[asia-apec 1120] Women's Statement Against FVA

[tpl at cheerful.com]

From: GABRIELA <gab at mnl.sequel.net>

WOMEN  AGAINST  VFA : A STATEMENT

	We stood firm against the ratification of the Military Bases Agreement in
1991.  No amount of work, child care or household chores had stopped us
from raising our voices in the streets, in the mass media, and in the halls
of the Senate.  We remain steadfast in our commitment against any and all
forms of US military intervention. We vow to do this again with the pending
ratification of a far-worse US-RP Visiting Forces Agreement.

	Never again shall we allow US military personnel to violate, degrade and
rape our women and children for their unlimited pleasure and with impunity.
 The Visiting Forces Agreement allows indefinite US military presence
anywhere in the country which will turn this archipelago into mini-islands
of prostitution.  So are we alarmed with the spread of AIDS and the
increase in the number of Amerasian children abandoned by their fathers.  

	Never again shall we allow weapons of mass destruction (nuclear, chemical
and biological) to be brought into the country.  They pose grave danger not
only to the environment but more importantly to our people.  Accidents and
spills will most likely happen, not to mention the toxic wastes the
military vessels will dump in our shores.  We refuse to allow this
condition that will endanger our lives and those of the men and our children.

	Never again shall we allow the unhampered entry and movement of US troops
in Philippine territory as these trample upon our country's sovereignty.
We do not want "visitors" who will likely stay permanently.  Their
continued presence in our country could easily draw us into war with our
neighbors and even compel us to fight wars of aggression.  In that
eventuality, we women and our children will suffer most.

	We are aware that both the United States and the Estrada government are
moving fast to have the Visiting Forces Agreement ratified.  This is
insane.  The welfare of our people must come first before that of a foreign
power.  And so we challenge the members of the Senate, in the name of all
the women and children in this country, to give us the numbers to thwart
this insanity forever.  We expect especially our women senators to lead the
way.

	We made it in 1991.  We will do it again in 1999.  One hundred years ago,
in 1898, women fought doubly hard with men in resisting the presence of the
first American soldiers in the Philippines.  The fight continues to this
day.  Count us in.