GPJA Newsletter #294

GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND

NEWSLETTER No. 294, August , 2009

Website: https://gpjanz.wordpress.com/
Contact details:
Forums – John Minto, Work: (09) 845 2132, Home: (09) 846 3173 jbminto@xtra.co.nz
Newsletter Editor & Website – Mike Treen 0295254744 mike@unite.org.nz
Donations can be sent to GPJA, P O Box 7175, Wellesley St, Auckland.
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The GPJA Forum for this month is on this Monday and we have an acvtivist from West Papua speaking about their stuggle for justice. On Saturday there is a protest at Paula Bennett’s treatment of beneficiaries (see What’s On in Auckland below for details).

WHAT’S ON IN AUCKLAND

Friday, August 7, 1pm, Carpark of the Papatoetoe Recreation Reserve
RALLY FOR FAIR PAY FOR SUPPORT STAFF – O% pay offer unacceptable! (This is effectively a PAY CUT) Join us! Support Staff, Teachers, Principals, Parents…. To rally against this effective pay cut, meeting at 1pm on Friday 7th of August at the Carpark of the Papatoetoe Recreation Reserve (Great Sth Rd, just past Pap. Central Primary School) where we will then March to Dr Pita Sharples’ office in Papatoetoe. For details on getting to the March, contact Linda Jordan at: Home: (09) 266 5688 Mobile: 027 385 7817 E-mail L.Jordan@jchs.school.nz Follow this link (Ctrl + click) to view the carpark on a map: http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=304+Great+South+Rd,+Papatoetoe&sll=-41.244772,172.617188&sspn=46.149469,78.662109&ie=UTF8&ll=-36.972507,174.863355&spn=0.012069,0.019205&z=16&iwloc=A

The government needs to know that ALL members of NZEI Te Riu Roa are willing to take action.

Saturday, August 8, 12 noon, WINZ office, Henderson High St, Henderson
GRASSROOTS ACTION GROUP (GAG): Our Place, Our Voices invite you to a “Paula Bennett Protest Rally”. Join GAG to protest at Paula Bennett’s treatment of beneficiaries and the cutting of the Training Incentive Allowance by the National Government. Meet outside the WINZ office on Henderson High St at noon on Sat 8 Aug & march together to Paula’s office at 429 Great North Rd for 1pm to attend “The People’s Court”. Ms Bennett was left a “summons” to attend at this weekend’s protest – hopefully she will have the courage to face the people she is affecting to explain her actions.

Sunday, August 9, 5-7pm, Wintergarden, Auckland Domain
The Tamaki Makaurau Branch of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom is holding a Candle Floating Ceremony to commemorate the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings on Sunday 9 August 5pm – 7pm at the Domain Wintergarden. The function will be held in the glass house so it will be warm and dry. Contributions to the commemoration are welcome. Candles will be provided. For more information contact Ruth Coombes rcoombes@paradise.net.nz Ph 445 1254 or Pat Jackman pjackman@ihug.co.nz ph 520 0179

Monday, August 10, 3pm, Wairau Park, North Shore, Corner Link Drive and Croftfield Lane by the roundabout
End imports of illegally logged wood into Aotearoa. Day 1 of nationwide actions against imports of illegally logged wood. Host: Green Party/ IHRC/ Rainforest Action. Calling on dedicated anti-kwila anti-deforestation activists! Next Monday 10 August there will be a symbolic action to highlight the issue of deforestation and the potential of the proposed bill to end NZ’s role in illegal/unsustainable logging. The action will be graced by West Papuan leader Paula Makabory and also MP Catherine Delahunty – the sponsor of the anti-illegal logging private member’s bill. Where: Wairau Park, North Shore. What: a call on two retailers – one no longer selling kwila and one continuing to sell kwila outdoor furniture ( Probably Harvey Normans and BBQ Factory) Each will receive an appropriate presentation. We will be in costume cassowary, trees etc. Phone to arrange transport 09-815-9000 or 0274-436 -957

