South America

*“I’m doing it because I am convinced that this is the most wonderful demonstration in history since it is going to change the way we think about violence”*, according to Miguel Hirsch, who sets off this week to join the rest of the members of the international team of Marchers for peace and nonviolence who will travel for 90 days.

Through a public declaration broadcast through TV to the Ecuadorian people, President Rafael Correa let his endorsement and support be known for this planetary mobilisation for Peace that will arrive in Ecuador on the 18th of December and whose international delegation will be received in Plaza Grande, “heart of Quito” and witness to the great milestones in Ecuadorian history.

“As educators we are convinced that the education gap our popular classes suffer at the cost of increasing armament spending ends up creating violent and unjust environments”, declared Ignacio Suñol, national Director of Fe y Alegría, a Bolivian popular education movement involved in non-violent activities in 470 educational units.

Leading the fight for human rights, Councillor Ítalo Cardoso (PT-SP) declares allegiance to the World March for Peace and Nonviolence. “In my capacity as vice-president of the Human Rights Commission, Chamber of São Paulo, I was among the first to support the March, which I hope, wherever it passes through, finds people from all nations striving for peace and freedom”.

“Hoping that it contributes to what we proposed within UNASUR, so that our South American continent is a region of peace”. Fernando Lugo expresses as such his official support for the World March for Peace and Nonviolence. The initiative of the organization World Without Wars already had the support of the Presidents of Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Uruguay and Argentina.

Seeing the manner in which South American governments have embarked upon a new unbridled arms race with unforeseeable consequences is regrettable. If, for the present, this hasn’t meant open warfare, tomorrow there will be others governing in the region who may use the purchases made now. Only the people can end this collective madness that has started to appear.

The canine march “Pets for Peace and Nonviolence” took place last Sunday September 14 in the district of Baruta in Caracas, Venezuela, with the aim of denouncing violence suffered by human beings as well as the other living beings on the planet. The activity was supported by the town district, veterinarian groups and social organizations.

According to the Brazilian Chancellor Celso Amorím, the recent agreement with France on the purchase of military aircraft also includes transfer of technology for the manufacture of such aircraft in Brazil. As a result of the agreement between Lula and Sarkozy, Brazil will buy 36 fighter-bombers, a sign that it is strengthening its military industrial capacity.

South American countries spent more than US$51billion dollars in defense in 2008, almost 30% more than last year, according to a study carried out by the Centro de Estudios Unión para la Nueva Mayoría. Military investment is to increase further following a recent military purchase and technology sharing agreement between France and Brazil.

Three of the member countries of NATO want to urgently detail a plan of retreat from Afghanistan; this comes after the latest strike against two tankers at the start of September – implicating the West in the death of civilians. A conference will be held between representatives of the three countries to arrange plans.