QUOTE FOR THE WEEK "This so-called ill treatment and torture in detention centers, stories of which were spread everywhere among the people, and later by the prisoners who were freed … were not, as some assumed, inflicted methodically, but were excesses committed by individual prison guards, their deputies, and men who laid violent hands on the detainees.": Rudolf Hoess, the SS commandant at Auschwitz.

GPJA FORUM Monday, June 6, 7.30pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn PARASITES OF POVERTY CAMPAIGN - This campaign aims for significant changes in the law which will make life easier for people living in low income communities, those in financial difficulty and those with gambling addictions. More broadly it aims for much healthier communities based on “empowering local communities” to decide important issues in the face of poor regulation and unsympathetic governments. Download and distribute the POP poster at: http://gpja.pl.net/files/JCinTemple.pdf Website will be available at http://www.pop.org.nz soon.

WHAT’S ON IN AUCKLAND

Wednesday, June 1, Worldwide/Cyberspace WORLD E-DEMO AGAINST BUSH - Email US politicians and media outlets in this coordinated protest: http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2005/05/317399.shtml Saturday, June 4, 2.00pm, Q.E.11 Square (Harbour End of Queen St.) RALLY FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE IN PALESTINE – Asking for: End to Israeli Occupation, Right of Return to Palestinian Refugees, Sharing Jerusalem, No Israeli Settlements in Occupied Palestine http://www.palestine.org.nz Saturday, June 11, 1pm, Friends Meeting House, MEMORIAL MEETING FOR PEACE CAMPAIGNER OWEN WILKES. A place for people to gather and contribute their memories, afternoon tea to follow. Some tributes: http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/owen.htm http://www.asiapac.org.fj/cafepacific/resources/aspac05/140505owenwilkes_2.html

Sunday, July 3, 5.00pm onwards, Union Fish Company Building, 118 Quay St GREEN PARTY ART AUCTION -- The Auckland Green Party is delighted to announce its forthcoming Great Green Art Auction to help raise funds for this year's election. We have an superb line up of over 50 exceptional artists, including Brent Wong, Dean Buchanan, Luc Tutugoro, Michael Smither, Jacqueline Fahey, John Pule, Jim Viveaere, Judy Darragh, Stanley Palmer and many more established and emerging painters, photographers, sculptors and multi-media artists. An on-line catalogue can be found at http://www.thegreatartauction.org.nz Mark Sunday 3rd July on your calendar for this special event. Tickets are limited to and will be available mid-June $25 includes complimentary drink, food and music. For more information, phone Kim on 376-4143 or email: artauction@greens.org.nz

MESSAGES

Kia ora, this message is to let you know that there is a web page with tributes to Owen Wilkes at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/owentr.htm If you would like to contribute something to the page, please send to email pma@xtra.co.nz Thank you

WE WERE STRANGERS ONCE: MIGRANTS STORIES OF A NATION To anyone who would like to share their stories as a migrant with the creators of this new stage play... Contact Alana Spragg for more information, on alana.spragg@paradise.net.nz

MAKE POVERTY HISTORY --WHITE BAND CAMPAIGN Every single day, 30,000 children are dying as a result of extreme poverty. That¹s one child every three seconds. MAKE POVERTY HISTORY Aotearoa New Zealand is part of one of the largest global campaigns in history. This year, the UK will host the G8 gathering of powerful world leaders in July as well as holding the presidency of the European Union (EU) for the second half of the year. Also in 2005, the UN will reconsider its direction. They all must be held accountable. The Global Call to Action against Poverty, is taking place in more than 60 countries. We know we can prove to politicians and corporations that the world is not prepared to tolerate these levels of poverty. They have the power to make poverty history. We have the power to make them use it. You can show your support. Buy a WHITE BAND and show you care. By wearing one you are part of a unique worldwide effort in 2005 to end extreme poverty - you're saying that it's time to stop the deaths of more than 200,000 people every single week from preventable diseases. To order your bands, call 0800 400 666. To find out more about MAKE POVERTY HISTORY see http://www.makepovertyhistory.org.nz If not us, then who? If not now, then when?

