Make War at Home

From: E Novikov
Subject: Make War at Home
Date: March 21, 2003 10:15

The war began. The war which will create not only a great environmental, social and economical crisis in the region but in Eurasia as a whole.

As usual this war was initiated by the geopolitical force from outside, from a remoted continent. So, the initiator staying overseas does not risk experiencing himself the negative environmental, social and economic consequences of battles. All these consequences will influence entirely Eurasians and partly Africans.

In view of this we consider starting struggle for additions in the international law as an urgent task. It is necessary to obtain the prohibition for states and their armies to battle on the territories of the other continents, because, the war cannot be the defense of any national interests.A terror act of any scale cannot be used as a casus belli against foreign continent.

Taking into account catastrophic consequences of modern war this rule must be a solid norm of the international law like the present-day prohibitions of the sea nuclear explosions, chemical, bacteriological weapons etc.

In this context struggle against a future war in Iraq must use the additional, probably the main ideological component: "Iraq is our neighbor and we will care his disarmament ourselves. Have a good sleep. Your own continent must be the only zone of armed protection of your national interests!"

The public including green organizations must inspire a prohibition of landings and attacks on the other continents. And just now antiwar demonstrations can use such slogans like: "We will solve our continent problems without you!" and "Make war at home!"

We think this idea should be supported by a considerable part of Eurasia citizens.

Group"The Green Ecumene" Eurasia, Russia, Perm

enovikov@perm.raid.ru

Russian National Concept of Peacekeeping

Round table under the title "Reasons for Elaboration of Russian National Concept of Peacekeeping" took place in the UN Information Center in Moscow March 20, 2003. The speakers at the round table were Victor Tarusin, President of "Mirotvorets" Charity Fund, Sergey Lavrov, President of Interregional Organization of Veterans in UN Peacekeeping Missions as well as peacekeeping veterans Anatoly Isaenko, Eugene Komlyakov, Denis Tikhomirov and others.

For the outcomes of the round table see the Information Letter (Russian)

Dated: 23 March, 2003

Letter to the UN Secretary-General

The idea to write down the letter to the UN SG was generated by Russian children, participants of the Contest "UN Blue Beret" organized by the Museum of Peacekeeping Operations in 2001/2002. A 13 year girl mentioned in its composition "UN peacekeeping" that "unfortunately the civilian members of UN peacekeeping operations are not the subjects for the Regulations (ST/SGB/119/Rev.1, 16 February 1966) for the UN medal award while they are always available for the UN service, often in difficult and sometimes in dangerous places risking their lives together with the military personnel".

Following the idea of the child the Museum of Peacekeeping Opreations prepared the letter to the UN SG on this issue while Russian young peacemakers started to collect signatures in support of the Letter in the beginning of 2003.

February 12, 2003 the text of the letter was supported by the National Committee formed in Russia on the occasion of the 55-th anniversary of UNTSO and the 30-th anniversary of Russian participation in UN peacekeeping.

After publication of the letter on the site of the Museum it also has got the support of the international peacekeepers in Canada, Netherlands, Sweden and Norway.

From: Rob Stolk
Subject: Message in support of the Letter
Date: March 2, 2003 12:48

I believe that such an act of recognition of the role of civilian staff and UN volunteers in UN peacekeeping on the eve of the 55-th anniversary of UNTSO will become a significant contribution into strengthening international peace and security.

Rob Stolk
UN Soldier 1981-1982
Netherlands

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From: Frans van Starkenburg
Subject: Message in support of the Letter
Date: February 24, 2003 13:13

Hereby I support your action

All the best,
Frans van Starkenburg
the Netherlands
UNIFIL(Dutchbatt 1983)

website: www.veteranen.info/~cedarsouthlebanon/

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From: Kristoffer Hansson
Subject: Message in support of the Letter
Date: January 13, 2003 12:18

They should also get some kind of recognition. Just the same as we soldiers do. Not the same medal of course, but some kind of medal should be made for the volunteers too. I actually thoght they got a medal. You have my fullest support.

Sincerely
Kristoffer M. Hansson
Ex- Norwegian soldier

Participated, as a Rifleman, in Libanon (UNIFIL 34) and Bosnia (IFOR 1 & 2).

 

Med vennlig hilsen

Kristoffer M. Hansson
Nordea Bank Norge ASA
Filial Skryen

Drammensveien 159
0277 Oslo
Tlf: + 47 22 48 50 00
Dir: + 47 22 51 36 88
Fax: + 47 22 51 36 81
kristoffer.hansson@nordea.no

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As a whole over 3 000 signatures in support of the the letter to the UN SG were awailable by the end of March . So in the beginning of April, 2003 the Museum is planning to send the letter with signatures in its support to the office of the UN SG.

Letter to the UN Secretary-General
on Occasion of the 55-th Anniversary of UNTSO

Dear Mr. Kofi Annan,

In 2003 the Russian Federation and the world community will celebrate two important dates - the 55-th anniversary of UNTSO and 30-th Anniversary of Russian Participation in UN Peacekeeping Operations.

The first peacekeeping operation of the UN was UNTSO. It started to operate June 11, 1948 when the truce agreement between the fighting parties in the Palestine went into effect and a few officers from Belgium, USA, France and Sweden started to come to the mission area. It was the first step on a very difficult and long but a glorious road to the international peace and security.

Russia (at that time the Soviet Union) started to man UN peacekeeping operations since the end of the Arab-Israeli October war in the Middle East, when the first 36 Soviet officers arrived in Cairo (Egypt) and were enlisted into UNTSO November 25, 1973. After that the USSR and Russia continued to man peace operations of the UN sending to the field its military observers, civilian police, troops, civilian staff and volunteers.

