Seattle Coalition Calls for International Solution to Crisis

The 911 Peace Coalition, a broad-based group of individuals andorganizations located in Seattle, condemned the US bombing ofAfghanistan that began in October.

Ellen Bovarnick, spokesperson for the group, said: “While we grievefor the victims of the terrible events of September 11, we cannotcondone the bombing of innocent civilians as an appropriate response.Our grief should not be an excuse for war.

“Those responsible for the attacks on the World Trade Center and thePentagon...must be brought to justice,” she said. “We have anappropriate means for doing this in an international court usingaccepted procedures. Bombing innocent civilians will only perpetuatethe cycle of violence.”

The Coalition stated its appreciation for the Bush Administration’sdecision to provide humanitarian aid to the population of Afghanistan,which has been on the brink of famine and drought for the last decade.“When no one is hungry, terrorism is starved. The Administration knowsthis is not a conventional enemy, so the response must be carefullyconsidered. The supply-base of terrorism is desperation andoppression. To combat terrorism we need to fight injustice andoppression around the world.”

John Trombold, a coalition member, added: “It is important for peopleto question the official story about “terrorism”—a term neither themedia nor government has defined. I don’t believe there is popularsupport for this war against terrorism....Consequently, it is veryimportant to see the presence of peace advocates in the streets. Manypeople feel that, by attacking Afghanistan, the US is playing into thestrategy of the Taliban, which hopes to polarize the world alongreligious lines. We need to end the cycle of violence before itbecomes a regional conflict threatening world peace.”

Contacts: Ellen Bovarnick (425) 881-2170; Henry Schwarz (206)523-6891; John Trombold (206) 683-5380