Monday, August 10, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
GPJA FORUM – “West Papua – it is time to talk about peace and justice ” – Hear Human Rights leader: Paula Makabory: Paula Makabory is a young West Papuan woman, a fiesty and resolute campaigner for women’s rights and human rights. Since her graduation from Cendrawasih University, Jayapura, she has been involved in documenting human rights violations – first as worker for the respected Papuan NGO Elsham and more recently in Australia as member of the Institute for Papuan Advocacy and Human Rights. In 2006 she was named as one of the “1000 women for peace” nominated jointly to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. However, accolades for her work have not protected her from controversy, and she is currently lives in exile in Melbourne. Paula has close knowledge of the issues of Papuan marginalisation, as she has lived and worked in Timika – the mining town for the giant Freeport McMoran mining company, responsible for shocking environmental and social degradation. Paula is also at the heart of the West Papuan lobby for peaceful dialogue with Indonesia as a step towards resolving longstanding grievances. Sponsored by Global Peace and Justice, Indonesia Human Rights Committee and Pax Christi Auckland. For more information: Maire Leadbeater maire@clear.net.nz

Tuesday, August 11, 7.30pm, 22 Emily Place, Auckland City.
Controlling Our Food – Film and Discussion at The Peace Place. Admission: Koha / donation. In March 2009 this penetrating documentary by Marie Monique Robin was broadcast on French television. It will certainly never be aired in USA.! It shows how the gigantic bio-tech corporation Monsanto: # tried to conceal the deadly pollution caused by its products PCB, Roundup and Agent Orange… and how, to rack up $1 Billion profit for its shareholders… # Monsanto Still promotes its genetically engineered seeds around the world… # Is pushing many small farmers in the Majority World into debt and despair… # Threatens to destroy the agricultural biodiversity on which humankind has depended for thousands of years. The future of our food affects us all!

Thursday, August 20, 8pm, Wine Cellar, K’Road, Auckland
David Rovics Gig – “Politically charged folk music from the US”.

Thursday, August 20, 7.30pm, St Columba Centre, Vermont St, Ponsonby
UNIFEM Auckland Committee would be delighted to have you join them for the AGM and to hear about: Field visit to UNIFEM projects Aceh, Indonesia & UNIFEM Global Coalition Meeting, Singapore also Pacific projects Update from Beverley Turner, National Committee UNIFEM Past President. The evening will conclude with supper. A gold coin donation would be appreciated to help cover expenses, thank you. We look forward to your company. Enquiries:please contact Maureen, ph: 575 6254 or e-mail: mjew@orcon.net.nz ** UNIFEM activities continue to expand – can you share this exciting phase by joining the Auckland Regional Committee?? Volunteers welcome!! UNIFEM is the women’s fund at the UN. UNIFEM NZ – HELPING TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PACIFIC WOMEN

Saturday, September 5, 2pm, QEII Square, Customs Street and Queen Street intersection, outside Downtown Shopping Centre.
Rally for Justice and Peace in Palestine, come and support justice and peace based on an end to 40 years of Israeli Occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip (including East Jerusalem), the right of return for Palestinian refugees, sharing Jerusalem, vacating all settlement colonies in Israeli occupied Palestine, and stopping Israel’s annexation / apartheid wall in occupied Palestine. Starts 2pm, Organised by the Palestine Human Rights Campaign, for more information contact email or go to this web site.

Saturday, September 19, 1pm, 3rd Floor, Auckland Public Library
DISPLAY AT THE AUCK PUBLIC LIBRARY: If you have any archival material from 1969 – photographs, clippings, leaflets etc, please send to ‘Jumping Sunday ‘09’, PO Box 86022 Mangere East 2158, or contact us by return email. The library display, including unique film footage, will continue for 2 weeks during the festival.

