SHARE Contents INTERNATIONAL 2b — 14 ’s teachings: [ISSN 0169-1341] lectures and tours Salvation, equilibrium and

“Everyone has the right to a standard of living ad- harmony equate for the health and well-being of himself and 3 The destined path his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care and necessary social services, and the by the Master — 15 Signs of the time: right to security in the event of unemployment, sick- ness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of Burial chest of ’ livelihood in circumstances beyond their control.” 4 Point of view: brother found (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 25) Politics vital for human Editor: Benjamin Creme () development 18 Medicine should not be a Editorial staff, contributors and correspondents: by Ann Pettifor luxury Canada: Diana Holland; : Andrea An interview with James Bistrich; Lebanon: Nabil Matraji; The Netherlands: Felicity Eliot, Erik Hutter; New Zealand: Shirley 5 Living under occupation Orbinski by Diana Holland Nairn; Spain: Carmen Font; United Kingdom: Gill An interview with Belinda Fry, Janet Lenton, Patricia Pitchon, Phyllis Power; : Monte Leach, Marilyn Wilzbach Coote by Gill Fry 20 Maitreya’s priorities: Production and administration: WHO lists top 10 SI teams in , London and Los Angeles 8 Trends: preventable death factors Printed by: Courage to refuse de Bruijn bv, Deventer, The Netherlands Fifteen million Ethiopians American edition printed by: face starvation Print Tech West, Northridge, CA, USA 10 Renaissance of the Brandt is published monthly, except Reports — part 1 Water wars bi-monthly in January/February and July/August of each year, by SHARE INTERNATIONAL Global negotiations FOUNDATION, a non-profit, non-governmental 23 Letters to the editor: organization in association with the Department of by James Quilligan Public Information at the United Nations. Honourable work Share International also appears in Japanese. 13 Facts and forecasts: Abridged versions are available monthly in Dutch, Global peace movement 26 Questions and answers French, German, and Spanish. Polish and Slovenian versions are published periodically. growing by Benjamin Creme Articles in SI may contain either British or Amer- ican spelling and punctuation, depending upon the author’s preference. Figures in billions refer to US billions, i.e. 1,000 million. This month’s authors Contributors to this publication and those who have been interviewed or quoted do not necessarily en- dorse Benjamin Creme’s statements about the pres- Benjamin Creme is the British chief editor of worker from Vancouver, Canada. ence of Maitreya the World Teacher, or the associ- Share International, an artist and an esotericist Ann Pettifor is director of Jubilee Research at ated esoteric ideas. for many years. His telepathic contact with a the New Economics Foundation and a member of © Share International. Master of Wisdom allows him to receive up-to- the UNDP’s advisory panel for the Human The reproduction of articles in any form from Share date information on the Christ’s emergence Development Report. International requires written permission which and to expand on the Ageless Wisdom Teach- James Bernard Quilligan has graduate will not be unreasonably withheld. ings. degrees in Political Science and The cover picture is reproduced from a painting by The Master — is a senior member of the Hier- Communications (ABD). For 25 years he has Benjamin Creme, Mandala IV (1968). archy of the Masters of Wisdom; His name, well- served as a writer, speaker, analyst, and Mailing address Share International: PO Box known in esoteric circles, is not yet being re- administrator in the field of international 41877, 1009 DB Amsterdam, Holland. vealed for various reasons. Benjamin Creme is in development, working with governments and (For US: 6536 Sepulveda Bl.,Van Nuys, CA constant telepathic contact with this Master Who international organizations. From 1980-1987 91411-1394 USA; postage for periodicals paid at Van Nuys, CA USA. Yearly subscriptions: dictates His articles to him. he was the director of Brandt Commission US$30, £24.00, or €32.50. Gill Fry is a Share International co-worker Research, a public information agency on the POSTMASTER and SUBSCRIBERS: Send ad- based in London. Independent Commission on International dress changes for North, Central and South Diana Holland is a Share International co- Development Issues. American addressees to Share International, PO Box 971, N. Hollywood, CA 91603 USA.) 2 SHARE INTERNATIONAL VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 The destined path by the Master —, through Benjamin Creme

It is becoming increasingly clear that man is From that moment alone, his progress will ready for a great leap forward. Despite the many astonish all but the watching Brothers. We have tensions and dangers which still exist, and for long worked towards this end and wait which to many seem increasing, the human patiently for its enactment. We know that men’s kingdom is moving forward and upwards in hearts are ready to give form to their loftiest line with the Plan which guides the actions of us aspirations, to enter willingly into a future as yet all. The Cosmic Magnet draws everything to- unknown, to rectify the mistakes of the past and wards a planned destination; the energies of the to begin again on the long ladder of ascent. We magnet wax in power and cannot be withstood. know this to be so and have confidence in Man must learn and understand the power and man’s capacity to change when needs he benefice of Cosmos. Thus will he grow cor- must. rectly with the minimum of suffering. This is such a time. Conditions on Earth The Light of Cosmos shines on man as are deteriorating rapidly: the divisions which never before, inspiring him to simplify his life have dogged men for centuries raise, as ever, and so regain the connection with the Source their perennial problems. The planet groans which, sadly, he has lost. under the impact of man’s wanton destruc- Were men to heed these words, they would tion. Men await a sign, an assurance of leader- soon enter into a state of Being altogether new ship and guidance, and an opportunity to in their long journey to perfection. hope. Time, for the old ways, is fast running out. The signs, for men, are everywhere to be The old thinking and acting, which cause men seen. The guidance is assured. The reasons for so much distress, is nearing its end. A new Light hope are long and constantly offered. sheds its beauty over humanity and brings to a That men heed them not results from fear. conclusion the aberrations of the past. Blind, men are, because they are afraid to see. Thus do We see the future for man as one When, soon, Maitreya steps into the centre of bathed in the light of the new understanding. man’s affairs, making known the reasons for, Thus do We rejoice at the nearness of the time. and the solutions to, man’s problems, they will see that the leadership they yearn for has long Revelation been theirs to enjoy, that the time has come to Man’s long struggle to build the structures abandon the destructive ways of the past, and which will serve his rightful purposes is almost that all unknown, they have within themselves over. The required forms are already dimly the hope and capacity which will remake this sensed and soon will break upon his under- world and set it, once again, balanced and safe, standing as revelation. bravely on its destined path. •

SHARE INTERNATIONAL 3 VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 POINT OF VIEW Politics vital for human development by Ann Pettifor

London, UK — Politics and human develop- lower than Sweden (77 per cent), Norway (52 per capita grew 38 per cent, but the income of ment go together like a horse and carriage, per cent), and Canada (31 per cent). a family with median earnings grew only 9 per argues the United Nations Development’s Which makes it all the more significant cent. So most of the gain was captured by the (UNDP) latest report Deepening democracy that Britain has more NGOs (3,388) than any very richest people. The income of the top 1 in a fragmented world. And democratic poli- other country except France (3,551). How to per cent of families was 10 times that of the tics, it asserts, is the best workhorse for the explain that? Perhaps it has something to do median family in 1979 — and 23 times higher carriage of human development: 42 out of the with the attitude of British but also most in 1997. 48 high human-development countries are western political parties. Almost without So the invisible hand is working for democracies. exception they downgrade democratic some. This is mainly because the links be- At the same time, the report notes in a politics and instead promote the market as tween democracy and human development sweeping overview of governance across the most efficient, reliable, and democratic have been weakened. the world: “people seem to have lost confid- mechanism for allocating resources. More There is now universal concern for ence in the effectiveness of their govern- efficient and democratic, according to some “good governance”, particularly from big ments and often seem to be losing faith in economists, than a “rent-seeking” parlia- corporations and the World Bank, desper- democracy”. Gallup International’s Mil- ment, government, or local authority. ate for legal systems that will guarantee lennium Survey asked more than 50,000 The electorate, particularly the young property rights. But their concern seldom people in 60 countries: “Would you say that and women, have got the message. If the “in- extends to the notion of good democratic your country is governed by the will of the visible (and unaccountable) hand” of the governance. If we are to “enlarge human people?” Fewer than a third said yes. The market is allocating resources — to rail- choices and build human capabilities” ar- survey also asked: “Does government re- ways, football clubs, and pensions — then gues the UNDP, we cannot have the one spond to the will of the people?” Only 10 per why bother with government, political par- without the other. The carriage will not ad- cent said that it did. ties, and the democratic process? vance without the horse. (© IPS) • The UNDP report ranks countries by But there are still many who believe that subjective and objective indicators of the market should not displace democratic good, democratic governance. Britain fares politics and governments. Having been comparatively well on most of the subject- abandoned by political parties, we have Democracy gaining ground ive indicators: civil liberties, political tried to achieve a fairer and more sustain- In the 1980s the world had nearly 70 au- rights, law and order, government effective- able allocation of resources by other means. thoritarian regimes; now, 20 years later, ness. The exception is concentration of We engage in campaigns like those which the number of dictatorships has shrunk to power in the media. As Albert Camus once oppose the interests of the global rentier 26. In the last 20 years Latin America jet- argued: “The press is free when it does not [moneyed] class by “looking to the local”, tisoned many military juntas, the fall of depend on either the power of government or those which challenge international in- the Berlin Wall brought about a flood of or the power of money.” In the UK the press justice (like Jubilee 2000) and offer solu- changes in Eastern Europe, the Philip- depends on the power of money. Four tions to environmental degradation (like pines deposed Marcos, and in Africa a groups own 85 per cent of the daily press, the Global Commons Institute). number of dictators were overthrown. accounting for two thirds of total circula- The report notes that over the period that This does not necessarily mean that tion. the market has been freed up by govern- these countries automatically became The UK also falls down on the UNDP’s ments to take over the role of allocating re- truly democratic. Approximately 40 objective indicators. British voter turnout sources, “the world has become much more countries are in a transitional phase, is among the lowest (59 per cent) of all unequal, with the level of inequality world- some of them lacking full freedom of the democratic states, lower than Germany (82 wide grotesque”. Between 1970 and the press, or the freedom to form trade per cent), Greece (76 per cent), and Spain (71 1990s the world was more unequal than at unions, a reliable judicial system or a per cent). Women are poorly represented in any time before 1950. Countries of the Or- proper opposition. Parliament, holding only 17 per cent of ganization for Economic Co-operation and From 1985 to 2000 the proportion of seats. This is better than in Japan (10 per Development (OECD) have increased their democratic countries grew from 38 per cent) and the US (13.8 per cent), but worse incomes over the past two decades, but most cent to 57 per cent, while authoritarian than Germany (31 per cent), Spain (27 per have seen rising income inequality, “most countries decreased from 45 per cent to cent), and the Seychelles (23 per cent). consistently and dramatically in the United 30 per cent. (Source: Trouw, the Nether- Trade Union membership is low, at 26 per Kingdom and the United States”, asserts the lands) • cent of the non-agricultural labour force, report. Between 1979 and 1997 US real GDP 4 SHARE INTERNATIONAL VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 Living under occupation

