They should be on trial, not up for a frickin peace prize [poster on Indymedia].
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Dear Nobel Prize committee
I am writing to protest the nomination of UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush for the Nobel Peace Prize, and to urge the committee not to award this prestigious recognition to them.
Norwegian Member of Parliament Harald Tom Nesvik announced that he has submitted a nomination for Tony Blair and George W. Bush for "their decisive action against terrorism, something I believe in the future will be the greatest threat to peace."
From what I understand, the provisions set by Alfred Nobel specify that the winner of the Peace Prize "shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses."
However, Tony Blair has ordered more military actions than any U.K. leader since World War II, with at least one military action every year since 1998. George W. Bush has initiated a war not only against Afghanistan, but an undefined, open ended "War on Terrorism" which administration officials threaten to expand to other nations such as Iran, North Korea, and Iraq.
In pursuit of his "War on Terrorism," Bush has urged massive increases to the size and funding of the U.S. standing military. He has also embroiled the U.S. in civil wars throughout the developing world. U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney has stated that the global "War on Terrorism" launched by Bush "may never end. At least, not in our lifetimes."
Many global peace groups have been working hard and making change toward ending violence and global suffering, but have been stonewalled or even intimidated by the war administrations of Bush and Blair. The courageous, nonviolent direct work for peace by groups such as Women in Black (a 2001 Nobel Peace Prize nominee) and the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, stands in direct contrast to the global warfare launched by Prime Minister Blair and President Bush.
Perpetual war is not peace. Whether or not Bush and Blair's actions are justified, their extensive and expanding pursuit of warfare is not the same thing as working for peace by any definition of the word, and does not amount to "fraternity between nations, ... the abolition or reduction of standing armies and ... holding and promotion of peace congresses."
I hope that the Nobel Peace Prize committee will reject Nesvik's proposal and choose to make an award that will respect the unique prestige of the Nobel Peace Prize, and the individuals and groups who have truly worked for global peace.
Reject Nomination of Bush and Blair for Nobel Peace Prize
http://www.thepetitionsite.com
Posted on the Independent Newswire on 15 May 2003.
Ref: www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=319565&group=webcast
--------------------------------
Dear Nobel Prize committee
I am writing to protest the nomination of UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush for the Nobel Peace Prize, and to urge the committee not to award this prestigious recognition to them.
Norwegian Member of Parliament Harald Tom Nesvik announced that he has submitted a nomination for Tony Blair and George W. Bush for "their decisive action against terrorism, something I believe in the future will be the greatest threat to peace."
From what I understand, the provisions set by Alfred Nobel specify that the winner of the Peace Prize "shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses."
However, Tony Blair has ordered more military actions than any U.K. leader since World War II, with at least one military action every year since 1998. George W. Bush has initiated a war not only against Afghanistan, but an undefined, open ended "War on Terrorism" which administration officials threaten to expand to other nations such as Iran, North Korea, and Iraq.
In pursuit of his "War on Terrorism," Bush has urged massive increases to the size and funding of the U.S. standing military. He has also embroiled the U.S. in civil wars throughout the developing world. U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney has stated that the global "War on Terrorism" launched by Bush "may never end. At least, not in our lifetimes."
Many global peace groups have been working hard and making change toward ending violence and global suffering, but have been stonewalled or even intimidated by the war administrations of Bush and Blair. The courageous, nonviolent direct work for peace by groups such as Women in Black (a 2001 Nobel Peace Prize nominee) and the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, stands in direct contrast to the global warfare launched by Prime Minister Blair and President Bush.
Perpetual war is not peace. Whether or not Bush and Blair's actions are justified, their extensive and expanding pursuit of warfare is not the same thing as working for peace by any definition of the word, and does not amount to "fraternity between nations, ... the abolition or reduction of standing armies and ... holding and promotion of peace congresses."
I hope that the Nobel Peace Prize committee will reject Nesvik's proposal and choose to make an award that will respect the unique prestige of the Nobel Peace Prize, and the individuals and groups who have truly worked for global peace.
Reject Nomination of Bush and Blair for Nobel Peace Prize
http://www.thepetitionsite.com
Posted on the Independent Newswire on 15 May 2003.
Ref: www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=319565&group=webcast
