March 6, 2009 Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (BIP)

Many in Afghanistan Oppose Obama's Troop Buildup
By Anand Gopal (Christian Science Monitor)

          Mar. 2- Afghanistan Parliamentarian Shukria Barakzai says she has an innovative amendment to Washington's planned injection of up to 30,000 new troops here.   "Send us 30,000 scholars instead. Or 30,000 engineers. But don't send more troops - it will just bring more violence."  Ms. Barakzai is among the growing number of Afghans - especially in the Pashtun south - who oppose a troop increase here, posing what could be the biggest challenge to the Obama administration's stabilization strategy.  "At least half the country is deeply suspicious of the new troops," says Kabul-based political analyst Waheed Muzjda...

     Much of the Afghan opposition comes from provinces dominated by the Pashtun ethnic group, which include areas that have seen the most fighting and where the new troops will be deployed. A group of 50 mostly Pashtun members of parliament recently formed a working group aimed at blocking the arrival of new troops and pushing for a bilateral military agreement between Kabul and Washington, which currently does not exist...
 
   "The majority of my people disagree with this increase," says Hanif Shah Hosseini, an MP from Khost province who is not part of the working group. "More troops won't bring more security, just an increase in the fighting..."
  
   Officials in Washington and Pashtun villagers agree on one thing: They expect the violence to increase this summer as
the new forces attempt to root out insurgent strongholds.  "I know once the snows melt, things will start to get much worse," Logar resident Nasar Ahmad says. "The fighting will be intense, and a lot of us villagers are talking about fleeing to Kabul."   "We are worried our families will be caught in the middle," he adds....

JOIN US ON THE SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE IRAQ WAR

PEACE GATHERING AND SIGN HOLDING 
 
Thursday, March 19th, 4:00 p.m. -- 5:30 p.m.         

Corner of Hwy 11 (Kanoelehua Ave) and Kekuanaoa St. (the road to the Hilo airport)

   
The war in Iraq was wrong from the get-go.  It was based on lies.  It was a war of aggression by the U.S. for control of resources and strategic location.  It was wrong six years ago and it is wrong to continue it even one more day.  Shifting troops from the war in Iraq to wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan is not the answer.  It is more of the same, going from the frying pan into the fire.  Join a world-wide effort to end these devastating atrocities and help restore freedom, dignity, and everyone's right to thrive.

Stop ALL the Wars!  Cut the Military Budget!

1.  Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc. 5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
 Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.
Phone (808) 966-7622.  Email ja@interpac.net  http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (March 6, 2009 - 390th week) - Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

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Jim Albertini

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O.Box AB

Kurtistown, Hawai’i 96760

phone: 808-966-7622

email: JA@interpac.net

Visit us on the web at: www.malu-aina.org