arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)
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NO to blind, retaliatory actions by US forces by Bert De Belder Wednesday September 12, 2001 at 10:52 AM |
| bert.debelder@wanadoo.be |
BAYAN, the umbrella of the national-democratic people's organizatins in the Philippines, expresses deepest sorrow over the US tragedy, but warns for blind, retaliatory actions by US forces. NO to blind, retaliatory actions by US forces
As it expressed "deepest sorrow and condolences" to the American and other peoples in the US in the aftermath of alleged terrorist attacks on major US economic and political establishments, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan, New Patriotic Alliance) warned against "any blind and irresponsible retaliatory actions by US forces against the suspected perpetrators and their coddlers that may ultimately cost the lives of even more innocent peoples and nations."
"We stand in solidarity with the grieving people of the US and join them in demanding justice for all the innocent lives lost. This is an unspeakable tragedy that should not befall any people in the whole world," said Bayan Spokesperson Renato Reyes Jr.
The Bayan leader issued a pointed statement warning US President George W. Bush against authorizing "blind and irresponsible retaliatory actions" by the US military against the suspected perpetrators and coddlers.
"In his latest statement, Bush has practically declared war on sovereign nations that it suspects masterminded or coddled the masterminds of this attack," Reyes said, referring to the US leader's first televised address from the Oval Office since the tragedy occurred.
"This tragedy does not in any way authorize the US to engage in its own terrorist actions. The US must not be allowed to use this tragedy as a license to bomb the capitals of small sovereign nations and maim or kill innocent civilians in the process," Reyes said.
Reyes urged the American people to look at this tragedy as an occasion to examine their own government's interventionist policies that inspire growing criticism, resistance, even hatred, from various movements, peoples and nations across the world.
"That the US is the bastion of freedom and democracy is not shared by peoples who suffer under US economic, political and military domination and intervention," he added.
The US has in the past launched imperialist attacks against Iraq, Libya, Cuba and Palestine. Thousands of civilians have died in successive US attacks portrayed as "anti-terrorist" actions. US government have implemented food blockades against entire countries like Cuba, North Korea and Iraq.
"Furthermore, Bush will now have an easier time peddling his National Missile Defense System purportedly to defend the US from strategic nuclear attacks. But this will only up the ante in the arms race among imperialist countries and may spell doom for the entire human race," warned Reyes.