Sunday, September 20, 1pm, Albert Park
Come and Celebrate the Liberation of Albert Park – Bring Friends & Family. September this year marks the 40th anniversary of the “liberation” of Auckland’s Albert Park as a free speech area. On Sunday September 21st, 1969, Albert Park was taken as a free speech area, with a jug band in the rotunda and music interspersed with speakers. At first the Auckland City Council vehemently opposed the events, which became known in the media as “Jumping Sundays”. However, as the crowds increased the Council backed down, Albert Park was recognised as a free speech area and for several years served as an Auckland version of Hyde Park in London. The legacy lives on, and the occasion is being celebrated with music and speakers this September: 1pm on SUNDAY 20th SEPTEMBER 2009. (Rain day: Sun. 26th Sept.) Other events are in the pipeline. A fuller history of the event and photos can be found on: http://pym-vietnamwaractivismhistory.blogspot.com/ If you want to be on the organising group email list contact: jumpingsunday@clear.net.nz

October 7-8, Manurewa Marae
NA TA TATOU ROUROU – With Our Baskets the Children Will Prosper – A hui to build activism to end child poverty in Aotearoa. For registration details see the CPAG website at www.cpag.org.nz

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

Q. “Mr. President, have you approved of covert activity to destablise the present government of Nicaragua?”

A. “Well, no, we’re supporting them, the – oh, wait a minute, wait a minute, I’m sorry, I was thinking of El Salvador, because of the previous, when you said Nicaragua. Here again, this is something upon which the national security interests, I just – I will not comment.”: Ronald Reagan, former US President, Washington press conference, February 13th 1983, as quoted by John Pilger in ‘Heroes’

“At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst”: Aristotle

“Man is subject to innumerable pains and sorrows by the very condition of humanity, and yet, as if nature had not sown evils enough in life, we are continually adding grief to grief and aggravating the common calamity by our cruel treatment of one another”: Joseph Addison

“If we do not maintain Justice, Justice will not maintain us.”: Francis Bacon

“When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.”: Edmund Burke

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIBERATION OF ALBERT PARK – ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 1PM SEPTEMBER 20
September this year marks the 40th anniversary of the “liberation” of Auckland’s Albert Park as a free speech area, on September 21st 1969. An event with bands and free speech is planned for the afternoon of September 20th to celebrate the anniversary. Everybody is welcome! Remember – September 20, 1.00pm – Albert Park. Albert Park Photos: http://pym-vietnamwaractivismhistory.blogspot.com/

JUMPING SUNDAY ’09 NEWSLETTER No 2. August 2009

… only 7 more weeks until the great 40th anniversary celebration of the ‘Liberation of Albert Park’! This time the Auckland City Council is supporting a free festive concert at the band rotunda in Albert Park, as part of the 2009 Auckland Heritage Festival, from 1pm to 4pm on SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER [Rain day: 1pm Sunday 27 Sept]. “Jumping Sunday ‘09” will celebrate the historical events of 1969 when several thousand young Aucklanders defied the City Council bylaws of the day, by marching on to Albert Park to enjoy the ‘Jumping Sunday’ happenings with lively music and free speech. These popular weekly events opened up Auckland’s parks to the people, and helped build the movement against the Vietnam war, nuclear visits and apartheid tours.

Speakers include Tim Shadbolt & Sue Bradford. Entertainers: The Frank E. Evans Band, Graham Brazier (‘Hello Sailor’), ‘Starfish Magic’ with Dave Neumegen (Arif Usmani), Tigi Ness (‘Unity Pacific’), & special street theatre performance! We are also hoping to track down Alistair Riddell (‘Space Waltz’ singer) who played in the ‘Mad Dog Jug Band’ in 1969. If you know how to contact him, please let him & us know.

ALSO! DISPLAY AT THE AUCK PUBLIC LIBRARY: Come to the launch 1pm on Sat 19 September (Floor 3). If you have any archival material from 1969 – photographs, clippings, leaflets etc, please send to ‘Jumping Sunday ‘09’, PO Box 86022 Mangere East 2158, or contact us by return email. The library display, including unique film footage, will continue for 2 weeks during the festival.

So come along – bring your grandchildren & celebrate one of the major achievements of the 60s. Note: The Frank E. Evans Band still performs at a free regular knees-up at the Dogs Bollix bar on the corner of Newton & K Rd from 5pm on the first Sunday of each month. Jumping Sunday ’09 Network Group: John Bower, Farrell Cleary, Don Cooke, Geoff Fischer, Roger Fowler, Bob Lack, Barry Lee. Dot Lovell-Smith, Bob Van Ruyssevelt. Contact: jumpingsunday@clear.net.nz

PEACE RESEARCER ISSUE # 38 July 2009
http://www.converge.org.nz/abc/prcont38.html

