Dear Renaissance Network, Sept. 16 I suspect that anyone who reads the stuff Richard and I send you on this list and the cj list must end up, like me, feeling at times really despairing of ever being able to make a difference. I have struggled with despair for many years, and come to the conclusion that it is not for me to decide whether or not my efforts will make a difference. Also, I simply do not want to leave other people who are working to build a better world in the lurch. I will try to be there for them, and by extension, for all the beings who suffer from militarism, consumption, globalization and all the rest. Of course, the accounts of the massacre in East Timor are particularly discouraging. My dear friend (now international president of WILPF, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom) wrote to encourage us not to give up hope: "While we are all working hard to redress some of the wrongs in the world, we run the risk to be discouraged because we see that so much needs doing, that we have so little resources, and that we never see results. In the last few days I perceived a few very faint, but real signs of hope and I want to share them with you. I know that they are too faint, too late, too little! I know that they do not compensate for the people who are dying or whose life is miserable. I know all of it, but I need, and I suppose we all need, to hope and to believe so that we are able to go on working for peace and justice. Last week-end, the "Le Congres de la Francophonie" (group of some 4 dozen leaders of French-culture/language countries around the world) met in Moncton (Canada). For the first time they could not carry on their meeting ignoring completely the severe violation of human rights on the part of so many of their members. They have not yet done anything about it, but it was THE issue that colored the meeting. This is a little progress, as awareness precedes action. This week in Auckland, again for the first time, the APEC leaders are faced with an agenda item not of their choosing and not of their taste: the Indonesian massacre in East Timor. Whatever they will do with it, and perhaps very little, I take hope from the fact that at least the issue is not only on the lips of the protesters outside, but it is right in the meeting room. This morning in the paper I read these lines from a speech the U.S. Trade Representative, Charlene Barshefsky, made yesterday at APEC in Auckland: "The single greatest threat to the multinational trading system is the absence of public support for that system and for the policies which have created that system... And unless public support is generated, I think that WTO is going to face tough sledding in the years ahead." Well said, Charlene; if you are worried, it means that we have made some progress. And we, the people, will continue to work with all the strength and passion we have to ensure that the WTO (World Trade Organization) will have a "tough sledding in the years ahead". We will continue to make clear the linkages between the multinational trading system, the policies which have created it, and - the violation of human rights, - the increased militarization of every aspects of our society, - the depredation of the earth and all of its inhabitants, - the obscene enrichment of the few on the back of the many, - the weakening of the UN system . In unflagging hope for peace and justice, Bruna" *************************************************** Well, recently another activist friend, Daniel Haran, wrote to Janet Eaton (who you have surely "met" via her prolific postings, especially the monumental job she did documenting the environmental consequences of the Kosovo bombing) and me to discuss the question of optimism: I read with interest Bruna's post about reasons for hope, but I think she was not optimistic enough. What gives me hope is not that we've finally made it on APEC's agenda- it's seeing how quickly "world leaders" have changed their tune on East Timor. It's as though we were seeing the same kind of internet-mediated unleashing of power that happened with the MAI- only in a shorter time-span. What do you think? Peace- d. ************************************************ Janet's reply ought to give all of us a shot of adrenaline. The exclamation marks alone are worth it :-)!! Here: I share your thoughts on this completely ! I am following the many atrocites, misogynies, violations of humanity and international law, of the environment, of ecological integrity, of the socioeconomic rights and survival of indigenous peoples etc etc and I do belive that the Internet has allowed for not only immediate receipt of alternate news around the world in ever increasing speed but also I have noticed particualry in my own case I have grown from working with one or two issues to many and as a member of many list servs am in a position to influence the integration of broader awareness - So with cross posting and greater access to the big picture and with the help of thinking in whole sytsems or from a systemic perspective one begins to see the common elements emerge- and the egregious and fascist nature of the New World Order comes into full view !! I think as you say it all began happening with the MAI- which threatened all citziens, their nations , their right to work , their environment etc etc [for me it was giant wakeup call which I categorized in an interview with the local press as 'the ultimate betrayal of democracy" ] and then along came Genetical Engineered food into awarenss and look where that has gone- and then the NATO campaign which became much better understood towards the end of the war when even old die hards Conservatives like Barbara Amiel and Sync Sinclair were adding their voices of condmenation - and now East Timor spread out for all and sundry to see- Bruce Mackinnons cartoon the other day said it al with Chretien skulking off with his box of trade [probaly arms I forget] to indonesia whilst the grim reaper or some syumbol of death meted out its terrible terror l on the East Timorese. so yes people would have to be numbed into a near Alzheimers state not to get it nd not to feel it in their gut at least if not their hearts!! I just was responding to Paul Swann and here's something I wrote to him on the same subject!! "With the real analysis and reasons behind the NATO bombings in the Balkans coming into clear view since the war and now with East Timor illuminating even more so the ultimate reasons of arms and economics behind all foreign policy and the egregious violations of human rights within such a callous framework we must continue to put our hearts and minds into this turning point in history !!! There are now a few cracks in the hitherto considered inpenetrable and unstoppable juggernaut of economic globalization built on the three pillars of trade, finance and investment !!! Public awarenss of the unethcial and outrageous nature of some of the most egregious violations is amassing and could make a difference I feel !!!!!!! Also Daniel a while back I wrote something up on the ukantiwar list serv on optimism when someone wrote about his growing pessimism - I will forward that in a separate e-mail - Maybe we can put the dialogue out to a broader group if you feel it worthwhile !! Actually the following was pickedup by the editor of a progessive on line newsletter inthe US - - and he wrote to ask if he could edit it and publish it so rare said he was it to find anything optimistic about the global situation we live in !! [Toward Freedom - a progressive online magazine - where i guess an edited version will someday appear- http://www.towardfreedom.com/sep99/spacewar.htm] all the best Daniel keep up the great work!! janet !! *************************************************** So, dear Renaissance Network, in the next message you will find Janet's article. Lest we spend too much time patting ourselves on the back, have no fear, I will send some more out as soon as I get the time on disturbing news and how we can keep plugging away to get things right. all the best, Jan