An interview with Belinda Coote by Gill Fry

The UK charity Medical Aid for Palestin- years Ms Coote joined MAP in July 2002, ians (MAP) was formed in 1984 after the and made her first visit to the West Bank, massacre of hundreds of Palestinian refu- Gaza and Lebanon in October 2002. gees at the Sabra-Shatila camps in Leb- anon. For 18 years MAP has provided med- Share International: Could you describe ical equipment and medicines, opened your recent trip — did you visit the refugee health clinics and trained health workers camps in the West Bank and Gaza? Belinda throughout the occupied territories. Work- Belinda Coote: I went to the West Bank and Coote ing with the Palestine Ministry of Health, Gaza but we didn’t get into the refugee the Palestine Red Crescent Society and camps there because things were very tense many non-governmental organizations, at the time. Gaza is a 28-kilometre strip of MAP aims to address the most urgent med- land along the coast and it’s like entering an ical needs of Palestinians. MAP has many open prison, or another country — you have longterm developmental projects planned, to go through passport control — and it’s all to come, but usually eight to ten tanks and but since the beginning of the current very heavily militarized. Once you are bulldozers enter a specific part of the Strip, intifada in 2000, with conditions deterior- there, in many ways life looks pretty normal and proceed to demolish two or three houses ating, the focus has changed to providing on the surface. There are shops and commer- — and usually somebody is killed. This emergency relief. MAP reports: “Our staff cial activities, hotels for the odd visitor like happens every night or a missile is fired from work alongside what remains of the Pales- ourselves, right on the beach — you get the two or three miles away into the Strip to take tinian health service — doctors and nurses sense of what could be a very prosperous bit out a particular house and usually a lot of determined to help their people working in of land. But when you spend time there you people with it. crumbling hospitals and clinics that are of- begin to realize how extraordinary it is to The fear that people live with was very ten flooded with casualties. Despite cur- live there, because the Palestinians who live striking: children can’t sleep at night, fews and intimidating military check- in Gaza are not free to come and go at all. people are jumpy — it is a really traumat- points, MAP relief convoys are still getting ized population. We stayed one night and through with food parcels, milk for chil- SI: What difficulties do the Palestinians there was an incursion in Gaza City not far dren, and first aid supplies.” face there? from where we were. One man, about 50, was Gill Fry interviewed MAP’s chief executive BC: The main thing going on while we were killed — he was on night guard-duty. When Belinda Coote for Share International at there, and I think is still going on, is that the tanks came in they shot him dead as he their headquarters in Islington, London, every night there is a military incursion into was sitting outside a shop, then they de- UK. Having worked for Oxfam for over 18 Gaza. You don’t know where they are going stroyed three shops and left. End of story for them, but what we picked up on was the huge grief that his family had to go through, and the anger and fear. Nobody was alleging that this man had any links to Hamas — he was just a regular guy with four or five chil- dren and a young wife. And I don’t think it got a line in the newspapers. This is going on all the time.

SI: Is it difficult then to lead a normal family life? BC: We visited one family who lived out- side Gaza City and they had obviously been quite wealthy, well-to-do Palestinians at Palestinian woman one point. The father is the head teacher of a and child local secondary school of 1,000 pupils. He has a very articulate 17-year-old daughter, a couple of younger children, his wife and mother, and they live in what was probably once a beautiful house set in lovely land, with greenhouses, trees and vegetables. Two years ago the Israelis wanted the family © MAP: photo by Carlos Reyes-Manzo to move out so that they could make a milit-  SHARE INTERNATIONAL 5 VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002  ary outpost and occupy the house. He and his family made the decision to stay and now they live under siege: they are only al- lowed on the ground floor and there is a great tower behind the house, with a gun permanently trained onto their courtyard. They told us stories of how they were or- dered into one room and made to stay there while the soldiers occupied the rest of the house. For some reason the Israeli army stopped short of killing the family, which is what has happened to many families who won’t move. The father is a very determined man, whose great mantram in life is peace — he has no bitterness against the Israeli forces.

SI: Is a food crisis developing? BC: Yes, there’s a lot of malnutrition. We went to a clinic and saw many undernour- ished children. It is not like parts of Africa at the moment but the situation is deteriorat- Women at a funeral — a daily event © MAP: photo by Carlos Reyes-Manzo ing very quickly with people really strug- gling to survive. In the camps where the SI: Do the checkpoints cause a lot of frus- Gaza, and requests for income-generation so greatest need is, there are people without tration? that women especially can raise some money any means of income trying to feed large BC: There is a ritual humiliation of Palestin- to keep their families. So MAP’s focus is families and keep them decent. ians going in and out. We were at one check- shifting: in the last two years since the They get food in the Strip but people point waiting to get through and saw a intifada, we have gone right back into emer- don’t have money because they don’t work. woman who was completely desperate, be- gency relief work. Destroying two or three businesses or shops side herself, screaming and crying, and they a night has a devastating effect on the wouldn’t let her through. She held up a SI: Are medical facilities affected by the Is- economy. The worst thing in many ways is piece of paper to us. It said in English: “I raeli army? the trauma and the humiliation of being have angina. I need to get to the hospital.” BC: The Israeli army is destroying ambu- held captive in this way and of being subject A lot of roads into Palestinian areas are lances — you see them bulldozed or run to these nightly attacks. blocked: they put trees across or have over by the tanks. They haven’t destroyed mounds of earth shovelled over them or the hospitals, and we still take in medical SI: What is the situation like in the West some other tactic. You’ll be driving along to supplies and equipment. A large number of Bank? a village and suddenly you’ll hit a road- babies are being born at checkpoints be- BC: The West Bank is something else alto- block and have to turn round. cause women can’t get to hospitals, and tra- gether — with the Israeli policy of fragment- Another strategy is the curfews. In ditional diseases of poverty are increasing, ing the region with a number of different Ramallah, where we have an office, they like malnutrition and TB. A lot of vaccina- strategies. Firstly there is rampant settle- have been under curfew from 6pm to 6am for tion programmes have been interrupted so ment and road-building in every strategic about three or four months. Every now and there’s the worry of a re-emergence in the location, on top of hills for instance. If the then the Israelis call full-day curfews, so future of some diseases that had been eradic- settlement isn’t yet built, it has been marked people can’t go to work, run their business, ated. out by little wooden huts in a circle. Roads go to the shops — they have to stay at home. are cut through the landscape to get to the SI: Is there much evidence of children being settlements — these roads are settlers’ SI: What is MAP doing there? psychologically disturbed? roads, so they can’t be used by Palestinians. BC: MAP is doing a variety of things. It is BC: A lot — this was very striking in Gaza. The environmental impact is huge, with the very difficult for people to move about in Children are having nightmares, bed-wet- West Bank being cut up into strips — huge the West Bank now, and to get basic medical ting, lack of concentration — all the classic swathes of road carved through the hillsides. help or vaccinations, so MAP is supporting syptoms of traumatized behaviour. You The other thing is the checkpoints: you a network of rural clinics so that people have hear explosions going off during the day, can only get to every city or habitation in a clinic in their area operating one day a helicopters buzzing overhead, and you can the West Bank by going through an Israeli week. We are getting a lot of requests for see the fear around: “What are they going to checkpoint. These are often manned by 17- food and basic emergency supplies. We hit this time?” There is no safe place you can year-old soldiers — young men and women. send in food parcels whenever we can, but it go to that is immune from attack. They are very nervous and have huge is very difficult and dangerous to get amounts of weaponry so they are very dan- around. We get a lot of requests relating to SI: Do the children go to school most days? gerous. the psycho-social trauma, particularly in BC: Yes, there are schools and the Palestin- 6 SHARE INTERNATIONAL VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 ians put a very high value on education. BC: MAP has had a very active programme in policy by the Israeli defence force in the When we went to Nablus it was full of tanks. Lebanon, supporting and training health West Bank and Gaza is, as far as I can see, We got there when they were all leaving professionals and getting equipment into designed to humiliate a group of people, school — lots of young boys and young hospitals. Now the programme is moving and is done very successfully. When you do women in their school uniforms walking more towards public health, putting in wa- that systematically over a long period of down the street. I thought they were extraord- ter and sanitation, rewiring, reroofing — time there is going to be a response, as tragic inarily brave to walk straight past the tanks environmental health work coupled with and awful as that is. to get home. You have to admire them so health education. In Lebanon we need to do much for keeping their lives together. more capacity building with other NGOs, SI: Are you working with any Israeli getting people more aware of what they can groups? SI: There has been talk of ‘snipers’ shooting do, trying to break that dependency culture. BC: There is a group called ‘ for Justice at the Palestinians. Have you heard about in Palestine’ based in London, and they this? SI: Do you see MAP’s role as informing the have given us very generous donations. We BC: There are a lot of settlers doing that. As public about what’s going on? would like to make more links with the Jew- we were driving up to Nablus there is a BC: I think that we have a real responsibility ish community because it is terribly import- stretch of road where there are quite high in that respect. However, the humanitarian ant. I know there are a lot of Jewish people hills either side. For some time that road was crisis is being brought about by a political who are appalled by what is going on, and not considered safe because there were crisis, so we have to tread the line carefully we need to work with those people. snipers up in the hills just picking off cars. I within our humanitarian-charity mandate. was very pleased to get to the other end of SI: Do you have hope for the future, or is the that road — it is a very difficult, dangerous SI: Reporting of the Palestinian/Israeli cri- situation heading for a major humanitar- place at the moment. sis in the media nearly always seems to me to ian crisis? be biased in favour of the Israeli viewpoint. BC: The crisis is here. Some people feel that SI: What is life like in the refugee camps in BC: Yes, and the language is often biased. A it just can’t get any worse — but it could get Lebanon? suicide bomber is called a terrorist and an worse. Palestinians see the international BC: There are about a quarter of a million attack by the Israeli army into Gaza is called community, inadequate as we are, as the refugees. There was a large influx in 1948 an incursion. There is a very uneven balance only brake on Israeli aggression towards and many are still there 50 years later who in some newspapers. them. If America invades Iraq, Palestinians have absolutely no civil, economic or po- are scared that everybody will be watching litical rights — Lebanon has refused to SI: Was the situation worse than you ex- that and not what’s going on in the West make them citizens. There are 73 occupa- pected? Bank. So I don’t know what the future holds tions that they are not allowed to engage in BC: Yes, and it is really hard to believe it — it’s probably going to get even worse be- (which is just about everything), so basic- until you’ve seen it. I have never seen any- fore it gets better. ally they are not allowed to work. They are where where there is such heavy still in camps, fed by the World Food Pro- militarization used so deliberately and op- gramme, with their education and health pressively against one group of people by For more information visit: www.map-uk.org service delivered by UNRWA (United Na- another. It was very shocking. The whole Or telephone: +44-(0)20 7226 4114 • tions Relief and Works Agency for Pales- tine Refugees in the Near East.) They are the most pathetic group of people it is possible to imagine.