– Spies Amongst Us – by Murray Horton
– Police Informer Caught After 10 Years Of Spying On Activists – by Mark Eden
– Busted! How Police Spy Rob Gilchrist Was Exposed By His Partner – by Rochelle Rees
– SIS Spied On Peace Movement For Decades – by Murray Horton
– Activist Annals – by Maire Leadbeater
– The Emperor Is Dead! Long Live The Empire! – by Murray Horton
– US Marine Cleared Of Rape In Philippines: First Ever Conviction Of GI Ended By A Fix – by Murray Horton
– Scrap The Visiting Forces Agreement! – by Murray Horton
– Reviews by Bob Leonard & Jeremy Agar
– “The Shadow Factory: The Ultra-Secret NSA From 9/11 To The Eavesdropping On America”, by James Bamford
– “The Hollow Men” A Film By Alister Barry
– “The Bases Of Empire: The Global Struggle Against US Military Posts” edited by Catherine Lutz
– “Island Of Shame” by David Vine
– “Spies, Lies And The War On Terror” by Paul Todd, Jonathan Bloch, & Patrick Fitzgerald
– “Kiwi Compañeros: New Zealand And The Spanish Civil War” edited by Mark Derby
– “Passing Bells” by WJ Foote
– Obituaries: Ian Prior – Nick Wilson; Connie Summers – Murray Horton

MUSICAL VOICE OF THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT – DAVID ROVICS TOURS NZ IN AUGUST
“… the peace poet and troubadour for our time.” Cindy Sheehan. “In that Wobbly tradition of sharp social commentary, David is a master.” The Industrial Worker. David Rovics, singer, songwriter has been accurately described as the musical voice of the progressive movement in the US. In the tradition of Woody Guthrie, Phil Ochs and Pete Seeger, David is a scholar of the history of social struggle and a sharp social critic of current affairs. His hard hitting lyrics accompanied by his mastery of his acoustic guitar encompass themes including the war on terror, the environmental crisis, the Middle East and Latin America. With lyrics containing sharp analysis and satire, Rovic’s brings a sense of fun and hope to his shows. His hope is inspired by a strong identification with the movements for social change of which he is very much a part. During his shows in New Zealand last year, he made himself aware of the local social issues and supported the direct action of the ANZAC Ploughshares Community who are currently awaiting trial for deflating a dome covering an intelligence gathering satellite dish at the Waihopai Valley in Marlborough. Cutting edge analysis, beautiful poetry, skilled guitar playing, standing with those who struggle for peace and justice, David Rovics passion is inspiring and his humour infectious. His concert should not be missed. Download music: http://www.davidrovics.com Contact for interview: drovics@gmail.com

Itinerary:

Thursday, August 13th, Bailies Bar, 50 Cathderal Square, Christchurch

Friday, August 14th, 7:30 pm, Riverside Community and Cultural Centre, Inland Moutere Highway, RD2 Upper Moutere, Motueka

Saturday, August 15th, Show for grownups…, Newtown Community & Cultural Centre, Corner Rintoul and Colombo Streets, Newtown, Wellington

Sunday, August 16th, Show for KIDS!, Newtown Community & Cultural Centre, Corner Rintoul and Colombo Streets, Newtown, Wellington

Tuesday, August 18th, Poverty Bay Club, Gisborne

Wednesday, August 19th, Mosiac Church, Newton Rd, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga

Thursday, August 20th, 8 pm, Wine Cellar, St. Kevin’s Arcade, Karangahape Road, Auckland

Moana Cole: moanacole.barrister@paradise.net.nz Tel: 027 6609335

DON MCGLASHAN’S NEW SONG
Kiwi music legend Don McGlashan has written and recorded a song for the Not Yours To Sell campaign, called I Don’t Think So. It’s a little ripper, and is available for exclusive preview to members of the Not Yours To Sell facebook group. So why don’t you get on over there, join the group and check out Don’s new song: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=206961320231

