Monday, July 25, 2005
Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Committee, starlene@greens.org,
cell phone 916-995-3805
TULSA, OK. -- Green Party leaders at the party's
national meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma condemned the bombings in Egypt
early Saturday, and expressed sympathy for those whose family members
were killed or were themselves injured in the attacks.
"The Green Party condemns all acts of
violence in support of political aims," said Gwen Wages, co-chair
of the Green Party of the United States, who noted that the attacks
appear calculated to target tourists and their families.
Greens said that the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan
and Iraq have resulted in increased support for groups willing to kill
civilians for political purposes, and noted that countries with open
borders, such as Egypt, are especially vulnerable to attack.
"Egyptian leaders have exploited the attacks
to restrict personal freedom and justify torture of suspects,"
said Rebecca Rotzler, Co-Chair of Green Party Peace Action Committee
and Deputy Mayor of New Paltz, New York.
"Political opposition has been crushed in the
name of security, with opposition leaders have been imprisoned,
tortured, and killed. Such a response only motivates further
violence."
"Middle Eastern and African countries are
paying a steep price for the American occupations in Afghanistan and
Iraq," added Peggy Lewis, co-chair of the national party.
"People who support a nonviolent response to the invasions are
being pressured and intimidated by those who favor violent tactics.
We're losing an irreplaceable opportunity to support those striving
for human rights and multiparty democracies in countries such as
Egypt."
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
1711 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009.
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193