SI: Do they have houses to live in? BC: Yes, most of the camps are not the clas- sic tents in rows by any means. What has developed are like small towns within towns, but in some parts of Lebanon these are actually sealed off, so you have to go through a checkpoint to get into them — they are living in segregated communities. The refugees who went to Jordan or Syria were given citizenship but those who went to Lebanon or Gaza drew the short straw. Although in Lebanon they are not having the incursions, life there has an aw- ful mentality of dependency.

SI: How are you helping the people in these camps? Going to school — against the odds © MAP: photo by Carlos Reyes-Manzo SHARE INTERNATIONAL 7 VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 TRENDS

In this section, we review develop- Courage to refuse ments and opinions which demon- strate that there is an increasingly Daily their numbers grow. Israeli reservists been held without basic human rights. The powerful undercurrent sweeping are finding the courage to refuse to serve in occupation and oppression of another the world in the direction of synthe- an army which commits what they see as people have brought the State of Israel to sis and sharing, relaxation and co- unjust and unacceptable acts of repression where it is today. operation, of new relationships and and violence against the Palestinian “Without an Israeli declaration of an people. The ‘refusenik’ movement in Israel end to the occupation, accompanied by ap- new approaches. first came to public attention earlier in 2002 propriate action — unilateral, if necessary when a group of reserve officers signed an — the present war is not being fought for our selves rebelling. Rami Kaplan, a refusenik open letter explaining their stance. The sol- home but for the settlements beyond the who has been imprisoned for taking a stand diers claim the right to be conscientious ob- green line and for the continued oppression and who is now taking his country to court, jectors in the first instance but also take their of another people. says: “I hated going after kids who threw case much further — asserting that Israel’s “We hereby express our readiness to do stones. On one occasion we sent in dozens of occupation of Palestinian territories on the our best to help students who encounter aca- troops just to arrest a 10-year-old kid who West Bank and Gaza is illegal, and, that be- demic, administrative or economic dif- was on some list.” How could it be part of an ing the case, that it is their duty to refuse to ficulties as a result of their refusal to serve in army’s regular duties to cut down Palestin- participate in such acts. In an unpre- the territories. We call on the University ian orchards, vines and palm trees? “There cedented move the “Courage to refuse” community at large to support them.” was no tactical explanation.” campaign is now taking its country to court. The testimonies of the soldiers contain Kaplan is convinced that the army’s ac- The movement is growing in strength: to harrowing accounts of military action they tions in the territories are the cause of the date there are 501 soldiers who have pledged saw, appalling suffering they and their fel- bombings in Tel Aviv. “You have to be to resist carrying out certain orders. Among low soldiers were expected to inflict or ig- blind to think that people under oppression the voices raised in support of the refuseniks nore — all of which was, in their eyes, illegal won’t rebel. Suicide bombing is a new phe- are those of respected academics and pro- and immoral, and failed to ensure the secur- nomenon. It happened after 30 years. This fessors from a number of Israeli universities ity of the Israeli people. Michael Sfard, a just shows how bad the situation in the who have also published an open letter: lawyer for the movement and a refusenik territories has become.” “We, faculty members from a number of himself, says that Israeli reaction to the Pal- Israeli universities, wish to express our ap- estinian intifada has consisted of a series of A way out for the poor preciation and support for those of our stu- human rights violations amounting in fact dents and lecturers who refuse to serve as to a “systematic mechanism of collective in Malaysia soldiers in the occupied territories. Such punishment”. International law prohibits Wijadi (Wanita Innovatif Jaya Diri) is a non- service too often involves carrying out or- such action. governmental organization funded by the ders that have no place in a democratic soci- Many refuseniks initially served UNDP (United Nations Development Pro- ety founded on the sanctity of human life. proudly, ready to protect their country and gramme) and based in Malaysia. It was set “For 35 years an entire people, some fellow citizens; but as their experiences up primarily to provide legal assistance to three-and-a-half million in number, have grew more horrifying they found them- abused women who were unable to seek

Original Appeal made by 53 reservists in ories, and were issued commands and dir- to be evacuated in the end: Ha’Aretz, 1 February 2002: ectives that had nothing to do with the se- “We hereby declare that we shall not curity of our country, and that had the sole continue to fight this War of the Settle- “We, reserve combat officers and soldiers purpose of perpetuating our control over ments. of the Israel Defence Forces, who were the Palestinian people. We, whose eyes “We shall not continue to fight beyond raised upon the principles of Zionism, have seen the bloody toll this Occupation the 1967 borders in order to dominate, ex- sacrifice and giving to the people of Israel exacts from both sides; pel, starve and humiliate an entire people. and to the State of Israel, who have always “We, who sensed how the commands is- “We hereby declare that we shall con- served in the front lines, and who were the sued to us in the Territories destroy all the tinue serving in the Israel Defence Forces in first to carry out any mission, light or values we had absorbed while growing up in any mission that serves Israel’s defence. heavy, in order to protect the State of Is- this country; “The missions of occupation and op- rael and strengthen it; “We, who understand now that the price pression do not serve this purpose — and “We, combat officers and soldiers of Occupation is the loss of IDF’s human we shall take no part in them.” who have served the State of Israel for character and the corruption of the entire Is- (Source: The Support Committee for Is- long weeks every year, in spite of the dear raeli society; raeli Freedom and Human Rights Organ- cost to our personal lives, have been on “We, who know that the Territories are izations Foundation, the Netherlands; reserve duty all over the Occupied Territ- not Israel, and that all settlements are bound The Guardian, UK; www.seruv.org)

8 SHARE INTERNATIONAL VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 TRENDS justice for themselves. Truce in Ivory Coast coalitions, and giving the people a voice in However, Wijadi discovered quickly solving their own problems, can only be that most of these women had no income A rebellion that killed hundreds of viewed as a ray of hope. (Source: The New whatsoever and were living in poverty. people in the Ivory Coast ended with the York Times, USA) “They were in dire need of financial assist- signing of a truce by the insurgents who ance,” Aniha Isahak, executive officer and had occupied locations in the north and Working-class President chairman of Wijadi, explains. Malaysia is central areas of the country for over a one of the few South-East Asian countries month. Once the model for stability in elected in Brazil where inequality between the rich and the West Africa, the nation had become un- In a landslide victory, with over 61 per cent poor is not very marked. According to a re- settled with ethnic, religious and polit- of the vote, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva be- port by the World Bank, real average per ical tensions rising to the surface. The came the first elected working-class Pres- capita income increased 2.5 times in a quar- framework for the peace proposals was ident of Brazil. A former factory worker, la- ter of a century, and the poverty rate shrank initiated by the head of the Economic bour union leader and imprisoned dissid- from slightly over half of the population to Community of West African States, a re- ent, and the son of farm labourers, Lula, as he 7.8 per cent. But hard-core poverty is still gional grouping which agreed to the de- is commonly known, has been given a critical in some areas and ethnic groups, and ployment of West African troops to mon- mandate to remake Latin America’s largest particularly affects women. itor the cease-fire. According to one me- country. Candido Mendes, a leading polit- Wijadi started its income-generating diator, the truce provides “a framework of ical scientist in Brazil, points out that Lula project with small grants enabling single principles to bring an end to the ongoing “won every region of the country at every mothers to become self-sufficient. To crisis through dialogue and negoti- stratum of society” and that the election rep- qualify for the grant, the project has to be ations”. (Source: The New York Times, resents “an historic shift of direction, which related to sustainable living and bio- USA; BBC News, UK) shows how much this country wants diversity, so the activities carried out gener- change”. ate a stable income for women, and preserve Women vote in Bahrain The Workers’ Party, founded by da and protect the environment. For example, Silva along with a group of intellectuals, Wijadi manages a garden with endangered The Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain made labour leaders and environmentalists aquatic and terrestrial plants, and fruit tree history with its first parliamentary election after his release from prison in 1980, has varieties which are no longer developed in 30 years. It marked the first time women persevered in successive elections, mod- through natural selection or are becoming were allowed to run for office and vote in erating their views but remaining true to extinct. The approach to farming is sustain- any parliamentary election in the Arab Gulf their primary responsibility of ending able, using natural compost and animal region. Although no woman was elected to hunger and malnutrition among more waste as manure, and a drip irrigation sys- the parliament, two of the eight women who than 20 million Brazilians. Da Silva even tem. There are also plans for a solar pump to ran will continue to the second round of vot- chose Jose Alemar, a textile magnate and tap ground water. Plants are harvested and ing. Twelve secular and nine Islamic can- member of the Centrist Liberal party, as sent for extraction of essential oils which didates won the 21 contested seats, with the his Vice President. Said Alemar: “Lula will be used in soaps and candles. Women secular candidates securing 21 seats over- represents labour, and I represent cap- involved earn about 10 Malaysian Ringgit all. The elected members of the Consult- ital.” The unusual alliance will be needed (approximately US$2.5) for half a day’s ative Council will share decision- to reassure foreign investors and finan- work and have their own plot of land to grow making with the members appointed by cial institutions who are being encour- vegetables. the Amir of Bahrain, Shaikh Hamad bin aged to give da Silva some breathing However fundamental to eradicating Isa al-Khalifa. space and be understanding of Brazil’s poverty, economic growth alone is not The election represented part of a move financial plight. enough, and the state Government must by the progressive king to encourage eco- “Hope has vanquished fear,” said da play its role. “It really depends on how the nomic growth and defuse tensions between Silva as he promised to “do everything resources generated are used. Is education the country’s Sunni and Shiite , within my reach to bring more peace to provided widely? Do you have a good and followed municipal elections held earl- our continent” and “build a country that healthcare system, and who has access to it ? ier in 2002. Shaikh Hamad paved the way has more justice, brotherhood and solid- Who gets to make decisions?” These are for these elections by releasing political arity.” He continues: “The endemic some fundamental issues underlined by Dr prisoners, repealing laws that punished dis- deprivations suffered by the working Maxine Olson, UNDP representative in Ma- sidents, and relaxing rules that inhibited the class cannot be rectified overnight. There laysia. “These are what makes the definition press. are no miraculous solutions for such a of poverty very broad. It includes depriva- Even though democracy is still a work in huge social debt ... If in four years we suc- tion of essential capabilities for a long and progress and critics argue that the elected ceed in our goal of ensuring that every- happy life, lack of economic resources, ac- Parliament lacks true power because it can one in Brazil gets three meals a day, it will cess to health and education as well as par- only legislate with the consent of the ap- be the major achievement in my life”. ticipation in decisions that affect one’s pointed House, the tentative steps taken to- (Source: The New York Times, USA; La life.” (Source: New Straits Times, Malaysia) ward shared decision-making, building Vanguardia, Spain; BBC News, UK) • SHARE INTERNATIONAL 9 VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 RENAISSANCE OF THE BRANDT REPORTS — PART 1 Global negotiations by James Bernard Quilligan

