NEXT GVCP MEETING: SATURDAY FEB. 8th 2:00 PM, 40 OAK STREET, GENESEO.

SAVE THE DATES: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9th, 1:00 - 3:00 PM, 325 NUNDA BLVD, ROCHESTER. Organizational meeting and potluck for people who may wish to join a delegation to Nicaragua in July. Please bring a dish to pass. More info: 585-244-0465, 585-346-2530, or 585-768-6277, or check our website <www.pregnantcow.com>.

NEW LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES TO SLOW THE RUSH TO WAR:

On Jan. 7th, Rep. Jackson-Lee (TX) introduced a resolution in the House (House Concurrent Resolution 2) to express the sense of Congress that the 2002 war authorization against Iraq should be repealed. Reps. Kucinich (OH), Lee (CA), Davis (IL) and Watson (CA) cosponsored the resolution. On Jan. 13th, Reps. Brown (OH), Kind (WI), Wexler (FL), and Doggett (TX) circulated a Dear Colleague letter to all members of the House asking them to sign a letter to Pres. Bush in support of continued diplomacy in Iraq. The letter asks the President to use the upcoming State of the Union Address-scheduled for Jan. 28th-as an opportunity to reassure "the American people and the international community that the United States remains committed to the diplomatic approach and comprehensive inspections agreed to in UN Security Council resolution 1441." It will be sent to the President on Jan. 24th.

These two new legislative initiatives in the House offer renewed and much-needed leadership in Congress to help pull the Administration back from the brink of war. These congressional calls for diplomacy in Iraq come at a critical moment. Both legislative initiatives need strong public and congressional support.

ACTION: Please call your representative as soon as possible at 202-224-3121. Urge her or him to take the following two actions to help pull the Administration back from the brink of war. (1) Cosponsor H. Con. Res. 2, calling for the repeal of the war authorization act against Iraq. (2) Sign the Brown-Kind Dear Colleague letter urging Pres. Bush to commit to continued diplomacy and weapons inspections in Iraq. If your representative is already a co-sponsor of the repeal resolution and/or has signed the Brown-Kind letter, please express your thanks.

TELEPHONE AND LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN FOR LORI BERENSON
Lori Berenson is a US citizen who has been imprisoned in Peru for over seven years. Recently, Peru has refused to end the antiterrorism laws under which Lori Berenson was tried. This action shows disregard for the Inter-American Commission's ruling in Lori's case, ignores international standards of due process and fairness, and leaves hundreds of people-including Lori-wrongfully imprisoned. We must again call upon US government officials to demand Lori's release. The United States government should express its outrage that a US citizen continues to be so wrongfully treated by its Peruvian ally.

Talking points for telephone calls or letters and sample letters appear on the "Free Lori" Website, <www.freelori.org>

General Colin L. Powell George W. Bush Your Representative Your Senator
Secretary-of-State The White House House of Representatives U.S. Senate
U.S. Department of State Washington DC 20500 Washington DC 20515 Wash 20510
Washington, DC 20520

Please pay your dues for 2003! GVCP is supported almost completely by member contributions. We operate on a very tight budget, but we need a modest amount of money in order to do our work. Please send $20.00 (more if possible, less if necessary) to GVCP, PO Box 363, Geneseo, NY 14454. Note: We do not expect dues from our foreign sister groups, or from US groups with which we exchange newsletters.

Peace,