Bill F.
Over
the Easter period, a large number of anti-war groups and activists came
together in the national capital Canberra, making up the 2014 Peace
Convergence.
An
important part of the activity was the first national conference of the
Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) to expand and consolidate its
position as a representative national umbrella for the many peace and anti-war
groups across Australia. There were extensive discussions on building the
movement, and activities and campaigns for the period ahead.
IPAN
was formed in response to the US military ‘pivot’ into the Asia-Pacific region
and the basing of US marines, warplanes and military equipment in Darwin.
More
than 90 people attended the conference from all parts of Australia,
representing over 40 different organisations and interested groups. Many had a
long and dedicated history in the peace movement, environmental struggles and
support for indigenous struggles.
Guest
speakers included Vince Emanuel, an American Iraq war veteran who also spoke at
a rally outside the United States Embassy on 24 April.
A
statement endorsed at the conclusion of the conference summed up the concerns
and positions that formed a powerful expression of unity and determination
among the delegates. It reads…
“This
first national conference of Independent and Peaceful Australia Network affirms
our support for an independent Australian foreign policy as the most effective
path for our country to build peace in the region.
“It
is our view that Australia’s successive government policies of willingly
following the US to wars, the stationing of US bases and troops on sovereign
soil and the deeper integration of Australian foreign policies and military
into the US war machine is a major threat to peace in the region.
“We’re
concerned that Australia is complicit and actively involved in the US wars of
aggression. We’re concerned with successive Australian governments’
subservience to foreign powers’ economic and military interests. We’re
concerned that the financial cost of militarisation and engagement in foreign
wars is a burden on our country that comes at the expense of people’s lives,
welfare and the environment.
“Through
recent decades we have witnessed a steady increase in the level of Australia’s
military involvement with the US. We are
concerned Australian governments’ subservience and complicity in the US
military Pivot into Asia-Pacific is increasing the threat of war, rather than
building peace and security in the region.
“We
are opposed to foreign military bases and the deployment of foreign troops and
military in Australia and the Asia-Pacific.
We are opposed to the integration of Australia’s foreign policies and
military into the US plans.
“We
want to live in Australia with an independent foreign policy, under which our
country is free to choose what is truly in the best interest of peace in the
world.
“However,
we recognise that a truly independent and peaceful Australia cannot be fully
realised without a just treaty with Australia’s indigenous people.”
On
Thursday 24 April, prior to Anzac Day, a number of rallies were held outside
various embassies and locations in Canberra to highlight the increasing threat
of war and the increasing integration of the Australian military into the plans
of US imperialism.
On
Anzac Day, many peace activists and groups marched in support of the indigenous
contingent who carried the memory of the warriors who had died during the ‘frontier
wars’ and violent occupation.
In
all, a unifying and inspiring week of anti-war activity.
......................
Further reading:
Former Liberal Party Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser on Australian independence and the need to break away from the US military alliance:
No comments:
Post a Comment