In its July/August 2002 issue Share The Brandt Commission envisioned an International published the first of a series ongoing multilateral forum “for discussing The Brandt proposals: of articles — in essence “the Brandt the entire range of North-South issues a report card Commission Report revisited”. In a major among all the nations,” with the goal of assessment of progress achieved since the launching an international emergency re- Issue/Grade (where A is best and F is Brandt Reports of 1980 and 1983 James lief program and creating a stable monetary worst), with reference to the effective- Quilligan provides a keen analysis of the and financial system. (Common Crisis, 5) ness of action taken and progress half-successes and failures in The Brandt Commission stood for the prin- achieved on the Brandt objectives in implementing the changes urged by the ciple of inclusion, of issues as well as na- the 20 years since the Brandt Reports. Brandt Commission. tions: “The aim of ‘global negotiations’ is Hunger: F In 1977 Willy Brandt, former German international consensus. This means that Poverty: F Chancellor, gathered a group of former no single problem, or debt or food, Population: C heads of state and eminent figures to for example, would be viewed in isolation Women: D- examine “the failure of the global economy without considering its direct implications Aid: D- and the problems plaguing developing on the full global agenda of interconnected Debt: D- nations”. Now, more than 20 years since the issues.” (CC, 5-6) Armaments and security: F publication of the Commission’s report At Brandt’s invitation, 22 world leaders Energy and environment: C- North-South: A Program for Survival and met in Cancun, Mexico, on 22-23 October Technology and corporations: D Trade: D its sequel Common Crisis: North-South 1981 to discuss the issues raised in North- Money and finance: F Co-operation for World Recovery, James South. Attending this meeting were leaders Global negotiations: F Quilligan says: “The international from the developed world, as well as heads community has had more than a little time to of state and other leading figures from de- respond. Stakeholders of the world deserve veloping nations. In spite of lively ex- consensus or collective action on vital eco- an appraisal of how we have fared — changes among the many heads of state, the nomic matters. Only the Central Banks of measurable results that provide a glimpse economic conference failed to produce res- the Group of Seven nations and the Interna- of where global society may be heading. ults, and there have been no North-South tional Monetary Fund have a say in world What follows is an update of the major summits since. Brandt sensed an unwilling- monetary policy, and neither speaks for the issues that the Brandt Commission ness for further dialogue, noting that: “after world’s people. addressed, along with an evaluation of the Cancun there was a setback. Most industri- The Group of Seven nations are preoc- Commission’s proposals associated with alized countries, facing deteriorating eco- cupied with their own economies, particu- them. A grade is also assigned at the end of nomic conditions at home, adopted self- larly with the problem of inflation. The G-7 each action item, holding everyone to centered measures — with dramatic and has neither the power nor reach to govern account for our 20-year progress towards damaging side-effects on North-South eco- the international economy or adequately the Brandt objectives.” nomic co-operation.” (CC, 4) staunch its financial crises. Absorbed with James Quilligan now focuses on global Why the impasse? In essence, develop- domestic problems, the world’s élite negotiations, and concludes his survey, ing countries have been under-represented economies have no proactive policy for deploring the lack of progress made since in the management and decision-making international development or the needs of the publication of the Brandt Commission procedures of the world economy, while de- impoverished nations, even though the G-7 Reports. veloped countries are reluctant to change a nations’ internal decisions have far-reach- system structured in their favor. Yet, as the ing impact on the interest rates, taxes, tariffs Global Negotiations Brandt Reports stressed: “the achievement and balance-of-payments of all nations. North-South called for a summit of interna- of economic growth in one country depends The Group of Seven was formed in 1975, tional leaders to discuss the foregoing array increasingly on the performance of others. largely in reaction to resolutions by the UN of development issues. Brandt hoped that The South cannot grow adequately without General Assembly the previous year for a these interrelated concerns would not re- the North. The North cannot prosper or im- complete restructuring of the international main under separate negotiations, to lan- prove its situation unless there is greater economic system, aiming to check any new guish in the province of specialists. Rather, progress in the South.” (North-South, 33) economic power bloc that might emerge the Commission wished to see international The fact of economic interdependence from the developing world. Can anyone development issues considered together seems self-evident, but after 20 years the claim that G-7 economic policy is espe- and dealt with simultaneously by a wide- world economy remains unco-ordinated, cially democratic in its outlook, when its ranging group of world representatives, re- left to the determinism of market forces. In member nations (Japan, Italy, Germany, flecting the realities of interdependence. an interconnected world, there is still no France, England, Canada and the United 10 SHARE INTERNATIONAL VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 photo: UNICEF / Marcel Minnée “Better living conditions will hardly be achieved without a sense of responsibility for the fate of fellow human beings and without a human motivation to work and production.” States) represent just 15 per cent of the countries represented are among the ments and credit arrangements among them- world’s population? world’s wealthier developing nations. So selves, developing nations could heighten As for the International Monetary Fund, far, the agenda of discussion for the G-20 has their bargaining position at the international it has no real power to set exchange rates or been set largely by the G-7, the World Bank, level without having to resort to shrill promote exchange-rate stability in the and the IMF. In addition, the G-20 has yet to protest, which has a chilling effect on the global economy. Though the IMF is a well- develop a global audience or find accept- North. “There is no time to lose in making a known watchdog on economic adjustment ance with the majority of developing coun- new start,” said Brandt. “If the style and in developing countries, it takes a hands-off tries. tactics of strident demand and mute approach on the economic policies of G-7 Developing nations have at times response continue, both development and nations, the Fund’s primary contributors. threatened to form a debtor’s cartel. Ad- world recovery will be victims; people in Voting procedures in both the Fund, and its vocates say that by repudiating their debts both the South and the North will face sister institution, the World Bank, favor de- as an organized bloc, developing nations mounting hardship.” (CC, 142) veloped countries, especially the United could increase their political bargaining As Brandt suggested, global discus- States. power and force changes in the interna- sions must spring from goodwill, mutual in- A hopeful development is the establish- tional economic system. In Challenge To terests and forward-looking policies for ment of the Group of Twenty in 1999. It The South (1990), the South Commission, economic advancement: “Better living brings representatives from developing chaired by former Tanzanian President conditions will hardly be achieved without countries into discussions about the inter- Julius Nyerere, put the burden back onto a sense of responsibility for the fate of fel- national economy and global develop- developing nations, urging them to commit low human beings and without a human ment. The G-20 includes the G-7 nations, to genuine reform and take responsibility motivation to work and production. Focus- plus several nations from the developing for the corruption which results in govern- ing on questions of historical guilt will not world. In 2001, the G-20 began to explore mental mismanagement, authoritarianism, provide answers to the crucial problem of ways of helping bankrupt nations restruc- lack of public accountability, and self-responsibility on which alone mutual ture their debt without international militarization. respect can build. Self-righteousness will bailouts, but no recommendations have yet Like the South Commission, Brandt be- neither create jobs nor feed hungry been adopted. The G-20 may have some in- lieved that with democratic governance mouths.” (N-S, 25) fluence on global financial reform, but the and greater South-South co-operation, in- It might seem that simply bringing all new panel has limitations. Heads of state do cluding regional economic agreements, the issues together, and all the representat- not attend its meetings. The developing preferential trading, and extension of pay- ives required to discuss them, would not be  SHARE INTERNATIONAL 11 VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002  so great a task, but this has proved other- Brundtland Commissions’ proposals on de- national co-operation needed to solve their wise. In spite of the vast disorder produced velopment, though subsequent implemen- most fundamental problems. After 20 years, by an unregulated monetary system, gov- tation of those reforms has been hampered we have fallen far short of Brandt’s object- ernments are still reluctant to begin con- for financial and political reasons. ives for eliminating global poverty, getting structive discussions on the international At the UN Millennium Summit in Sep- the developing world out of debt, and trans- economy. After 20 years of ignoring the tember 2000, 147 world leaders set effective forming the international economy. problem, there are neither global negoti- new goals for reducing poverty and child As the world’s issues are interrelated, so ations, nor a central international body mortality, and increasing education pro- too should be the process of global decision- fully empowered to: fight poverty and meet grams in developing nations. At the making. The Brandt Reports were a compre- humanity’s basic needs; provide oversight ground-breaking International Conference hensive, forward-looking plan from a group on speculative capital flows; respond to on Financing for Development held in which, in its own roundtable discussions, ex- economic setbacks and currency crises; Monterrey, Mexico, in March 2002, an ar- emplified the sort of representative negoti- assist the adjustment process in nations in- ray of groups, including 51 heads of govern- ations and good faith needed at international dependently; effectively stabilize interna- ment, and numerous representatives of in- levels to gather consensus on economic is- tional currencies and exchange-rates; pro- ternational financial and trade institutions, sues from a diversity of world opinion. vide orderly expansion of global liquidity; business, and civil society, held inclusive The Brandt Commission offered the in- oversee sustainable development and pro- roundtable discussions for the first time in ternational community a vision for balan- tection of the environment; and act as a cent- history, addressing key financial issues re- cing the creation of wealth with the provi- ral clearing-house for the world economy. lating to international development. The sion of public services, anticipating new The Brandt Commission stressed that World Summit on Sustainable Develop- foundations for the future of civilization. In no agenda for world development has much ment, in August 2002 in Johannesburg, at- a world where economic growth has become relevance until all of its objectives are care- tempted to launch many of the proposals for the means to human and social develop- fully woven together into a plan of action, sustainable development set forth previously ment, the Brandt Reports declared that local but so far the competing claims of North and at the Rio, Millennium, and Monterrey sum- development must be the means to growth South have produced a stalemate in nego- mits, with disappointing results.* — “that the focus has to be not on machines tiations for an international program of ac- “The extent to which the international or institutions but on people,” and the cre- tion. The closely related issues discussed in system will be made more equitable is essen- ation of a supporting environment in which the Brandt reports remain unlinked, tially a matter for political decision,” the they can lead long, healthy, and productive unexamined by nations together. Brandt Commission observed. “We are lives. (N-S, 23) That is not to underestimate the valu- looking for a world based less on power and North-South and Common Crisis had a able achievements of the United Nations, its status, more on justice and contract; less profound initial impact on the public, gov- agencies, and many non-governmental or- discretionary, more governed by fair and ernments, and international agencies across ganizations in hundreds of conferences on open rules. A start must be made in that di- the world, but went unheeded by developed development during the past half-century. rection, and the obvious place to start are nations during the prosperous 1980s and The Brandt Commission acknowledged those where positive mutual interests in 1990s. The disparities about which the that significant progress can be made in change can be identified. We believe there Brandt Commission cautioned are reaching these limited settings, even as the interna- are numerous such interests. But greater ef- breaking point. Citizens of the 21st century tional community strives for a broader con- forts are required to place them at the will be the clearest judges of whether the sensus on the international economy: center of debate.” (N-S, 65) (Grade F) Brandt Reports were off the mark in their “Greater use should be made of single-issue proposals, or perhaps ahead of their time. negotiating conferences, since they are of- Global wealth without benefits In Part 2 of this series of articles, we will ten more efficient in reaching agreement…. The Brandt Reports called the world to a discuss the dramatic economic changes re- In doing so, however, one should not lose higher standard. Developed and develop- lating to global debt and international fin- sight of the ways in which different issues ing nations were equally aware of the stakes. ance that have occurred since the Brandt are naturally interrelated, or of negotiations The incentive to meet Brandt’s objectives Reports were published. in fora which deal with wider sets of issues. was: “that the North as well as the South Single-issue negotiations are complement- gets much in return, both in straightfor- ary to and supportive of universal negoti- ward economic benefits and in a reduction ations, and not contradictory to them. In- of uncertainties and instability. And there *See James Guilligan’s report, ‘Johannesburg World Summit impasse’ (SI November 2002). deed, the former have usually arisen out of is not only the capturing of mutual gain to For more information: the latter.” (CC, 143) be considered, but also the avoidance of http://www.brandt21forum.info In recent years, the United Nations has mutual loss. It is not difficult to envisage a been striving for expanded partnerships, world in which the measures we propose Grateful acknowledgment is extended to MIT more practical policies, and increased co- are not carried out; and in which the path of Press for permission to use published material operation at the international level. Agenda the future leads to reciprocal impoverish- from North-South and Common Crisis. 21, an extensive plan for sustainable devel- ment.” (N-S, 76-77) Abbreviations opment adopted by 178 governments at the It is true that the Brandt Commission set N-S = North-South: A Program for Survival 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, difficult goals, but it is also true that societ- CC = Common Crisis: North-South Co-opera- incorporated many of the Brandt and ies have failed to achieve the level of inter- tion for World Recovery • 12 SHARE INTERNATIONAL VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 FACTS AND FORECASTS

