The Alternet News for 18 December 1998

ISSUE # 3
NEW WEB SITES

The Association for Progressive Communications has launched it's new site.
GreenNet is a founding member the APC:
---> http://www.apc.org/

Brighton and Hove Green Party have redesigned their site too:
---> http://www3.mistral.co.uk/greenparty/index.htm

Women and girls are still being murdered in the name of 'family honour' in
Turkey. A new site has the facts about the age old practice of 'honour
killings':
---> http://www.gn.apc.org/honour_killings


*************************************************************************

BACKGROUND TO THE BOMBING

Fact follows fiction?

In the Hollywood movie "Wag the Dog", a US President starts a war to divert
attention from a sex scandal. Former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter
claims that US officials used recent inspection reports to provoke a crisis
to justify bombing. "You have no choice to interpret this as 'Wag the Dog'
- You have no choice" Rittner said.

Rittner claims that the author of the latest inspection report, sent to the
UN Security Council on Tuesday, was told by US officials "to sharpen the
language in his report to justify the bombing."

US government sources told him that the "the two considerations on the
horizon were Ramadan and impeachment." The Muslim holy month of Ramadan
begins on 19 December.


--> (Source: 'The New York Post': http://www.nypostonline.com/)


The CNN War:

US Defense experts are learning to deal with the phenomena of the 'CNN War'.
Media coverage emphasises exclusiveness and fast distribution of images
rather than nuance, substance, and analysis of news.

President Clinton's former advisor George Stephanopoulis said, "CNN assures
that you are forced to react at any time .. everything speeds up, and
emotion competes with reason."

Winston Churchill warned: "Nothing is more dangerous in wartime than to
live in the temperamental atmosphere of a Gallup Poll, always feeling one's
pulse and taking one's temperature."

--> http://www.newsroom.co.nz/headline.htm

Non-violent Action Meeting:

At 3pm on Saturday (after the Saturday Whitehall demonstrations) in the
Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank. The group will consider ideas for
non-violent actions in Britain (especially in London).

Go to the very top floor of the Festival Hall, on the side of the building
nearest the river, and you'll find a little-used area overlooking the
river, away from the crowds. Please bring ideas!

To feed ideas into Saturday's meeting or to find out about plans
afterwards, e-mail as soon as possible to <worldpeace@gn.apc.org>, putting
"URGENT - IRAQ DEMO PLANNING" in the subject line. Do not assume that this
e-mail address is a contact point the next few days.

Temporary contact address:
Campaign to Demilitarise Northwood, c/o 5 Caledonian Road, London N1.

More on the Iraq Crisis:

--> Nonviolence Web:
http://www.nonviolence.org/iraq/

--> BBC:
Are the bombs just? E-mail your response:
http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/talking_point/newsid_236000/236854.asp
Latest news:
http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/events/crisis_in_the_gulf/latest_news/newsi
d_236000/236594.stm

--> Yahoo! extensive listing of relevant sites:
http://headlines.yahoo.com/Full_Coverage/World/Iraq_U_S_/

*************************************************************************

RTS

Earlier this year the Reclaim The Streets site was removed from the
University of Westminster web-server after "The Vice-Chancellor noticed in
the 'Mail on Sunday' that they were hosting some subversive 'eco-
warriors'." What happened next involved questions of censorship, politics
& Academic policy and reached the erudite pages of the 'Times Higher
Education Supplement'.

---> Full story at:
http://www.poptel.org.uk/nuj/mike/censor.htm

RTS are now happily re-housed at GreenNet:
---> http://www.gn.apc.org/rts/


*************************************************************************

NATIONAL FRONT MARCH - CANCELLED

The NF march in Dover planned for Saturday 5th December (reported in AN#2)
fell flat when their travel arrangements were cancelled. 'Newbury Travel'
has twice before taken the NF to Dover, but this time withdrew after
pressure from anti-fascists and trade unionists.

But anti-fascists demonstrators had no problem getting to Dover: 200 people
marched along the intended NF route leafleting Christmas shoppers.

----> Background information:
http://www.canterbury.u-net.com/Dover.html


*************************************************************************

SECURITY RISK?

Until recently the USA was alone among its major trading partners in
imposing restrictions on cryptographic software export. But on 3 December
1998, 33 countries signed the Wassenaar Arrangement which defines
cryptographic software as an offensive strategic weapon.

Privacy experts believe the agreement will harm the efforts of human-rights
workers in China and elsewhere.

Dave Del Torto, founder of the Cryptorights Foundation said:

"Being able to communicate privately is an essential tool for anyone
challenging the status quo, whether military or political"

----> More:
Electronic Frontier Foundation: http://www.eff.org/index.html
Wassenaar Arrangement: http://www.wassenaar.org/docs/index1.html

*************************************************************************

BUGGING YOUR MAILBOX

In January 1998 a European Parliament report concluded that:

"within Europe, all e-mail, telephone and fax communications are
routinely intercepted by the United States National Security Agency."

By September they were calling for greater accountability.
But now the European Union is about to approve legislation allowing the
police to eavesdrop on e-mail and satellite calls without a court order.

Glyn Ford, a Labour member of the European Parliament & Director of the
EU's Civil Liberties and Internal Affairs Committee. said:

"It seems to me that many security services are a law unto themselves."

--> More: Electronic Privacy Information Center:
http://www.epic.org/

*************************************************************************

TREE SITTING RECORD

On 10th December 1998 Julia 'Butterfly' Hill climbed 180-feet into the
branches of an ancient redwood tree in Headwaters Forest, California. Over
a year later she's still there. Julia is helping prevent Pacific Lumber
from 'harvesting' one of the last and largest unprotected redwood groves on
Earth. Home is an 8-foot by 8-foot tarp-covered platform, equipped with a
solar powered laptop computer & cell phone. From her hi-tech perch, Julia
gives about a half dozen interviews daily & conducted the first-ever live
Internet chat from a tree.

