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The Asia-Pacific Freeze Campaign: A Call for a Safer, Greener Future
With multiple crises affecting our world – global economy, climate change, resource depletion – we must urgently redirect the hundreds of billions of dollars spent on preparing for war. The United States, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, and North Korea spent about $970 billion in 2008 on the military. That figure, alarmingly, is on the rise. For about one-tenth of this near-trillion dollar amount – about $90 billion a year – we can achieve more genuine security by eliminating global starvation and malnutrition, educating every child on earth, making clean water and sanitation accessible for all, and reversing the global spread of AIDS and malaria.
With the Asia-Pacific Freeze campaign, we the people of this region call on our governments to freeze military spending and then reduce these budgets on an equitable basis. The savings must be put toward achieving genuine security and a sustainable economy for the future of our planet.
Why these six nations? In Northeast Asia, the largest militaries in the world confront each other. Yet, these countries have also begun to create a peace and security system through the Six Party Talks. In the Joint Statement of September 19, 2005, the countries agreed to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, the normalization of relations with North Korea, and joint efforts for regional peace and stability. But these efforts, which we endorse, cannot achieve genuine peace in a climate of ever-increasing military budgets. Engaged citizens and social movements must now put military spending on the global agenda and make real our common vision of a peaceful world.
The Asia-Pacific Freeze would not only play an essential role in defusing tensions on the Korean peninsula. It would also be the first step in drawing down mounting tensions between the United States and China. A deep divide is opening up between continental powers (Russia, China, Central Asia) and maritime powers (United States, Japan, Australia). By cooperating on freezing and then reducing military spending, the six countries can help bridge this divide and turn Northeast Asia into a model of peace and sustainable development.
The Freeze and reduction of military spending will also greatly improve the lives and welfare of millions of people in the larger Pacific region who have suffered so much from war, violence, and the social and environmental hazards caused by U.S. military bases.
A regional Freeze and reduction will have global impact, too. The six countries account for 65% of global military spending, with the United States responsible for nearly 50% of the total. In the last five years, every country but Japan has dramatically increased its military spending, and even Japan faces a powerful political movement to abandon its “peace constitution.” The United States and Russia are the top arms exporters in the world, while China is in the top 10. China and South Korea are also leading importers, and Japan’s military budget – though still less than 1% of its GNP – is still among the top five in the world. North Korea devotes a considerable share of its budget to the military. By redirecting the budgets of the leading arms-producing, exporting, and importing nations, an Asia-Pacific Freeze is essential to shrinking the global military-industrial complex.
A freeze on military spending is just the start. Reducing military budgets – as well as freezing arms exports and imports to the region, stopping the construction of new military bases, and halting the construction of new weapons systems – will also be critical components of a collective peace and security system for the region. As the leading military spender, the United States must lead the way with military reductions. We recommend that a portion of the savings go into an Asian Green Fund to help countries in the region address global warming.
As individual countries and as an international community, we have a choice. We can continue on a dangerous path seeking ever-elusive “security” through military might. Or we can choose to address the pressing problems facing us all – global economic crisis, climate change, nuclear proliferation – by no longer wasting our precious resources on preparations for war.
We the undersigned ask you to sign our petition.
John Feffer, Hyattsville, United States, Maryland
Erik Leaver, Silver Spring, USA, Maryland
Christine Ahn, Oakland, USA, California
Wooksik Cheong, Seoul, South Korea,
Cheers!
Chong-Ae Yu, Washington, USA, D.C.
Joan Sage, Philadelphia, U.S.A., PA
laura hanks, Portland, USA, OR
Peace now!
H.K. Suh, Fairfax, USA, Virginia
Kathryn Zickuhr, Wichita, USA, Kansas
Mark Reback, Los Angeles, USA, CA
Green, not greed...
xxxxxxxx, Kirkland, USA, WA
Reducing military expenditure is really should be a no-brainer!
Rohan Sabnis, Claremont, United States, CA
Michael W Evans, Los Angeles, USA, CA
Minji Choe, Seoul, South Korea,
Virginia Rodino, Washington, DC, USA,
Namhee Lee, Los Angeles,, USA, CA
Chad Futrell, Ithaca, USA, NY
Youngjae Hur, Seoul, Korea,
Peace is not free
Keith A. Leitich, Seattle, USA, WA
Bruce Gagnon, Brunswick, USA, Maine
Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
Irene Gale, Adelaide, Australia, South Australia
Colin Hubbell, Clinton, Oneida, NY
Governments of the world, start working for the interests of the people.
Amira Ali, san francisco, , ca
Marlan P. Willis, Livingston, USA, Montana
Needs to be heard, understood and heeded.
Paul Yates, Georgetown, U.S.A., KY
Karl Eysenbach, Ejo. San Lucas,BCS, Mexico,
This is one of the best times in history to start serious nuclear disarmament.
Adam Parsons, London, UK, London
Bill Fisher, Adelaide, Australia, South Australia
Taeho, Seoul , S. Korea,
Eric, Jonesborough, USA, TN
Hilary Smith, Rohnert Park, USA, California
The world is getting smaller and the military-industrial complex can't last forever. I think that we can stop it or it will stop us. Let's take control of our lives and work for peace even if we're scared. Thanks.
Dave Webb, Leeds, England, West Yorkshire
Sung-Hee Choi, Incheon, Korea,
Claire Yoo, Philadelphia, USA, PA
alice slater, NY, USA, NY
Mosese Waqa, Melbourne, Australia, Victoria
We have only one Pacific, one planet, and there is no backup. We create our own future and the window of opportunity to make that difference is narrowing every time we delay.
Ron Zucker, San Mateo, USA, CA
Manuel Adame, Vigo, Spain,
Mª Olga Álvarez, Vigo, Spain,
Colin Archer, Geneva, Switzerland,
Ani L. Schwartz, , ,
End US Inperialism and Devastating War Spending. "Silence is Betrayal"
President Barack Obama said to foreign leaders in his inaugural address, "your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy."
SO WHY ARE WE CONTINUING TO DESTROY?
Don’t allow Afghanistan to become the next Vietnam. Every bomb that drops creates more terrorists than it kills because innocent civilians are being hurt and killed, too. IN FACT, EACH BOMB THAT IS DROPPED RECRUITS MORE PEOPLE TO THE TERRORIST SIDE BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDERSTANDABLY UPSET WITH AMERICAN IMPERIALIST, INHUMANE, INSANE, DOMINEERING, ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF THEIR LANDS. There is no military solution in Afghanistan. THE ONLY REAL SOLUTION IS A HUMANITARIAN ONE AND IT WILL COST US FAR LESS THAN WAR. COMPASSION IS THE ONLY WAY TO "WIN HEARTS AND MINDS". THIS INCLUDES COMPASSION FOR OUR SOLDIERS.
Please work towards a DIPLOMATIC solution and bring our troops home from Afghanistan. We cannot afford the blood or the animus U.S. escalation is sure to incur.
WE CANNOT AFFORD THE MASSIVE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF THE WAR MACHINE.
WE CANNOT AFFORD THE BURDEN OF DEBT FROM DUMPING BORROWED FUNDS DOWN THE BLACK HOLE OF WAR SPENDING.
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO CONTINUE TO GIVE MERCENARY CORPORATIONS FREE REIGN TO MURDER WITH IMPUNITY WITH NO BENEFITS TO ANYONE BUT THEMSELVES.
IT IS TIME TO END THIS BUSINESS OF WAR, THIS BUSINESS OF MAKING PROFITS OFF OF DESTRUCTION AND SUFFERING AND MURDER.
"WAR IS ABOUT MURDER." ~ Dr. Helen Caldicott.
IT IS TIME TO END THE HYPOCRISY OF OUR MILITARY POLICIES THAT ARE DESTROYING OUR ECONOMY TOO, THAT HAVE MORTGAGED OUR COUNTRY TO THE HIGHEST BIDDERS SUCH THAT WE DO NOT EVEN OWN OUR OWN COUNTRY ANYMORE.
I READ THAT CHINA HOLDS THE BIGGEST SHARE AND CHINA IS GETTING DISGUSTED WITH US TOO.
THERE IS NO GOOD EXCUSE FOR INCREASING MILITARY SPENDING.
There is far too much at stake to become entangled in Afghanistan for another seven years. Our troops have served us well--but to no avail--please bring them home to their families.
USE SOME OF THE MONEY THAT IS SAVED TO ENSURE THAT OUR SOLDIERS GET THE CARE THEY NEED TO RECOVER FROM THE DE-HUMANIZING ATROCITIES OF WAR.
Rox Fowlie, harmony, United States, me
BiLL Fowlie, harmony, United States, me
anita kofta, holmen, usa, wi
Nichole Tockey, Memphis, Shelby, TN
David Schaich, Cambridge, United States, Massachusetts
The Socialist Party USA calls for an immediate 50% cut in the military budget, followed by additional cuts, with the aim of rapidly reducing the military budget to less than 10% of its current level, with the "peace dividend" directed to essential social services and to the cost of cleaning up contaminated military sites.
Jennifer Hall, Greeneville, United States, TN
Leandro Coutinho, San Francisco, USA, CA
Amber Thrasher, Port Hadlock, usa, WA
Kaji Kirupanithy, Toronto, Canada, Ontario
Kellie Smith, Deering, USA, NH
Cathy Robinson, Mobile, United States, AL
andrea ayala, san antonio, usa, TX
Laurie Brewer, Barberton, United States, Ohio
Cathie Bell, Portland, United States, OR
We have so much money to kill and maim people all over the world, while never enough to feed or educate them. Something is terribly wrong!
Huisun Kim, Seoul, South Korea,
Stop the arms-racing!
xxxxxxxx, Arlington, United States, VA
Ruth Roberson, Sonoma, USA, California
Nothing could be more urgent. We must get back to more humane priorities for people.
Mary Ann Scofield, Menlo Park, USA, CA
Joan Shore, Paris, France,
Ann Wright, Honolulu, US, Hawaii
Ann is a retired US Army REserve Colonel and a former US diplomat who resigned in opposition to the Iraq war
As a resident of Hawaii, I totally support a PACIFIC FREEZE on militarization in this region --let's begin at home!!
kimberly r. wilson, Orlando, USA, FL
With US DoD expenditures larger than most of the world combined, a cutback is long overdue, and we could use the money elsewhere.
H. Berrien Zettler, Columbus, United States, GA
Dona van Bloemen, Santa Monica, USA, CA
Steve Daniels, Santa Barbara, USA, CA
Peter Murphy, Sydney, Australia, NSW
US, South Korea and Japan should immediately cease threats against North Korea, including at the UN Security Council. US should hold unconditioanl talks with North Korea to defuse the current dangerous situation.
Nancy S. Lovejoy, Wilbraham, United States, Massachusetts
Craig Brestrup, Kendalia, United States, TX
War and preparation for war have repeatedly failed; it is time for a more rational and peace-oriented approach to international relations.
Lynn, Whitewater, United States, Wisconsin
Over 50 years and still no peace treaty between the halves of a divided people. It's time for real peace to begin.
Gary B. Schreiner, Glen Head, USA, NY
Jean Gehring, Boulder, United States of America, Colorado
Talk is cheap compared to the cost of bellicosity......as long as it is not cheap talk. Are we civilized or barbarians in suits and uniforms? Civil action rather than military action would move us a long way toward the civility we like to pride ourselves on (sometimes for no very good reason).
Cynthia Adams, Santa Cruz, United States, Ca
The amount of chemicals left behind will continue to do damage even after the wars have stopped.
Patty Thomas, Fredericton, Canada,
Robert Cooke, Gaithersburg, Montgomery, Maryland
William W Haywood, Centralia, United States, Washington
Please, show me that 'making war' is not just something extra that always comes when madmen use language! Show me that our leader's can use language without resorting to war! Show me!
Beth Tuckey, Washington, United States, DC
j.david singer, ann arbor, MI, usa, MI
Good idea.
Janet Wichmann, Las Vegas, USA, NV
Reed Kurtz, Hagerstown, USA, Indiana
Al Nava, Modesto, USA, California
Beth Quinn, Puunene, HI, 96784
Caroll Fowler, Hayward, United States, California
