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ACHA PEACE BULLETIN

http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACHAPeaceBulletin

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A publication of Association for Communal Harmony in Asia (ACHA)

 www.asiapeace.org  &  www.indiapakistanpeace.org

Editor:  Pritam K. Rohila, PhD       pritam@open.org

 

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Volume XI, No. 3, March 15, 2007, Next Issue April 15, 2007

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CONTENTS

 

EDITORIAL

*Democracy, Communal Harmony & Peace, Pritam K. Rohila, Ph. D.

LETTERS

*Yet another train blast, Ammu Abraham, Mumbai

PEACE & HARMONY NEWS

 PEACE & HARMONY CONFERENCES

*April 20-22, Albacete, Spain: EARLY CHILDHOOD PEACE EDUCATION

PEACE & HARMONY EVENTS

*March 14 – 17, Cleveland, Ohio, USA: SUMMIT ON CONFLICT RESOLUTION ED

*March 17, Eugene, OR, USA: UNITE FOR PEACE, HOPE AND JUSTICE. 

*March 17, Vancouver, B.C, Canada.: STOP THE WAR

*March 18- Portland, OR, USA: STOP THE WAR, BRING THE TROOPS HOME

*March 18-19, Cottage Gove, Creswell, & Eugene, OR, USA: STAND FOR PEACE.

*March 19, Portland, OR, USA: NO MORE INVASIONS, NO MORE WARS

*March 20, London, UK: STOP THE WAR'S PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY.

*March 21, Portland, OR, USA: RESOLUTION AGAINST WAR ON IRAN

PEACE PETITIONS

*Independence Day Border Concert

SRI LANKA UPDATE

            *Two Decades of War;  Five Years of Ceasefire Agreement;  What Next?

 

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EDITORIAL

 

*Democracy, Communal Harmony & Peace, Pritam K. Rohila, Ph. D.

 

Democracy is on the march in South Asia, although its pace and challenges are different in different parts of the region.

 

Bhutan is on the verge of transitioning from a monarchy to a democracy. Nepal is about to abolish monarchy, and to include Maoists in the government. The current administration of Bangladesh has promised to weed out corruption and to set democracy there on its right course. Demand for restoration of democracy in Pakistan is becoming stronger. The struggle to strengthen democracy in other South Asian nations goes on.

 

Elections are an important feature of democracy, but are not sufficient by themselves. Free press and independent judiciary are also essential. And democracy is not complete without full and free participation in decision-making of different sections of population, especially the minorities and the downtrodden.

 

Even more important for a democracy is tolerance for differences of opinion and belief. Everyone should have a right to live according to one’s beliefs, without risking one’s liberty or life.

 

How disagreements are handled determines the strength of democracy in any country. It also determines if there is communal harmony within nations, and peace between them.

 

If in South Asia, we want democracy to prosper, people to live in harmony, and nations to be at peace with each other, we will have to respect the right of others to disagree with and live differently than us.

 

LETTERS

 

*Yet another train blast, Ammu Abraham, Mumbai

 

Yet another train blast. 66 people dead. Most of them Pakistanis this time.

Yet another attempt to blow a hole through the fabric of peace and the possibility of the absence

of organized hatred among the people of South Asia.

Absence of hatred is what one humbly hopes for these days.

In one's youth, one had more ambitious visions; but today one's hopes are more modest.

One hopes, for an absence of hatred.

 

Can Democracy grow on the tears of weeping people?

Can injustice be set right by tribal revenge?

Can there be Equality, Socialism on the blood and bones of blasted human bodies?

In the moment of truth, while life still pulses through one's veins, human beings are mostly

survivors.

We seek to save ourselves, and then others most like ourselves.

We glorify this into the idea of Our People.

Our religion, our nation, our oil, our soil, our water, our watan, our national sovereignty...

They say that in olden days they used to add human blood to fix archways for bridges.

Can the arches of the Nation of Peace, Liberty, Equality & Fraternity be soldered with human

blood?

 

After last year's train blasts in Mumbai, I wanted so badly to know who did it; just because I

travel those trains every day.

Was it the Bajrangis, Was it that unreal Don allegedly in Pakistan, Dawood Ibrahim?

Or is there lurking among us an invisible network of Lets, Jaishes & their friends?