"We can use technology to help spread the message of respect and balance in
our lives," she said. "If we use it for that purpose, then we are using it as a
magnificent tool. But it is also technology that has made seven-foot chain
saws."

A Pacific Lumber spokeswoman said: "They are interfering with our property
rights."

More information:
-->http://www.humboldt1.com/~lunanews/

*************************************************************************

MC LIBEL DOCUMENTARY: "TV CHANNELS DARE NOT SHOW IT"

"A very brave film. No wonder the main TV channels dare not show it."
Ken Loach.

John Vidal of The Guardian said:
"This cracker of a film deserves the widest exposure."

Despite mainstream TV's refusal to show the film in the UK, we will get the
chance to see it in the New Year. January 12th 1999 marks the start of the
McLibel appeal, & the campaigners plan to get the film shown on alternative
TV stations & in colleges, bookshops, cafes, and community centres.

If you are able to hold a screening of the film, then tapes, flyers,
posters, press releases and anything else you might need - including
interviews with the director or defendants - are available.

More:
----> www.mcspotlight.org


*************************************************************************
JOB VACANCIES

A SEED Europe have two genetic engineering campaign jobs available:

WEBMASTER
Skilled in web design and internet activism to work in the construction of
the internet campaigning site.
Preferably be based in Europe (for logistical reasons).

For further details
CONTACT THE ROUNDING UP MONSANTO (& Co.) CAMPAIGN,
A SEED Europe Office.
Tel: 020 468 2616;
fax: 020-468 2275
Email: biotech@aseed.antenna.nl or steph@aseed.antenna.nl
Mailing address: P.O. Box 92066, 1090 AB Amsterdam

ACTIVIST
To work for 6 months in Amsterdam, starting on March 1 1999.
Needs:
Some knowledge of genetic engineering (GE) and the politics of GE
Experience in networking generally
Some knowledge of activism against genetic engineering in Europe
Experience in organising and coordinating action
Creativity and a sense of humour!

A SEED Europe is primarily a youth network, so would prefer someone under
30.
For further information on the position contact the A SEED office.
TO APPLY
Send a c.v. and a letter stating your motivations to:
A SEED Europe by January 20. (Emailed applications are accepted).
Interviews in Amsterdam January 29 - February 1.
A SEED Europe, P.O. Box 92066, 1090 AB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tel: 00 31 20 468 26 16
Fax: 00 31 20 468 22 75
e-mail: aseedeur@antenna.nl,
biotech@aseed.antenna.nl

----> http://antenna.nl/aseed/

*************************************************************************

ALLEGEDLY...

US Congressman Dick Armey was asked what he would do if he were in the
President's place; would he resign?
He replied:

"If I were in the President's place I would not get a chance to resign. I
would be lying in a pool of my own blood hearing Mrs. Armey standing over
me saying, 'How do I reload this damn thing?'"



*************************************************************************

Diary Dates:
Extracts from NewsNet-21:
http://www.newsnet-21.org.uk/
and SchNEWS:
http://www.schnews.org.uk/thisweek.htm

19th December
Benefit for Voices In The Wilderness
Voices in the Wilderness is involved in transporting medicines and
medical supplies to Iraq and informing people of the human cost of
western sanctions against Iraq.
Poets: Irish-American Michael Donaghy, Irish Sarah Maguire, English -
Hugo Williams, Nigerian - Chris Abani, Israeli - Fadhil el Soltani and
Fawzi Kareem and Arabic lute music.
6.30 pm doors open for 7pm start
The Brunei Gallery, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square
(opposite School of Oriental and African Studies)
Tubes: Russell Square, Euston, Euston Square, Goodge Street
£6/£4 concs

--> http://www.nonviolence.org/vitw/


22 December 1998 8 a.m.
Winter Solstice Sunrise at Stonehenge.
--> http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/9000/glastone/


31 December
1998 Seatrade Awards - closing date for submitting entries
The Seatrade Awards scheme has increased awareness and international
recognition for projects to improve maritime standards. This is an
international award with categories for safety at sea; countering marine
pollution, and innovation.
Contact: Laura Paris,
Projects Manager, The Seatrade Awards Secretariat, Seatrade House, 42 North
Station Road, Colchester CO1 1RB
tel: 01206 545121
fax: 01206 545190
e-mail: 100125.543@compuserve.com

8 January 1999
11th National Conference on Organic Food and Farming
highlighting the fundamental importance of the links between organic farming,
food quality and safety, and environmental protection
Venue: Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester
Contact: Simon Brenman
Conference Director,
Bristol House,
40-56 Victoria Street,
Bristol
BN1 6BY
tel: 0117 914 2414
fax: 0117 925 2504
e-mail: cirencester@soilassociation.org

12 January 1999:
Global screening of Mc Libel documentary
(See article above)

18-23 January
A SEED Europe are organize a 'Funding
Seminar' in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
The focus of the seminar will be on funding strategies, although
there will also be time for practical training.
Applications must arrive by 20 th December & need to be for the full period

Contact:
Johanna Sandahl
tel: +32-20-668 2236
fax: +32-20-468 2275
johanna@aseed.antenna.nl
http://www.antenna.nl/aseed


More Diary Dates on NewsNet-21:
http://www.newsnet-21.org.uk/
and SchNEWS:
http://www.schnews.org.uk/thisweek.htm

******************************************************************

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