CALLING ALL NEW ZEALANDERS: JOIN THE NEXT SOLIDARITY BRIGADE TO VENEZUELA! DECEMBER 1-9, 2009
Organised by the Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network. Venezuela’s Bolivarian revolution led by President Hugo Chavez is shaking up global politics and inspiring millions of ordinary people with the evidence that a better – a peaceful, democratic and socially just – world is possible.
* Whereas in Australia and Aotearoa, public health, education and infrastructure is being run down or privatised, in Venezuela, major industries are being nationalised and put under workers’ control, and universal access to health, education and social welfare is now guaranteed.
* Whereas in Australia and Aotearoa, workers are being sacked, and wages and conditions are being eroded under the guise of “weathering” the economic crisis, in Venezuela, wages are increasing, and union membership and organisation is growing.
The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network-organised brigades to Venezuela are a unique opportunity to see an unfolding revolution first-hand. The AVSN warmly welcomes the participation of New Zealanders on the brigades. Participants in the December 1-9, 2009, brigade will visit worker-controlled factories and cooperatives, free public education and health programs, and community media outlets. They will observe “popular power” at work in communal councils, and speak to a range of grassroots organisations, unions and government representatives about the radical changes being implemented by the Venezuelan people.
The AVSN has organised nine solidarity brigades to Venezuela, involving more than 165 participants. These study/solidarity tours are inspiring experiences, providing an opportunity to observe and understand why Venezuela’s goal of creating “socialism of the 21st century’’ is transforming the world.
Brigade organisation and costs: The deadline for registering for the December 2009 brigade to Venezuela is October 31, 2009. Participants will need to book their own international airfares, but the brigade organisers can help with advice. Accommodation, transport and English translation within Venezuela will be organised for brigade participants. You will need to budget for a total cost of approximately $4000. This includes: international return airfare and taxes; accommodation (twin-share basis); transport and food in Venezuela; and the brigade registration fee ($500 for workers, $300 for full-time students or pensioners). Reports and photos from previous AVSN brigades are posted at http://www.venezuelasolidarity.org. For more information, please email brigades@venezuelasolidarity.org

27TH SOUTHERN CROSS BRIGADE TO CUBA
“A better world is possible”: The Cuban people have proven that there is another way. ICAP (the Cuban Institute for Friendship between Peoples) provides, through its Brigades, the opportunity for people from all over the world to experience and participate in the Cuban revolutio.

What does the Brigade entail?
Join the Southern Cross work/study tour and support Cuba in the most direct manner by working (picking fruit or pruning fruit trees, etc) and then visiting schools, hospitals, urban agriculture projects, etc You will experience at first hand the cultural, political and social conditions in revolutionary Cuba. This year we will be having a closer look at Cuba’s innovative approaches to the environment and climate change. Children are welcome on this tour as are older participants. Our Cuban hosts take great care of visitors of all ages. The main features of the Brigade include:

* Talks on various aspects of conditions in Cuba given by prominent Cuban speakers;
* Working with Cubans;
* Visits to places of interest (eg schools, hospitals, factories);
* Opportunities to explore Havana independently;
* Visits to provincial centres;* Homestays and visit to Las Tunas Province

Unbeatable value – $1000. (Includes: All meals, accommodation, excursions and transportation in Cuba during program). Not included:

– Air travel to Cuba – get in early to book your flights! (Check out Aerolineas for cheap flights. There are now also weekly flights with Continental from Los Angeles to Havana.)
– Compulsory travel insurance
– Any additional nights stay in Cuba prior to commencement of the Brigade or following the conclusion of the program (prior to the flight home). Inexpensive accommodation is available – opportunity for independent tourism

Contacts: NZ Paul Maunder (03) 732 4010 email wkcultur@ihug.co.nz; Ina Lawrence (09) 303 1755 email inashina@clear.net.nz Australia Robert Cooper – National Coordinator of the 27th Southern Cross Brigade – 0408 624 629, email robert@conceptis.com.au or write to PO Box 6139 Kingston ACT 2604.

WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST JANUARY 22-24, 2010
The Waihopai spybase was dragged into the public spotlight in April 2008 when three Ploughshares peace activists penetrated its high security and deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity (which is yet to come to trial). The public face of New Zealand’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan. But New Zealand’s most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control.
First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes intercept a huge volume of civilian telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international civilian communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls. Post- 9/11 the GCSB and Waihopai now spy further afield, to those regions where the US is waging wars. The codename for this – Echelon – has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, not citizens.
Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires.
How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head.
This will be the first Waihopai spybase protest since the Domebusters’ courageous 2008 citizens’ deflation action. Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in America’s wars. Waihopai must be closed.

