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Manifesto from the UP Community against the U.S.-Led War on Iraq
Has Bush gone deaf? All over the world, there is a resounding call for peace. Yet, as we speak, America and its allies are preparing for war. Despite ongoing efforts to resolve this issue by diplomacy, the Bush administration refuses to listen to peoples' voices all over the world opposing another callous display of military strength from the world's self-proclaimed police.
We don't need this war. US President George Bush does - to secure, if not control, America's share of world oil supply; to enlarge the US's sphere of influence in the Middle East; and to boost the slumped US economy and his re-election bid in 2004. President Bush wants Americans to believe that in this post- September 11 world, they are victims with the right to seek vengeance. Indeed, they have suffered many losses and our hearts go out to them. But national grief should not be used as cover for advancing imperialistic designs and vested political interests on the home front and abroad.
Yes, we support disarmament. We do not need weapons of mass destruction and want the whole world rid of this scourge. But we do not see how war can achieve this aim. Worse, it could abet the arms race and beget more wars as countries seek to defend themselves against each other.
It is of no comfort that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is literally dragging us to the doorsteps of one such war by parroting Bush's chants. In the few years that it has governed, the present administration has severely mangled our already damaged sovereignty, not only soliciting military interference in our affairs but now offering our territory and people at the service of aggression.
By putting our stake on US war aims, the Arroyo administration is directly endangering the safety of 1.5 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who will be the worst affected should war breakout in the Middle East. No wonder a good number of OFWs will choose to stay on despite being directly in war's path. Evacuating them from their only source of livelihood instead of preventing the need for repatriation is a disservice to them.
Truly, the war on Iraq runs against our national interest. It would only lead to loss of jobs and livelihood on which millions of Filipino families depend; rise in prices of oil and all other goods and services; more political instability as the war is translated in our armed conflicts into violent partisanship. The high cost of these consequences will not be compensated by the promise of aid and investments from the US. The Arroyo administration has its priorities all wrong!
Let it not be said, in the annals of our history, we, the members of the UP Community, did nothing to defend our national interests, prevent inhumane destruction and the glorification of the use of force to achieve hegemonic aims.
In solidarity with all the peace-loving people in the world, we gather our strength to manifest our opposition to aggression and our choice in favor of peace and multilateral cooperation.
Join the February 14 UP Diliman Peace Activities!
10:00 AM
March around Diliman Campus (to proceed to Plaza Miranda (Assembly AS
Steps)
UP Community
Open Discussion (AS Lobby) and Candlelight Procession (Bring Candles)
UP Coalition
for Urgent Reforms and Empowerment (UP CURE) * All-Out Peace
Visit the
GLOBAL NETWORK - ASIA website at:
Third World
Studies Center
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