Sunday, December 14, 2014

German public figures oppose EU/NATO Warmongering



PROMINENT GERMAN
FIGURES OPPOSE EU/NATO
WARMONGERING:

In a significant public statement, prominent German
public figures, politicians, academics and cultural
personalities have come out in opposition to EU/NATO
Warmongering Foreign Policies:



Prominent German Signatories – Open Letter: Another war in

Europe? Not in our name!


Letter published first in the German newspaper DIE ZEIT on December 5th, 2014:

Nobody wants war. But North America, the European Union and Russia are inevitably drifting towards war if they do not finally halt the disastrous spiral of threat and counter-threat. All Europeans, Russia included, jointly hold responsibility for peace and security. Only those who do not lose sight of this goal are avoiding irrational turns.


The Ukraine-conflict shows that the addiction to power and domination has not been overcome. 1990 at the end of the Cold War, we were all hoping for that. But the successes of the policy of detente and the peaceful revolutions have made us sleepy and careless, in the East and the West alike. For US-Americans, Europeans and Russians the guiding principle to banish war permanently from their relations has been lost. Otherwise, the for Russia, threatening expansion of the West to the East, without simultaneously deepening cooperation with Moscow, as well as the illegal annexation of the Crimea by Putin, can not be explained.


In this moment of great danger for the continent, Germany has a special responsibility for the maintenance of peace. Without the will for reconciliation from the Russia people, without the foresight of Mikhail Gorbachev, without the support of our Western allies and without the prudent action by the then Federal Government, the division of Europe would not have been overcome. To allow German unification to peacefully evolve was a great gesture, shaped by reason from the victorious powers. It was a decision of historic proportions. From overcoming the division in Europe a solid European peace and security order from Vancouver to Vladivostok should have developed, as it had been agreed to by all 35 Heads of State and Government of the CSCE Member States in November 1990 in the “Charter of Paris for a New Europe”. On the basis of agreed established principles and through first concrete measures a “Common European Home” was supposed to be established, in which all the States concerned should have equal security. This post-war policy goal has to this day not been redeemed. The people of Europe have to live again in fear.


We, the undersigned, appeal to the federal government of Germany to assume their responsibility for peace in Europe. We need a new policy of détente in Europe. This is only possible on the basis of equal security for all with equal and mutually respected partners. The German government is not following a “unique German path”, if they continue to call, in this stalemated situation, for calm and dialogue with Russia. The Russians’ security requirements are as legitimate and just as important as those of the Germans, the Poles, the Baltic States and Ukraine.


We should not look to push Russia out of Europe. That would be unhistorical, unreasonable and dangerous for peace. Ever since the Congress of Vienna in 1814 Russia has been recognized as one of the global players in Europe. All who have tried to violently change that have failed bloody – the last time it was the megalomaniac Hitler’s Germany that set about a murderous campaign to conquer Russia in 1941.


We call upon the Members of the German Bundestag, delegated by the people to deal appropriately with the seriousness of the situation, to attentively preside over the peace obligation of their government. He, who props  up a bogeyman ascribing blame to one side alone, exacerbates tensions at a time when the signals should call for de-escalation. Inclusion instead of exclusion should be the leitmotif for German politicians.


We appeal to the media to comply with their obligations for nonbiased reporting, more convincingly, than they have thus done. Editorialists and commentators demonize whole nations, without crediting their history. Every able foreign policy journalist will understand the fear of the Russians, since NATO members in 2008, invited Georgia and Ukraine to become members of the alliance. It’s not about Putin. State leaders come and go. What is at stake is Europe. It’s about taking away the people’s fear of war. Towards this purpose, a responsible media coverage based on solid research can help a lot.


On October 3, 1990, on the Day to Commemorate German Reunification, German President Richard von Weizsäcker said: “The Cold War is overcome; freedom and democracy will soon be put in place in all countries … Now they can conduct their relationships within a compact and secure institutional framework, from which a common life and peace order can arise. For the people of Europe a completely new chapter in their history begins. The goal is a Pan-European project. This is a huge challenge. We can archive it, but we can also fail. 
We face the clear alternative to unite Europe, or in line with painful historical examples, to fall back again into nationalist conflicts in Europe. “


Until the Ukraine conflict we thought we here in Europe were on the right track. Today, a quarter of a century later, Richard von Weizsäcker’s words are more relevant than ever.



Signatories:

Mario Adorf, Actor

Robert Antretter (Former Member of German Parliament)

Prof. Dr. Wilfried Bergmann (Vice-President Alma Mater Europaea)

Luitpold Prinz von Bayern (Königliche Holding und Lizenz KG)

Achim von Borries (Regisseur und Drehbuchautor)

Klaus Maria Brandauer (Schauspieler, Regisseur)

Dr. Eckhard Cordes (Chair of Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft)

Prof. Dr. Herta Däubler-Gmelin (Former Federal Minister of Justice)

Eberhard Diepgen (Former Mayor of Berlin)

Dr. Klaus von Dohnanyi (First Mayor der Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg)

Alexander van Dülmen (Vorstand A-Company Filmed Entertainment AG)

Stefan Dürr (Geschäftsführender Gesellschafter und CEO Ekosem-Agrar GmbH)

Dr. Erhard Eppler ( Former Federal Minister for Development)

Prof. Dr. Dr. Heino Falcke (Propst i.R.)

Prof. Hans-Joachim Frey (Vorstandsvorsitzender Semper Opernball Dresden)

Pater Anselm Grün (Pater)

Sibylle Havemann (Berlin)

Dr. Roman Herzog (Former President of Federal Republic Germany)

Christoph Hein (author)

Dr. Dr. h.c. Burkhard Hirsch (Former Vice-President of Federal Parliament)

Volker Hörner (Akademiedirektor i.R.)

Josef Jacobi (Biobauer)

Dr. Sigmund Jähn (Former Astronaut)

Uli Jörges (Journalist)

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Margot Käßmann (ehemalige EKD Ratsvorsitzende und Bischöfin)

Dr. Andrea von Knoop (Moskau)

Prof. Dr. Gabriele Krone-Schmalz (Former Correspondent ARD in Moskau)

Friedrich Küppersbusch (Journalist)

Vera Gräfin von Lehndorff (artist)

Irina Liebmann (author)

Dr. h.c. Lothar de Maizière (Former Minister-President)

Stephan Märki (Intendant des Theaters Bern)

Prof. Dr. Klaus Mangold (Chairman Mangold Consulting GmbH)

Reinhard und Hella Mey (Liedermacher)

Ruth Misselwitz (evangelische Pfarrerin Pankow)

Klaus Prömpers (Journalist)

Prof. Dr. Konrad Raiser (eh. Generalsekretär des Ökumenischen Weltrates der Kirchen)

Jim Rakete (Fotograf)

Gerhard Rein (Journalist)

Michael Röskau (Ministerialdirigent a.D.)

Eugen Ruge (Schriftsteller)

Dr. h.c. Otto Schily (Former Federal Minister of the Interior)

Dr. h.c. Friedrich Schorlemmer (ev. Theologe, Bürgerrechtler)

Georg Schramm (Kabarettist)

Gerhard Schröder (Former Head of Government, Bundeskanzler a.D.)

Philipp von Schulthess (Schauspieler)

Ingo Schulze (author)

Hanna Schygulla (actor, singer)

Dr. Dieter Spöri (Former Federal Minister of Economy)

Prof. Dr. Fulbert Steffensky (kath. Theologe)

Dr. Wolf-D. Stelzner (geschäftsführender Gesellschafter: WDS-Institut für Analysen in Kulturen mbH)

Dr. Manfred Stolpe (Former Minister-President)

Dr. Ernst-Jörg von Studnitz (Former Ambassador)

Prof. Dr. Walther Stützle (Staatssekretär der Verteidigung a.D.)

Prof. Dr. Christian R. Supthut (Vorstandsmitglied a.D. )

Prof. Dr. h.c. Horst Teltschik (Former Chancellor advisor for Security and Foreign Policy)

Andres Veiel (Regisseur)

Dr. Hans-Jochen Vogel (Former Federal Minister of Justice)

Dr. Antje Vollmer (Former Vice President of the Bunderstag)

Bärbel Wartenberg-Potter (Bischöfin Lübeck a.D.)

