Main E-mail: vijay@anglo-sphere.com

The world today is at crossroads between a return to the horrors of the first half of the 20^th Century and the burgeoning hopes of the 21^st Century. The entire planet in the first half of 20^th Century was devastated by two world wars and freedom every where was threatened by the rise of totalitarianism. From there on we keep moving from crises to crises - holocaust, Atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Twin Tower attack in New York to the present day conflict in Iraq.

Thousands continue to die in conflicts all over the globe in Columbia, Nepal, Zimbabwe, Kashmir and Congo. A human tragedy in Democratic Republic of Congo (Size of Western Europe) has claimed four million Lives more then any conflict since the Second World War. The country has been abandoned by International Community to rape, killing slaughter and ritual cannibalism since 1997 when war broke out.

A path to peace amid global crises, the subject of our talk to-day will be in nutshell a world without war and violence, a place where all human beings are not denied their human rights, freedom and justice. Governments all over the world will use International law and diplomacy (negotiations) to solve global problems.

For finding lasting peace we need to analyse why the world keeps on drifting from crises to crises. The threats to world peace are political, economic, religious, ecological, North-South divide, current US hegemony and unilateralism. some of the factors for world crises are as follows;

1. The unilateralist policies of America and other powerful nations is creating unlimited problems around the globe as they are busy pursuing their selfish agenda of world domination relentlessly and will not let go a policy of power and control.

2. The weapons industry (death industry) is a source of terrorism as it encourages countries (especially poor) to spend their much needed cash on weapons to wage wars against each other. US and UK sell arms to over 100 countries including Angola, Tanzania, Indonesia and Israel with worse Human Rights record.

3. Religious fundamentalism is a major cause of crises as is seen in Middle East, Africa and Asia where wars are continually waged in the name of religion and ethnicity.

4. Globalisation and WTO’s (World Trade Organisation) unjust trade policies have given economic depravation to millions of people in poor countries for loss of jobs, opportunity and hope. It has resulted in riots in streets of Seattle, Quebec, Milan, Davos, and New York.

5. Poverty inflicts malnutrition and disease which kills millions of people specially children each year all over the world and is scantly reported. The failure of multinational pharmaceutical companies to supply drugs for aid has resulted in death of millions of HIV positive aid sufferers in Africa and other poor countries.

6. Rampant use of drugs and human trafficking are causes for conflicts among war lords and organised criminal gangs in different parts of the world. It fuels existing conflicts and helps create a gun culture.

7. Further testing and development of new tactical nuclear, biological and chemical weapons by US is a source of increased hostility and could lead to future wars with Iran and North Korea.

8. Irresponsible role of media- lies and spin leads to influencing public opinion and legitimising illegal wars and regimes.

For lasting peace and security we need to follow recommendations below:

1. Renounce use of force and violence to settle disputes. Work towards the goal of a world without wars and elimination of small arms and weapons of mass destruction
2. Develop a sense of secular harmony to live in a multicultural society so that all the different ethnic and religious groups can work in harmony
3. As we live in a global village rich nations should cooperate with poor nations (for their own good) in providing assistance for cancelling their huge debts, giving access to latest information technology and bringing fair trade regulations to uplift their economies
4. All countries should abide by International Law, Disarmament Treaties and upholding of UN charter. UN’s budget for peacekeeping and development should be increased for it to work in a more effective way.
5. To educate fanatics to become secular moderate citizens of the world. The idea that one religion will triumph over all the others is fallacious
6. Eliminate weapons of mass destruction and reduce spending on military hardware. Instead use the savings for economic growth and peaceful uses
7. Use negotiations and diplomacy to settle disputes, instead of military confrontation which is a tool of destruction
8. Develop a common loyalty to humankind from family to nation to the whole world. Countries must surrender their sovereignty for the survival and development of civilisation
9. Follow the United Nations MDG (Millennium Development Goals) which were agreed by all Heads of States at the New York General Assembly Session in year 2000 for the progress of the planet earth
10. Reduce dependency on oil to run the world economy (specially of US) and find out alternative sources of energy to help the environment
11. Weapon manufacture and sales should be declared a criminal activity prohibited by law. It is a source of making money for multinational Arms companies. In most cases the export and sales of arms is subsidised by governments which gives it legitimacy.
12. Peace and Human Rights education should be given priority in formal and non-formal way to develop a culture of peace and non-violence.
13. Foster links with peace movements in Europe, United States and the rest of the world. Make civil society and NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organisations) part of the world wide politically conscious movement for lasting peace and justice.
14. Punish Politicians, Dictators and Warlords for War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity by prosecuting them in the newly formed ICC (International Criminal Court)

After the recent bomb in Baghdad the entire UN mission in Iraq is in disarray with many key personnel leaving the area. The coalition forces are Illegal occupiers of Iraq and should immediately leave the country. They are hated and are a target for attack as seen recently from increasing network of anti-US forces bent on plunging Iraq in to violence and anarchy. For Iraq to be governed by Iraqis and peace to be restored in the area UN mission need to be strengthened and given complete control with large number of peacekeepers from different countries.

What do the events of 11^th of September 2001 mean, when the Twin Towers in New York came under attack? It tells us that the only superpower America cannot play by its own rules and disregard all international treaties and UN resolutions. It can not carry on fuelling the conflicts in the Middle East, Iraq and other countries in the pursuit of oil and wealth. Bush government needs to learn that to avert global crises they need to conform to the normal path of world relations instead of pursuing their own agenda. Only then they can live as a just nation in a peaceful human community.

We should note that throughout history people have felt powerless before authority, but that at certain times these powerless people, by organizing, acting, risking, persisting, have created enough power to change the world around them, even if a little. That is the history of the labour movement, of the women's movement, of the anti-Vietnam war movement, the disabled person’s movement, the gay and lesbian movement, the movement to eliminate apartheid from South Africa.
Remember, that those who have power, and who seem invulnerable are in fact quite vulnerable, that their power depends on the obedience of others, and when those others begin withholding that obedience, begin defying authority, that power at the top turns out to be very fragile. Generals become powerless when their soldiers refuse to fight, industrialists become powerless when their workers leave the jobs or occupy the factories.

When we forget the fragility of that power in top we become astounded when it crumbles in the face of rebellion. We have had many such surprises in our time, both in the United States and in other countries. We should remember that public opinion and mass protests have the power to change the world.

As for us peace activists I will conclude with some words of inspiration and wisdom from Gandhi:

"If you pursue your goal, in a gentle way, you can shake the world"

Thank you very much for inviting me to be with you

Vijay Mehta MA 

Vice-Chairman: Action for United Nations Renewal

Secretary: London CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament)