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Media Contacts:
Nancy Allen, Media Coordinator
207-326-4576, nallen@acadia.net
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator
202-518-5624, scottmclarty@yahoo.com
GREEN PARTY ENDORSES UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION
PROPOSES BASIS FOR ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE
The US Association of State Green Parties (ASGP)
released a statement on October 24, which
addresses the current violence between Israelis and Palestinians and
proposes concrete measures as the basis for an enduring peace.
This statement supports recent UN
Security Council Resolution 1322, which deplores Israeli provocation
at Haram Al-Sharif and condemns the excessive use of force against
Palestinians.
According to ASGP Steering Committee co-chair, Tom
Sevigny of Connecticut, "The Green Party opposes violence by either
Israelis or Palestinians. However, by supporting this resolution, we
acknowledge the greater responsibility of Israel for the conflict in
this immediate crisis and in Israel's continuing history of
non-compliance with international law and UN resolutions."
The ASGP statement recognizes that the continuing
Israeli occupation of Palestinian land is a violation of Palestinian
human rights under international law. However, it reaffirms the Green
Party's commitment to non-violence, and urges Palestinians to refrain
from violence in response to this violation. Dean Myerson, of Colorado
and a member of the ASGP coordinating committee, encourages Palestinians
to "set a moral example" by protesting their injustices by
means of "mass non-violent civil disobedience and
non-cooperation" and to "empower leaders who support such
non-violent acts of liberation."
The ASGP statement acknowledges the inherent biases
in the Oslo peace process, whereby Israeli goals have been privileged at
the expense of inalienable Palestinian rights. According to ASGP
International Committee member, Justine McCabe of Connecticut, the ASGP
calls on the US government to commit to four propositions as the only
viable basis for peace and to end aid to Israel until it has also
adhered to these. They include new peace negotiations based on
compliance with international law, shared sovereignty of Jerusalem, the
Israeli withdrawal from all lands acquired since 1967, and the
affirmation of the inalienable right of Palestinians to return to their
homes
The ASGP ratified the Green Party platform (www.gp.org)
on which the campaign of its presidential candidate, Ralph Nader (www.votenader.org),
is based.
The ASGP is working to elect Greens in many states
(Green candidate list at www.feinstein.org/greenparty/candidatesus00.html)
and to see that the Nader 2000 presidential campaign will garner at
least 5% of the vote on November 7, thereby making the Green Party
eligible for federal funds in election year 2004.
The ASGP/US joins Green Parties in 75 countries
across the globe, in seeking peace, justice, and democracy for all.
The entire ASGP Middle East statement is available at
the ASGP website www.greenparties.org/press/statement.html
Additional contacts:
Justine McCabe(860-354-1822)
Tom Sevigny (860-693-8344)
Dean Myerson greenstuff@deanmyerson.org
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