Statements
of Solidarity and Support, from the International Green Party
Community
Federacion
de Partidos Verdes de las Americas
September 11, 2001
Jorge González Torres
(Mexico), Secretary
General, FPVA
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To the Green Party of the United States:
All strength to you, to the United States,
and to all the Americans; the Federation of Green Parties of
the Americas feels devastated for this National and
International Tragedy. Today, we begin the day with this news
of high impact, with this criminal and coward terrorist act,
which we completely reject. We would like to express our
solidarity, and support to the Country, its victims and their
relatives.
We want to reiterate that violence has never been and never
will be a form of coexistence among men. These acts of
barbarism deserve the reject of the international community,
because all acts of terrorism affect all the nations of the
world. No cause justifies these criminal acts.
Jorge González Torres
D.F. Mexico City - Mexico
Secretary General
Federation of Green Parties of the Americas
Federacion de Partidos Verdes de las Americas
Partido Ecologista/Alternativa Verde de
Perú
11 September 2001
Solidaridad con el Pueblo y los Verdes de los Estados
Unidos
TO: NATIONAL GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
El Partido Alternativa Verde de Perú
expresa su solidaridad al pueblo de los Estados Unidos de
Norteamérica .
Rechazamos de la manera más enérgica los actos de
violencia irracional ejercidos en contra de nuestros
hermanos . Los Verdes del Perú creyentes en el pacifismo
como la forma de convivencia en la que se expresa el respeto
por la vida, convocamos a asumir una posición por la no
violencia.
El acto criminal ejercido en contra de la vida de los
norteamericanos no tiene ninguna justificación válida.
Nada puede ser superior a la vida. Hoy más que nunca
debemos apostar por el diálogo y el concenso. Debemos
rechazar la violencia esta venga de donde venga, son
principios necesarios para la construcción de una sociedad
justa y democrática desde la perspectiva de los Verdes del
Perú.
La acción terrorista irracional que ha sumido en el dolor y
luto a las familias de los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica,
es también una agresión a los pueblos del mundo que creen
en la democracia.
Bendiciones Verdes
Alex Gonzales Castillo
Presidente
Partido Ecologista
Alternativa Verde
Australian Greens
12 September 2001
Dear US Greens,
We send our deepest love and sympathy to all those hurt and
killed in this terrible attack, their relatives and friends,
and to all of you. Life will never be the same after such
terror striking so viciously.
We join you in condemning the perpetrators and abhorring
violence, whoever commits it. We are ready to help in any
way we can but mostly just want to say how immensely sorry
we are for the suffering that this tragedy has unleashed.
With all our good wishes,
Bob Brown
Cate Weate
Steven Chaffer
Stephenie Cahalan
Ben Oquist
Christine Milne
Lauren Van Dyke
Margaret Blakers
European Federation of Green Parties
H.E. Ambassador Richard L. Morningstar
The United States Mission to the European Union
Brussels, BELGIUM
11th September 2001
Your Excellency,
The European Federation of Green Parties would like to express
its condolences to the American people for the tragic loss of
innocent lives in the terrorist actions of today.
Human life is sacred, and we cannot but express the solidarity
of our Federation to all those people who have had to suffer
the loss of a relative, friend or acquaintance.
Such an ignoble terrorist act is a tragedy for all human kind.
Yours Sincerely,
Marian Coyne - Scotland - Spokesperson
Pekka Haavisto - Finland - Spoikesperson
Arnold Cassola - Malta - Secretary General
EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF GREEN PARTIES
European Parliament
Room PHS 2C85
Rue Wiertz, 1047
Brussels, Belgium
The Green Party of England and Wales
16 September 2001
Salisbury, England
Green party statement on terrorist attack on US issued at
conference
As the world waits with anticipation, Green Party members have
been expressing their shock and fear during their Autumn
Conference this week in Salisbury. Penny Kemp, the Chair of
the Executive today made the following statement to the
conference.
The Green Party of England and Wales reiterates its shock and
revulsion at the attacks in the United States on 11th
September. We believe that such attacks cannot be justified.
