ACHA BULLETIN 3/01/2000

In case you haven't gotten the word yet. DO NO OPEN any email you receive with Subject "I LOVEYOU" and with an attachment "LOVE-LETTER-FOR- YOU.TXT.vbs". Delete it immediately. The attachment has a bad virus that will delete all picture and music files on your computer.

PRAYER

*Love is the way I live an dwork in harmony with others. Daily Word 3/25/2000 <www. unityworldhq.org>

I can feel tension in the air and in my own body when there has been a misunderstanding or a confrontation between someone else and me. Then what relief I feel when expressions of love by me or the other person involved bring harmony to the situation.

I can always find something to love in anyone, because the presence of God is within everyone! Being willing to love and to accept others because I am aware of Gods's presence in them helps me be a peaceful, harmonious person, no matter what is going on around me.

God is love, and the love of God inspires me to live and work in harmony with others. What a blessing harmony is to me and to those with whom I share my life.

PEACE & HARMONY NEWS (Unless otherwise stated, the following items are based on stories published in the Statesman Journal <www.StatesmanJournal.com>).

*March 24, Guwahati, Assam, India: The Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) has expressed its happiness over the union government's decision to suspend security operation against the BLTF. In a press release issued by BSS president Bineswar Brahma here, the BSS said that this would certainly pave the way for the peaceful solution of the BODOLAND issue. It thanked the BLTF for reciprocating to the union government's move with a similar decision for a CEASEFIRE. Besides, the BSS also urged upon the NDFB to come forward for the peaceful solution of the Bodoland problems through dialogues. Pointing to the way the Mizo problem bwas solved, it added, 'from history we must learn that through dialogue any problem can be solved" (Assam Tribune via Northeast Vigil <http: //nevigil.freeservers.com>).

* March 27, Aggartala, Tripura, India: The planning commission has formulated a special scheme to award PEACE BONUS to those Northeast states, which are not getting security related expenditure to tackle militancy. Mizoram was the first beneficiary of the scheme (Assam Tribune via Northeast Vigil <http: //nevigil. freeservers.com>).

*March 29, New Delhi, India: Two days of talks between the union home ministry, the Assam government and the BLTF leaders culminated in a CEASEFIRE agreement on Wednesday. The participants agreed to set up a joint monitoring group to oversee the suspension of operations against BLTF, to pave the way for peace and to build up a conducive atmosphere for further discussions to resolve the problems of the Bodos (Hindustan Times via Northeast Vigil <http: //nevigil. freeservers.com>).

*April 4, Guwahati, Assam, India: More than 500 guerrillas - 463 from the Maoist United Liberation Front of Asom, 77 from the Karbi National Volunteers, and 19 from the National Democratic Front of Bodoland - SURRENDERED to government forces, with their weapons and ammunition, today, at Sibasagar. More than 200 ethnic groups live in seven states in India's insurgency-torn northeastern region. According to the authorities, most of the rebel camps are located across the borders in Bhutan, Bangladesh and Mynamar..

*April 10, Seoul, Korea: The leaders of North and South Korea have agreed to meet for the first time, marking a major step forward in relations between the two nations that technically remain at war. South Korean president Kim Dae-jung will travel to the North Korean capital for a "HISTORIC MEETING," June 12-14, with his counterpart, Kim Jong II, South Korean Unification Minister Park Jaekyu announced at a news conference. The summit will "promote national reconciliation, unity, exchanges and peaceful unification," Park hoped. Korea was divided in two parts, the communist North and the capitalist South, in 1945, and they fought a bloody war 1950-53. Their heavily fortified border is defended by 37,000 U.S. soldiers, since the end of the war.

*April 14, Wagah, India-Pakistan Border: A meeting between railway officials from Delhi and Islamabad held here today, they agreed, for now, to continue the bi-weekly SAMJHAUTA EXPRESS, Samjhauta Express, the only rail link between the two countries. Except for brief breaks in 1984 and 1992, the service has been running since it was stared September 22, 1975. The two sides will meet again on April 26 to sort out other issues related to the smooth running of the train. People of both the countries have opposed cancellation of the train. A number of passengers who arrived by the train yesterday said both the governments should respect the Simla Agreement under which this train was started (Rediff on the Net <http://www.rediff.com/ news/2000/apr/14train1.htm> and http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/apr/ 14train.htm>).

*April 14, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan: An all-world Sunni conference held here early this month condemned amassing of arms in the name of JIHAD in Kashmir and Afghanistan, according to Urdu daily Jang. A resolution passed at the conference said ''carrying on terrorism in the name of Islam has brought a bad name to this faith" and expressed concern about attacks on mosques and 'imambaras' (Shias' place of worship). Addressing the last session of the conference, Sunni leader Sahebzada Syed Hamid Gilani said the Muslim youth was being misled in the name of 'jihad' and ''Islam is being defamed with the use of gun.'' The conference chose Multan in southern Punjab for its international conference probably because it is from here that rabid anti-Shia Sunni movements have sprung up in the past 15 years (<http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/apr/14sunni.htm>).

*April 17, Jerusalem: The Israeli government tried ti invigorate its peace talks with Palestinians over the weekend by stating publicly that peace means the creation of a PALESTINE STATE. In a measure of how much public dialogue about peace has shifted in recent years, the statement provoked only minor protest.

*April 17, United Nations: Israel officially informed the United Nations today that it intends to withdraw its forces from LEBANON by early July. Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982 and has occupied part of southern Lebanon as a buffer against guerrilla attacks on northern Israel.

*April 19, Moscow, Russia: The Russian parliament finished ratifying the START II nuclear arms reduction treaty with approval by the upper house today. The ratification of the treaty, which seeks to halve the US and Russian arsenal of nuclear warheads, and had been ratified by the US in 1996. It had been stalled in the Duma, the lower house of Russian legislature, for the last seven years.

*April 19, Pristina, Yugoslavia: In an unusual act of solidarity, Kosovo's Serb and ethnic Albanian leaders today called for an end to the almost daily killings that have plagued the province and urged their followers to work for a better future. The signatories of the JOINT STATEMENT included Hashim Thaci, the former head of the now disbanded Kosovo Liberation Army, Ibrahim Rugove, the best known ethnic Albanian moderate, and Serb moderates Bishop Artemije and Father Sava Jancic.

*April 20, Washington, D.C., USA: Just before his meeting with the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat and him at his side, president Clinton urged him and Israel to take risks to produce MEANINGFUL COMPROMISE while pointing out to them that those risks "are not nearly as great as the risks and difficulties of not making a peace agreement".

*April 20, Washington, D.C., USA: Most (6 in 10) Americans say they want tougher GUN CONTROLS, according to the findings of an Associated Press poll released here today. But they are split on the best way to reduce violence: better enforcement of existing laws or passage of tougher laws. Earlier this month, Maryland became the first state to enact a law requiring that all guns sold in the state must have external trigger locks, starting in October. After 2002, new handguns will have to be equipped with built-in locks.

*April 21, Islamabad, Pakistan: In his inaugural speech at the Convention on Human Rights and Dignity, General Pervez Musharraf assured the audience that his government will attach "a high priority" to human rights in Pakistan and "shall not shy away from taking bold initiatives to promote and protect" them. Also he condemned the practice of "Honour Killings" and announced steps to improve condition of women, reform jail and police practices, stop child labor and to prevent the abuse of the Blasphemy Laws (Information Times <http://www.InformationTimes.com>).

*April 23, Vatican City: Pope John Paul II he offered EASTER wishes for peace in 61 languages, and prayed for a "just and lasting peace" for the human family in the third millennium. "Help the nations to overcome old and new RIVALRIES, by rejecting attitudes of racism and Xenophobia," he pleaded.

*April 26, Porto Seguro, Brazil: The Catholic Church APOLOGIZED today to the country's Indians and blacks for the "sins and errors" committed by its clergy and faithful during the past 500 years. The apology preceded a special Mass held on the beach here, where Franciscan Friar Henrique de Coimbra had celebrated Brazil's first Mass on April 26, 1500, four days after the Portugese expedition made landfall. Some 15,000 people including more than 300 bishops attended the Mass under a steady drizzle in Coroa Vermelha, just outside this seaside resort in the northeastern state of Bahia.

*April 28, New Delhi, India: The 12th session of the India-China joint working group on the BOUNDARY question began here today with delegations of the two countries reviewing recent developments in the bilateral relations and exchanging ideas on the situation in the region. The two-day meeting will also discuss additional measures for ensuring peace and tranquillity on the borders (<www.rediff.com/news/2000/apr/28china1.htm>).

PEACE ORGANIZATIONS (In this section of each issue of ACHA Bulletin we feature one organization that is engaged in promotion of peace and harmony among South Asians. If you know of any such organizations, please send information about it to <pritamr@open.org>).

*International South Asia Forum ( INSAF)

INSAF was founded in September, 1999, in Montreal, Canada, at a meeting attended by one hundred and twenty four individuals and representatives of organizations from the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and several European countries. They belonged to the overseas communities of Bangladeshis, Indians, Nepalese, Pakistanis, and Sri Lankans.

The founders pledged to work towards the principal goals of seeking a peaceful resolution of all conflicts in the region, demilitarization and an end to the nuclear stand-off between India and Pakistan, a negotiated resolution of the Kashmir conflict in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people, and to the promotion of friendship among the people of the region.

At their last meeting held in Cambridge, Massachusetts on April 22 and 23, 2000, they announced plans for a broad range of activities to be undertaken throughout North America, Canada and Europe in support of its objectives. Included are:

- South Asia Day to be celebrated in the first weekend of May each year, an "Independence from British Colonialism Day" as an alternative to Indian and Pakistani Independence Day celebrations

- A signature campaign to demand a peaceful resolution of the Pakistan-India conflict

- A cultural programs that emphasize the syncretic culture of the South Asian region.

The meeting expressed its support of the Bangalore Declaration and Resolution of Kashmir, adopted at the recently held Fifth Joint Convention of the Pakistan-India Peoples' Forum for Peace and Democracy.

More info from A. Sur, <asur@mit.edu>; Telephone: 617-576-2388, & A. Ashfaq <aashfaq@igc.org>; Telephone: 617-577-5564

FAMINE

* Drought emergency in Afghanistan, India & Pakistan

In the last issue we told you about a report to us by Tanveer Arif of SCOPE (<scope@khi.compol. com>) regarding a severe drought in and around villages of Hinar, Trigur, Huraruk, Peona Mush, Arenji Maseet, Khoorvi, Loendo, and Jakhel in Pakistan. Since our attention has been drawn to reports of similar condition in the southern provinces of Afghanistan, the state of Sindh in Pakistan, and states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan in India.

In Afghanistan, the worst drought in more than half-a-century is said to have gripped several southern provinces of the country, according to a Voice of America report by Ayaz Gul and published in Information Times <http://www.InformationTimes.com>. (For a copy send a blank email to <pritamr@open.org> with AFGHANISTAN in its subject section). A Taleban spokesman (Abdul Haye Mutmaen) is quoted as saying that hundreds of thousands of people face starvation in the provinces of Kandahar, Helmund and Uruzgan because of a prolonged drought. People there do not even have drinking water. Also locust swarms are reported to have descended on drought-hit crops and fruit orchards in northern parts of Afghanistan. United Nations authorities May 2 issued an urgent appeal for $1.8 million for drought affected Afghanistan people.

Lack of adequate rainfall and canal system of irrigation, make drought and famine almost permanent conditions in Thar desert area in southern Pakistan. Consequent and almost constant malnutrition lead to the plethora of viruses and other diseases such as the dreaded Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), tuberculosis, dysentery, and pregnancy complications add to the misery of the people of the region. Now the area has been affected by worst drought in 100 years. Daily temperatures hovering around 129 degrees, sandstorms and cyclonic whirlwinds have scorched every straw in the pastures.

In Diplo, Chachro, Nangarparkar and Mithi districts of Sind (Pakistan), 400 people from a population of about 2,000 are said to have died slowly and painfully from hunger and epidemic diseases. Most able-bodied men and women have migrated to the Indus plains in search of alternate sources of income and those that remained behind are facing the ravages of the present drought in Sind, according to a report entitled "The damned people of Thar" by Tasneem Bhatti published in Dawn Internet Edition (http://www.dawn.com) of 03/30/00, and sent to us by Nadeem Jamali (<jamali @cs.uiuc.edu>) of the Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois-UC. ( For a copy of the report send a blank email to <pritamr@open.org> with SIND in its subject section). More information is available from Maqbool Aliani, General Secretary, WSI, 202.484.0134, or <WSIHQ@ worldsindhi.org>. Checks for tax-deductible donations (made payable to WSI with "Thar Famine Relief Fund" written on their top) can be sent to World Sindhi Institute, 605 G Street SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA (<http://www.worldsindhi.org>).

Parts of India are facing some of the worst drought conditions in more than a decade. Eleven of 33 states are affected including Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Orissa and Rajasthan. According to S.R. Khalsi, a senior forecaster at India's meteorological department, last year rainfall levels in Gujarat and Rajasthan were 58-percent lower than usual and the worst in at least a decade. He says conditions will not get better until early June when the monsoon rains are expected to return. Water table has been dropping in since November. In some areas searing heat has dried up streams, ponds and wells. Almost all the crops including wheat, mustard, gram, and bajra have failed in certain areas. Women have to walk up to 4 km water to get drinking water. For related stories send a blank email to <pritamr@open.org> with INDIA or RAJASTHAN in its subject section).

More than 25 million people and 30 million cattle are affected in at least 26 of the 32 districts in the northwestern desert state of Rajasthan. According to a report by Kamla Bora (www.rediff.com/ news/2000/apr/ 19rajas.htm), drinking water is being trucked in, but is not enough. Local availability of fodder has already depleted. There is large-scale migration of cattle from famine affected areas to neighboring states. In western Rajasthan, the cattle are being left to their fate in the wilderness.

In the neighboring state of Gujarat, one of India's most prosperous regions, more than half of the villages in the state report severe water shortages. According to an engineer with the Gujarat Water and Sewage Board, 647 villages are water starved (Times of India 4/21/00). They are drinking brackish water even though they know it causes problems like diarrhea and vomiting.(For more details see http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/apr/24rajas.htm> or <http://www.rediff.com/news/ 2000/apr/27slid1.htm>.

In Andhra Pradesh, Government has decided to send the psychaitrists and counsellors in Mehboobnagar district, where the farmers have committed suicides recently due to the paucity of water, food and the growing indebtedness among the farmers. Over 300 farmers in Warangal and other districts committed suicides in 1997-98 (<http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/apr/ 20naidu.htm> and <http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/apr/25.htm>).

India Relief and Education Fund (IREF) is seeking tax-deductible contributions for drought relief in India. Please make checks payable to IRE, indicate on them "for drought relief in India" and mail them to India Relief and Education Fund, P.O. Box 14360, Fremont, CA 94539. For more info about IREF contact Maharaj K. Kaul, <m3kaul@hotmail.com>.

FUNDAMENTALISM

Reported acts of communalism and violence

January 27 - A mob of Hindu young men went to a Muslim college in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and abused its teachers and officials, set on fire four 2-wheeler vehicles and dozens of cycles and looted and burnt the properties of some well-off Muslims in the vicinity.

March 20 - Thirty-five Sikhs, age 18-40, were ordered out of their houses at night and massacred in the village of Chathisinghpura, in the state of Jammu & Kashmir.

April 12 - Just before the weekend anniversary of Muharram, gunmen using hand grenades and automatic weapons, killed 14 Shi'ites praying in a mosque at the village of Mallow Wali, about 120 km south of Islamabad, Pakistan.

April 18 - A Hindu student was stabbed to death, in the Varanasi area of Uttar Pradesh, India, in a communal clash after a Muslim procession passed through a Hindu-dominated area.

April 21 - A group of Christians who had come near Agra from Hyderabad, on the occasion of Good Friday, were attacked and Biblical literature was set on fire.

April 23 - On their way to a midnight Easter Mass, three nuns were run down with a motor scooter in the India state of Haryana.

As a policy, we try to ignore stories like the ones mentioned above and attempt to emphasize peace and harmony news in ACHA Bulletin. We think too much emphasis on them, as is common in the popular media, creates a psychological climate where communalism and violence comes to be perceived by some people as something "normal," "expected," or "unavoidable," and leads them to a sense of apathy and resignation. Also, we are afraid attention to drawn to them, even when they are condemned, may encourage the perpetrators (and incite sympathizers of the victims) to commit such acts more. Frankly, we are not really sure the best way of reacting to them so that we can reduce, if not eliminate, their frequency. We, therefore, invite our readers, to please enlighten us with their wisdom in this regard. Please send your suggestions and their rationale to me at <pritamr@open.org.

Pritam K. Rohila, Ph.D.

Editor

FRATERNITY

*A message of peace from across the border by Swapna Khanna in New Delhi (<www.rediff.com/ news/2000/may/02pak.htm>). For a related story, Pakistani-Indian Women Struggle For Indo-Pak Peace from Information Times, send a blank email with WOMEN in its Subject section.

Chhodo kal ki baatein,
Kal ki baat puraani,
Nayi daur mein likhengay
Milkar nayi kahani
Tum Hindustani, hum Pakistani

With this peace message, the all-women delegation from Pakistan reached New Delhi. The delegation was headed by Asma Jehangir, human rights activist and lawyer, known in India for her recent efforts in securing the release of Roop Lal from a Pakistani prison.

The 40-member delegation was received by former MP Nirmala Deshpande, Transport Minister Pervez Hussain, and other members of the Women's Initiative For Peace in South Asia.

The delegation was received with garlands. Ladies sang the welcome song and Jehangir let a white pigeon fly as a gesture of peace and prosperity for both countries.

