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On the stage, the African-sounding drums were not the instruments
of war, they were beating for the solidarity that all true citizens are
calling for. And yet there is war. We would be tempted to say it has almost been unavoidable
after September 11, which practically demolished the reconciliation efforts
of countless peace activists. "Making war is always easier than making
peace," stated Michel Rocard, former Prime Minister of France. Withdrawing
into isolation is always the easiest solution. No Other Choice but Peace The words of these powerful actors rang with full meaning. How could we not hear, in the present context, the message of the survivors of Hiroshima as reported by Hiroaki Kurokawa, Chairman of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation: "The survivors of Hiroshima have refused to seek vengeance and have united to convey the wish of all citizens to live henceforth in a world without nuclear weapons"? Reprisals lead to war, not to peace. Valentina Menilkova, head of the Committee of Soldiers' Mothers in Russia, stated just as strongly. "Mothers simply do not want war for their children any more. They alone, in Russia torn apart, were able to impose the women's determination to respect people's rights." We must also hear, however, the message of Francisco de Roux, of the Development and Peace Project in Colombia. in his fight for the peace and dignity of the farmers exploited by traffickers, he has witnessed the assassination of his closest friends and colleagues. "We have chosen to make peace because we have no other choice," he said. Making peace, as many activists had claimed at the risk of their lives, has been like "making love to fear". But this has been the only way of giving men back the dignity that they have in their inner selves. "We have come to Lille because we need to know that we are not alone and that there are thousands of us who want this human dignity." |
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