Over the years, Share International has Global peace movement printed articles outlining Maitreya’s ex- pectations concerning political, social, environmental and spiritual changes in growing the world, as presented to us by one of Maitreya’s associates in the London com- munity in which He lives. From time to time, “What Maitreya can do is educate, inform, Like the HIV red ribbon campaign, the white both Benjamin Creme and his Master, have inspire, create a reliable vehicle — the ribbons may soon become a potent visual shared their prognosis of future develop- voice of the people of all countries of the expression of opposition to war. ments. In this section, “Facts and fore- world — and create an articulate mass Japan, 21 October: 600 people marched in casts”, our staff monitors recent news, against which no country in the world can Tokyo at an anti-war rally, with similar- events and comments bearing on these stand. We need an informed, educated sized actions in Osaka, Hiroshima and Na- insights. world public opinion for peace, justice and gasaki. On 26 October a demonstration of freedom. Nothing less will do. That is how it 700 people took place in Tokyo, organized will be.” (Benjamin Creme, SI Nov 02) by 14 non-governmental organizations. walked to 10 Downing Street and held a In an international show of solidarity anti- Norway,26 October: hundreds demon- lively, colourful demonstration outside war demonstrations circled the globe in Oc- strated in Oslo and many Scandinavian cit- Prime Minister Tony Blair’s residence. tober 2002, showing a growing opposition ies. USA, 26 October: some of the largest anti- to a war against Iraq. Puerto Rico, 26 October: hundreds of pro- war demonstrations since the Vietnam War Belgium, 25 October: protesters gathered at testers in San Juan gathered at the Puerto were held in cities across the United States the US Embassy to say ‘no’ to the war Rican National Guard to denounce possible to protest against the possible war on Iraq. against Iraq. US military action in Iraq. Marchers in Washington numbered in the Denmark, 26 October: 3,000 demon- Spain, 27 October: there were demonstra- hundreds of thousands, with a companion strators gathered near the US Embassy in tions in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, demonstration in San Francisco of over Copenhagen. Oviedo, Valencia, Caceres and Sevilla. The 50,000, and smaller protests in cities such as Germany, 26 October: 20,000 rallied in largest, in Barcelona, drew more than Augusta, Maine and Austin, Texas. Berlin and marches were held in 80 Ger- 30,000 people. The turnout in Washington far ex- many cities. Also hundreds protested Sweden, 26 October: 1,500 marched ceeded the organizers’ expectations and against the planned construction of a gi- through the streets of Stockholm. demonstrated that the antiwar movement is gantic US command centre in Heidelberg. The Netherlands, 26 October: nearly both substantial and building momentum. Italy: At least 500,000 people took part in a 10,000 people took to the streets of Amster- Those who came to Washington were a march through Florence on 9 November in dam opposing war, and 1,200 protested in cross-section of people, and many had the first Europe-wide anti-war rally. The Rotterdam. never attended a political rally before. Said protest was the climax of the first meeting of The Philippines, 25 October: demon- one woman: “Being in Washington ener- the European Social Forum, bringing to- strators in Manila protested in front of the US gized me, by seeing I was not alone.” gether anti-globalization campaigners for embassy against the war and also demanded A coalition of groups called Interna- five days of debate and conferences. that US troops leave the Philippines. tional Answer asked people to vote in an Led by banners reading “No War”, Turkey: In Ankara on 21 October students online referendum called votenowar.org marchers walked peacefully through Flor- braved attacks by police to protest against a which they hope will symbolically counter- ence, waving rainbow flags and carrying visit by US Central Command Chief Gen- balance the Congressional vote for military placards, in a carnival atmosphere, to the eral Tommy Franks, who has been named as action. And moveon.org, a group of online sounds of whistles, brass bands and bag- the regent of Iraq should the US occupy that activists, started an online petition drive pipes. About 100 protesters carried a huge country. Their banners read: “We will not and raised millions of dollars for Congres- Palestinian flag to draw attention to the become soldiers of the USA.” sional candidates. Middle East conflict. Guy Taylor, from UK: In the UK a Day of Protest on 31 October In an effective display of people power, UK’s Globalize Resistance, told Reuters: saw protests in over 34 towns, from banner- The New York Times and National Public “This is the first Europe-wide anti-war de- drops to teach-ins, from sit-downs to cycle Radio were forced to publicly correct them- monstration and I think it’s vital it has a real rides, with many universities and colleges selves when their initial erroneous and bi- impact. There’s such strong underlying op- also getting involved. ased reporting on the demonstrations were position to the war that I think we can stop In London 3,000 students occupied uni- called into question by an enormous out- it.” versities and held debates about the pos- pouring of emails and phone calls from out- Anti-war groups in Italy are asking sible Iraq war, then joined thousands of pro- raged citizens. people to hang up white rags, symbolizing testers at Parliament Square in the evening (Source: The New York Times, Foundation peace flags, on windows and balconies, and for a rally with speakers including Tony for Ethics and Meaning; CNN, Associated to wear white ribbons on wrists, bags, bi- Benn, Tariq Ali and MP Jeremy Corbyn. Press, USA; BBC News, UK) cycles, dog leashes or wherever is visible. The 4,000-5,000 strong gathering then (continued on page 19) SHARE INTERNATIONAL 13 VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 Between 1988 and 1993 Maitreya, the World Teacher, released a series of forecasts and analyses of the current state of the world, as well as fragments of His teachings. Through one of His close associates in the Asian community of London, these were released to Share International for publication and sent to the world’s media as press releases. Phrased in the words of His associate, a selection of Maitreya’s spiritual teachings has been arranged by subject to facilitate the reader’s study and application in daily life. MAITREYA’S TEACHINGS Salvation, equilibrium and harmony

