[alternet-l] THE ALTERNET NEWS - ISSUE # 109

[Joanne Doyle]

THE ALTERNET NEWS - ISSUE # 109

This issue:

EDITORS NOTE/
HOT SITES/
ILLEGAL EVICTION/
TERRORIST THREAT/
EU PIRACY LAW/
E-WASTE/
GM CONTAMINATION/
GATS NEGOTIATIONS/
CORPORATE LIABILITY/
INDIAN CONTACT/
PUBLIC TRANSPORT/
QUOTE/UNQUOTE/
JOBS/
DIARY/

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EDITORS NOTE

This is the final edition of the Alternet News that I will be editing. I 
have enjoyed it immensely and pass on the privilege to Cedric Knight, 
GreenNet support staff person and peace activist. Thanks to all who have 
sent information for inclusion, for your comments on the issues covered, 
and your support in general for the Alternet News.

Please keep reading, pass on to others and keep sending in your news. 
Please don't send news to the AlterNet News address, send to: 
cknight at gn.apc.org.

AlterNet News is the GreenNet e-zine, a fortnightly electronic digest that 
carries brief news items, campaigns and updates, a diary of key forthcoming 
events and announcements, including grants and job information from civil 
society. AlterNet News comes from GreenNet contacts all over the web, but 
where possible, the focus is on the GreenNet community.

Back issues are on-line at:
--> www.gn.apc.org/news/alternet/index.html

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HOT SITES

March 20th saw anti-war protests around the World. In this edition of AN, 
hot sites features a few pictures from these demonstrations:

 From London:
http://bristol.indymedia.org/newswire/display/14029/index.php

 From Belgium:
--> www.indymedia.be/news/2004/03/82317.php

 From the live Peace-Sing in Budapest, 20 March:
--> www.bekejel.net/cikk.shtml?x=15897

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ILLEGAL EVICTION

The Blackwood tree camp set up to stop a bypass to a bomb factory in S. 
Wales is being illegally evicted at this very moment. At 5.30 Tuesday 
morning (March, 23rd) police and Sheriff's men illegally entered the camp 
and started to clear protesters. Local people have started a legal process 
to force the police and under-sheriff to recognise that the eviction is in 
contempt of court since a case is awaiting a hearing in the High Court in 
Cardiff.

The camp near Newport has been there for seven weeks with over 50 people 
living in tree houses and down tunnels. It was set up by local people to 
stop the building of a bypass road by Costain to a weapons factory that is 
due to start making parts for US tanks and military helicopters.

Costain is already being investigated by police for criminal offences 
relating to negligent destruction of protected wildlife on the Blackwood 
Bypass site.

Boris who lives on-site says 'This is an illegal eviction, it is totally 
appalling that the police are just standing by and letting this go on!'

The protesters are suing the under-sheriff and Costain for conspiracy to 
cause criminal damage, assault, and burglary.

For up to date news and quotes please contact Ken on 01495 227280 or Boris 
on 0770 8420446

For further reports and pictures see the Indymedia website:
--> www.indymedia.org.uk/

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TERRORIST THREAT

Following the horrific bombings in Madrid, there is a widespread 
introspection amongst Europeans to understand the logic of the terrorist 
attacks and to review Rurope's role in supporting the US in the war against 
Iraq and its war on terror.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) response: Spain - Bombings Show Disdain for 
Civilian Life:

There can be no justification for acts that assault the right to life and 
the rule of law.

Spanish authorities have stated that those responsible for the bombings 
will be caught and will pay for their crime. In that effort, the government 
must uphold those very principles that came under attack today. In 
apprehending and prosecuting the perpetrators, the Spanish government must 
itself respect the rule of law and observe its human rights obligations. It 
should reinforce the message that it is dedicated to these very principles 
that will ultimately prevail over the logic of terror.

--> http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/03/11/spain8111.htm

Indymedia report: Madrid - UN's credibility critically wounded:

Within hours of (fateful) Madrid blasts the United Nations Security Council 
met. During a five minute session the council's 15 members unanimously 
adopted a resolution condemning the Basque separatist group ETA for the 
deadly attacks. But as it became increasingly clear that ETA was not 
responsible, questions of attempted manipulation of the public were abundant.

