Dear Friends,

On 11th September, people everywhere were shocked into the realization that we live in a dangerous world. Those who lost loved ones, and the American people, had our sympathy. But how did the American Administration respond? Tragically, very badly. There was no breath of vision, no wisdom, only violence, terror, and war. In spite of millions of people calling for 'no war,' British and American Forces rained death and destruction on the people of Afghanistan and then Iraq. Iraq, a country where, when I visited in l999, not only their children, but the whole country, was being destroyed by the effects of the Gulf War, economic sanctions of UN/USA/UK, and the cruelty of a Military dictator. As if their lives were not desperate enough, they were brutally bombed again. These wars were not heroic, courageous, or honorable. They were immoral, illegal, and unnecessary. In time all those involved in the murder of many thousands of Iraqi people ( the latest figure is 100,000 civilians), and Afghans, will want to say they are sorry. Over 1,000 US and many British soldiers, were killed, and untold thousands of US soldiers injured. The Russian war against Chechnya was another example of State terror against a civilian population. This planted seeds of revenge and hatred, and resulted in desperate acts of terrorism, such as those against the children of Beslan. As sure as Spring follows Winter, terrorism follows State Violence and Repression. In spite of this, we are promised ongoing Wars by the United States. I believe that War is State Terrorism by another name, and is itself a threat to humankind. It may well be, only a matter of time, before some Government, or terrorist group, decides to use Nuclear weapons, and that is why Nuclear Proliferation is also a threat.

We must do all in our power, through the United Nations, to abolish War, and make it illegal under International Law. The US is a Superpower, but we the people of the World, when united, are a stronger Superpower, because we state a truth 'every human life is sacred and we should not be killing each other in violence, ethnic conflicts, and war'. It is time now for the United Nations to recover the mantle of responsibility and authority that has been unfortunately usurped by the United States, The people of the World demand this as our right.

Violence and war are immoral and are not an acceptable way of solving the problems of the human family. There are alternatives. In the past, in response to injustice, we had two choices, fight or flight, but there is a third way, the way of nonviolence. This way was open to the political leaders of Britain and America, but they choose the old way of war. The world was taken to war under false pretences. There were no weapons of mass destruction, and it was only a matter of time before the people of Iraq would have changed their Regime. There was no political will to solve the problems nonviolently, but only a military mindset steeped in the fantasy that might is right, and war works! How sad that, amongst many people, the moral authority of both US and Britain has been lost, as has trust in both countries' political leadership. We need political leaders with vision, who are trusted, and have the ability to give people hope and confidence in themselves and others, belief that they matter and can make a difference.

September 11th raises many questions. What motivated those who carried out this cruel and inhumane attack? In order to deal with insurgency violence, we need to understand the psychology behind such violence. We humans share the same basic human nature. We have an innate sense of justice. We feel injustice deeply; it can make us fearful, angry, and frustrated. We each have a war of emotions going on in our hearts. If injustice is constant, severe, and unrelenting, with no avenue of redress, it can bring about a violent, explosive, even murderous response. We are each murderous, given the right circumstances, and that is why we need to teach nonviolence, such as meditation, to help us deal with our emotions. Also strategies which work, to deal with the injustices. I lived this experience myself, in 'the troubles' in Northern Ireland. Witnessing State violence and injustice, I understand how people can react with violence, often seeing it as an alternative to doing nothing. It is important we do not demonize, dehumanize, or under-estimate the commitment to justice, held by those who choose the 'armed struggle' as a way of change. But it is equally important that we do not glorify violence, make heroes of those who use violence, or be ambiguous about the use of violence. Such ambiguity leaves people, (who themselves are trapped in a unjust, violent, emotional, politically charged situation) often confused about the use of violence. In Northern Ireland the 'armed struggle' was engaged in, and supported, by some as a reaction to State injustice and violence, and by others for their own political agenda. Some political activists argued the phony theory of 'Just War' in a misguided attempt to give religious credence to their use of violence. The 'armed struggle' appealed to some as heroic and gave them a role of authority and power in an otherwise bleak and hopeless situation. In the height of their inner emotional war and outer societal war, it was easy for people to get caught up into violent revolutionary zeal and fervor. They argued any means justified the end, even dying on Hunger Strikes for their political cause. In Northern Ireland, the "Hunger Strikes to the Death" were, I believe wrong. Palestinian Suicide bombers are, I believe, wrong. The lives of Hunger Strikers and Suicide Bombers are sacred, as are the lives of all others. Whilst, I understand what drives people to such violent actions, often in an attempt to call attention to injustices, nevertheless, if we want justice, we must use just means to attain it. By using Nonviolent Resistance (which we all must do when faced with injustice) we acknowledge both our own humanness and the humanness of opponents. Nonviolent Resistance opens the possibility for people to change. I have come to believe that the only hope for real change, is when we the human family, refuse to hurt or kill each other, and begin to build Nonkilling societies, and world. By rejecting totally violence and killing, as inhumane and unacceptable, and solving our problems by peaceful means, we will be living out of the true spirit of our human nature, and we will be happy. This is possible, and it starts with each one of us, seeking truth and living our lives with as much integrity as possible.