What is salvation? To be able to move about tal you do not achieve salvation. Salvation rium experiences a state of freedom within. in mind, spirit and body at will. (Jul/Aug is achieved only through honesty, sincer- He will not commit murder. (Apr 1990) 1991) ity and detachment.” (July/Aug 1989) If there is no equilibrium, wars, famine and Salvation operates on the spiritual level. Equilibrium and Harmony natural disasters will take place. If there is (Jul/Aug 1989) “How can you say Jesus is the only begot- equilibrium, the same energy can create ten Son of God, if the Light which exists in happiness, enabling people to live and Salvation is achieved through honesty, Jesus exists in the entire creation?” Equi- share together. (July/Aug 1990) sincerity and detachment. You can go any- librium and harmony will automatically where with these three principles and you evolve out of this realization. (Sep 1988) The best way forward is to harmonize the will never feel fatigued mentally, physic- opposing forces (which can be called pos- ally or spiritually. You feel free within. If you force your viewpoint on someone itive and negative); you then create energy. (July/Aug 1989) else, it creates a sense of burden. This occurs There must be an attempt to reach a con- in the totalitarian family, and equally, in sensus; thus both forces lose their unnatu- A person who is physically and mentally the totalitarian nation. To pile on rules and ralness. Whatever is natural remains. Other- free, not conditioned, and able to express regulations — a process of addition, or a wise, you replant the seeds of destruction. himself, is often branded as mad. Madness process of multiplication (a rapid form of (Oct 1988) in this sense is not a disease. Maitreya says: addition) — tilts the scales. There is no “Look at a saint. What do you find in him? equilibrium. The problem cannot be The heart He does not allow himself to be condi- solved merely by a process of subtraction. Life has to be balanced, and we have to be tioned. He has the mind and heart of a child. The weight decreases, but the problem sub- aware of the Self in the heart. (Apr 1990) But he is not branded as a madman because sists. The way forward is through division, he has adopted a holy . But a person which means learning to exchange views The heart is never tarnished or touched, it is who has not adopted this aura, yet who be- and developing the art of communication. the seat of the soul. It is the mind that leads haves like a child, is also free from the auto- Freedom lies in the art of communication. us astray. Peace, bliss, happiness and grace matic processes of conditioning. That per- This creates harmony, equilibrium. This are the qualities of the heart. By tuning into son is also on the threshold of salvation. results in true democracy. (Dec 1988) the ‘feelings of the heart’ you are able to Conditioning does not take place in mind, experience your natural innocence, that in- spirit and body, and the Self can move If you look outside all the time you will lose nocence you had as a child. Do not ‘visual- around freely. These are natural qualities sight of your inner self. Life then becomes ize’ the heart. For that is only the mind seek- from birth. Whoever displays these qual- too materialistic. If the reverse is the case, ing to find the source of light with a torch. ities from birth is on the threshold of salva- and you look inside yourself much of the (Dec 1989) tion.” (Sep 1990) time, you lose contact with external reality. Equilibrium between inner and outer leads Even gurus and prophets are now begin- As evolution proceeds from one stage to an- to right relationship developing in mind, ning to realize that salvation is not other, the Self becomes that much more in- spirit and body. The point of equilibrium achieved through the acquisition of phe- dependent, free from commitments. must be maintained. (Apr 1989) nomenal powers, but only in being humble When you are on the threshold of salvation, to the Lord, seated in the heart. (Sep 1988) everything leaves you. (Sep 1990) When swamis, gurus, etc, experience un- easiness they give up the world and go into Maitreya says that He has come to guide us Maitreya says: “Look at saints. When they retreat in caves and mountains. This is to experience Him in our hearts. That ex- reach the threshold of the Lord, they have to called “peace” but it is not peace; it is often perience cannot happen in the mind, spirit leave everything behind. They give up a a state of shock such that they cannot face or body because they exist in evolution. Di- mundane life. This is done by the indi- the vibrations of life. (Jan/Feb 1992) vinity is pure and eternal. The Self exists in vidual. But when nature gives you these the heart which is where you experience conditions, they are natural. They are the The murderer is sick, which means he is out God. (Apr 1990) blessings of the Almighty.” (Sep 1990) of balance. Equilibrium in mind, spirit and body would enable him to express that en- Maitreya says: “The heart of a person is my Maitreya says: “Even by becoming immor- ergy in another way. The person in equilib- parliament where I give experiences. It is  14 SHARE INTERNATIONAL VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 SIGNS OF THE TIME Burial chest of Jesus’ brother found

An inscription in stone, found in or near Je- (Source: The New York Times, USA; De ican Freedom News radio, Azerbaijan) rusalem and written in a language and script Telegraaf, the Netherlands) • BULGARIA: Over several nights in Au- of 2,000 years ago, bears the words “James, (Benjamin Creme’s Master confirms the au- gust 2002 residents in the city of son of Joseph, brother of Jesus”. The stone thenticity of this find. Maitreya, Himself, Vizrojdentsi saw strange manoeuvres in the may be the earliest artefact ever discovered caused it to be found.) [See also Questions sky. One witness, Anton Dimitrov, aged 14, relating to the historical Jesus, according to and Answers.] says that “the first UFO was a bright red tri- French ancient texts scholar André Lemaire angle”. Two other craft followed, moving in who wrote an analysis of the inscription in UFO sightings worldwide a figure-of-eight with as many as 10 disks in the magazine Biblical Archaeological Re- the sky before disappearing.” (Source: view. “Keep an eye on the skies over Britain, Eur- Standart, Bulgaria) The words, written in Aramaic, were ope, the whole world. There will be much • FRANCE: In June 2002, a flat object, fly- carved on a 20-inch-long limestone burial activity. This is a time when highly evolved ing straight but tilting to one side, was pho- chest or ossuary, similar to those used by the beings are moving into the world, in every tographed near Tosnen, in the Alps. Jews only in the first centuries BC and AD. nation and country, giving experiences to On 5 July eight red lights, flying in two More specifically, Lemaire said, the style of people, showing them a higher life, a higher triangular formations, were seen over Le the script and the forms of certain words wisdom.” (Maitreya’s associate, Share Pertuis and La Motte d’Aigues. placed the date of the inscription to the last International, April 1990) On 8 and 10 July a yellow, lighted decades before the destruction of Jerusalem Media around the world are reporting hun- sphere was seen flying over Argonnay, in in AD 70. An investigation of the stone box dreds of sightings of unidentified flying the Alps. Witnesses said that the light was by the Geological Survey of Israel found no objects, including the selection below: only 300 metres away and was moving at a evidence of modern pigments, scratches by • AZERBAIJAN: On 20 June 2002 four regular speed, with a sudden increase in modern cutting tools or other signs of tam- silvery-white disks appeared over the cap- brightness just before it disappeared. pering. ital Bakou, on the shores of the Caspian Sea. On 4 August five ovoid objects were Some Biblical scholars said that James Seen by hundreds of people, the first disk seen flying towards the dismantled nuclear (Jacob or Ya’akov), Joseph (Yosef) and arrived at about 10am, followed later by plant of Brennilis, Britanny. Jesus (Yeshua) were common names of that three others. The UFOs remained stationary On 8 August a UFO was seen and photo- time and place, but it would have been above the city until 3pm, when they moved graphed above the city of Douai. (Sources: highly unusual to have the names appear in slowly towards the Caspian Sea before dis- VSD Magazine, Nord Matin, L’Alsace, the combination and kinship order found in appearing. (Source: Al-Azerbaijani; Amer- France Ovni, France)  the inscription. In addition, rarely would a brother of the deceased have been added to the inscription, unless the brother was prominent. If the inscription is authentic, and in- deed refers to Jesus of Nazareth, it would be the earliest known documentation of Jesus outside the Bible. But some scholars say it may be impossible to confirm a definite link between the inscription and any of the cent- ral figures in the founding of . It is said that Jacob was stoned to death in AD 62 and that his bones would have been interred in an ossuary a year later.

 my temple. When I speak there, changes take place in the individual’s mind, spirit and body and no one can stop them.” (Mar 1990)

“The language of the heart is where the Circles of light on a bank building in Utrecht, The Netherlands photo: Adward Blufpand Lord lives.” (Oct 1988) • SHARE INTERNATIONAL 15 VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 SIGNS OF THE TIME

about 11-15 metres long. The object was flying at about 200 metres above us ... It was moving totally silently and at low speed, so you could get quite a good view of it.” Anders firmly believes the Hessdalen phenomenon is caused by alien intelligence which is gradually trying to make contact with us. (Source: SI interview) See also: SI Sep 2001. To visit Project Hessdalen website: www.hessdalen.org • SRI LANKA: On 9 June 2002 many At a pre-school for mainly UFO sightings were reported over the Muslim children, in Brus- ancient city of Polonnaruwa, north- sels, Belgium, paintings east of Colombo. A “V-shaped” light are displayed after a trip to was seen by hundreds of witnesses, the zoo. The ‘dove-like’ including a television journalist. A light pattern revealed when team of astrophysicists from the Uni- this print was developed is versity of Colombo tried unsuccess- a blessing from the Master fully to determine the nature of this Jesus. light, which moved at a very high Photograph sent by speed while emitting a buzzing Martine Dupont. sound. (Source: Times of , India and Sri Lanka; www.ananova.com) • THE PHILIPPINES: On 28 June 2002 Eleazar H.Allen, a worker at the Dole plantation in Pomolok, on the west coast of Mindanao Island, saw a brilliant “éclair-shaped” ob- ject in the sky. It quickly changed to a flying object as wide as an Air- bus aircraft (but without wings),  • MALAYSIA: Images of a UFO were cap- objects almost daily, consider the phenom- silver in colour and with metallic strips tured by a surveillance camera at the Kota enon to involve alien intelligence. Anders on its upper section. After shooting off in Kinabalu International Airport in Malay- Berglund of Sweden, has visited Hessdalen the direction of the plantation, it sud- sia. Security officers were surprised to see an for many years, and reports a UFO sighting denly reversed 10 times faster and dis- unknown object flying across the screen in July 2002. Driving out of Hessdalen with appeared in the sky. (Source: and disappearing within seconds. Also a se- his fiancée and her daughter, they suddenly www.ufoinfo.com) curity guard in the area saw a UFO rising noticed an elongated object in the clear sky. • TURKEY: On 5 June 2002 Haktan near the ocean, flying over the terminal at They stopped the car to get a better view Akdogan, director of the Sirius Centre for great speed, then disappearing behind the with binoculars. Since it had no wings, jet Research on UFOs and Space Sciences, adjacent hills. He reported: “There was no engines, propellers, signal lights or win- gave a briefing on UFOs to 70 high-rank- sound at all.” (Source: Daily Express, Ma- dows, Berglund concluded that it could not ing navy and airforce officers. A number laysia) be a plane or any other flying object that he of UFO cases were presented to the of- • NORWAY: Hessdalen, an isolated val- was familiar with from serving at a Swedish ficers, who agreed to co-operate and ex- ley in south-east Norway, is well-known airforce base. change information on the “reality of for its mysterious flying objects and light “From what I could see, the object was UFOs in Turkey”. phenomena that began on a massive scale cigar-shaped with a smooth, metallic sur- (Source: www.siriusufo.org) in the early 1980s. Theories and specula- face of a light golden-brown colour. It was • UK: A photograph of an unidentified tions abound as to the nature of the mys- moving silently at about 100 km per hour flying object taken in Kent in June 2002 terious lights, which occur both day and from the east towards the mountains in the excited Graham Birdsall, editor of UFO night. ‘Project Hessdalen’ was launched north, where it disappeared from view after a Magazine, who called it “one of the to find a scientific explanation for the couple of minutes. It was difficult to see greatest ever UFO pictures”. It shows a phenomenon, which as yet remains unex- through the binoculars since the object tower-like structure on top “very similar plained. filled the entire lens, but looking at it to the McMinnville and Rouen Many local residents who witness the with the naked eye, I would say it was sightings”, he said — referring to photo- 16 SHARE INTERNATIONAL VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 SIGNS OF THE TIME

