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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?artid=39162787 The Times Of India February 4, 2003 TODAY'S EDITORIALS Netizens Unite -But what can all those around the world who oppose this mindless militarism do other than feel powerless? We believe that one easily accessible way for world citizens to protest against this war is literally a mouse click away. As inhabitants of an increasingly globalised and borderless world, they should use the ultimate instrument of supra-nationalism — the Internet — to register their opposition and say no to the war. Netizens of the world unite, you've nothing to lose but your chains of chauvinism. America's threatened war against Iraq has divided the world. First between the few friendly governments that support its unilateral action and the many that don't. And second between officialdom on the one hand and the people on the other. This latter division is particularly significant because it has pitted democratically elected governments that back Washington against the overwhelming anti-war sentiment of their own people. But none of this has made the slightest difference to president Bush and his team of hawks. In the Security Council — where a cleverly-worded resolution, implicitly authorising the use of military force, awaits approval — Washington has used its immense diplomatic and financial muscle to browbeat dissenting member-states into changing their minds. Nor has this carrot and stick approach remained confined to backdoor official channels. According to a report published on Sunday in the London-based Observer, Washington has embarked on an unprecedented 'dirty tricks' campaign — involving aggressive surveillance, phone intercepts, the works — to force recalcitrant Council delegates to fall in line. Given the overt and covert pressures, it seems likely that before the vote on the joint US-UK resolution is finally called, Washington might well have secured the grudging backing of the required two-thirds majority in the Council. In such an eventuality, the three permanent Council members — France, Russia and China — who have thus far resisted the US war cry, may well conclude that the price of formally opposing the resolution, through a veto, is perhaps too heavy to pay. The irony, of course, is that the US is bent on waging a war just when Iraq has shown ever greater willingness to cooperate with the UN weapons inspection programme; the latest being its decision to destroy the Al Samoud missiles. In other words, contrary to the US position, the case in favour of extending the time-frame of the inspections regime for a peaceful disarmament of Iraq is today stronger than ever. But what can all those around the world who oppose this mindless militarism do other than feel powerless? We believe that one easily accessible way for world citizens to protest against this war is literally a mouse click away. As inhabitants of an increasingly globalised and borderless world, they should use the ultimate instrument of supra-nationalism — the Internet — to register their opposition and say no to the war. Netizens of the world unite, you've nothing to lose but your chains of chauvinism. (To voice your views log on to no-war.indiatimes.com) __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes.yahoo.com/ --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bdn7KI.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] TOPICA - Start your own email discussion group. FREE! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/create/index2.html ==^================================================================