Register to take part in the protest ($40 waged / $20 unwaged). Writre to: CLOSE THE WAIHOPAI SPYBASE NOW! Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258, Christchurch. E-mail cafca@chch.planet.org.nz www.converge.org.nz/abc Make all cheques to ABC

Waihopai Spybase’s New Dome To “Protect Dish From Weather”. Yeah, Right

“It (the Waihopai spybase’s new dome, being installed today) is inflated to two PSI (pounds per square inch) above atmospheric pressure and designed to protect the satellite (sic – dish) from the weather not hide the direction that the satellite (sic – dish) is pointed, as has been popularly believed”. Full story at http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2663681/Spy-base-ready-for-new-dome

Yeah ,right. In which case, why isn’t Telecom’s big satellite dish at Warkworth under a dome to “protect it from the weather”? Or the big satellite dishes on the roofs at TV1 and TV3 in Auckland? Or. Come to think, the hundreds of thousands of satellite TV dishes on buildings and houses up and down the country? Of course the purpose of the domes at Waihopai is to conceal the direction in which the dishes are being pointed, in order to conceal which international civilian telecommunications satellites they are spying on. Actually the Stuff report quoted above has a Freudian slip in that it uses the word “satellite” instead of “dish”. That’s it in a nutshell – the domes are to conceal what satellites are being spied on.

Please turn the question around and ask the NZ Government Communications Security Bureau if they, and their masters in the US National Security Agency, don’t mind at all if anyone can see which way their spy dishes are pointing and can therefore work out who and what they’re spying on? Do a quick Google search of other spybases – Pine Gap in Australia or Menwith Hill in the UK, for example – and tell us how many uncovered dishes you can see as opposed to ones concealed by domes. Please stop falling for the GCSB line that, uniquely, Waihopai’s satellite dishes have to be covered by domes to stop them getting wet or blowing away.

Murray Horton, Anti-Bases Campaign, Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand. cafca@chch.planet.org.nz www.converge.org.nz/abc

NOMINATIONS FOR 2009 ROGER AWARD
Nominations are now open for the 2009 Roger Award for the Worst Transnational Corporation Operating in Aotearoa/New Zealand, which is organised the Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa and GATT Watchdog. You can download the nomination form (in either Word or PDF) from http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/index.html Nominations close on October 31, 2009. Send your nomination to: The Roger Award, Box 2258, Christchurch; e-mail cafca@chch.planet.org.nz

AUCKLAND HERITAGE PEACE WALK
9.00am Sunday 27 September, QEII Square – New Zealand is the starting place for a World March for Peace and Nonviolence which will travel around the globe with stops in 90 countries, beginning with an event in Auckland, to be followed by the official launch in Wellington on 2 October. The World March was initiated by the organisation World Without Wars. The objectives of the World March are: •To give a voice to the majority of world citizens who want peace by having them send out a unified signal •To create global awareness of the urgent need to condemn of all forms of violence and bring about real peace •By highlighting the work of individuals and organizations around the world to end violence and promote peace, citizens who are moved to support this work will be empowered to do so. Aotearoa-New Zealand was chosen in recognition of: •The nonviolence traditions of Moriori and Parihaka •Being the first country to grant women the vote •Being the only country to have a Minister for Disarmament •Our inclusion of peace studies in the school curriculum and the establishment of Peace Cities •Our moves towards peaceful resolution of past injustices to Tangata Whenua and other ethnic communities
•Our nuclear-free status •Our government’s support for the UN. The Auckland Heritage Peace Walk Launch is Auckland’s welcome to the international participants in the World March. The walk will visit various peace landmarks around the central city, ending at St Matthew-in-the-City with performances, exhibits, music and speakers. Sites on the walk include: • Rainbow Warrior mural, Marsden Wharf
• The Peace Place, Emily Place • Memorial – Tiananmen Square Massacre , Maclaurin Chapel, Princes St, • Albert Park – the band rotunda • Gateway sculpture, Victoria St • Suffragette mural, Khartoum Place. Local individuals and groups have endorsed the World March including: Helen Clark, Jim Anderton, Jacinda Ardern, Phil Goff, Phil Twyford, Sir Paul Reeves, Kerry Prendergast, Dr Kate Dewes, Marion Hancock, Kevin Clements, Pauline Tangiora, Moana Manipoto, Yulia, Amnesty International, Greenpeace, Disarmament and Security Centre, The Peace Foundation, Oxfam, United Nations Association of NZ. We are seeking further endorsements as well as participation in the Auckland Heritage Peace Wal. Auckland co-ordinators for the volunteer team organising the Auckland events: Audrey van Ryn: 368 1516 audrey@writeaway.co.nz and Wende Jowsey: wende@jowsey.com www.worldmarch.co.nz www.theworldmarch.org

