A statement by Concerned Faculty and Staff for Peace in Afghanistan

We, the undersigned faculty and staff, oppose the continuation of the US war in Afghanistan for both moral and political reasons. We are outraged by the loss of life in the September 11 terrorist attacks and agree that the United States government has an obligation to take steps to secure the security of its citizens. but targeting Afghanistan or ant nation to retaliate for actions by an international group of terrorists is both immoral and ineffective. It id immoral because the civilians will inevitably be killed, causing more unnecessary suffering. It is ineffective because it will not root out this or other networks of terrorists located all over the world. To the contrary, US war actions of this sort will be perceived by those who are already angry at previous US policy in the Middle East an elsewhere in the world as more evidence that our country is a violent aggressor. Thus these actions may, in fact, produce more responses link the September 11 attack. As consequence the US at the end of this aggressive process will have achieved neither justice nor improved security.

We believe it is important to create a space for critical discussion and debate on the history of the US’s involvement in the Middle East and Central Asia, as well as on foreign and domestic policy alternatives to war. In this spirit, we encourage other faculty to create a space for discussion of these issue in their classrooms, or to support student efforts outside of class to promote open and constructive discussion. We believe individuals should suspend “business as usual” and commit themselves to efforts to promote peace and justice.

We oppose any restriction on our civil liberties of freedom of speech and association, including pressure on individual faculty, staff, or students not to openly express their political opinions, no matter how unpopular they are. we also oppose various anti terrorism bills before the Congress which would suspend constitutional rights fro immigrants who are suspects.

As goals for the critical space of discussion and investigation called for above, we accept the five points of unity of the Five College Students for a Peaceful Response (SPR).

The Five Points of Unity are as follows:

1. Expressing sympathy with victims of terrorism;

2. Seeking and promoting peaceful alternatives to war;

3. Countering prejudice, specifically toward Arab and Muslim i individuals;

4. Protecting civil liberties, and

5. Fostering discussion about American foreign policy.

We would link to add point 6, which is a proposal for an alternative policy to resolve the present war in Afghanistan: We urge the US government to cease its present war with Afghanistan and request that the United Nations Security Council establish an international tribunal to try those suspected of terrorism. The UN should determine the nations whose judges are represented on the tribunal. The Security Council should also establish a UN force to arrest terrorists and prevent terrorists attacks, and use other measures deemed necessary, such as economic sanctions on nations and banks that refuse to comply with the freezing of suspects’ assets. Such international mechanisms to challenge global networks of terrorism can provide citizens of the United States with more security than out present policy, and will not continue a war in Afghanistan that is counter-productive and a humanitarian disaster.

Umass faculty and staff and signers include: Asya Al-Ashaikh, DPPA; Arlene Avakian, Women’s Studies; Lee Badgett, Economics; Stephanie Bergmann OEB; Joyce Berkman, History; Samuel Bowles, Economics; John Brentlinger, Philosphy Emeritus; John Brigham, Political Science; Elisabeth chilton, Antropology; Marta Calas, School of Management; Arlyn Diamond, English; James Der Derian, Political Science; Carmen Diana Deere, Economics; Judy Dietel, Economics; Gerald Epstein, Economics; Martin Espada, English; Isabel Espinal, Library; Ann Ferguson, Philosophy and Women’s Studies; Nancy Folbre, Economics; Lyn frazier, Linguistics; Julie Gallagher, History and Women’s Studies; Mary Gannon, Social Justice Education; Julie Graham, Geo Sciences; Laurie Godfrey, Anthropology; Laura Holland, Art; Julie Hemment, Anthropology; Kirsten Isgro, Communications and Women’s Studies; Sut Jhally, Communications; Sangeeta Kamat, Education; Art Keene, Anthropology; Christine King, Nursing; David Kristjanson, Economics; Elizabeth Krause, Anthropology; Karen Lederer, Women’s Studies; Sara Lennox, STPEC and German; Margaret Levenstein, Economics; Sara Lewis, English; Anneke Lundberg, Education; Leo Maley, History; Stanley Malinowitz, Economics; Sandy Mandel, Everywoman’s Center; Gary Matthews, Philosophy; David Medicoff, Legal Studies, Near Eastern and Judaic Studies; Elizabeth Miller, Film Studies; Joya Misra, Sociology and Public Policy; Augustin Lao-Montes, Sociology; Anne Lundberg, Education; Anne E. Moore, Library; Sonia Nieto, Education; Ellen Pader, Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning; Enoch H. Page, Anthropology; Susanne Page, Center for Public Policy and Administraton; Nancy Campbell Patteson, Women’s Studies; Robert Paynter, Anthropology; John pepe, Office of Waste Management; Kirk Peterson, UIS; Robert Pollin, Economics; Janice Raymond, Women’s Studies; Tom Roeper, Linguistics; Mark Selkirk, Linguistics; William G. Shepherd, Economics; Michael Simsik, Grants Office; Peter Skott, Economics; Linda Smircich, School of Management; John Stifler, Economics; Banu Subramaniam, Women’s Studies; Peter Tamas, Eduction; Suzanne Tiranno, English; Jenny Traschen, Physics; Ronald M. Trunzo, Housing Services; Jacqueline Urla, Anthropology; Carol Wallace, Every-woman’s Center; Richard Wallace, Anthropology; Viera Lorencova Wallace, Communications; Eileen Walsh, Women’s Studies; Beverly Weber, Comparative Literature; Martin Wobst, Anthropology, Robert Paul Wolff, Afro-american Studies; Nicholas Xenos, Political Science; Christine Yario, Studio Art

From the Five Colleges:

Margaret Hunt, History and WAGS, Amherst College; Leonard Berkman, Theatre, Smith College; Joan Braderman, Hampshire College; Margaret Cerullo, Social Sciences, Hampshire College; Marlene Gerber Fried, Civil Liberties and Public Policy Project, Hampshire College;Jean Grossholtz, Politaical Science and Women’s Studies, Mt. Holyoke; Michelle Murrain, formerly of Hampshire college, Natural Sciences; Carolyn Sadeh, ESS, Smith College; Martha Ackelsberg, Political Science, Smith College; Sue Thrasher, Five Colleges,Inc.