In September 1988 the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to the peacekeeping forces of the United Nations. This event has been hailed as a renaissance of peacekeeping, the innovation technique of conflict control and resolution, which the UN has developed over the years.

We believe that the progress in development of innovation technique of conflict control reached by the end of 80s was the result of joint efforts of both military and civilian staff of peacekeeping operations as well of the staff of the UN HQ. It was provided by intensive activities in many fields.

One of such steps made in the previous years was the establishment by the Secretary-General of the UN medal to award UN peacekeepers. According to the Regulations (ST/SGB/119/Rev.1, 16 February 1966) the subjects for the UN medal award were military personnel and civilian police "who are or have been in the service of the UN". Unfortunately, the civilian staff was not mentioned in the Regulations.

By 2000 the number of the military personnel and civilian police awarded with the UN medal "In the Service of Peace" was over 750 000 persons and continued to grow.

Meanwhile in the recent years there was the growth in number of civilian staff serving for peacekeeping missions of the UN. Working as experts in human rights, elections, humanitarian matters and in other fields of activities civilian personnel and UN volunteers were always available for the UN service, often in difficult and sometimes in dangerous places risking their lives together with the military personnel.
Being on the staff list of peacekeeping missions they worked hand in hand with military observers, peacekeeping troops and civilian police doing their utmost for the success of peacekeeping missions.

Basing on these considerations the Council of veterans of the Museum of Peacekeeping Operations, Movement of young peacemakers and schools of peace call you to consider a possibility to award civilian staff and volunteers of peacekeeping operations with the UN medal "In the Service of Peace" or by a memorial badge to be established by the Secretary-General.

We believe that such an act of recognition of the role of civilian staff and UN volunteers in UN peacekeeping on the eve of the 55-th anniversary of UNTSO will become a significant contribution into strengthening international peace and security.

Citizens of Russia and other countries, who put their signatures under the letter, support this call.

Send message in support of the Letter

 

The International Day of UN Peacekeepers

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly [on the report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/57/522)] 57/129. International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

The General Assembly,
Reaffirming that peacekeeping continues to be among the key instruments available to the United Nations in discharging its responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security,

Recognizing the invaluable contribution to the promotion of peace and security of all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations, and recalling in this regard the awarding of the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize to United Nations peacekeeping forces,

Recognizing also the sacrifice of all the men and women who lost their lives in United Nations peacekeeping operations, and recalling in this regard the establishment by the Security Council of the Dag Hammarskjold Medal,

Bearing in mind that the Security Council, by its resolution 50 (1948) of 29 May 1948, authorized the establishment of the first United Nations peacekeeping operation, and recognizing that 2003 marks the fifty-fifth anniversary of United Nations peacekeeping,

Recalling its resolution 56/225 B of 22 May 2002, in which, inter alia, it endorsed the proposals, recommendations and conclusions contained in the report of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, including its recommendation that 29 May be designated the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers,

1. Decides to designate 29 May as the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, to be observed annually to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage, and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace;

2. Invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations and individuals to observe the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers in an appropriate manner;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of all Member States and organizations of the United Nations system.

73rd plenary meeting
11 December 2002

Commentary of the Editorial Board: The National Committee for the celebration of the 55-th anniversary of UNTSO and the 30-th anniversary of Russian participation in UN peacekeeping plans to mark the International Day of UN Peacekeers with the special meeting in Moscow on May 29, 2003.

Conference on Patriotic Education in Moscow

Council of veterans of the Museum took part in the conference organized by Moscow government March 12, 2003 in Moscow (Novy Arbat, 36). In the course of the conference Mrs. Ludmila Shvetsova,Vice Mayer of Moscow handed over medals for bravery on the battlefield to a few veterans of the Second World War, while Mr.Vladimir Dolgih, chairman of Moscow veteran organization delivered a report on patriotic education of children and youth.

For the course of the conference see the photo report.

Dated: March 16, 2003

Fair Deeds of Young Peacemakers in Republic of Belarus

Young Peacemakers of the Secondary School # 134 in the city of Minsk have organized Charity Fair to earn enough money to by presents for invalids and children ill with leukaemia and the cerebral paralysis. Later on they visited hospital and children's home and presented the gifts.

For the activities of peacemakers of the Secondary School see the photo report.

Dated: March 06, 2003

Swedish Doctor will Organize Conference in Moscow

From: Life-Link
Subject: Life-Link news
Date: February 28, 2003  18:47

Dear Friends,
Life-Link news is attached!
Best regards and a lot of Care from
Hans L.

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Newsletter 2002 and
Life-Link programme 2003!

Dear Life-Link friends at 252 schools in 57 countries worldwide,
and many other youth, schools and educators that have asked for Life-Link information!

Life-Link Conference outside Moscow Russia, 24–28 August 2003. This conference will focus on the R-R-R theme and performed R-R-R actions. The conference will be arranged in close co-operation with the Russian federal Ministry of Education. Do you want to participate? Two (2) students, preferably one boy + one girl, and One (1) teacher from each participating school. A separate application form is attached.

Some new peace actions will soon be introduced on www.life-link.org. Drafted topics: Social Addiction, Get on the Move! (physical activity), My Family, Poverty and Wealth, United Nations and Intergovernmental Organisations, Economy and Financing, UNESCO World Heritage Programme, Biodiversity — Agenda 21, Contact with Nature.

Most important of all: Keep up with all your good peace actions, and we welcome your reports each one accompanied by one or a few photos! Don?t forget to inform us if you use the Life-Link programme for networking on specific topics with other friendship-schools. “Act Locally — Think Globally”

All the best regards from your serving Life-Link office in Uppsala Sweden and Care x 3 !

Hans Levander, chairperson — Hanna Farnelid youth chairperson — Marie Save, secretary.