Detailed Analysis:
--> www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/03/287398.html

Spiked Essay: Creating the enemy
- Brendan O'Neill

'The Madrid attack was horrific. But how did a handful of terrorists cause 
such widespread fear and consternation throughout the capitals of Europe 
and the USA? How can terrorists provoke states to reorganise their security 
systems and to bunker down lest they become the 'next Madrid'? The answer 
is, they cannot - unless we allow them to.'

Essay in full:
--> www.spiked-online.com/articles/0000000CA492.htm

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EU PIRACY LAW

Wired News reports:

The European Parliament approved a controversial piracy law that
would allow local police to raid the homes and offices of suspected
intellectual-property pirates, search their financial records and even freeze
suspects' bank accounts.

As passed, the measure includes civil and administrative penalties for 
commercial piracy. Criminal penalties were dropped. Individual member 
countries are still free, however, to punish intellectual-property theft 
with criminal sanctions.

Parliament was under the gun to pass legislation before its May recess, 
June Parliament elections and the imminent expansion of the EU from 15 to 
25 countries, particularly in Eastern Europe.

Full story:
--> www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,62677,00.html/wn_ascii

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E-WASTE

Computer waste is still being dumped in developing nations in contravention 
of the Basel Convention, an investigation by the BBC Earth Files programme 
shows. The research reveals both companies and governments are flouting the 
treaty designed to regulate the shipment and disposal of hazardous 
materials. E-waste is a mounting problem with much of it dealt with in 
India and China.

Next year, a new European Union directive called WEEE - Waste Electrical 
and Electronic Equipment - comes into force which should make e-waste 
dumping from Europe a thing of the past. Manufacturers will have to take 
back unwanted computers and make sure they are properly recycled. But 
negotiations on setting up a similar scheme in the United States, which 
environmental groups regard as the principal source of e-waste, have stalled.

Without a significant change of stance by the US, and without enforcement 
of Basel Convention regulations by other nations, campaigners fear the 
e-waste trade will continue to grow - with all the health and environmental 
consequences that implies.

Full report:
--> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3549763.stm

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GM CONTAMINATION

More than two-thirds of conventional crops in the United States are now 
contaminated with genetically modified material - dooming organic 
agriculture and posing a severe future risk to health - a new report concludes.

The report - which comes as ministers are on the verge of approving the
planting of Britain's first GM crop, maize - concludes that traditional
varieties of seed are "pervasively contaminated" by genetically engineered
DNA.

The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee drew attention to the
problem in North America in a report published on Friday, and said the
Government had not paid enough attention to it. The MPs concluded: "No
decision to proceed with the commercial growing of GM crops [in Britain]
should be made until thorough research into the experience with GM crops
in North America has been completed and published". It would be
"irresponsible" for ministers to give the green light to the maize without
further tests.

Access the report:
--> www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmenvaud/90/9002.htm

Earlier this month, the Scottish Parliament debate, in which the vote that 
would have prevented GM maize from being grown anywhere in the UK was lost 
by a single vote. Friends of the Earth Scotland¹s Chief Executive, Duncan 
McLaren, said:

'We are now in the ridiculous position that Britain's entire GM policy is
likely to have been decided upon because of who was or wasn¹t having to
Chair at the time of vote. Had the debate been chaired by an MSP from a
different political party is very likely the vote would have gone the other
way.'

Read the full press release here:
--> www.foe-scotland.org.uk/press/pr20040304.html

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GATS NEGOTIATIONS

World Development Movement Briefing: 'GATS: The forgotten battle over WTO 
investment rules':

The paper argues that the EU's proposals for a separate agreement covering
investment has only ever been one part of their investment agenda. The other
key aspect is the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) whose rules
apply to companies setting up operations in other countries.

While there has been huge concern about the EU's push for new investment
rules in the WTO, the investment element of the on-going GATS negotiations
are yet to generate such opposition. Meanwhile, in their post-Cancun
negotiating objectives, the EU and the US (in alliance with key industry
allies), have made their ambitions in the services negotiations very clear.

Access the full briefing here (pdf file):
--> www.wdm.org.uk/cambriefs/gats/GATS-Investment_02.04.pdf

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CORPORATE LIABILITY

ENDS Directory reviews the draft EU Directive on environmental liability:

This has been more than a decade in the making. While it is not expected to 
take effect before 2007, it is already causing much speculation as to how 
companies will be affected.