"Peace, brotherhood and friendship is our motto. It is always the women who suffer whenever there is any kind of problem, be it in our homes or the country. Thus it is we who have to come together if we want to live in peace, we have to fight it together," said Deshpande.

"When we went to Pakistan , we were welcomed and whosoever we met we realised that all they wanted was peace... For this mission we have come together. We are so many in number, I'm sure we will make a difference," she said.

According to her the root cause for the conflict between India and Pakistan was the misunderstanding between them. "We don't know what is happening there, nor do they know what is happening in our country. We just sit and assume things," she said.

Speaking on the Kashmir issue, she said the problem could be solved only through dialogue between the two countries. "If there is darkness around only then do we light candles; since the relation between the two countries are not good we are trying to light the candles of friendship, peace and prosperity," said Deshpande.

Jehangir was as hopeful. "The initiative taken by the women group is very important, very symbolic; we believe in our voice," Jehangir said. "Even if we have a military regime, they (the administrators) too realise that it is peace that the people of Pakistan and the world want," she said.

Noozrat Zamin, member of the Pakistan delegation, said, "We've come from different professions, but a common woman plays an important role. We are creators not destroyers. We can do a lot for our countries; we know what people want -- peace -- and they appreciate us for the task we have undertaken."

Jehangir told the press that they would have brought a 100 more buses, if it were permitted. "We've taken a step ahead, and if the step is in the right direction, if there is commitment, hundreds of people will definitely follow, and work for the purpose," she said.

"Open the borders. Let people come into the country without visas and then you will see the traffic jam. That will tell you what we Pakistanis feel," she said.

The Pakistani delegation, another 20 of whose members would arrive here tomorrow, is visiting India at the invitation of the 'Women's Initiative for Peace in South Asia'. Besides Delhi, the delegation, comprising lawyers, activists, theatre personalities and media persons, will visit Agra and Jaipur.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Ajit Panja will host a lunch for them while the minister of state for women and child development will host a dinner

* Bangalore Declaration

(Nearly 500 delegates from India and Pakistan defied the pressures by the governments of India and Pakistan and the ultra nationalists forces, and participated in the Fifth Joint Convention of Pakistan-India Peoples' Forum for Peace and Democracy held April 6-8, in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The participants renewed their pledge to work for peace and adopted the Bangalore Declaration and a Resolution on Kashmir, which are presented below. For more info see a report by Tapan K. Bose at <www.rediff.com/news/ 2000/apr/07pak.htm>. To request a copy of a related report by Kalpana Sharma ("Opening borders, welcoming peace," The Hindu, 04/09/00) by email to <pritamr@open.org> with BANGALORE in its subject section.)

"1. Meeting in critical time of war, threats of war, nuclearization, and the persistent obstacles placed in the path of the assembly of the peace loving peoples of the two countries.

2. In pursuance of its objectives of normalization of relations, demilitarization and peace, a democratic resolution of the Kashmir problem, promotion of tolerance, democracy and good governance, and joint endeavour against the common threats to the economies of India and Pakistan by unfettered globalization.

3. Being aware of the increasing danger of deliberate or accidental war breaking out with the risk of any conflict escalating to the level of nuclear holocaust.

4. Concerned about repeated incidents of religious intolerance and hatred in both countries rooted in deprivation, backwardness, power politics and misconceived notions of national interest.

5. The Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy in its Fifth Joint Convention held at Bangalore, India, on 6-8 April, 2000.

6. DEMANDS an immediate resumption of dialogue at the highest level, reversal of current military build-ups, horizontal and vertical denuclearization and a comprehensive non-war pact, effective steps towards internal demilitarization and in the interim, until a complete roll back of the nuclear weapons and delivery systems programmes of both countries, a no-first use agreement, consent to the CTBT, rejoining the discussions on the FMCT and move towards the declaration of South Asia as a nuclear-free zone.

7. CALLS upon Governments of India and Pakistan to order cessation of all hostilities along the Line Of Control by all forces directly and indirectly under their control, the various militant organizations of Jammu and Kashmir to eschew violence, the Government of India to release all political detenus, so that the peoples of all sections of Jammu and Kashmir can decide their future in a democratic manner, achieve reconciliation, and the representatives of the Governments of India, Pakistan and of the peoples of Jammu and Kashmir strive together to find a solution acceptable to the peoples of Jammu and Kashmir and the sub-continent in the larger interest of peace and democracy.

8. DEPRECATES all attempts to curtail the facilities of travel and communications between India and Pakistan and calls upon the two Governments to rewrite the protocol and allow all people to travel freely.

9. RESOLVES to link the joint struggle against unfettered globalization with the struggle for democratization of our societies, co-operate in building food security through a sustainable agricultural strategy that excludes the MNC controlled seed- biotechnology-pesticides cycle, share appropriate and small technologies, address water management and distribution issues on a regional basis, extend most favoured nation status to each other, forge a common strategy to tackle environmental degradation of common ecological regions and evolve joint strategies on multilateral negotiations such as WTO and plant breeders rights.

10. DEMANDS the two governments to ensure popular participation in governance through decentralisation and devolution of power to the grassroots with adequate safeguards, provide basic amenities to the people, institutionalise transparency, responsibility and accountability in governance, ensure security of the minorities, prevent crimes against women, end child labour, protect common people against displacement from traditional habitats in the name of development, break the politician-criminal nexus, preserve and extend freedom of expression along with the right of access to information, reverse the trend of politicisation of education leading to a collapse of standards, and defend cultural rights and freedoms.

11. DEMANDS immediate steps for the realisation of women's basic rights and their legitimate aspirations.

12. CALLS upon the educationists and the people in general to work towards ways of inculcating values of cooperation, tolerance, harmony, through all possible means, particularly curricula and prescribed textbooks, print and visual media, undertake investigations of incidents of communal violence to bring the findings to the notice of the people, organise exchanges of children and teachers, and to be aware of and monitor possible misuse of places of worship and religious educational institutions for the promotion of preaching and promotion of hatred and intolerance.

