There are a number of problems here (some of which our new columnist, Serge, tackles in his piece). Even if every country in Europe was in the EU, to equate 'Europe' with the EU is a disastrous simplicity which, if it continues, we will live to regret. Things are certainly not that simple. And the EU itself is in a mess so far as democratic accountability is concerned. Why was the Republic the only country to vote on Nice? And why did a country which has gained so much economically from being part of the EU initially vote 'no' and then vote 'yes' without great enthusiasm (look at the numbers who did not vote at all).

We have a different 'European ideal'. A continent which decides to build a sustainable future for all and which uses its wealth to transform itself into a green economy while trading with the rest of the world on a fair basis. A continent which finally discards the myth that economic growth makes people happier and goes instead for building better relationships between people as well as redistribution of wealth with sustainability. A continent which values diversity and believes that small is not only beautiful but also essential to retain our humanity. A continent which refuses to became another superpower but works tirelessly for justice at a global level. A continent which rejects the meretricious claims of capitalism and the sick commercialism which is rapidly bankrupting the Earth. A continent where people matter - all the citizens of the world as well as Europeans.

That is a European ideal to strive for. Instead the EU may be going in the direction of not just having an army that could have, had it existed, tried to prevent the massacres of Bosnia a decade ago but which may become an instrument of pan-European economic and political policy which will be beyond almost anyone’s control except for the power elite. And a system which, while progressive in some ways, is felt to be outside the control of the ordinary EU citizen. If James Joyce said Ireland was the sow that ate her farrow, EU-Europe is in danger of becoming both the pig that ate the truffle of diversity and the glutton’s share at the global banquet.

Vieques was a prominent feature at the WRI Triennial conference in Dublin in August.. Former BVS volunteer at Quaker Cottage, Belfast, and INNATE activist, Christy Bischoff, now back in the USA, visited Vieques recently and this is her report:

There have been various forms of struggle against the presence of the Navy in the last 60 years. Since 1999, when a civilian guard was killed by a stray bomb, the current struggle has come on full force. The local people organized to say this is enough...and proceeded to set up 14 resistance camps on the bombing zone! This action stopped the US Navy for an entire year from bombing, before 2,000 Marines were sent to remove 200 peaceful protestors. This movement incorporated many parts of society. Churches in Puerto Rico have played a big part, with Protestant and Catholic churches working together and engaging in acts of civil disobedience (A bit different than Belfast!) Priests, Methodist clergy, the mayor of Vieques, Congressmen, Jacqueline Jackson and many others (over 1,000) have all been arrested for acts of civil disobedience in crossing onto the Naval Camp or onto the bombing range to stop the bombings.

George Bush has stated that the Navy plans to leave Vieques in May 2003, but will not make that official, and then has wavered to saying when they find someplace else more suitable. Also the added threat of attacking Iraq, Vieques could be the place they would train troops, as they did with troops going to the Gulf War. So the local people continue their struggle as it takes new forms. The struggle has gained much. In a deal made with the Governor of Puerto Rico and President Clinton, the Navy could only do bombings 90 days of the year (down from about 270), and could only use inert bombs (however even bombing with inert bombs, blows up the sand and dust from all of the other chemicals used in the past). Also the Western land (except for the area with the radar) was returned (however ½ of the land was transferred to the Department of the Interior and there are 17 highly contaminated sites, 14 of which are on the land returned to the municipality of Vieques).

Directly across from the front gates of Camp Garcia, (the Naval base), lies one of three remaining resistance camps, the Peace and Justice Camp. This camp had been set up at a time to block all entry by land into the base. Today it acts as a gathering place for the struggle, a real community, and supports those who come to Vieques and are ready to do acts of civil disobedience to get to the bombing zone to be 'in the way' to stop the bombings.

The people of Vieques want to have the freedom and rights to live on their land free of all the contamination that the Navy has exploded on the land, and as the wind carries these contaminants down wind to the villages, (just 6 miles). There are much higher rates of cancer on Vieques than in Puerto Rico. And for this land and surrounding waters, the environmental destruction is great. The economics of this island are horrible. When the Navy came in, away went the sugar cane mills, and so did the jobs. There is not adequate health care, and no maternity ward on the island.

There are many sides to the story, and a clear look that the struggle is only beginning. Once the Navy leaves (and they will have to leave due to the continued pressure) the local people will then have to fight to hold the Navy responsible for cleaning up the land, which would cost millions of dollars, and how to keep the land for the people and not development from rich foreigners.

The people of Vieques involved in this struggle, seem to have found something so much greater. Through their struggles they had found a way to live. They struggle non-violently, they meet together, support one another, and love. They have a beautiful joyful spirit, seeking a just peace.

More information about Vieques can be found at www.forusa.org/Programs/puertorico/Default.html or www.viequeslibre.org. President Bush and Congress need to be reminded and pressed to have the Navy leave Vieques, and to clean up the mess they have made as they have stated in May 2003, or before.

The Viequense people have truly been up against a Goliath and are a great show to the world of the power of a non violent struggle and a crack in an empire.

Sound the trumpets, or at least the diembe drums. Nonviolent News is delighted to introduce a new columnist, Serge, who will join us periodically we hope. Welcome, Serge, the floor is yours 

But don’t worry, everything is in charge! We will get rid of this crowd of stupid politicians and replace them with some pragmatic europeans…

I was in Switzerland this summer (that’s not Europe). It’s so clean! Coming from Cork be careful; it takes time to adapt! And they have also clean referendums almost once a month! No posters, no harassment on the waves and in the box, no macarons on smiling handshakes. Just clean. They vote on everything! speed limits, social welfare payments to asylum seekers, alcohol limits, divorce, abortion, etc…And in three languages mind you!

Ah! if Europe could be like that! Direct Democracy, no power delegation to heavily lobbied cliques, and money! Everybody rich, no social problems! Jakusi in every household. And the cheap labour on the other side of the border…Just to stay clean.

What a dream.