CALL OUT TO ALL PEOPLE WHO WISH TO BE INVOLVED IN ORGANIZING A CARNIVAL AGAINST CAPITALISM AND THE G8 IN AUCKLAND. Hello, Radical Youth, an Anti-capitalist alliance of young people yesterday decided to organize a series of anti-G8 events in Auckland to coincide with the G8 meeting in Scotland on July 6-8. We want to provide a fun,political, safe, inclusive, satirical, carnival of resistance to the G8 summit in July. the G8 consisting of UK, USA, Russia, Italy, France, Germany, Canada and Japan. The G8 upholds a system whose impacts we see all around us: war, famine, mindless work, and environmental destruction. Resistance, however, grows across the globe, with struggles as diverse as they are numerous. In recent years, everywhere the G8 has met, huge movements of people have confronted them demanding change. http://www.dissent.org.uk

If you are an tamaki/aucklander or part of a group who wishes to be involved in organizing or even if you just have ideas for the carnival please email us on radicalyouth@enzyme.org.nz If however you are in Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin or whereever and you have a similar feeling to the G8 contact us and we can share ideas and co ordinate our attempt against the G8.

SPEND SUMMER IN CUBA Registrations are open for the 23rd Southern Cross Brigade to Cuba. Members of the Brigade, which is made up of Australians and New Zealanders, spend approximately four weeks in Cuba, leaving after Christmas. The Brigade stays in the Julio Mella International Camp and usually the time there co-incides with visits by Brigades from the Nordic countries and South America, which gives an excellent opportunity for dialogue. The programme is varied and includes social occasions, dance lessons, cultural events, talks by community groups e.g. the Women’s Federation, visits to schools, hospitals and trade unions, as well as free time in Havana, at resorts and national parks. A homestay is always a highlight. Some voluntary work is included in the programme, usually work in the orange orchards. Brigade members with a special interest in an area can usually be provided for. The trip is suitable for people of any age group – an 85 year old has coped well and there is usually a wide age range present. While some knowledge of Spanish is useful, an interpreter is always on hand. As an initial introduction to Cuban society and Cuban people the Brigade is an excellent opportunity to quickly gain insight into this unique country and its culture, especially of course its music, as part of a community of friendship. The all up cost is $5000, including airfare, spending money and all accommodation and meals. Members of the Brigade often stay longer in Cuba as private travelers or move onto other venues in the region. A video record of last summer’s Brigade experience is available. For further enquiries and registration e- mail Paul at wkcultur@ihug.co.nz or ring 03 732 4010

TO ALL SUPPORTERS OF PEACE AND JUSTICE IN THE PHILIPPINES. In October 2004 the Philippines Solidarity Network of Aotearoa (PSNA) toured leading Philippine human rights activist, Marie Hilao-Enriquez, through NZ. Many of you may have met her, heard her speak in person or heard her on radio. She described a bad situation, with systematic human rights violations, including numerous murders, torture, mass displacement of communities, basically a Sate reign of terror against its own people. The situation has only got worse in the last six months (not that you would know anything about it from the NZ media or the Western media in general). Recently Marie forwarded to us an invitation for New Zealanders to join an International Solidarity Mission to five Philippine human rights hotspots in August. I haven't included the details of it, because it comes in several attachments. PSNA feels that it is important that New Zealanders take part in that, and we are donating $1,000 towards the cost of one person going. Several other people have expressed interest in joining the Mission but would need help with funding (it is not cheap to go to the Philippines, it is not a tourist destination, there are no cheap fares). So, we are appealing to the broader NZ progressive movement for donations to help these people. Just to clarify one thing lest there be any misunderstanding - the point of this appeal is not to come up with the $1,000 that PSNA has promised to one person (who has been chosen). We've already got that money, but that is as much as we can help financially. Any money raised by this appeal will go towards helping other New Zealanders join the Mission. Donations can be made to: PSNA, Box 2450, Christchurch. Include your address and a note saying that it is for the ISM Appeal, so that we can properly record it and send you a receipt. Donations can also be made directly into our bank account. It is: Philippines Solidarity Network Kiwibank, 155 The Terrace, Wellington. Account Number 389000 0792619 00 If you do that, please e-mail us when you do, including your name, and address, so that we can properly record it and send you a receipt. Many thanks, in anticipation, Murray Horton, Secretary, PSNA, Philippines Solidarity Network of Aotearoa, Box 2450, Christchurch, New Zealand. cafca@chch.planet.org.nz http://www.converge.org.nz/psna

BEST ON THE WEB

NZ EDUCATION THE BIG LOSER IN 2005 BUDGET – QPEC http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0505/S00094.htm

Govt. fails to live up to its promise on aged-care – Laila Harre, NZNO http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0505/S00150.htm Peace Action Wellington: Indonesian Troops Out Now http://indymedia.org.nz/newswire/display/35118/index.php

HAPPY VALLEY New Coal Mine to Add Fuel to Burning Planet - An Environment Court ruling allowing a new opencast coal mine on the West Coast will add further fuel to climate change.State-owned coal company, Solid Energy, is now able to proceed with its plans to mine Happy Valley, ultimately resulting in the creation of 13 million tonnes of climate changing carbon dioxide (CO2). http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0505/S00286.htm Save Happy Valley - The proposed coal mine will cause climate change, acid mine drainage, pollute rivers and the fragile wetland, cause loss of biodiversity and destroy the precious habitat of many threatened species, including the great spotted kiwi and the Powelliphanta “patrickensis” snails. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0505/S00276.htm Dismal decision on Cypress mine - "The Court has relied heavily on Solid Energy's promises to be a good environmental manager, but we don't share the Court's confidence in Solid Energy. The SOE has a track record of causing severe environmental damage and making promises that it doesn't keep," said Forest and Bird field officer Eugenie Sage. http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/mediarelease/2005/0526_dismaldecisioncypress.asp

AUSTRALIA Free all the kids: Mandatory detention must go! At least 10,000 people have been through Australia's immigration detention centres since July 1999, including 3899 children. Thirteen people have died in detention. At least four asylum seekers have been killed upon being returned to their country of origin. Many more have disappeared. Indescribable human suffering has resulted from the unjustifiably brutal policy of mandatory detention. http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/628/628p9.htm

PACIFIC Groups Call For End Of Pacific Trade Negotiations http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00377.htm

Time Runs Out On South Pacific HIV/AIDS Crisis – Reporter Marietta Gross and Scoop co-editor Selwyn Manning examine this most important issue and report that HIV/AIDS in the South Pacific is insidiously working its way into isolated communities with an infection rate that threatens cultural, economic, and community stability. Experts interviewed say HIV/AIDS, not global warming, is the number one problem threatening Tuvalu's survival. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00001.htm

IRAQ A Few Profit While Many Go Without: A Look at What Is And Isn’t Being Paid For In Iraq http://lefthook.org/Politics/Resta052805.html

HOW THE OIL-FOR-FOOD PROGRAMME WAS EXPLOITED: US government turned a blind eye as Bayoil, a Texas oil company, imported Iraqi oil and paid $37m of kickbacks to the Saddam regime. Also, as a member of the Security Council, Washington did nothing to prevent Saddam sellling oil worth a claimed $8bn, to Jordan, Syria, Egypt and Turkey, in violation of sanctions. http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/story.jsp?story=639335 NOT A PRETTY PICTURE: "History," Hegel said, "is a slaughterhouse." And war is how the slaughter is carried out. If we believe that the present war in Iraq is just and necessary, why do we shrink from looking at the damage it wreaks? Why does the government that ordered the war and hails it as an instrument of good then ask us to respect those who died in the cause by not describing and depicting how they died? Warning - This article provdes disturbing images http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8895.htm Seymour Hersh: The unknown unknowns of the Abu Ghraib scandal: The 10 inquiries into prisoner abuse have let Bush and Co off the hook http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8908.htm How Anti-War Dissidents Are Singled Out For Attack - Just over one year ago, British journalists and politicians were fulminating over photographs published in the Daily Mirror that appeared to show Iraqi prisoners being abused by British soldiers. The British military, it was claimed, now possessed incontrovertible proof that the pictures were fake. Mirror editor, Piers Morgan - a fierce opponent of the war - was condemned far and wide for inciting additional hatred of British troops in Iraq, so putting their lives at risk. http://www.medialens.org/alerts/index.php Bush Opts for Civil War in Iraq: Considering reports that 80% of Sunnis support the insurgency passively if not actively, it looks as if extermination of Sunnis will be required if the US is to achieve "victory" in Iraq. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8981.htm Amnesty International USA urged foreign governments Wednesday to use international law to investigate Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and other alleged American "architects of torture" at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay and other prisons where detainees suspected of ties to terrorist groups have been interrogated. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8956.htm US Soldiers Opened Fire at a Bus in Baghdad: Three civilian Iraqis travelling in a minibus were killed, reportedly shot dead by US forces, AFP reported, citing officials.

http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?catid=138&newsid=64732&ch=0&datte=2005-05-26

AFGHANISTAN AFGHAN PRISONERS WERE 'TORTURED TO DEATH' BY AMERICAN GUARDS: Shocking and detailed accounts have emerged of how two Afghan prisoners were tortured to death by American interrogators and prison guards at Bagram air base, outside Kabul. http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/story.jsp?story=640070

Robert Fisk: Afghanistan is on the brink of another disaster: "This is a secret war," the Special Forces man told me. "And this is a dirty war. You don't know what is happening." And of course, we are not supposed to know. In a "war against terror", journalists are supposed to keep silent and rely on the good guys to sort out the bad guys without worrying too much about human rights. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8913.htm

CUBA -VENEZUELA Castro speech to anti-trerrorism march http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00305.htm

A Castro ally with oil cash vexes the US -"Unlike Castro, who lacked the funds and support from Latin America's previous right-wing leaders to spread his socialist revolution across the Spanish-speaking world, Chávez is flush with oil money. He is also finding receptivity thanks to a wave of left-of-center presidents who have come to power in recent years. The combination gives the US its first real challenge in the region in decades." http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0520/p01s03-woam.html

‘Venezuelan workers are building Bolivarian socialism’ http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/626/626p13.htm

Sexual Freedom: More Ammunition for Lies about Cuba in El País http://www.walterlippmann.com/docs164.html Cuba, the US, and the farce of Geneva http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=20&ItemID=7904

PALESTINE The State of Israel this week took another step forward in formalising the mass theft of Palestinian property and lands http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/743/re2.htm

Palestine - “We will return to the land from which we were expelled” There are 3.8 million Palestinian refugees in Jordan. They insist on maintaining their Palestinian identity and their right to return to the lands from which they were expelled. Here we interview an activist from Baqa’a, the world’s largest Palestinian camp - Yahya Abu Safi from the Popular Committees for the Defence of the Right of Return (PCDRR). http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/article.php3?id_article=791

ARMS RACE Scientists warn U.S. against new space weapons: A scientists group on Thursday warned the United States against weaponizing space, saying the move would be prohibitively expensive and could set off a new arms race. http://snipurl.com/f219

GM FOOD Revealed: health fears over secret study into GM food - Rats fed GM corn due for sale in Britain developed abnormalities in blood and kidney http://news.independent.co.uk/world/science_technology/story.jsp?story=64043

When fed to rats it affected their kidneys and blood counts. So what might it do to humans? We think you should be told http://news.independent.co.uk/world/science_technology/story.jsp?story=64040

2

BOLIVIA New Uprising In Bolivia: Almost four decades after Che Guevara's murder, Bolivia’s poor and indigenous masses are keeping his revolutionary legacy very much alive as they fight to secure their country’s resources and future. http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=52&ItemID=7920

EUROPE Why the workers in prosperous, Americanised France will vote 'no' http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/story.jsp?story=640928

EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION Vive le Non! Victory to the French Campaign to reject the European constitution - On the 29th of May France is deciding on the European constitution, on the basis of a referendum. A French “No“ could really topple the whole project of an European constitution, and this outcome is not unlikely: the last polls have seen the “No“ constantly leading by several points. http://www.antiimperialista.com/view.shtml?category=9&id=1117111327

European Constitution: a New European Absolutism: Jan Malewski probes the authoritarian neoliberalism at the heart of the proposed European Constitution. http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/article.php3?id_article=785

PAKISTAN By Human Rights Watch: U.S. FBI agents operating in Pakistan repeatedly interrogated and threatened two U.S. citizens of Pakistani origin who were unlawfully detained and subjected to torture by the Pakistani security services. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8940.htm

INDONESIA Groups Urge Bush Not to Offer Military Assistance to Indonesian President - May 24 - A wide range of U.S. organizations today urged President Bush not to offer military assistance to Indonesia when he meets President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono tomorrow. The groups further called on Bush to raise concerns about ongoing human rights violations and the failure to bring to justice members of Indonesia's security forces responsible for human rights violations in Timor-Leste and Indonesia http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00390.htm Indonesian Workers Protest 'Ill-Treatment' at US Designer Brand Factory: JAKARTA, May 25 (AFP) -- More than 2,000 Indonesian workers have staged a strike in a garment factory that produces famous US designer brands to protest ill-treatment and unpaid overtime fees. http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/628/628p18j.htm

Mike and Simon

.

© Scoop Media