13. RESOLVES further to take concrete steps both jointly and separately in each country including formation of working groups to implement the above resolutions towards the realisation of its aims and objectives.

Sd/- I.A. Rehman, Chairperson Pakistan Chapter Sd/- Admiral (Rtd) L. Ramdas, Chairperson India Chapter

Bangalore

April 8, 2000

*Resolution on Kashmir, adopted on April 8, 2000, by the Fifth Joint Convention of Pakistan-India Peoples' Forum for Peace and Democracy, held April 6-8,2000, at Bangalore, India

Convinced of the indivisibility of peace and democracy, the Pakistan India Peoples' Forum for Peace and Democracy is gravely concerned at the state of hostile relations between India and Pakistan and its impact on their on their domestic politics as also on the two civil societies.

Alarmed by the "limited war" in Kargil area of the Jammu and Kashmir last summer by forces that possess nuclear weapons with the potential of causing a nuclear holocaust;

Realising that the hostility between the two countries has encouraged forces of reaction to whip up war hysteria and jingoism with the concomitant attack on people's freedom in the name of "national security";

Recognising that peace as a condition of democracy requires a degree of normalcy in relations between the two countries;

Considering the urgency for creating conditions conducive for beginning peace talks among all concerned and mindful of the central role that all the people of Jammu and Kashmir must play in its resolution, we the members of the Pakistan India Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy call upon Government of India and Pakistan to order cessation of all hostilities along the line of Control by forces directly or indirectly under their control;

Simultaneously, we call upon government of India to halt its military campaign, which is imperilling the life and liberties of the people of Jammu and Kashmir; also we call upon the government of Pakistan to exercise all control and restraint over the mindless violence of the mujaheed and jehadist groups.

We appeal to the various militant organisations of Jammu and Kashmir (and their over-ground supporters) and the state security forces to eschew violence and particularly the use of rape as an instrument of war, and to agree to resolve all political and other differences exclusively through peaceful and democratic means. We urge them to declare cease-fire voluntarily with immediate effect and to create conditions conducive for democratic and peaceful negotiations.

Recognising that it is the peoples of Jammu and Kashmir who have the democratic right to decide their political future, and that they must get an opportunity to meet and confabulate.

We also call upon the political parties, the militants and the groups who support them in India held Jammu and Kashmir as well as in Pakistan held Jammu and Kashmir to dedicate themselves to achievement of reconciliation, and mutual trust, and to the protection and vindication of the human rights of all as a mark of respect to those who have died or been injured, and the thousands of families who have been rendered homeless during the last five decades of violence.

We also call upon the governments of Pakistan and India to confer and cooperate with all the representatives of the people in all areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Both governments should facilitate a process by which the peoples in all the areas of Jammu and Kashmir can choose their representatives who can then engage with the governments to determine their future. As a first gesture, the Government of India should immediately release all political detenus. The talks between the representatives of the peoples of Jammu and Kashmir may be held both at bilateral level as well as at a tripartite level. The talks between Government of India and the representatives of India held Jammu and Kashmir as well as between the Government of Pakistan and the representatives of Pakistan held Kashmir, should be held in the presence of a group of eminent persons of the respective countries so that the process of dialogue remains transparent, free from intimidation and negotiations do not breakdown.

As a step towards beginning purposeful negotiations, we call upon the political parties and other groups in different parts of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir to acknowledge the fact that governments of India, Pakistan as well as different groups of peoples of Jammu and Kashmir hold divergent views on questions of continuance of status quo and of legitimate political aspirations of the participants, especially of the right of exercising sovereignty, wholly or partly, over the whole or part of the territories of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir.

We also call upon the political parties and other groups on both sides of Jammu and Kashmir to recognise the difficulties that the governments of India and Pakistan would face to modify their historical public stances. We also urge the governments of India and Pakistan to recognise the inalienable right of the peoples of Jammu and Kashmir to decide their political future. This is why it is important that all the three parties, representatives of the governments of India and Pakistan as well as that of the peoples of Jammu and Kashmir, together must strive to find a solution that may be generally acceptable to the peoples of Jammu and Kashmir and the subcontinent in their larger interest of peace and democracy. They should recognise that durable peace and tranquillity in the subcontinent takes precedent over all other considerations. For this reason they would strive in every practical way towards reconciliation and rapprochement keeping in view that in all agreements contraction of sovereign power in one political domain can be a gain in another.

We believe that it is from such an effort that the contours of a likely solution will emerge. Forum calls for closer ties between India and Pakistan.

SECTION B

ANNOUNCEMENTS

*June 25, 2000: 25TH ANNIVERSARY THE DARK DAYS OF EMERGENCY. The imposition of Emergency Rule on 25th June, 1975 by Late Smt. Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, under the Congress (I) rule, was one of the darkest period in India's post-independence history. Today, people face a situation that represents a return of the emergency days of the past due to a systematic attack both by the State and related forces on the economic, political and cultural rights of the people. Indian National Social Action Forum (INSAF) has called upon all democratic and secular forces in the country to observe its 25th Anniversary of the Emergency, and unitedly work towards defeating the draconian designs of the forces of fascism and globalization. More info from Wilfred (Secretary, INSAF) <willy@vsnl.com>.

*August 5-9, 200, Tampere, Finland: Participation is invited in the panels on "ART AND PEACE" hosted by the Commission on International Human Rights (CIHR) during the 18^th International Peace Research Association Conference. Interested individuals are requested to submit abstracts for 15 minute presentation for the panel "ART and PEACE: The Example of Human Rights." Its goal is to explore the linkages between Art and Human Rights. Formal papers, artistic performances, creative workshops or outlines of a 5 to 10 min. experience or suggestion are invited for the second panel "ART and PEACE: An Online Course?" will be an informal roundtable discussion on ways to design an online course on Art and Peace for Transcend Peace University (TPU). More info from <www.copri.dk/ipra/18th-conf.htm>.