Governments have a responsibility to use means consist with their ends, upholding ethical policies, and the highest standards of justice, human rights, etc., They must also recognize the right to nonviolent dissent, and open channels of communications so that all grievances can be addressed. The US new doctrine of war without end, i.e. "war on terrorism" is itself creating a climate of fear and hatred. "War on terrorism" is also a myth, as there is no such thing as a war without an enemy. Terrorism is a tactic, not an enemy. The problem is one of small, but growing, cells of people in various countries, using violence, in a misguided attempt to right wrongs. They have deep grievances, which must be addressed politically. They cannot be solved militarily. In Northern Ireland, there was and is, a recognition that militarism, paramilitarism, and emergency laws, are counter-productive, and that the only way forward was to deal with the root cause of the conflict, through all inclusive dialogue. Thus began the process of dialogue with paramilitary representatives, demilitarization, and a peace process. As part of this conflict resolution process, we were encouraged by the Irish, British and American political leadership to, negotiate with representatives of Paramilitary Organizations. There are lessons to be learned from the conflict resolution process in Northern Ireland, including the need to talk to the terrorists or their political representatives.

We can increase our security by States implementing the highest standards of Justice and Human Rights, and implementing law built on the principles of the universality of human nature. When Government laws respects people, people will respect the law. Also International co-operation and outreach to other countries will help stop violence. But most importantly, dealing with the root cause of violent conflict, and taking the guns out of the situation, so people can begin to build peace across the ground.

A key factor in stopping insurgency in the Middle East is the necessity of a genuine Peace Process. I am inspired, and take hope from the Israeli/Palestinian peace movement. I believe every help should be given to them and the civil community, as their efforts are necessary to build trust and peace on the ground. The International community is concerned at the injustice against the Palestinian people by the Israeli Government. Demolition of homes, building of the wall, and the military repression, suffered daily by Palestinian people is cruel, inhumane, and breaks International law. The occupation is wrong. Such Israeli State Violence and Injustices leads to suicide bombing, which also is a cruel and counterproductive, method of resistance. The Israeli people will never know safety and security, until they make justice and peace with their Palestinian, Iraqi, Syrian and Iranian neighbors. The International community must implement economic and political actions against Israel, until a genuine peace agreement with Palestinian Leaders is in process.

We hear talk about a clash of civilizations. I do not believe this and I think we have to stand against those who, for their own agenda, try, to whip up enmity between people and nations.

The Irish poet, Wm. Butler Yeats, wrote:

"We had fed the heart on fantasies,
The hearts' grown brutal from the fare;
More substance in our enmities
Than in our love: (The Stare's Nest by My Window).

For a new generation, a new age, we must use our love to overcome the fear and enmities of past generations. I am full of hope, because I believe in people, and I believe passionately in the power of nonviolent love to build a unified world civilization with a heart.

Thank you.