Odessa to Ekaterinbourg. Remembering Since the calves’ birth, Dakota Native In His Message of November 1977, the dramatic case of an Ukrainian missile American elders have visited the ranch, Maitreya said: “Those who search for which destroyed a civil plane in October owned by Dwaine and Debbie Kirk. “The signs will find them”. Ever since, an in- 2001, both pilots alerted the authorities. Elders have such a great respect for the an- creasing number of miraculous phe- Ukrainian authorities issued a formal denial imals,” said Debbie Kirk. “They sing to the nomena have flooded the world: ap- because all missile activity has been forbid- calves, and leave their sacred tobacco to pearances, crosses of light, healing den since the incident, and in fact no honor the spirit of White Buffalo Calf wells, weeping icons and statues. Ukrainian radar observed any trace of the Woman.” In May 1988, an associate of Maitreya light. The light was witnessed by many According to Dakota tradition, the stated in Share International: “The people who described it as “a red ball”. White Buffalo Calf Woman is a spirit who signs of Maitreya’s presence in the (Source: Agence France-Presse, France; appeared to the Dakota Native American world will continue to increase. He is Reuters, Associated Press) people 2,000 years ago, and foretold a time going to flood the world with such hap- • VENEZUELA: On 3 June 2002, a brilliant, when she would return and the people penings that the mind can never com- flat, circular UFO appeared above the elec- would know peace, happiness and prosper- prehend it.” tricity power plant in Bello Monte near Ca- ity. Her return would be heralded by the racas. Witnesses described the craft as hav- birth of a white buffalo calf. graphs taken over McMinnville, Oregon, ing powerful red, yellow and white lights, “The traditional people, the spiritual USA, in 1950 and Rouen, France, in like those in a sports stadium, flashing in an people, are really excited about this,” said 1964. alternating pattern. The spacecraft stood Merry Ketterling, a Native American from The photograph was snapped in a field still for a while and then began oscillating the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in in Tonbridge, UK, by an anonymous pho- smoothly before disappearing and reap- North Dakota. “With all the problems with tographer who sent it to the local newspa- pearing twice more. (Source: drugs, alcohol, poverty and broken treaties, per, The Kent and Sussex Courier. The ob- www.newsnet5.com) Indian people have held onto this hope that ject was seen for 10 minutes moving side- things will get better.” ways before suddenly disappearing. White buffalo calves Bison have made a comeback on the (Source: Daily Mail, UK) Great Plains, where millions once roamed. • UKRAINE: On 5 July 2002 a dazzling bring hope They were hunted almost to extinction, but light, similar to that produced by the explo- In August 2002, a white buffalo calf was ranchers and farmers have lately developed sion of a missile, was simultaneously seen born on a ranch in north central North Da- herds. by the pilot of an El Al plane en route be- kota. By early September, three more white A female calf born on a farm in Wis- tween Tel Aviv and Moscow, and the pilot buffalo calves had been born on the same consin in 1994 is believed to be the first of an Oural Airlines plane flying from ranch. white buffalo born in more than 60 years. This calf, named Miracle, has be- come a tourist attraction, as has White Cloud, an albino calf born in 1996 in North Dakota. Several more white calves have arrived since, including a bull born in August 2001 in Michigan. It was given the name Wahos’i Messenger by Chief Arvol Looking Horse of the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota, current keeper of the sacred pipe. “White Buffalo Calf Woman’s spirit has announced her message of support in this time of great danger,” he said at the time of Messenger’s birth, “and she con- tinues to announce the message in the birth of each white buffalo — each one of them a sign.” “The birth of four white calves is a sign of great urgency,” Look- ing Horse said recently. “This is Light blessing from Maitreya on a photograph taken at the funeral of Simon Ilouga’s telling us we are at a crossroads.” mother, 14 July 2001, in Ngambe Babimbi, Cameroon. (Source: Star Tribune, North Da- kota, USA) • SHARE INTERNATIONAL 17 VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 Medicine should not be a luxury

An interview with James Orbinski by Diana Holland

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) (Doctors when. Poor people have virtually no effect- It is often said that economics is amoral. Without Borders) is an independent and ive purchasing power, and therefore they It is amoral if it is left without a moral frame- well-respected humanitarian medical re- don’t represent a “viable market”. There is work in which to operate. To expect that a lief agency founded in 1971 to provide cru- no adequate return on investment for the moral framework will somehow find space cial medical assistance to victims of armed pharmaceutical industry, and so there is no to exist in a market system is just completely conflict, epidemics and natural and man- research and development for new medi- spurious. There’s no question that the key made disasters worldwide. It runs 400 cines for the diseases that affect those issue is the basic values and principles that projects in 85 countries and was awarded people, diseases like African sleeping sick- define society. They have to be the starting the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999. Dr James ness, Chagas disease, trachoma and leish- point within which society and the market Orbinski, who chairs the Drugs for Neg- maniasis — diseases that most people in the are embedded. lected Diseases Working Group of North have never heard of, but which affect We need to be sure of the notion of pub- Médecins Sans Frontières, was inter- hundreds of millions of people. These also lic goods, the idea that there are some viewed for Share International at the G6B include tuberculosis, malaria and AIDS in a things, some concepts, some goods, some [Group of 6 Billion] People’s Summit in different way. services that all human beings have a right Calgary, Canada, which ran parallel to the For example, there are treatments for to not be excluded from: the right to shelter, G-8 Summit in summer 2002. AIDS, but they need to be modified in such a the right to food, the right to work, the right way that they can be taken and used accord- to healthcare, the right to life-saving essen- Share International: MSF has launched ing to the realities of daily life in the devel- tial medicines. the Campaign for Access to Essential Medi- oping world: they need to be single-dose, cines — to improve access to essential once-a-day medications that are chem- SI: All of which is in the UN’s Universal drugs for populations in danger. What ically stable so that they are not susceptible Declaration of Human Rights. compelled your group to begin this cam- to variance in humidity and temperatures, JO. I would agree in principle that the UN De- paign? and they need to be capable of being stored claration of Human Rights sets out a global James Orbinski: There is a gross inequity in for long periods of time without refrigeration. framework that defines basic parameters con- the amount of effort and money being spent I’m giving AIDS as an example, but the same cerning human dignity and human rights, but globally on research and development for principle applies to virtually every other dis- there also has to be an accompanying set of health interventions that focus on the most ease that I’ve talked about, in addition to re- duties that correlate with those rights. When I neglected and marginalized persons. Only search for new and effective therapies. talk about the notion of public goods, I think 10 per cent of the global resources that are that is a core element of a social framework. I spent on research and development is spent SI: You need to find the therapies, you need would also include the notion of access to es- on 90 per cent of the morbidity, mortality to find an effective way to package and de- sential medicines as a public good. and suffering associated with diseases oc- liver them, and you need to make them avail- curring largely in the developing world. able and affordable. What is standing in SI: How do you achieve access to essential The corollary is that 90 per cent of the re- the way? Is it simply market forces? medicines for all? sources — financial, intellectual and mater- JO: There are a whole range of issues. Prob- JO: The process of discovering medicines ial resources, globally — is spent on 10 per ably the easiest way to describe them is to has historically taken place in the public cent of the morbidity and mortality that oc- say that governments are increasingly rely- sector, largely through universities and curs in the so-called developed world. ing on the idea of market forces as the only publicly-funded research institutions. That is a structural manifestation of the way of developing and delivering effective Then there’s a process defined as “research practical reality that we see every day on the goods and services, whether it be medicines and development” that has to some extent ground. Every single day, we see that our or healthcare. But the basic problem lies in typically taken place in the private sector. patients — the poorest of the poor, the most that assumption. Market forces have failed We have to be clear that the private sector marginalized, the most neglected people in to develop effective therapies for the neg- has in fact developed some very useful the world — are increasingly dying for lack lected diseases that I talked about earlier. medicines over the last 100 years. But just of political attention and lack of effective They have also failed to deliver existing because an individual or body develops a research directed at developing new medi- therapies for AIDS, TB and malaria. The fail- medicine does not mean that they hold an cines, new interventions, and healthcare ure of markets should not be used as an ex- exclusive right to exclude others from ac- systems that focus on their needs. cuse to accept that public policy must also cess to that medicine. fail. We have to reverse the whole notion of SI: Why does that happen? society being imbedded in the market, and SI: Governments are actually not only pay- JO: In today’s globalized political and eco- recognize that it is the markets that are ing lip-service to, but also encouraging, nomic system, it is largely markets and mar- imbedded in society, not the other way market globalization. How do we find a way ket forces that determine who gets what, round. out of the profit motive that will allow the 18 SHARE INTERNATIONAL VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 initiatives that you are talking about to and could develop new approaches to meet 8, whose gross domestic product is $21 tril- take place? the needs of their people. lion a year, that is an insignificant figure. JO: It requires that people citizens take re- Finally, in terms of access to other essen- sponsibility as citizens, and not just as con- tial medicines, there would be a global sys- SI: How optimistic are you? sumers, to understand the underlying dy- tem of equitable pricing. It would recognize JO: If infectious diseases and access to namics and the underlying principles and that the price of medicines should be higher healthcare in the developing world are not values — or the lack thereof — that define in the North and much lower in the South so the centrepiece of any new initiative, the our political/economic space. And that that individual citizens and governments initiative will fail. Last year, a Global Fund they take responsibility as citizens — and could afford to buy those medicines. And was established by Kofi Annan and en- this is a fundamental precept of democracy again, it’s not just a matter of market forces. dorsed by the G-8. It calls for $10 billion a — to insist that values drive society, that the It’s not a matter of saying: “There will al- year to fund treatment, prevention and con- market is embedded in the society and not ways be poor people, there will always be trol strategies for AIDS, TB and malaria. To the other way round. And that they then in- marginalized people, there will always be date, the G-8 countries have funded it at a sist that their governments create the kind of people who are outside of the economic sys- level equivalent to only 5 per cent per year practical infrastructure that’s required to tem.” We have a duty as human beings to of what’s required. Five per cent is not even address these needs. make sure that they’re included and that enough hot air to get the balloon off the MSF has been working very hard over their needs are met. ground, let alone to get it to its destination. the last year to create a global, public sector If the wealthiest countries in the world don’t research and development capacity to ad- SI: Do you have an approximate figure as to meet the minimal obligations, which they dress the need for medicines for the most what this might cost? set up themselves, then not only do they neglected diseases. We have a very concrete JO: Jeffrey Sachs* quotes from a December leave an incalculable swathe of humanity to plan. We have the commitment of the Bra- 2001 report of the Commission on Macro- suffer in an inhuman way, but they also di- zilian Medical Research Council, the In- economics and Health, a commission minish their own humanity. dian Medical Research Council, the Thai sponsored by the World Health Organiza- and the Malaysian Medical Research tion, which stated that by the year 2007, to For more information on Médecins Sans Councils, the Pasteur Institute in Paris, the achieve the kind of things that I have de- Frontieres visit: www.msf.ca Tropical Diseases Research unit of WHO scribed would require $28 billion a year, * Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Economist, Director of and an African working group of research- and by the year 2015 that number would the Center for International Development at ers. We’ve put together this group to focus have to go up to $38 billion a year. For the G- Harvard University, USA. • on how we can create a “Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative” and we have started five immediate drug development projects. Facts and forecasts the poverty line. Years of economic crisis We’re insisting that governments fund and high jobless rates (currently 22 per cent this initiative, learn from it and create a continued from page 13 unemployment) have led to widespread larger-scale initiative so that it can be even hunger and homelessness in what was once more effective. This is a very good example Children march for justice a relatively prosperous country. of what citizens can achieve. If you look at “The voice of children will be heard even in The children made the point that the the history of tuberculosis, cancer, and parliaments.” (Maitreya, SI Jan/Feb 1990) Government has failed to provide Argen- AIDS, particularly in the Western world, it Hundreds of children marched into Buenos tina’s youth as a whole with the basic rights was only when citizens organized them- Aires early in November 2002 after a 900- as outlined by the United Nations. “The selves and demanded that governments en- mile journey to demand more funding for government has to respect our rights: hous- gage in research and proactive measures to education and social welfare programmes ing, three meals a day, clothing. Without address the issues, that the governments be- for the poor. The 300 primary- and high- those rights and without education, we can gan to pay attention. school students set off on their protest never succeed,” said 10-year-old Maria del march at the end of October in the northern Carmen. SI: In a perfect world, how would your ini- city of Puerto Iguazu and ended it with a The march’s organizer, Alberto tiatives actually work out in the field? What demonstration outside the presidential pal- Morlachetti, said Argentina must abide by would be happening now if things were as ace to call attention to the serious lack of the United Nations’ 1990 convention gov- you want them to be? funds within the public education system. erning the rights of children to basic educa- JO: A basic healthcare infrastructure would They chanted slogans about ending hunger tion, health care, shelter and food. “Any be established, would be functional, and and poverty among the neediest children. noncompliance is in violation of our basic would be sustainable in the developing “We have to fight for our future because human rights and for this we are here today,” world. There would be a clear ability of de- the politicians are not going to do it for us,” he told local news agency Noticias veloping world nations to manufacture said 14-year-old Karina Morales. Teachers, Argentinas. their own generic high-quality medicines parents and community groups supported The ‘March for Life’ has won the support for the treatment of AIDS, TB, malaria and the young protestors’ appeal to the Govern- of UNICEF (United Nations Children’s other neglected diseases. They would have ment to increase social services for the ap- Fund), and of individuals such as the 1980 their own health research and development proximately 18 million people — half of Nobel Peace laureate Adolfo Perez capacity, one that is closest to their needs, Argentina’s population — who live below Esquivel. (BBC TV, UK) • SHARE INTERNATIONAL 19 VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 MAITREYA’S PRIORITIES