*July 1-2, 2000, London, U.K.: GLOBAL CAPITAL AND GLOBAL STRUGGLES: Strategies, Alliances, Alternatives conference aims to promote a dialogue between academics and activists on the process of neoliberal globalisation and how to resist it. Topics such as the Seattle Round, the politics of the IMF/World Bank, Fortress Europe, the internationalization of the labor movement will be discussed. More info from Dr Alfredo Saad Filho, South Bank University Business School, 103 Borough Road London SE1 0AA, UK, email <Asfilho@aol.com>.

*January 2001, San Francisco, CA, USA: SOUTH ASIAN STUDENTS ALLIANCE (SASA) invites speakers for its annual conference which usually includes workshops, panel discussions, seminars, lectures, a career fair, and social events. It aims to maximize potential, increase awareness, and preserve the legacy of "all students of South Asian descent." More info from Mishant Bubna <nbubna@uclink4.berkeley.edu> or Gaurav Mehta <gmehta@uclink4.berkeley.edu>.

BOOKS & JOURNALS

*Khalish, a collection by Canadian-Indian Urdu-Hindi poet Narinder Bhagi "Barham" of his 105 poems, written in Hindi script, available at $10 each from Kesha Publications, 3050 School Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., V5R 5M7, 604.439.1579. (Also available at $10 each from the same publisher is a compact disc of 8 of these poems sung by the author to the accompaniment of an orchestra).

*Ghazal, a quarterly Punjabi magazine to promote paa-bund poetry, that is ghazal and nazam but not open and prose verse. It seeks to publish poetry of new and established Punjabi ghazalgo's from abroad, India and Pakistan. More info from its editor K.S. Parmar "Nadeem" <nadeem@telus.net> and published by Nadeem Publications, 5515 Woodsworth Street, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 4M3, Canada, 604.298.2920

*Himal April issue of this South Asian magazine is now available online at <www. himalmag.com>.

It includes on-the-spot report by Nasim Zehra "Taliban Aghanistan - Image and Governance," and "What's wrong with Indian politics?" by Shiv Visvanathan, "Indian Women/Pakistan Diary" by Shobhana Bhattacharji , and two poems by Revathy Gopal. More info from <editors@himalmag. com>.

*The South Asian Studies e-books The University of California Press recently launched its first electronic editions. There are now nearly 60 full-text, fully searchable titles available on the Web, including several in South Asian studies. Best of all, the e-editions are completely free! The e-editions can be accessed from the UC Press Web site <http://www.ucpress.edu> or you can go to >http://www-ucpress.berkeley.edu:3030/ dynaweb/public/books/south_asia/>. The South Asian Studies e-books are listed below:

Joseph S. Alter - The Wrestler's Body: Identity & Ideology in North India

http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/2709.html

Richard M. Eaton - The Rise of Islam and the Bengal Frontier, 1204-1760

http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/6108.html

Eugene F. Irschick - Dialogue and History: Constructing South India, 1795-1895

http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/6301.html

Nita Kumar - Friends, Brothers & Informants: Fieldwork Memoirs of Banaras

http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/5577.html

Dean Mahomet (Ed) - Travels of Dean Mahomet: Eighteenth-Century Journey through India

http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/6908.html

William R. Pinch - Peasants and Monks in British India

http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/6608.html

Frances W. Pritchett - Nets of Awareness: Urdu Poetry and Its Critics

http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/6174.html

A.K. Ramanujan - Flowering Tree and Other Oral Tales from India http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/6759.html

Sumathi Ramaswamy - Passions of the Tongue Language Devotion in Tamil India, 1891-1970

http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/6972.html

Beth Roy - Some Trouble with Cows: Making Sense of Social Conflict

http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/6267.html

Parama Roy - Indian Traffic: Identities in Question in Colonial and Postcolonial India

http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/6818.html

Coming this summer

Sarah Lamb - White Saris and Sweet Mangoes: Aging, Gender, and Body in North India

CLASSES

*Bengali at Univ. of Washington's Asian Languages & Literature : http://depts.washington.edu/ asianll/

*Hindi Summer Instruction Programs at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

It is meant for non-majors who want to develop a basic competence in spoken Hindi, the most widely used language in India. It emphasizes the development of pronunciation, vocabulary, and expressions useful for daily communication, supplemented by presentations on the cultural setting in which Hindi is spoken. Two courses (Ling 304 Section B: Intensive Spoken Hindi, I, 6/12 - 7/8/00, & Ling 304 Section B2: Intensiv e Spoken Hindi, II, 7/10 - 8/3/00) are offered. Each carries 4 hours of credits. More info from More info from Extramural Programs, 1406 University Inn, 302 E John, Suite #202, Champaign, IL 61820, (217)333-6305 or <www.outreach.uiuc.edu>.

*Sindhi. Summer Instruction Programs at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Sindhi is one of the major literary languages of South Asia, with approximately 24 million speakers. Another 15 Million people speak closely related varieties, such as Kutchi and Siraiki. Beyond its intrinsic literary merits, Sindhi literature is of great interest to scholars of Eastern religion and philosophy, and its linguistic structure offers interesting challenges to professional linguists. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is now the first U.S. university to offer an Intensive Sindhi summer course sequence through the Program in South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. The course (Ling 304: Section C: Intensive Sindhi, I (7/10 - 8/3/00) will be offered during the second half of the 8-week summer sessions and will meet five days a week, for four hours each day. Course includes conversation with a native Sindhi speaking tutor, basic grammar, reading skill development, and introduction to the standard script. It carries 5 semester hours of undergraduate credit or 1 unit (4 hours) of graduate credit. Tuition: Approximately $600 (if registering through UIUC Community Outreach). Out-of-state students and non-students can obtain significantly reduced tuition by registering through the Extramural Programs office. More info from Extramural Programs, 1406 University Inn, 302 E John, Suite #202, Champaign, IL 61820, (217)333-6305 or <www.outreach.uiuc.edu>

DID YOU KNOW

*Pakistan NEWS SERVICE (<www.paknews.com>) is the first online South Asian daily news and information service which has become a part of AvantGo, Inc., and is now available on popular Palm and Windows CE based handheld electronic information devices. To add the PNS News and Info Channel to your Internet experience and pleasure, go to <vantgo.com/channels/detail.html? ha_id=1567&cat_id=> (Information Times <www. InformationTimes.com>).