We learn with horror that the US Secretary of State, Colin
Powell is apparently refusing to rule out the possibility of a
nuclear attack. We utterly reject such a policy, believing it
to be profoundly morally wrong in itself. We also fear that it
would be highly dangerous in terms of its potential escalatory
consequences. In particular, we believe that violent
counter-measures of any type would be a sure way of creating
many more suicide bombers, willing to martyr themselves in
protest.
We support the United States Green Party in their statement
that whilst justice is clearly imperative, there is no
security in revenge.
We call upon the governments of the United States, United
Kingdom and all other countries to step back from immediate
military action of any type, and not to fall into the culpable
error of leading innocent peoples all over the world into
violent conflict.
We also call on the people of the world's most powerful
countries to reflect on why the attacks of the 11th September
took place at all. We should have the humility to recognise
that dominant attitudes and lifestyles in our countries may
have some part to play in leading to such attacks, and may
continue to do so, unless we draw back from retaliatory
actions currently being considered by our governments.
Federation des Partis Ecologistes
d'Afrique
Press Release
17 September 2001
The African Green Federation wish to express its sincere
condolences to all parents, relatives and friends of victims who
have been hurt by the terrorist attack on Tuesday September 11.
The Federation assures all Americans of its support and prayers
at this time of mourning and grief. As Africans, we strongly
condemn this vicious cycle of violence and appeal to all
Governments and the International communities to strive hard to
make this 21st century a peaceful century.
Adamou GARBA
Secretary General
Niamey, Republique du Niger
The Greens/EFA in the European Parliament
Press Release
Brussels, 11 September 2001
Greens/EFA, deeply shocked by terrorist
attack, send condolences to the people of the USA
Heidi Hautala and Paul Lannoye,
Co-Presidents of the Green/EFA Group in the European
Parliament, and Nelly Maes, President of the European Free
Alliance, today expressed their deep shock after the
unprecedented horrifying terrorist attack on the USA.
In a letter addressed to the Ambassador of the United States
Mission to the European Union, Rt Hon. Richard L. Morningstar.
They expressed their condolences to the people of
America:
The Right Honourable Ambassador for the United States of
America,
We are writing to express our heartfelt condolences to the
people of America following today's tragedy. We are deeply
shocked by such a senseless terrorist attack on the United
States, which claimed the lives of so many innocent victims.
In this dark hour, our thoughts are with the victims of this
tragedy, their families and with all the American people.
On behalf of the Greens/European Free Alliance in the European
Parliament,
Heidi Hautala - Co-President
Paul Lannoye - Co-President
Nelly Maes - Vice-President
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Green Party of the
United States
October 4th Statement on the Terrorist Attacks
of
September 11, 2001
Endorsed on October 16th by the Miljoepartiet
de Groena (Sweden) and on October 17th by the Partido
Verde Ecologista de Mexico (Mexico)
Photo credit
The Green Party
of the United States is shocked by the terrorist attacks
on September 11, 2001. We extend our deepest sympathy to those
most personally affected by these horrific events. We
remember especially the injured, the loved ones of those who
have died, the innocents who lost their lives in the midst of
an ordinary day's work, and those heroic firefighters, police
officers and other relief workers who gave their lives
unquestioningly. These were our neighbors, co-workers, friends
and family members. As Americans and as members of the human
family, we are all irrevocably affected by this terror.
GREEN PARTY URGES ADHERENCE TO INTERNATIONAL LAW
Greens fully support the right and obligation of the U.S.
to seek justice. The complete disregard for the sanctity
of human life displayed by the perpetrators of these
atrocities must be countered by a just and lawful response.
Justice is the goal and mark of a civilized society. Thus, we
call on the United States Government to exercise caution and
restraint as we form a response to these attacks.
Indiscriminate military actions and acts of vengeance would
only escalate violence and generate additional hatred.
Anita Ríos (Ohio),
Steering Committee, Green
Party of the United States
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Furthermore, a unilateral and indiscriminate
military response, especially on the Afghan or Arab peoples, can
easily be misperceived as an attack on Islam. This would
undermine international support for the US, further fanaticism
and terrorism and ultimately imperil the possibility of peace in
the future.
