AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO FROM THE IRAQ SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN-PHILIPPINES

4 June 2004

Your Excellency:

Assuming the presidency of the United Nations Security Council is a proud and momentous occasion for the Philippines. But it is also an immense responsibility and a rare opportunity for our country to influence the course of events in the world today. As Filipinos, we share in relishing this moment and, as citizens of the international community, we welcome this duty to make difficult decisions affecting global peace and security. As we fulfill our role, let us bear in mind that our actions in the Security Council should not just represent the will and voice of the Filipino people, but likewise of the entire international community.

Anti-war coalition steps up pressure o­n Philippine government to withdraw support to the war

MANILA (May 21)- Anti-war activists in the Philippines denounced the Arroyo administration for its silence over the atrocities committed by US Soldiers against Iraqi prisoners of war. In a statement issued in a rally in front of the US Embassy in Manila last Friday, activists from the Iraq-Solidarity Campaign (ISC) said "The torture in Abu Ghraib prison should have been met with gravest condemnation by the Philippine government, being a signatory to the Geneva convention and other international conventions and treaties o­n human rights. It instead chose to remain silent and by doing so became a silent accomplice to these atrocities."

In this Issue:

The battle for hearts and minds is the euphemism for the propaganda war that is now raging in Iraq. And the mighty mighty United States is losing this battle in Iraq and in its own backyard.  A few days ago we saw images of abuse, torture and de-humanization, pictures of US service men and women posing for the camera along with their blindfolded and naked captives. Yesterday i got to see even more horrifying pictures of rape and humiliation. General Kimit of the US was quick to say "Do not judge the 135,000 US troops by the conduct of a few misguided elements." This was a message to the American people.  For while over fifty percent of the American people still support the war, public opinion can easily turn around as the body count gets higher and as the war escalates further.

Red Constantino's article reminds us of America's track record when it comes to occupations and its penchant for censorship of images and stories in order to win the hearts and minds of its captives and of its own citizens.  

Renato Redentor Constantino writes a weekly column for the Philippine national newspaper TODAY, whose o­nline partner is abs-cbnnews.com.  He is also currently the climate and energy campaign advisor of Greenpeace China.  Recent works of the author can be accessed at www.redconstantino.blogspot.com.