*The little village of Bhaonta in Alwar district of Rajasthan (India) was suffering from a drought. Migration to the city for work was common. The wells were dry and the area had been declared a dark zone (famine-prone area) by the government. But the work of the Tarun Bharat Sangh volunteers, with the advice of the village elders found a way to harvest the meager rain the region received. Today a HUMAN MADE OASIS exists in the heart of the desert around Bhaonta-Kolyala. The region grows wheat. Migration is no longer out of necessity and the wells are no longer dry. Reason enough for the head of the Indian Union to go down to a village to give it an award <www.oneworld. org/cse/html/dte/dte20000430/dtecover.htm>).

*GAS was discovered at Sadiq X-1 in block 2768-3, near Sindhi town of Sukkur according to an announcement April 5 by Pakistan Petroleum Ltd. (India West <ww.indiawest.com>).

*In the age of Internet and email, when transmission of messages is just a matter of seconds, the PIGEON MESSENGER SERVICE used by the Orissa (India) police for decades, the only one of its kind in India, could become extinct in the coming days. The winged battalion consists of about 800 pigeons. The state, a reliable source reveals, spends about Rs 200,000 annually to maintain these messengers, and engages some 40 constables and a few sub-inspectors to man the unit.

Some people disagree. According to a policeman associated with the service says "As the police have realized over the years, when the modern gadgets fail these birds take over." The pigeons were found extremely handy during the unprecedented floods in River Mahanadi in 1982 and also during last year's cyclone. The powerful pigeons of the homer variety can fly 700 km to 800 km nonstop at a speed of 80 km to 90 km per hour (<www.rediff.com/news/2000/apr/07oris.htm>).

*Bangladesh welcomed April 17 a pledge, for 2000/01, of around $2 billion in AID from international donors including Japan, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank (India West <ww. indiawest.com>).

*Giving a new dimension to the FAMILY PLANNING program, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that if a woman sterilized under a family planning program gives birth to a child, she is entitled to claim damages from the state government as well as the doctor for bringing up the "unwanted" child (NIE, 27 April, 2000).

*All the ANTI-SMUGGLING agencies with the help of civil administration and law-enforcing agencies of Pakistan will jointly launch a country-wide crackdown against the smugglers and those involved in the sale of smuggled goods from May 1. (<www.paknews.org/cgi-paknews/paknews.cgi? news+AD0-100/April/23-4-1>).

*As part of the initiative to develop non- conventional energy sources, the Rajasthan Government (India) has undertaken the task of establishing the second WIND POWER PROJECT at Deogarh in Chittaurgarh district after installing a similar plant in Jaisalmer. This Rs. 8.5-crore project is expected to generate at least 100 MW power through the wind power plants in the next two years (The Hindu, March 18, 2000).

*The Government of India has set up a separate department to deal with issues relating to the six million non-resident Indians and over 20 million PERSONS OF INDIAN ORIGIN. The step may lead eventually to the institution of dual citizenship and the end of bureaucratic tangles (<www.rediff.com/us/2000/apr/25us1.htm>).

* Altogether 52 rural development blocks in Nagaland (India) will have access to INTERNET, e-mail with the setting up of computer information centers (The Assam Tribune, 03/22/00, Via Northeast Vigil <essare@satyam.net.in).

* India has the largest number of POST OFFICES - 154,149 - in the world, according to a report from the country's Department of Posts and Telegraphs (India West <ww. indiawest.com>).

*A SPACE APPLICATION CENTER is likely to become operational in northeastern India by next month. It will provide an operational space technology infrastructure that will enable the Northeast states to adopt space technology inputs into their developmental activities (The Assam Tribune, 03/17/00, Via Northeast Vigil <essare@satyam.net.in)

*The Brahmaputra Board has undertaken a phased program of survey and investigation of 17 multi-purpose projects to effectively harness the vast WATER RESOURCES of the Northeast (The Assam Tribune, 03/18/00 Via Northeast Vigil <essare@satyam.net.in ).

*Of UNESCO's 852 WORLD HERITAGE SITES in the world, India has only 21. They include Kaziranga and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam; Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar Complex in Delhi,; Ellora and Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra; Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan; Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Nanda Devi National Park in Uttar Pradesh, and Darjeeling Railway in West Beng (India West <ww.indiawest.com>).

* India exported $6.15 billion worth of GEMS AND JEWELRY in the fiscal year ending in March 1999, according to the country's Gem & Jewelry Export Promotion Council. It represents more than 18 percent of India's total exports that year. Also, India has captured 55% of the global diamond market (India West <ww.indiawest.com>).

*The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research report reveals that two million kids employed in India's deadly TOBACCO industry. They work in appalling conditions and suffer from tuberculosis, asthma, and other disorders (<www.rediff.com/business/2000/apr/20child.htm>.)

EVENTS

*May 9, 6:30 p., New York, NY.: THE SIXTH VEDA, set in contemporary India and the U.S., the story opens with a murder at an Asia Society lecture and becomes an intellectual mystery story that delves into ancient arguments of literature, religion, politics, and modern rivalries. Book signing and reception follow at Dialectica Gallery, 415 West Broadway at Spring Street. Free admission. More info from 212-288-6400.

*May 13,Rockville, MD, USA: The (Indian) Subcontinent's Future: Co-operation, Not Confrontation, a humanitarian discussion by two internationally acclaimed experts on global civil liberties - Praful Bidwai (Journalist, Author, Editor, and global disarmament expert) & Achin Vanaik (Journalist and Writer, Fellow of the Transnational Institute). The program is cosponsored jointly by Association of Indian Muslims of America, Aligarh Alumni Association of Washington, D.C., Indian Cultural Coordination Committee, and Organization for Universal Communal, Harmony. It will be held at 5:30 p.m., Montgomery County Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street. Refreshments will be served. Recommended contribution is $ 5.00 per person. More info from Dr. Anwar Munshi 301-274-3511, Dr. Gopal Bhatnagar 301-330-5098, Dr. Renuka Mishra 301-921-9332, Dr. Ahmad Raza 301-921-2562, Ale Hashmi 410-744-3318, Kaleem Kawaja 410-730-5456, Dr. Gajanand Deshmukh 703-281-0595, Dr. Zafar Iqbal 703-521-6371.