One may never really know; but one can only cope with that powerlessness by empowering

oneself with the belief in and commitment to Peace.

 

We are a generation that grew up without seeing world wars; we were born into independent

India.

But these genocides and train blasts have brought home to us the energy and power of the word

Peace.

We, who used to giggle when people demanded World Peace & found it rhetorical.

May this train blast at least renew the commitment of today's young people to Peace; so that it is

a living vision for them.

We did not value it; because we had it handed over to us.

We were free, because the blood had already sunk into the earth.

 

Only in Peace can the children be Free. Only in peace can girls actually giggle at World Peace.

 

PEACE & HARMONY NEWS



Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon shakes hands with his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohammed Khan prior to the start of the composite dialogue process in Islamabad on Tuesday. Photograph: Getty Images

*India, Pakistan see peace hopes in 07 AFP |Wednesday, March 14,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=370984&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*Shivshankar calls on Shaukat Aziz DAILY TIMES |Wednesday, March 14,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=371059&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*Pak-Afghan jirga to restore peace: Aziz DAILY TIMES Wednesday, March 14,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=370987&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*Climate of reconciliation with Pak: India PM, PTI, March 13, 2007  http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/mar/13pm.htm

*Pak, Afghan agree on Jirga commission PEOPLE'S DAILY |Tuesday, March 13,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=370729&category=frontend&Country=main

*Pak compensates Sri Lankan soldiers DAILY TIMES |Tuesday, March 13,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=370736&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*Indo-Pak talks next round tomorrow DAILY TIMES |Monday, March 12,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=370461&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*Afghan Jirga arrives for talks DAILY TIMES |Monday, March 12,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=370492&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN 

*India responds to 4-nation power plan DAILY STAR |Monday, March 12,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=370473&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*A new hope for Indian ‘POW families’ DAILY TIMES |Sunday, March 11,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=370269&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*India for 'new paradigm' in South Asia HINDU NET |Sunday, March 11,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=370304&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*SAARC Car Rally - a unique sojourn THE HINDU |Sunday, March 11,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=370345&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*India ready to boost ties with B'desh THE HINDU |Sunday, March 11,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=370307&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*Lanka team to mark Pak Gandhara Week DAILY NEWS |Sunday, March 11,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=370320&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*Curbs on Indo-Pak diplomats travel eased  HINDUSTAN TIMES  March 10,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=369944&category=frontend&Country=main&pro=0 

*Dhaka-Kolkata train from April 14 DAILY STAR |Saturday, March 10,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=369982&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*Indo-Pak ties improving: Manmohan Singh, PTI, March 08, 2007 

http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/mar/08ties.htm

*LoC, border ceasefire holding strong' DAILY TIMES |Friday, March 09,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=369788&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*Geelani gets passport to travel abroad Indian Express |Friday, March 09,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=369756&category=Frontend&Country=INDIA

*Indo-Pak track-II meeting? DAILY TIMES |Thursday, March 08,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=369285&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*India, Pak limit Samjhota passengers DAILY TIMES |Thursday, March 08,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=369272&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*India tries non-army security in J&K The Hindu |Thursday, March 08,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=369351&category=Frontend&Country=india

*Sharp drop in Indian Kashmir violence DAILY TIMES |Thursday, March 08,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=369281&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*Cooperation with Kabul to continue: Aziz THE NEWS |Thursday, March 08,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=369259&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*Indo-Pak secy talks on March 13 IRNA |Wednesday, March 07,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=369166&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*Pak to build Afghan hospital DAILY TIMES |Wednesday, March 07,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=369018&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*Nepal, India renew trade treaty KANTIPUR ONLINE | Wednesday, March 07,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=368966&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*India, Pakistan: Fighting terror together, Rediff.com, March 6, 2007 http://specials.rediff.com/news/2007/mar/06sld1.htm

Additional Secretary for at the Ministry of External Affairs K C Singh (right) at the meeting with Pakistani Additional Secretary Tariq Usman (left) and other officials at in Islamabad. (Photograph: Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images)

*SAARC energy ring proposed THE HIMALAYAN TIMES |Tuesday, March 06,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=368836&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*Pak Sikhs celebrate Hola Mela DAILY TIMES |Monday, March 05,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=368457&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*Holi celebrated throughout South Asia DAILY TIMES Monday, March 05,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=368406&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*Liberal view of world vital: PM HINDU |Sunday, March 04,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=368294&category=Frontend&Country=INDIA