Therefore, we believe that the September 11, 2001 attacks on
innocent civilians should, in accordance with domestic and
international law, be characterized as an international crime
against humanity, not a war. A full investigation,
undertaken with international cooperation, must take place
before the President and Congress attempt to bring those
responsible to justice. Accordingly, the identification of any
perpetrator of these offenses and their supporters must be based
on solid and credible evidence not by innuendo or conviction in
the media.
A sound legal case must be made and brought to federal and
international courts for arrest and extradition as necessary.
American declarations of war inhibit rather than promote this
international cooperation. Attempts to unilaterally seek redress
through bombs and missiles, rather than a court of law, will
undermine international law, and set back recent international
successes in bringing those who have committed crimes against
humanity to justice.
Accordingly, the Green Party specifically opposes any attempt by
President Bush to wage war outside the scrutiny of Congress and
the American public for whom they speak. The US Constitution
addresses war powers explicitly and does not, under any
interpretation, allow a president a "blank check"
power to wage war.
GREENS FEAR EROSION OF CIVIL LIBERTIES AT HOME
No matter who the perpetrators of the September attacks prove to
be, unjust attacks in the US or abroad against Arab-Americans,
Arabs, Muslims or anyone else of Middle Eastern ancestry are
unacceptable and un-American. Therefore, we encourage President
Bush and other public officials to continue to denounce
sentiments and behavior that target ethnic or religious groups
in revenge for the September 11th attacks.
Jo Chamberlain (California),
Steering Committee, Green Party
of the United States
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The September 11th attacks struck out at American
democracy as well as the World Trade Center and Pentagon. By
definition, terrorism opposes representative government,
undermines civil liberties, and represses religious freedom and
ethnic diversity. Therefore, our response to terrorism must not
erode these very same civil liberties and constitutional rights.
While we understand the immediate need for
measures like increased airport security, we oppose any
restriction on civil political dissent, which would, in effect,
make democratic accountability a casualty of the September 11th
attacks. Critical, open and honest civic debate about our
past and future policy is essential to a solid and lasting
democracy. We urge our fellow citizens to be vigilant in
supporting our civil liberties, which are always vulnerable
during times of conflict.
LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO TERRORISM AND VIOLENCE AGAINST CIVILIANS
While there is never any justification for acts of terror
against innocent civilians -- indeed it is the quintessential
act of dehumanization -- the events of September 11th bring
Americans the unique occasion to reconsider our governmentís
role on the world stage. The Green Party calls attention to the
fact that, even in the midst of our national anger, grief, and
fear, the US remains the most militarily powerful and
influential country in the world at present. In accord with this
and our identity as a leading defender of democracy, we have the
obligation to act democratically and model moral and just
standards for others.
Thus, in seeking to prevent further terrorist attacks in the US
and elsewhere, the Green Party urges our nation to reassess our
government's policies and actions, which at worst, may have
served to justify terrorism in the minds of our attackers and
their sympathizers, and at least, may continue to be sources of
frustration and anger for many freedom-seeking peoples around
the world.
The Green Party asserts that a significant aspect of
preventing future terrorist attacks on the United States is to
insure that our foreign policy is firmly based on economic and
social justice. Specifically, we call on the U.S. to end the
economic sanctions against Iraq which have resulted in the death
of over a half million innocent Iraqi children and civilians. We
also call on the U.S. to insist that international law be
strictly observed with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict.
Furthermore, the Green Party of the United States urges our
fellow citizens and people everywhere to view September 11th as
an opportunity to call for an end to all violence towards
civilians. As our platform states, the Green Party seeks
strength through peace and asserts that security and liberty
prosper together. While we recognize the need for self-defense
and the defense of others who are in helpless situations, we
trust that non-violence provides the surest road to peace.
Therefore, at this turning point in world affairs, we
strongly urge President Bush to lead the world forward, toward a
realignment of peoples and nations, not backward into an era of
military and economic conquest characterized by endless
violence. We can signal this new era with a declaration
strictly banning the targeting of civilians and non-combatants
and the use of weapons of mass destruction. This new era can be
sustained by a rededication of our vast resources away from
producing more weapons and towards eradicating the poverty,
disease and ignorance that foster despair and insecurity for
most of the world's people. Finally, we urge people and
governments around the world to join us in the most pressing
challenge of this new millennium: to create a culture of peace.
It is in meeting these demands of peace, that we will know what
peace truly is. The deaths of over 6000 innocents demand it.
Alliance 90/Die
Gruenen - Deutschland
September 13, 2001
Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany
RESOLUTION of the Special Party Council and
Bundestag Group
1. The terrible attacks that were perpetrated against the United
States of America on September 11, 2001 were a cynical strike
against the values of an open civil society for which we stand.
These attacks have evoked paralyzing horror, sadness, rage and
great concern, but they have also given rise to a strong
solidarity with the victims, their relations and the entire
American people. Alliance 90/The Greens share in this
solidarity.
2. We support the United Nations Security Council's demand that
those responsible for the mass murder, the organizers as well as
the sponsors, be found out and brought to justice. We support
the Security Council's declaration that terrorist acts must be
combated as a threat to international peace.
3. The government of the United States has let it be known that
they will respond harshly to terrorist aggression. They have,
for example, spoken of "wiping terrorism off the map".
This has fueled the concerns of a broad part of German as well
as European society that an insufficiently circumspect reaction
on the part of the USA could in the end be what the terrorists
are counting on to build on the escalation of violence. Against
this background we would emphasize the legitimate right of the
USA to self-defense on the basis of the United Nations Charter.
A democracy based on the rule of law is only credible if in the
detection and punishment of evildoers, it does not violate its
own principles. International law does not provide cover for
vengeance; we reject an escalation strategy tainted by it. Every
possible course of action must be accompanied by a political
concept that stands the test of time and contains the
proposition for effective handling of conflicts that feed on
violence. We are calling for a fundamentally new orientation in
security policy, one in which first and foremost new global
threats can be countered by crisis prevention, by civil conflict
resolution, by the creation of global justice and the fair
resolution of regional conflicts.
4. After the national tragedy, the USA turned to the NATO
Council with an application that a joint-defense-situation be
established in accordance with Article 5 of the Washington
Treaty. On September 12, 2001, The NATO Council unanimously
found that the facts of the terrorist attacks, that they were
directed from outside the USA, established the applicability of
Article 5 of the NATO Treaty. In so doing, for the first time,
NATO has acceded to formally assisting a member-state against an
armed attack, including military assistance, if necessary. The
German Federal Government has acceded to this as well. This was
a very difficult decision. In the face of terrorist attacks
against US citizens, however, we cannot oppose the employment of
the joint-defense-situation.
5. The acceptance of the joint-defense-situation does not yet
mean a decision in favor of participation in the USA's military
planning or actions. The acceptance of the
joint-defense-situation does not revoke the responsibility on
the part of Germany to decide for itself, in keeping with
Constitutional rules and especial Parliamentary provisos, what
type of assistance with what means it considers necessary to
reestablish and maintain security.
6. The worldwide dismay produced by the terrorist violence has
made graphically clear to what extent the world in which we live
has grown together. We strongly object to all attempts to
capitalize on this dismay in order to pursue authoritarian
policies using strategies of insularity, national
narrow-mindedness and xenophobia. Civil and open societies
tolerate no struggle between cultures. They are founded on a
diversity of cultures and religions. Every failure in the dialog
between cultures, especially the islamic culture, every failure
to improve living conditions in those countries that are
breeding grounds for terrorism catches up with us. Insularity is
a backwards-looking illusion. We continue to stand by our vision
of an international community of cosmopolitan democracies. That
includes not only the readiness to stand against terrorism in
the defense of a cosmopolita democracy. It also includes
depriving terrorism of its political basis through the promotion
of human rights, democracy, tolerance and international justice.
Alliance 90/The Greens champions these principles.
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