[asia-apec 1819] Joint Satement

[Pacific Asia Resource Center]

Dear Friends

	After September 11, whole world seems to rush for the "new war". Facing this, 
many people and organizations have already published their statements and comments 
to stop the war. We also plan to publish a joint statement of Asian NGOs. This initiative 
came from Korean NGO, Korean Federation for Environmental Movement (KFEM), to 
Pacific Asia Resource Center (PARC), and both agreed to expand this move to our 
friends in Asian countries. 
	So please relay this message to your friend organizations and NGOs to sign up. 
We will have a simultaneous press conference or joint action in early November as many 
countries as possible. Deadline is October 31, 5 PM (Japanese time).
For more information, please contact to parc at jca.apc.org or 81-3-5209-3455 

Please return your sign by fax or e-mail
 Return Sheet (FAX to +81-3-5209-3453 or parc at jca.apc.org)
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Name (organization)


Address

PHONE							FAX			

E-mail	

Stop the War, Keep Peace in Asia
- Opposing the US Military Retaliation, Japan's Militarization and Korean Military 
Support for the US 

Joint Statement of Asian NGOs


We feel deep sorrow at the tragedy caused by the " terrorist attack" on September 
11, in which countless thousand of precious lives were lost and many more injured, 
and extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of 
those who lost their lives. We should point out, however, that the US launched its 
war of retaliation in disregard for the voices of peace-loving people of the world. This 
war is meaningless both for the security of US citizens from terrorism and for global 
peace. On the contrary, the US might be accused of dyeing the new century red by 
military conflict and be faced with anger and resistance of many citizens all over the 
world.

We are NGOs working for human rights, environment, gender, poverty, etc., in 
Asian countries. We are also eager to bring peace to the Asian region. Based on this 
position, we express our opposition both to the "simultaneous terrorist attack" and 
to political responses against this attack by the US, Japan and Korea.

First, although we believe that we must not forget the victims of September 11 and 
the grief of their families and friends, the same must be true for all victims and 
people being victimized by war and violence, poverty and discrimination rooted in 
global structures.

Second, regardless of what group prepared and implemented this violent attack - 
although the US government seems to have identified the criminal - we strongly 
oppose the labeling of this attack as an Act of War, and we oppose the US claim that 
it has a state right to retaliate using military power. We also strongly oppose US 
plans for a violent military retaliation. We believe that it is important that a 
thorough investigation be conducted by international justice authorities and civil 
police of several countries, and any response should wait until the release of the 
results of this investigation. Blind military retaliation by a single nation or by 
mobilizing allied countries might lead to the sacrifice of as many innocent citizens 
as this attack or more. And such military retaliation will produce a vicious cycle of 
military escalation. We would also point out that if the US wants to show its resolve 
against terrorism, it should change its military hegemonic policies such as the 
missile defense plan, illegitimate intervention into Third Word countries, and 
arrogant economic policies under the name of "globalization".

Third, we must refer to Japan's moves toward militarism using this "simultaneous 
terrorist attack" as a pretext. Japanese politicians, most of whom belong to the LDP, 
plan to enact a new law for supporting US military retaliation and to establish the 
notion of the right of collective self defense, which has so far not been acknowledged 
in Japanese society. This is the first attempt by Japanese military forces to 
participate in a war since the Asia- Pacific War (1930-1945). We strongly oppose 
such moves towards the strengthening of military force. The participation by 
Japan's Self-Defense Forces in joint military action will be a serious threat to peace 
in Asia including the Korean peninsula. We demand that the Japanese government 
recognize its responsibility for the Asia-Pacific War and apologize and provide 
redress toward war victims such as the "former war-time sex slaves ". We also call 
on the Japanese government to actively contribute toward peace in Asia.

Forth, we call on the Korean government to withdraw its position of support for US 
military retaliation, and devote its efforts to cooperation between the North and 
South in the Korean peninsula to create peace. The legitimacy of US military 
retaliation is very problematic from the viewpoint of international law, and 
retaliation may create thousands of victims among citizens. We insist that this 
support is meaningless for Korean nationals, and therefore should be stopped. If the 
Korean government supports a US war, it will result in the Korean government 
approving the paving of a way for Japan to pursue militarization.

For the Korean government, a crucial way to contribute to the security of the 
Korean people and peace in Asia is to develop a dialogue with the North, and to 
make progress toward peace and reunification on the Korean peninsula, the last 
land of the Cold war.

We will gather voices of Asian people to enlarge social movements against the war, 
Japan's militarization which threatens peace in Asia, and support among Asian 
countries for US military retaliation. We will also expand our solidarity network 
throughout the world in order to eradicate terrorism, war, poverty and environment 
destruction and other structural violence.

October 4, 2001

Convening Organizations
Korea: Korean Federation for Environmental Movement (KFEM)
Japan: Pacific Asia Resource Center (PARC)
	Ayus 
	Asia-Japan Women's Resource Center (AJWRC)
	Foundation for Human Rights in Asia, Japan (FHRA)
	Consumers Union of Japan
Citizen's Nuclear Information Center(CNIC)
Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC)
 	Japan Catholic Council for Justice and Peace
People to People Aid (P2)
	National Chiristian Council of Japan- International Committee (NCCJ)
       Nerwork for Indonesian Democracy, Japan
International Movement against All Forms of Discrimination and
Racism Japan Committee (IMADR-JC)
Kansai NGO Council
Violence Against Women In War and Conflict Situations Network, Japan  
(VAWW-net Japan)

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Pacific Asia Resource Center (PARC)
3F Toyo Bldg., 1-7-11 Kanda Awaji-cho, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo Japan
TEL +81-3-5209-3455  FAX+81-3-5209-3455
parc at jca.apc.org