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand and the Israel-Palestine Conflict: The following is based on discussions between Hannah Spierer and Harmeet Sooden and is a slightly modified version of the original that appeared on 3 August 2009 in Craccum, the weekly magazine produced by the Auckland University Students’ Association of the University of Auckland, New Zealand. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0908/S00029.htm

The PPTA website is running a poll on “should night classes be re-instated.” Just open the link below and vote on the left hand side of the screen – it only takes a second. If you have 3 seconds to spare please visit http://www.ppta.org.nz/ and support Adult and Community Education in New Zealand.

Lack of courage in Afghanistan by John Minto – News reports over the weekend confirm what most people who have followed the Afghanistan conflict have known for many years – New Zealand was a participant in US operations which led to torture, abuse and death of suspects. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0908/S00042.htm

Campaigning Against Foreign Control http://www.craccum.co.nz/?p=1011

SOS Afghanistan – Are the SAS on a doomed mission? An interview with US Afghanistan expert Thomas Johnson by Gordon Campbell http://werewolf.co.nz/2009/08/sos-afghanistan-are-the-sas-on-a-doomed-mission/

Government has failed first big environmental test http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0907/S00343.htm

Greens: Suspend decision on SAS until prisoner abuse allegations investigated http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0908/S00019.htm

Over 100 years of night class history is at stake http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0907/S00112.htm

FEATURES

An Unprecedented Network of Military Bases That is Still Expanding http://informationclearinghouse.info/article23167.htm

The Hidden Truth Behind Drug Company Profits By Johann Hari – This is the story of one of the great unspoken scandals of our times. Today, the people across the world who most need life-saving medicine are being prevented from producing it. http://informationclearinghouse.info/article23203.htm

John Pilger: Murdoch a cultural Chernobyl http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/805/41397

WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS

The Great American Bubble Machine: From tech stocks to high gas prices, Goldman Sachs has engineered every major market manipulation since the Great Depression – and they’re about to do it again http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/29127316/the_great_american_bubble_machine

REVIEWS

NY Times Book Review, August 2, 2009: Nickel and Dimed By ROBERT FRANK. Review of “TO SERVE GOD AND WAL-MART The Making of Christian Free Enterprise” By Bethany Moreton and “THE RETAIL REVOLUTION – How Wal-Mart Created a Brave New World of Business” By Nelson Lichtenstein. Wal-Mart’s founder, the Arkansas entrepreneur Sam Walton, was in many ways a classic illustration of Adam Smith’s invisible hand in action. Seemingly from out of nowhere, his discount chain, propelled by ruthless cost-cutting, became the largest private company in the world. And without question, Walton’s quest for profit made cheaper products available to hundreds of millions of consumers. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/books/review/Frank-t.html

Doug Henwood – Left Business Observer – “Bethany Moreton’s book is terrific, especially the first half. Among many things, it helps illuminate what’s wrong with the culture vs. economics dichotomy that Tom Frank got wrong. I interviewed her twice: http://www.leftbusinessobserver.com/Radio.html#090606 and http://www.leftbusinessobserver.com/Radio_1.html#051117 She’s brilliant. Doug

