Withdraw from Afghanistan

OMNI NEWSLETTER ON AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN #14,  October 15, 2011, Compiled by Dick Bennett for a Culture of Peace  (#8 April 15, 2011; #9 June 10, 2011; #10 July 3, 2011; #11 July 13, 2011;  #12 Sept. 5, 2011; #13 Oct. 2, 2011)

Here is the link to all the newsletters archived in the OMNI web site.

http://www.omnicenter.org/newsletter-archive/

Contents of #13

Clamor for Peace

Film: End the Occupation

Crocker For Remaining in Iraq for Security

Special Operations Killings

Obama Drone Killings Increase, Media Attention Same

Bring Home the Troops: Iraq Accountability Act

Bring Home the Troops: Save Jobs, SS, Medicare

Bring Home the Troops: Cut the Debt

Failed News Coverage

Disastrous Expense

Leaving $Millions Behind

Afghan Women Artists

Contents of #14

Pressure the Drawdown

Majority Want Withdrawal

FCNL: Call Congress to Cut Military

Letter to Supercommittee

Soldiers:  Afghanistan Worth Fighting For?

Opposition to Occupation in Kabul

Debate Over Haqqani

Afghans for Peace

New Book

  Cortright, Ending Obama’s War.

Countdown to Drawdown

There is no timetable for the withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Afghanistan. 62% of Americans wants all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan within two years, but the Pentagon wants to keep them there until at least 2024. We've created a website to publicize these facts and track the drawdown to build pressure for a real withdrawal timetable.

http://countdowntodrawdown.org/

“We, the 99%, Demand the End of the Wars Now”

The gap between the Pentagon's plans and the values and interests of the 99% is revealed by a CBS poll. 62% of Americans want US troops out of Afghanistan within two years. But the Pentagon wants to keep US troops in Afghanistan for another 13 years. [Includes video of anti-drone protest in DC this morning.]

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/10/07-11

“Call Congress End the Wars and Cut the Military Budget “

FCNL has established a toll-free number: 1-877-429-0678. Urge your Rep. and/or Senators to press the Supercommittee to end the wars and cut the military budget. In talking to your Rep., urge support for the Lee-Campbell bipartisan letter to the Super Committee on cutting military spending. You can report the results of your call here:

http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/10thanniversarycall-in

“Lee-Campbell Bipartisan Letter to Super Committee on Military Spending”:

Urges the Super Committee to consider cuts to military spending; notes that a trillion dollars can be cut from projected spending without harming national security.

http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/node/1031

Pew Study: Only A Third Of Veterans Who Joined After 9/11 Say Iraq And Afghanistan Were Worth Fighting

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/pew-study-a-third-of-service-members-say-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-were-worth-fighting.php

Hundreds of people marched in Kabul Thursday [Oct. 6], demanding the immediate withdrawal of international military forces ahead of the 10th anniversary of the U.S. invasion, AP reports. The demonstrators chanted "no to occupation," and "Americans out" as they marched through the streets holding pictures of Afghans killed in violence, and later burned an American flag. "The United States said it came to help the Afghan people and provide a good life to Afghan people, but their true purpose was to occupy our country," said Farzana, a 22-year-old woman. "It is 10 years since the invasion of Afghanistan and all it has left behind is the blood of the Afghan people. We want the U.S. to leave our country." She added that "suicide attacks, insecurity and corruption are increasing day-by-day."   http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/hundreds-of-afghans-demonstrate-in-kabul-demand-withdrawal-of-foreign-troops/2011/10/06/gIQAiN7KPL_story.html

U.S. Debate on Haqqani: Military or Political Solution?

Gareth Porter, Inter Press Service, Oct 6

Washington - Dissension over Adm. Mike Mullen's accusation that the Haqqani network of Afghan insurgents is a "veritable arm" of Pakistan's intelligence agency and the revelation that a U.S. official met with a Haqqani official have provided new evidence of a long-simmering struggle within the Barack Obama administration over how to deal with the most effective element of the Afghan resistance to U.S.-NATO forces.   MORE http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=105365

Afghans For Peace

Representing Afghan Voices for Peace

Afghanistan Peace Day

Sunday October 9^th, 2011, Fremont CA

On the 10th year of the US war in Afghanistan

Join the Afghan people in standing up for Peace

We say YES to peace, justice and civil rights

We say NO to war, terrorism and islamophobia

Join us on “Afghanistan Peace Day” as we “Walk for Peace” through the hub of Fremont’s Afghan district, after which we will “Gather for Peace” indoors where Afghan community leaders and their allies will speak. We will end with a “Prayer for Peace”. Our public expression for an end to this war will be alongside a message for peace from the “Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers” inside Afghanistan.

Sunday, October 9th 2011

3:00pm – 7:00pm

For more info:

info@afghansforpeace.org

(510) 992-3280

www.afghansforpeace.org

Co-sponsored by:

Muslim Peace Coalition

www.muslimpeacecoalition.org

Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers

www.ourjourneytosmile.com

American Muslim Voice Foundation

www.amuslimvoice.org

San Jose Peace and Justice Center

www.sanjosepeace.org

CONTACT US

info@afghansforpeace.org

Our Mission

Afghans for Peace (AFP) is an alliance of Afghans from various ethnic, religious, socio-economic, cultural, and political backgrounds with a united vision for a democratic, all inclusive, just and peaceful Afghanistan. In order to actualize this vision, we demand an end to U.S. and NATO military operations within Afghanistan.

Our mailing address is:

Afghans for Peace

102 Sproul Hall

Berkeley, California 94704

NEW BOOK

David Cortright, Director of Policy Studies at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame.   Ending Obama’s War Responsible Military Withdrawal from Afghanistan.

END OF NEWSLETTER #14 ON AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN