the involvement of the SAS in the war
in Afghanistan; but New Zealand's most significant contribution to that
war, and any other wars waged by our Western allies, is the Waihopai
spybase. Even though the Government is not so keen on following the US in
its plans to wage war on Iraq, Waihopai will play a key role in that too,
because it is controlled by the US, with NZ (including Parliament) having
little or no idea what goes on there (let alone any control). Waihopai does
not operate in the national interests of New Zealand or our neighbours.
Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in
America's wars. Waihopai must be closed! We invite people from around the
country to join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase.
Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. For more info contact the
Anti-Bases Campaign, Box 2258, Christchurch; email cafca@chch.planet.org.nz
or check out http://www.converge.org.nz/abc

April 21-24: OCEANIA SOCIAL FORUM - Bringing together the peoples of
Oceania to renew the vision of the world we share, Nelson, Aotearoa/New
Zealand. A social forum inspired by the 2001 and 2002 World Social Forums
that have been held in Porto Alegre, Brazil, is to be held in Nelson, from
Monday 21st to Thursday 24th April 2003. Speakers include Edward Goldsmith,
Maude Barlow, Susan Hawthorne, Pauline Tangiora, Sohail Inayatullah,
Annette Sykes, Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed, Pauline Tangiora, Sohail Inayatullah,
and Susan Andrews - Future Vision Eco-village (Brazil) among others, with
Tony Clarke to be confirmed. For further information: Re the Oceania Social
Forum: www.oceaniasocialforum.org.nz P. O. Box 984, Nelson. Ph 03 544
2449. Re the World Social Forum: www.forumsocialmundial.org.br