March 4, 1999

Dear GVCP Member:

NEXT GVCP MEETING: SATURDAY, APRIL 3rd, 2:00 P.M., 40 Oak St., Geneseo. *NOTE SATURDAY DATE**NOTE SATURDAY DATE*

SAVE THE DATE: SATURDAY, MAY 1, GVCP MEETING AND BUMPER STICKER ACTION--DETAILS AFTER APRIL MEETING.

CECILIA RODRIGUEZ AT SUNY GENESEO: SATURDAY, MARCH 13th, 8:00 P.M. College Union Ballroom. Free. Ms. Rodriguez is a spokesperson for the Zapatistas in the U.S. She is a dynamic and effective speaker. She will describe the Zapatista struggle, and link the oppression of indigenous people in Mexico with the oppression of women everywhere. The talk will be preceded by the International Women's Day Dinner at 6:00 P.M. (Cost $8.00 for the public, $6.00 for students.) For information call Womyn's Action Coalition, 716-245-5889. <www.geneseo.edu/~wacsg/zapatista.html >

BOMBING OF IRAQ: Military action against Iraq has become so constant that it barely warrants news coverage. Clearly, our government has succeeded in convincing the U.S. public that any military force used on Iraq is not only in the best interest of the United States, but is also fully justified because Saddam Hussein is without redeeming qualities. However, recent news reports indicate that Saddam, despot that he is, isn't always wrong. Clearly U.S. intelligence personnel were placed on the inspection teams, as claimed by Iraq. What effect this information will have on world opinion, U.S. opinion, and U.S. policy remains to be seen.

The enclosed sheet discusses another aspect of our policy toward Iraq--the embargo. Not all members will agree with the sentiments of this letter, but if you do agree with them, here is an opportunity to help publicize these views.

SIERRA LEONE: Last week I received a call from a U.N. official in response to a letter about Sierra Leone. [In all these years, starting in 1972, I don't think GVCP has ever had the experience of somebody calling us.] Amy Pitt followed up the call with a call to the official on behalf of GVCP. He suggested we write to our Representative, asking her/him to support funding for "Pacific Architects and Engineers." Pacific Architects and Engineers provides logistic support and non-lethal supplies to ECOMOG, the African force that is battling the rebels in Sierra Leone. Amy and I know that some of our members will not want to urge support for any agency involved in supporting one side in an armed conflict. On the other hand, as far as we can tell, the rebels really are terrorizing the people of Sierra Leone. (Some have compared them to the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia.) If you agree with support for ECOMOG, please WRITE to your Representative. [Washington, DC 20515] If not, WRITE to U.N. Secretary General Koffi Annan. Ask him to review the situation in Sierra Leone and to consider placement of U.N. ground troops in the country to prevent further bloodshed and to establish a lasting peace. [United Nations, NY, 10017]

Peace,

LORI BERENSON--IMPRISONED FOR 39 MONTHS! HOW MUCH LONGER CAN SHE SURVIVE? PLEASE WRITE TO PRES. CLINTON [WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON DC 20500] ASK HIM TO DEMAND AN IMMEDIATE RELEASE OR A FAIR TRIAL FOR U.S. CITIZEN LORI BERENSON.