Many specific environmental liability regimes are already in place across 
Europe ­ some originating from existing EU legislation, but mostly from 
national policy. The stated purpose of the new Directive is to establish a 
"common framework" to ensure that future damage is restored or prevented.

Ultimately, whether or not the Directive does prove to be a revolution for 
corporate environmental liability will depend on how it is implemented. 
Chris Clarke comments: "Member States will have a choice of how to 
transpose it on top of existing laws. They also have a right to go further 
than the Directive’s requirements and impose, or retain, more stringent 
provisions."

This could include adding more activities and additional responsible 
parties. The latter could be significant in the UK given that under the 
current contaminated land regime any "knowing permitter" or land owner, as 
well as the polluter, can be held liable.

Read the review online:
--> www.endsdirectory.com/articles/index.cfm?action=200404

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INDIAN CONTACT

Survival reports:

A group of previously uncontacted Ayoreo Indians has emerged from the 
forests of Paraguay, under pressure from deforestation all around them. The 
17 people (five men, seven women and five children) are in excellent 
health, but acutely short of water. Colonists who have settled in their 
territory have taken possession of the permanent water holes for cattle 
ranching, leaving the Indians unable to get water in the dry season.

The Indians made contact with fellow Ayoreo who were planning to establish 
a new community in the last sizeable area of forest in the region. For ten 
years the Ayoreo and their supporters have been trying to protect the zone 
from accelerating invasion. Now, ranchers and farmers occupy large parts of 
the Ayoreo's forest.

Under national and international law, the Paraguayan government should have 
titled the area (some 550,000 hectares) to the Indians. But after ten 
years, only around a quarter has been titled. Some landowners continue to 
send in bulldozers to clear the forest, defying court orders which were 
supposed to halt all work in the area.

The newly-contacted Ayoreo (who belong to the Totobiegosode sub-group) have 
requested access to water, and a halt to the incursions into their 
territory. In a message to the outside world they said, 'Please do not 
touch the forest, because it gives us life. Please stop the bulldozers.'

More information here:
--> www.survival-international.org/ayoreo.htm

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CLIMATE CHANGE

Greenpeace action - Germany threatens to destroy critical climate-saving law:

The EU has up until now been the world leader in taking action to reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions, and Germany has played a leading role on climate 
change for more than a decade. But now Germany's Minister for Economics 
threatens to undermine a progressive EU law, critical to tackling climate 
change.

This law, the Emissions Trading Directive, aims to help all EU countries 
start reducing CO2 emissions from next January. It's a major part of how 
countries will meet their Kyoto Protocol targets.

Germany has another ten days to agree how to adopt the EU law for its own 
country.

Join Greenpeace's action to urge Germany to adopt real action here:
--> http://act.greenpeace.org/ams/e?a=1333&s=gen

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PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The Demand for Public Transport: a Practical Guide

The guide, produced by a consortium comprising TRL and partners from 
academia and the commercial transport industry, on behalf of the 
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) describes how 
various factors influence the demand for public transport. The new guide 
updates the 1980 TRL publication “The Demand for Public Transport” and 
should provide a vital reference source to key stakeholders, such as public 
transport operators and central and local government.

Download the complete guide for free at:
--> www.demandforpublictransport.co.uk/

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QUOTE/UNQUOTE

‘That people should be experts, or at least fluent in science and medicine 
before giving their views about it, after all, is contrary to the basic 
tenet of our democratic societies. Democracy is a bet: the bet that 
conscience should take precedence over competence.’
- Niedhart

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JOBS

Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML) seeks Event Organiser:

WLUML is holding its Annual Board Meeting between 10th - 20th June 2004 in 
the UK.

WLUML will offer a flat rate for the entire package of £1,200 - £1,600 
depending on experience. The Office Manager at our International 
Coordination Office in London is going on maternity leave as of April 1st 
and we would like to appoint a consultant to organise the event.