*May 25, London, U.K.: PEACE IN SOUTH ASIA- THE NUCLEAR THREAT, a public meeting with Achin Vanaik and Praful Bidwai, India's leading anti-nuclear campaigners, is sponsored by London Region CND, Liberation, Aaj Kay Naam, and SMG-Unity at 7:30 p.m., Conway Hall, Central London (Holborn tube). More info from mike.marqusee@which.net or <aajkaynaam@yahoo.com>.

PEOPLE

*Indian siblings AMIT and ANJALI BEHAL with their Diabetes Sentry Bracelet that can detect a condition called hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar placed fifth in eighteenth Annual Duracell/NSTA [National Science Teachers Association] Inventions Challenge. The device made from antenna wire can be worn when the diabetic is sleeping. Diabetics sweat around their arms, when their sugar levels get very low. The moisture sets off an alarm that wakes up the person. Many diabetics die of hypoglycaemia in their sleep (<www.rediff.com/us/2000/apr/06us1.htm.>).

* Professor C.N.R. RAO, Linus Pauling Research Professor of the Bangalore-based Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, has been selected "foreign member" of the prestigious Academy of Sciences of France (India West <www.indiawest.com>)..

*JHUMPA LAHIRI, 33-year-old author of "Interpreter of Maladies"was awarded April 10 the Pulitzer Prize for fiction (India West <www.indiawest.com>).

*Physics professor SANJEEV JOHN at the University of Toronto, economics professor ABHIJIT V. BANERJEE of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, mathematics professor RABI BHATTACHARYA of Indiana University at Bloomington, and Scientific American's editor MADHUSREE MUKERJEE have been among this years's 182 Guggenheim Fellows for the USA and Canada (India West <www.indiawest.com>).

*JEFFREY MERCHANT of the University of Utah, HETAL DOSHI of Emory University, RAJU RAVAL of Indiana University-Bloomington, PIYALI DALAL of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, SHREYA KANGOVI of Columbia University, and JATIN JOSHI of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill were among 79 U.S. undergraduates named Truman Scholars for 2000 (India West <www.indiawest.com>).

*MARIAM THRESIA CHIRAMEL MANKIDYAN (1876-1926), who carried apostolic work, helping the poor and sick in the streets of her village in India was beatified by Pope John Paul on April 9 in Vatican City's St Peter's Square. She had co-founded the Congregation of the Holy Family, which today has 1,854 nuns, and 176 homes (India West <www.indiawest.com>).

POETRY

The following poem, published in 4/20/00 issue of Statesman Journal, was written by Colette Tennant, a professor of English and humanities at Western Baptist College of Salem, Oregon, in memory of the 13 students who died in last year's shooting at Columbine High School, in Littleton, Colorado. It will be set to music and performed May 8 and 10 at Columbine High School by the school's concert orchestra and choir.

*Petals on the ground

Petals on the ground - fallen on rich soil,
Seeds reborn, lift on the wind
Life in the wind, roots unseen.
Shadows cross the land
Cross the waiting earth.
Torrents of rain from mountains' sides
Awaken the seeds of Columbine,
As we learn to love again.
Love is a song that knows no ending.
Love is a song we all must sing,
Work heart to heart, walk arm in arm.
Then our Columbine will bloom through the years,
Filled with sweet memories and washed with our tears.
Filled with sweet memories and washed with our tears.
Roots running deep, flourish through time
Bloom forever, dear Columbine.

WEBSITES

*<http://rsvpramayana.Eth.Net> presents Valmiki's Ramayana in all Indian languages, besides English.

*<www.kiranbedi.com> is the new website launched by Kiran Bedi, a senior Indian police official, to provide information about policing maters including Indian Penal Code. Its feature section has the historic First Information Report about the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

*<www.asianmatches.com> is the joint website of the newly merged dating and matrimonial service companies - asianmathces.com and Suitable Match International.

*<www.staryakalakaar.com> is India's first talent and entertainment portal.

ABOUT US

ACHA Bulletin is being relayed to you as a part of ACHA's South Asian community service program. It is sent out on the first Wednesday of each month. It goes to individuals in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, U.K., and USA, and Zimbabwe. Please let us know (pritamr@open.org), if you want to have your name removed from our email distribution list. Also, please let us know if someone should be added to the list. Comments, letters to editor, and short articles are also welcome and can be sent to the same address.

ACHA Bulletin consists primarily of material selected from the printed and the electronic media. It aims to highlight the news of peace and harmony in the world, to shed light on issues of concern to South Asians, and to provide them information of general interest.

The Bulletin is edited by Pritam K. Rohila, Ph.D. Its editorials and the selection of its material are his sole responsibility and do not necessarily represent the views of or an endorsement by any other Director, or member of ACHA or Dr. Ingrid H. Shafer, who has graciously donated space for it on her server and is volunteering her time to maintain our Web Page.

ACHA is a non-profit, non-political organization. It is dedicated to promote peace and harmony among South Asians regardless of where they live. The membership is open to all who are committed to ACHA Mission and its Declaration of Commitment. Annual dues are $10 (Individuals), $20 (Couples), $25 (Family).

ACHA Board of Directors appreciates people's goodwill and support for this cause. For more information about ACHA and comments about ACHA Bulletin, please contact us at by telephone at 503.393.6944, or 503.251.0070, or by email at <pritamr@open.org>, or visit our Web Page at http:/ecumene.org/ ACHA/ACHA.htm.

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Webpage Editor: Ingrid H. Shafer, Ph.D.
e-mail address: facshaferi@mercur.usao.edu or ihs@ionet.net
Posted 29 May 2000
Last revised 29 May 2000
Web-edition copyright © 1999-2000 Ingrid H. Shafer