Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace

P.O. Box 363 Geneseo, NY 14454

"HUMAN RACE NOT ARMS RACE"

November 14, 1998

Dear GVCP Member:

NEXT GVCP MEETING AND ACTION: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5th. GVCP Meeting and "Don't Buy War Toys" action. 9:30 AM--meeting at 40 Oak St., Geneseo. 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon--action at Wal-Mart Plaza, Route 20A, Geneseo. Please bring a peaceful toy such as a teddy bear or a doll. It is always cold at this action--PLEASE DRESS WARMLY!

SAVE THE DATES: Metro Justice Alternative Celebration Fair, Friday, December 4th, 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM & Saturday, December 5th, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Unitarian Church, 220 S Winton, Rochester. Crafts, alternative gift items, holiday cards, music, food.

HURRICANE DEVASTATES CENTRAL AMERICA. Hurricane Mitch is the worst natural disaster to hit Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala in this century. Rochester's ciudad hermana (sister city), El Sauce, sustained major damage. Eight people died, and the death toll may increase quickly because of disease and malnutrition. Although the road to El Sauce is impassable, a helicopter was able to bring emergency relief supplies purchased with money provided by the Ciudad Hermana Task Force. A major fundraising campaign is now taking place so that more emergency supplies can be obtained in Nicaragua and brought to El Sauce. Please help! Checks (tax deductible) should be sent to:

Metro Justice

Nicaragua Emergency Fund

36 St. Paul Street

Rochester, NY 14604

THIS MONTH'S LETTER: DEBT RELIEF FOR CENTRAL AMERICA. Immediate humanitarian aid is absolutely essential for Nicaragua and the other Central American countries suffering from the hurricane aftermath. In the long run, however, major international financial aid will be required to rebuild homes, schools, bridges, health centers, and roads. Solidarity organizations within Nicaragua and throughout the world are calling on the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to forgive all debts owed by the Central American nations. These debts have been a millstone around the neck of these countries for decades. Payment of interest and principal on these debts has led to human misery and ecological destruction that is beyond imagination. Now is the time for the developed nations to act in a just and compassionate fashion. Debt relief and financial aid for rebuilding will help Central American and the industrialized nations. WRITE TO:

Mr. James Wolfensohn

President, The World Bank

1818 H St, NW

Washington DC 20433

Michel Camdessus, Managing Director

International Monetary Fund

700 19th St, NW

Washington DC 20431

Tell them this is a critical juncture in the history of Central America--immediate debt relief can benefit millions of people now and for many years to come. COPIES TO: Sen. Moynihan and Sen. Schumer, Washington DC 20510 and your Representative, Washington DC 20515.

Peace,

LORI BERENSON--IMPRISONED FOR THREE YEARS! HOW MUCH LONGER CAN SHE SURVIVE HER BRUTAL IMPRISONMENT? PLEASE WRITE TO SENATOR(!) CHARLES SCHUMER, U.S. SENATE, WASHINGTON, DC, 20510. ASK HIM TO DEMAND AN IMMEDIATE RELEASE OR A FAIR TRAIL FOR U.S. CITIZEN LORI BERENSON. THIS IS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR MR. SCHUMER TO TAKE THE LEAD ON THIS IMPORTANT CONSTITUENT ISSUE. LORI'S LIFE IS AT STAKE!