Application deadline: 3rd April 2004
Application format: CV and covering letter (email only please to 
wluml at wluml.org)

Find out more about WLUML at their website:
--> www.wluml.org/english/index.shtml

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DIARY DATES

MARCH

Saturday, 27th
Sikh organisations and activists, gather in Coventry to commemorate the 13 
Sikhs killed in PANJAAB'S BLOODY SUNDAY of 1978. The event is an open 
public event, with speakers invited from various nations and campaigns 
engaged in similar struggles.
Further details from: Jagdeesh Singh 01753-691266

Tuesday, 30th
SCOTTISH ENVIRONMENT MOVEMENT UNVEILS MAJOR NEW CAMPAIGN
Coalition of 26 groups to flag up environment ahead of Euro election
10:15am for 10:30am start
Radisson SAS Hotel (formerly the Crowne Plaza),
80 High Street, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh

APRIL

Thursday, 1st
Earthwatch Lecture: Pill Bugs to Penguins; Conserving South Africa’s 
Wildlife ­ by Dr. Michelle Hamer (University of Natal) & Professor Les 
Underhill (University of Cape Town).
7.00pm-8.30pm at the Royal Geographical Society, Kensington Gore, London
For tickets & further information:
--> www.earthwatch.org/europe

Thursday, 1st
South Asia Solidarity Group invites you to a meeting with:
Shabana Azmi, will discuss the struggle to defend cultural freedom from the 
onslaught of the stormtroopers of far-right Hindutva, and
Javed Akhtar, who will discuss his anti-communal work with children and 
young people across India.
6.30 - 8.30pm @ SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1
Details: 0207 267 0923,  sasg at southasiasolidarity.org

Wednesday, 7th & Thursday, 8th
Web Design using Dreamweaver - a 2 day training course run by GreenNet:
By the end of the course you will; understand the principles of the World 
Wide Web; have a practical understanding of how to build, update and 
publish a web site using Dreamweaver; understand the key principles of web 
design & site promotion.
10.30 - 17.30 over 2 days.
Concessionary rate for GreenNet users: £200
Further details or to book a place, email:
joanne at gn.apc.org

Easter Weekend 8 -13th
The Land Is Ours and Chapter7 invite you to a Land Occupation and Low 
Impact Dwelling Convention in Pembrokeshire National Park.
Further details, or to confirm attendance, please call any of these numbers:
01460 249204, 07786 952037, 07855 350164, 0117 373 0346

Sunday, 25th - Friday, 30th
Eco-education: A 5-day course for outdoor leaders, teachers and educators 
exploring a deeper approach to education for sustainable living.
Other Dates: May 16 - 21, May 23 - 28. Cost: £320
Venue: Glenmore Lodge, Aviemore, Scotland
More info:
--> www.footprint-education.org/courses.html#ecoed

PEACE REVOLUTIONS
Organised by Seaside Tribe & Campaign Against Arms Trade
@ The Brixton Telegraph, 228 Brixton Hill, Brixton, London
Friday 23rd April - Its a Seaside theme!
£5 tickets & B4 11pm £8 door after
--> www.seasidetribe.org/about

MAY

Friday, 7th
Global Footprints and Kitten Heels
A day of workshops, activities and exhibition, an early evening debate and 
evening reception with organic buffet. To celebrate the 15th anniversary of 
Women’s Environmental Network, raise awareness about what WEN and women 
generally are doing for a better environment, and explore issues of 
identity in this era of globalisation and consumerism.
Full porgramme and online booking at:
--> www.wen.org.uk/general_pages/Newsitems/event.htm

Saturday, 15th
KYOTO MARCH - Organised by Campaign against Climate Change
Details:
--> www.campaigncc.org

Monday 24th - Sunday 30th
Vegetarian week
Visit the Vegetarian Socities website to check out events or to register 
your own event:
--> www.vegsoc.org/nvw/index.html

*
More Diary Dates on GreenNet:
--> www.gn.apc.org/calendar/calindex.shtml

Please add your events to the calendar here:
--> www.gn.apc.org/calendar/add.shtml

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The AlterNet News is edited by Joanne Doyle for GreenNet:
---> www.gn.apc.org

Please note that opinions expressed in AlterNet are those of the 
contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the GreenNet 
Collective.

To subscribe or unsubscribe see:
http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/alternet-l
For more information on this service and how to use it, contact:
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