Peace debate pulls in large audience

MORE than 160 people packed the Friends Meeting House on Friday last week for a Lewes Quaker-organised public debate on the bombing campaign against Afghanistan.

Deeply felt and often powerful criticisms of the war were voiced.

Professor Michael Nagler, chairman of peace and conflict studies at the University of California, spoke of the deep shock of the American people to the events of September 11.

He added that it was an over-simplification to claim that American opinion was solidly behind the war against the Afghan government.

He said there was also a sense of bewilderment that Americans, who liked to be liked, should find themselves so hated.

Professor Nagler described the philosophy behind non-violence and explained how it could be used to turn even the most violent situations towards positive ends.

Lewes MP Norman Baker said he believed the Prime Minister had probably been a restraining influence on American policy, but was critical of the lack of proper parliamentary debate.

Laurence Lerner, who chaired the meeting, welcomed the Mayor of Lewes, Cllr John Webber.

Grace Blaker, who organised the evening, spoke of the Friends centuries-old belief in the principles of peace.

They emphasised that opposition to the bombing campaign was far wider than only from pacifists.

Contributions from the floor covered the importance of oil reserves and the American wish to build a pipeline through Afghanistan, the use of the Crown Prerogative to bypass parliamentary discussion, and the importance of promoting fair trade as well as free trade.