For Immediate Release For More Information Judith Le Blanc (212) 989-4994 Ext. 251 War Will Not End Terrorism October 8, 2001 New York City- The Bush Administration's bombing of Afghanistan Oct. 7 is not a solution to the terrible events of September 11th. Bush's action is driven more by revenge and retaliation, and is aimed at gaining a geo-political advantage. It is not an effective approach to ending terrorism and bringing those responsible to justice. The Communist Party USA strongly opposes this military attack. The bombing has sharply escalated the tragic cycle of violence, suffering and death. War will only compound the human crisis in Afghanistan and the region. In the meantime, the roots of terrorism remain unchanged. While the vast majority of the world opposes terrorism, the Bush administration chose a course of action that most governments could not endorse. Besides Britain, no other country is fully in agreement with the military action. The war policy of the Bush Administration isolates the U.S. and puts us at odds with most of the world's peoples. War has a momentum and a logic of its own that is not easily contained once it is set in motion. Vietnam taught us that. Things can spiral out of control. Recent history proves that war does not bring stability, nor justice. But many are asking: "If not by war, then how do we fight terrorism?" It is a fair question with no easy answers. However, there are political and diplomatic means that could mobilize world opinion to isolate terrorists and bring them to justice. Terrorism is an international crime, which must be addressed by international bodies like the United Nations and the World Court. The U.S. could take this case to these bodies. Some may say that such an approach will take too long. But Bush admits that his war strategy will take a long time, too. Administration spokesman Ari Fleisher recently said that even if bin Laden were out of the picture today there would still be a war. Negotiated peace agreements for "hot spots" round the world, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, are real policy alternatives that would isolate terrorists and undermine terrorism's root causes. We believe the Bush Administration has a hidden agenda for this war: control of Middle Eastern and Central Asian oil. After all, the administration has close ties to the oil, gas and energy industries. And the history of U.S. foreign policy is still steeped in the Cold War period when, in the name of fighting communism, the CIA destabilized and often overthrew progressive, elected governments in over 50 countries, including Afghanistan. The aim was not peace and democracy but making the world "safe" for U.S. corporate interests. War has economic and social consequences. Racial profiling, attacks on civil liberties and democratic rights and bailouts of corporations are the Bush Administration's domestic program to "fight terrorism." We need an international effort, not unilateral action, to end terrorism. And to end it, the root causes must be considered. We would argue that capitalist exploitation, gross inequality, poverty and corporate plunder of the world's natural resources and labor provide the soil for anger and desperation. The struggle against terrorism is inseparable from the struggle for peace, justice and self-determination. In the weeks ahead, we urge a national dialogue, a "teach-in" if you will, on alternatives to war, racism, and repression. The American people, as do all people, have a right to safety. The question is, will war and its consequences make the world safer? After the September 11th tragedy, many of the family members of the victims spoke out for peace. The commitment of these families and millions more to finding peaceful political and diplomatic solutions to terrorism is an important expression of American patriotism, as is the willingness to speak up and protect the Bill of Rights and the rights of minorities. We refuse to let the Bush Adminstration and the ultra right define patriotism as war. The Communist Party USA believes that in this new century, we must forever break the cycle of violence, so dominant in the last century, that has cost humanity dearly. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals. http://personals.yahoo.com