Publications

The aftermath of 11th September abd its impact on the world

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Introduction

The events of 11th September 2001 no doubt created an unprecedented impact on the global scene. There was also tremendous wave of sympathy for the United States especially for those innocent victims who lost their lives. But this sympathy did not last long as the U.S. embarked on a unilateral stance to wage a war against terrorism by deploying their sophisticated weapons in hunting the hideouts of terrorist enclaves in Afghanistan.

The U.S. did not stop At Afghanistan. Although the aim of the U.S. was to "smoke out" the master terrorist Osama Bin Laden. whose whereabout still remains a mystery. the military operation was changed to be directed against Iraq. Despite worldwide protests, the U.S. policy was not changed. In reality it was a plan already decided earlier with a view to control the energy resources of the whole world. With the "oil lobby patrons" heading the U.S. administration, they would not stop short of the "pound of flesh".

Today the U.S. administration has taken a position to disregard the United Nations. As Nelson Mandela correctly pointed out that the "U.S. is undermining the United Nations.", the world body which is created to establish peace. Moreover it has created war hysteria around the world with utter disregard for human values. Under this situation it is the duty of the civil society to be united to face these challenges to protect the humankind and the planet from the grave dangers of a catastrophe.

Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization as a peoples' movement has a great responsibility in mobilizing the public opinion along with other such movements world over. The International Conference on the theme "Aftermath of September 11th and its impact on the world" held in Colombo from 29th August to 1st September 2002, on the initiative of Sri Lanka Afro-Asian Solidarity Association with Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization was a step in this direction. Representatives from over twenty countries participated in the conference and read papers from different dimensions.
This book contains the papers read, speeches and interventions made by the participants. The Permanent Secretariat is thankful to all those participants and for their valuable contributions.

E. A. Vidyasekera
Secretary-Coordinator