Dr. Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker (scientist)

Wim Wenders (Regisseur)

Hans-Eckardt Wenzel (songwriter)

Gerhard Wolf (Schriftsteller, Verleger)

  

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Irish Revolt; Massive Protest in Dublin;


GOVERNMENT STUNNED BY
TURNOUT AS PUBLIC REJECTS
REVISED WATER TAX PLAN:



Over 100,000 protest outside Irish
Parliament today:

USA solidarity delegation gets rapturous
Reception from crowds;

Right to Water Campaign to continue
Until General Election;

Nationwide No Payment Boycott to begin
In new year;


The Irish Government’s political strategy to counter the continuous protests throughout the country against the proposed introduction of domestic water charges by halving the proposed charges and postponing bills until April, 2015 and capping charges until 2019, was in tatters today as the massive turnout of today’s demonstration outside the Irish Parliament, Dáil Éireann, showed total rejection of any domestic water charges and the demand loudly made by the crowd as speaker after speaker called for the abolition of such charges and the dissolution of the proposed public water utility company, Uisce Éireann (Irish Water).



Braving the cold weather, thousands began arriving in Dublin this morning to attend the demonstration organised by the Right to Water Campaign, a group of Trade Unions, Residents Associations, Civic Organisations and Small Businesses representing the entire population of the Republic. Busloads of protesters from every County in the state, trainloads from main cities and towns began arriving from the early hours, many accompanied by entire families, men, women, and children to gather at arranged assembly points and proceeding to march into the City Centre to surround the Irish Parliament, Dáil Éireann, in a historic expression of public anger unprecedented in the history of the Republic. By 1pm, the crowds had engulfed the main streets on all sides of the Parliament building except for the front entrance which was occupied by a large force of Gardaí (Police) including a section in full riot gear and the Irish Capital was brought to a complete standstill for the rest of the day.

Police blockade entrance to Irish Parliament, today, 10.12.2014.

Police in riot gear outside Irish Parliament, today, 10.12.2014.



The demonstration was entirely peaceful except at the North side of Kildare Street, facing Trinity College where Gardaí had erected a mini “Berlin Wall” barrier across the whole street which came under heavy pressure from the massive crowd building up on that side of the demonstration. Police reacted in panic and began attacking members of the crowd who were unable to retreat because of the crush behind them and this led to several altercations. The use of untrained police members in these situations has resulted in similar incidents at previous demonstrations which the Government has used as propaganda to accuse the organisers of inciting violence, a slander which is resolutely rejected by the protesters.

At the main location at Merrion Square, East of the Parliament, the huge crowd was entertained by musicians and singers in between the political speeches by several Opposition speakers who unanimously supported the public demand for the withdrawal of the water charges and the dissolution of Uisce Éireann.

A solidarity delegation from the USA, from the Detroit Water Brigade, received a rapturous reception from the thousands strong gathering. The American friends promised total support for the Irish people’s demands and described in detail the suffering of the people of Detroit as a result of cutting of water services from the poor of the city unable to pay the exorbitant charges being imposed there.





If the Government were hoping that its dodgy revision of its water charges plans would dampen the protest movement against them, these hopes were trampled on the ground by over 100,000 angry people in the streets of Dublin today. Attracting worldwide attention, with TV crews from several European neighbours, Britain, USA, China and Russia, the anger of the Irish people was manifest, determined and unmistakeable in their total opposition to the Government’s failed proposals and any Government which ignores this is committing political suicide. 

Last week’s opinion poll showed Government support at its lowest since the 2011 General Election with senior coalition party, Fine Gael at 19%, a reduction of 18% and partner Labour Party at only 5%, insufficient to gain any seats If a General Election were held now. The Government has a stark choice now before it; either submit to the public’s demands or face complete wipe-out in the next election, which given the political instability, contrived only by themselves with gross incompetence in dealing with the Water problems will be sooner rather than later. A dose of reality badly needed at the Cabinet table. The People are determined to provide it.

Former members of the Irish Defence Forces join today's demo in Dublin

A message for Government from the people of Donegal in Dublin today.





Right to Water Campaign organisers announced that the anti-Water Tax protests would continue until the General Election whenever it may be held. The next major demonstration would be held in Dublin on Saturday, 31 January, 2015.


A nationwide “No Payment” Boycott Campaign would begin in April 2015, when the first bills will be posted to householders. The Government has claimed that over 900,000 registration forms have been returned by householders in its anti-protest propaganda but conceals the fact that thousands of these are marked with rejections of any contract deal with the Water Utility. Further, registration does not guarantee that payment will actually be made when the bills start to arrive and people find they haven’t the money at the time, especially if they realise that the No Payment Boycott is a success and the Government  plans have failed.



Opposition Deputy, Catherine Murphy reveals manipulation in awarding contracts for Water Metering Services at today’s demonstration in Dublin: