Youth and Students Against War and Militarism

As Israel intensifies its repression on the people of Palestine, while the struggle between the Pakistani and Indian government claims more innocent lives in Kashmir and other regions, while provinces in Indonesia are ravaged by ethnocide, the Regional Conference on 'War and Militarism' in Jakarta, Indonesia held on February 26 - March 1 becomes over more relevant.

This conference, attended by more than 30 youth and students from Burma, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand, organized by the Asian Students Association in cooperation with local host Perhimpunan Demokratik Sosiolis, tackled the issues which are relevant and profoundly affect the youth and students of Asia and the people in general.

The keynote speakers gave the delegates the proper framework on how to understand war and militarism in the present context of globalization .

A healthy discussion followed afterwards with the participants sharing their ideas and experiences on globalization - further enriching the past discussions of the ASA on the issue including the Manila Conferences in December 1999.

The delegates discussed the threat to the region because of the intensification of American military presence along side the increasing Japanese military might.

This was related in terms of questions of sovereignty, the effect on the women and children and the impacts of military access agreements on the economic, political and social life of the people.

We also expressed a wish, in the spirit of solidarity, to increase engagement with the democratic and anti-imperialist sections of American society.

The discussion on nuclear weapons and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) surred the consciousness of all the delegates.

We have realized the danger nuclear weapons pose, not only to the people of Asia and the Pacific but of the whole world.

We have seen the limitation of the CTBT and its inability to totally eradicate nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction on the face of planet.

The delegates agreed that the scope of the CTBT be enhanced and that it should include a process of disarmament for the elimination of existing nuclear weapons in the world.

Also, a brief sharing of the delegates from Burma and East Timor gave the participants a picture of the condition and situation of refugees.

The large-scale human rights violations committed by the State Peace and Development Council of Burma was focused upon.

In Indonesia delegates shared that the struggle of the student and respective peoples movements against Suharto has not removed the relationship between government and the military.

The New Order Regime of Golkar is militarily sponsored. Ethnic conflicts still rage on in Ambon, West Kalimantan, Aceh, West Papua and this is intensified and perpetuated by the repression from the military in the social and political lives of the peoples of Indonesia.

All students agreed to continue to support the movement against this situation and the need for a peoples tribunal to restore justice and democracy was discussed.

The country reports of the delegates have shown how war and militarism destroys, not only life, but also the social fabric of society.

War and militarism breeds social chauvinism, racism and hate. We have learned that the people of Asia and the pacific along with the rest of the world must not exist in fear of each other but of mutual respect and understanding.

Only by working together on common principles and goals to end war and militarism in our region can we prepare the grounds for a better society for the next generation to enjoy.

We have vowed to strengthen our resolve to intensify our own struggle against the menace of war and militarism in our own countries and pledged to increase solidarity with the rest of the struggling people of Asia, the Pacific, and the world.

STOP WAR AND MILITARISM ! STRUGGLE FOR A JUST AND LASTING PEACE! LONG LIVE INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY!