Open Invitation to Anti War Assembly India Social Forum, 9^th - 13^th November 2006

Organized by: Anti War Networks

Date: 12^th November 2006

Venue: C-2, Exhibition Ground, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi.

Time: 12.30 pm - 3.30 pm

The US project in West Asia is on the verge of total collapse: the US-backed Israeli attack on Lebanon failed; the resistance in Iraq is inflicting huge losses on the occupying forces; Afghanistan has not been pacified after three years; threats against Iran have dissipated. And yet, the United States and its allies are determined to maintain their troops and attempt to secure access to the region’s markets and resources. Despite the Iraqis overwhelming demand for the withdrawal of US forces and their support for resistance actions, the US insists on prolonging the occupation.

Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation of Palestine becomes more and more punishing. North Korea’s nuclear tests show how the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan and threats against Iran has triggered off a new round of nuclear arms race. Elsewhere in the world, the United States continues apace with the most radical transformation of its global military presence - all with the aim of intensifying its military interventionary capacity. The US-led “war on terror” continues to undermine human rights and democracy worldwide. Increasing military spending, conflicts over resources, and the global arms trade are fueling violence, with women bearing the disproportionate brunt. In Africa and elsewhere, local conflicts continue to cause widespread suffering and destruction, even as their root causes remain ignored or misunderstood.

How can the global anti-war movement seize the momentum and contribute to once-and-for-all ending the twin occupations in West Asia? As the prospect of troop withdrawals increases, what terms should the movements push for to ensure sovereignty, justice, and democracy once formal occupation is ended? How are the United States and its allies likely to react to defeat and how should the anti-war movements respond? How can the movement’s better understand and respond to the situation in Africa? How can the ongoing “war against terror” be countered locally and globally? How can the movement push back nuclear proliferation and the global arms trade? What concrete collective projects must the movements undertake in order to achieve their short-term and long-term objectives?

It is urgent that the global anti-war movement comes together again now. Continuing the series of anti-war meetings held at the World Social Forums and other international gatherings, we call on representatives of movements to attend an anti-war strategy meeting at the India Social Forum, Delhi, on the 12^th November 2006 from 12.30 pm - 03.30 pm at C-2, Exhibition Ground, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss and analyze developments in Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and other sites of aggression. It will give space for the movements to strategize on common plans of action and collective projects of resistance.

Now, more than ever, the world must again say — and keep saying — no to war.

Contact:

Popular Education and Action Center (PEACE)

Address: F-93, Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi - 110 016

Telephone: 91-11-26968121, 26858940

Focus on the Global South, India

Address: A-201, Kailash Apts., Juhu Church Road, Juhu, Mumbai - 400 049.

Telephone: 91-22-6592 1141 / 6592 1151