*India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty enforced KUENSEL ONLINE | March 04,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=368217&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*National Bhutan team to play in Nepal KUENSEL | Sunday, March 04,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=368216&category=Frontend&Country=BHUTAN

*Pak, India to sign visa pact NATION |Saturday, March 03,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=367885&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*Indian intelligence warned of Musharraf attack HINDU |Friday, March 02,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=367702&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*India: Cabinet clears communal violence bill Deccan Herald |Friday, March 02,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=367661&category=Frontend&Country=INDIA

*All of Lahore one massive Basant party DAILY TIMES | Sunday, February 25,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=366316&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

*'India to help Nepal peace process' NEPAL NEWS | Sunday, February 25,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=366311&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

 

*'A friendship of goodwill and trust' BBS | Sunday, February 25,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=366371&category=Frontend&Country=BHUTAN

 

*India, Pak on same wavelength: Kasuri INDIAN EXPRESS | February 23,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=365877&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*For the good Samaritan, there are no Hindus or Muslims, Indian Muslim, Feb22, 07 http://indianmuslims.info/news/2007/february/22/features/for_the_good_samaritan_there_are_no_hindus_or_muslims.html

 

 *India revives Kashmir Committee DAILY TIMES | Thursday, February 22,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=365495&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

 

*Tales of sorrow, survival and comradery Indian Express |Tuesday, February 20,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=364994&category=Frontend&Country=INDIA

 

*Dhaka, Delhi agree to combat terrorism NEW AGE |Tuesday, February 20,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=365102&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

 

*India Govt to adopt girls to correct sex-ratio Times of India | February 19,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=364720&category=Frontend&Coutry=INDIA

 

*Thar Express arrives in Pak from India THE NEWS |Sunday, February 18,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=364464&category=Frontend&Coun

 

*Hindus worship at Katas Raj (Pakistan) DAILY TIMES |Saturday, February 17,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=364111&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

 

*N-accidents: Pak, India to sign accord THE NEWS | Saturday, February 17,2007

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=364095&category=frontend&Country=main&pro=0

 

*J&K issue ripe for resolution: Musharraf KASHMIR TIMES | February 16 ,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=363936&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

 

*Women seek amendment in 14 points THE KATHMANDU POST | February 15,2007 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=363609&category=Frontend&Country=Nepal

PEACE & HARMONY CONFERENCES

*April 20-22, Albacete, Spain: WORLD CONFERENCE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD PEACE EDUCATION to help promote the need for changes in early childhood education in order to stem the growth of the prevalent culture of violence and contempt and prepare the child to assume a responsible life in a free society, with a spirit of understanding and peace. More info from http://www.waece.org/albacete/ingles/ppal.htm

PEACE & HARMONY EVENTS

 

*March 14 – 17, Cleveland, Ohio, USA: INTER-AMERICAN SUMMIT ON CONFLICT RESOLUTION EDUCATION, to be hosted by Global Issues Resource Center, Office of Community Continuing Education, at Cuyahoga Community College and The Organization of American States, for government representatives from among the 50 states and 34 countries of the Americas and their non-governmental organization partners who have  legislation or policies in place to deliver conflict resolution education at the K-12 level and in colleges of teacher education. More info including a registration form and preliminary conference program, from Jennifer Batton at 216-987-2224 or Jennifer.Batton@tri-c.edu

*March 17, Eugene, OR, USA: UNITE FOR PEACE, HOPE AND JUSTICE. BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!  Gather at 10:30 am Gathering at Lane County Fairgrounds, 13th and Monroe for a rally followed by a march to the old Federal Bldg., 7th and Pearl. More info from Michael Carrigan, CALC, 485-1755 or calcdev@efn.org   

*March 17, Vancouver, B.C, Canada.: STOP THE WAR MARCH  starting at 1:00 p.m., at English Bay (Denman & Davie) followed by a RALLY at 2:00 p.m. at Vancouver Art Gallery. Gather at 12:30 p.m. More info from the South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy (SANSAD), (604) 420-2972, sansad@sansad.org