The Holocaust: `May history attest to us’ — resistance, collaboration and survival – Monument to the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, Warsaw, Poland. Review of: Hitler’s Priests, by Kevin Spicer; Who Will Write Our History? Emanuel Ringelblum, the Warsaw Ghetto, and the Oyneg Shabes Archive, by Samuel D. Kassow; Kasztner’s Train: the True Story of an Unknown Hero of the Holocaust, by Anna Porter; The Complete Maus: A Survivor’s Tale, Art Spiegelman. Review by Barry Healy. http://links.org.au/node/1172

AFGHANISTAN

Civilian Death Toll Soaring In Afghanistan By James Cogan http://www.countercurrents.org/cogan030809.htm

AUSTRALIA

Macklin’s Aboriginal housing blackmail — land rights need, not takeovers! http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/805/41407

BOLIVIA

Thinking Left in Bolivia: Interview with Alvaro Garcia Linera http://boliviarising.blogspot.com/2009/08/thinking-left-in-bolivia-interview-with.html

CUBA

A view from Cuba: Fifty years of the transition to socialism – James Cockcroft, Fellow at the International Institute for Research and Education in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is the author of 35 books, including Mexico’s Hope (NY: Monthly Review Press, 1999) and Latin America (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/ International Thomson Publishing, Second ed. 1998), both translated into Spanish and published in 2001 by Mexico City’s Siglo Veintiuno Editores. Cockcroft has conducted frequent research trips to Cuba. He is Honorary Editor of Latin American Perspectives and vice-president of Benito Juárez Tribunal, a civil society process held in Mexico in 2005 that concluded US policy toward Cuba fit the UN definition of “genocide.” http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article1702

MALAYSIA

40,000 demand `Abolish the Internal Security Act now!’, hundreds arrested http://links.org.au/node/1178

PACIFIC

Indonesia: Free Papuan Activists and Revoke Laws Criminalizing Free Expression http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/07/21/indonesia-free-papuan-activists

PALESTINE

Hamas Chief Outlines Terms for Talks on Arab-Israeli Peace By JAY SOLOMON and JULIEN BARNES-DACEY – DAMASCUS — The chief of Palestinian militant group Hamas said his organization is prepared to cooperate with the U.S. in promoting a peaceful resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict if the White House can secure an Israeli settlement freeze and a lifting of the economic and military blockade of the Gaza Strip. http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=56581&s2=03

Disarm Israel – A Utopia or a Vision for Peace By Ilan Pappe http://www.zmag.org/znet/viewArticle/22146

Israel’s Discriminatory Land Policies by Stephen Lendman http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=56533&s2=02

Defiance of Human Rights: Israeli Forces Evicting Families At around 5:30 in the morning, Israeli police arrived at the Hannoun family home and broke into the house through the windows. They forcefully removed Maher Hanoun, his wife Nadia and their 3 children. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0908/S00030.htm

SOUTH KOREA

Graphic photos — Ssangyong workers’ hold out despite extreme police/thug violence http://links.org.au/node/1184

SRI LANKA

Sri Lankan Government Stalls On Release Of Tamil Detainees By Sarath Kumara http://www.countercurrents.org/kumara040809.htm

UK

No one’s fooled – we colluded in torture – The government must at last come clean about its complicity in this ‘brutalising disease’ http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/aug/02/hnery-porter-torture

USA

Real Health Care Reform – Universal Single-Payer By Stephen Lendman http://www.countercurrents.org/lendman050809.htm

Purloining the People’s Property By Ralph Nader – The latest escapes from responsible government are called “public-private partnerships” and are designed to enable the likes of Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs to take over highways, meter-collecting, and public buildings in deals that are loaded with complex tax advantages for the investors. http://informationclearinghouse.info/article23192.htm

VENEZUELA

Venezuela: Class struggle heats up over battle for workers’ control Federico Fuentes, Caracas http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/804/41392

`The democratisation of the mass media has begun’ http://links.org.au/node/1182

The Economist forced to back down over lies on Venezuela and Bolivia http://links.org.au/node/1183

Why The U.S. Government Hates Venezuela By Shamus Cooke http://www.countercurrents.org/cooke040809.htm

Free press? Venezuela beats the US – Of course Chávez’s new media law is bad. But it won’t make a dent in the huge amount of press freedom in Venezuela http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/aug/04/venezuela-media-freedom-chavez