“To aid men in their task, the Christ has WHO lists top 10 preventable formulated certain priorities. They cover the essential needs of every man, woman and child. The first priority is an ade- death factors quate supply of the right food. Sec- ondly, adequate housing and shelter for Just 10 avoidable risk factors, including Inexpensive but effective measures to all. Thirdly, health-care and education as malnutrition, unsafe sex, smoking and poor combat these diseases of “affluence” in- a universal right.” — Benjamin Creme’s sanitation, account for 40 per cent of global clude applying higher taxes on tobacco to Master, January 1989. deaths each year, according to the World combat cancer and heart disease. WHO re- In this section, Share International addresses Health Organization. WHO’s new data on ports that consumption falls by 2-10 per problems in the areas of Maitreya’s priorities, patterns of death and illness appear in its cent for every 10 per cent increase in price. and also identifies related plans, solutions and World Health Report 2002. WHO says that And mandatory reductions in the amount of projects. inexpensive remedies exist and that gov- salt added to processed foods could reduce ernments of all countries can do more to pre- strokes and heart attacks caused by high vent unnecessary and premature death. It blood pressure. sequently 90 per cent of the 300,000 motor concludes that such countermeasures could In poor countries, abnormally low vehicles circulating in Dhaka give off high extend average life expectancy by five to 10 weight in infants and mothers is the major levels of carbon monoxide, soot and sul- years. avoidable risk factor, killing 3.4 million in phur dioxide. “This report provides a road map for how the year 2000. Children who are lower in The Government of Bangladesh has societies can tackle a wide range of prevent- weight are weak and more prone to infection started to replace the old engines with new able conditions that are killing millions of because they are malnourished, lacking ones which run on concentrated natural gas; people prematurely and robbing tens of mil- simple dietary essentials such as calories, the problem, however, is that the initiative lions of healthy life,” says Gro Harlem proteins, vitamins, and minerals such as is limited to Dhaka. (Source: El Mundo, Brundtland, WHO director general. iron. Inexpensive remedies advocated by Spain). The risks are starkly different between WHO include adding micronutrients such “haves” and “have-nots”. Whereas poor as vitamin A, zinc and iron to food, plus Fifteen million Ethiopians people typically die through lack of food counselling to encourage mothers to breast- and clean water, the rich die through dis- feed. (Source: www.newscientist.com; face starvation eases of overindulgence. Brundtland de- Süddeutsche Zeitung, Germany) A drought-induced famine of huge propor- scribed the difference between rich and tions is once again threatening Ethiopia, poor people as particularly shocking. The despite warnings and appeals since early Report states that 170 million children are Pollution in Bangladesh 2002. According to Ethiopian Prime Minis- underweight while one billion adults are For the countries which are reluctant to sign ter Meles Zenawi, around 6 million people overweight. the Kyoto Protocol (most notably the need immediate food aid, with the number Of the 10 risk factors, the five that dom- United States), here are some data they set to rise to 15 million if international aid is inate in poor countries are: abnormally low should consider: not forthcoming by the New Year. body weight, unsafe sex, iron deficiency, 15,000 people die each year in Bangla- The current famine outstrips even the unsafe water and exposure to indoor smoke desh from air pollution. The overcrowded 1984 Ethiopian famine, when 5-6 million from solid fuels. “Indoor air pollution was a cities, the indiscriminate emission of toxic were affected and 1 million starved to death. complete surprise,” says Christopher gases from cars and industries have caused a Georgia Shaver, director of the World Food Murray, overall director of the report. The deadly level of pollution in many regions; Programme (WFP) in Ethiopia, warns of the smoke causes pneumonia in children and 6.5 million people suffer respiratory ill- colossal scale of the crisis: “In Southern Af- lung disease in women. nesses. rica there are 10-14 million people needing In richer countries, the five key killers Environmental pollution, in the form of food aid across six countries. In Ethiopia we are tobacco, alcohol, high blood pressure, a dense layer of smoke and toxic particles, is could have the same number in just one high blood cholesterol and obesity. Murray an everyday reality for 12 million people country.” She describes the current level of says that a big surprise was the unexpect- living in Dhaka, the capital of the most food aid to Ethiopia as a trickle in compari- edly large impact of high blood pressure, densely populated country in the world son with what is needed: “We need the re- cholesterol and alcohol on intermediate- (900 inhabitants per square kilometre). sources today so that we can prevent a de- income countries such as India and China Most of the children show a high concentra- terioration of the situation. We don’t need — “They’ve always been perceived as prob- tion of lead in the blood as a result of the the resources six months from now when we lems of high-income countries” — so coun- noxious elements to which they are ex- see terrible images on the television.” Mr termeasures taken now, as countries indus- posed. Meles also fears that developed nations will trialize, could have disproportionately Many cars are old and use low-quality not take the crisis seriously without images large benefits in the future. fuel (usually oil with kerosene), and con- of skeletal figures on their television 20 SHARE INTERNATIONAL VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 MAITREYA’S PRIORITIES screens. He says that his Government is al- people have pulled through by selling cattle, Bob Geldof, driving force behind the ready barely able to keep its people alive, let but with the unique situation of both seasons Live Aid relief effort of 1984 said: alone supply adequate food, and cannot af- of short and long rains having failed, the “Throughout all the conferences ... the vast ford to buy in extra stocks itself — stocks drought is so severe that cattle are dying be- international governmental community ... which would amount to 200 million tonnes fore they can be sold; farmers are leaving their don’t seem to be capable of coming to the of food aid, according to BBC correspond- parched land to search for water and grazing root causes of famine.” ent Mike Thomson. But without it, says Mr in the remote hope of keeping a few animals In the meantime, children in the coun- Meles, the escalation of famine will be “too alive. Crops turn to dust in the hand, and have tryside are already accepting that they will ghastly to contemplate”. not produced seed. Grain and cereal prices are die. In the village of Di Fakar, 200 kilo- The effects of the famine are evident in rising fast. “The livestock has died and metres south of Ethiopia’s capital Addis the countryside, where watering holes have people don’t have any reserves,” said local Ababa, eight-year-old Fayo Hadji under- been reduced to dustbowls surrounded by Imam Sheik Abdullah Mahmoud. “It’s so stands that, with the cattle dead and the fields of failed crops. In recent famines serious that it’s beyond our capacity.” crops failed, his parents cannot feed him. “I know I am going to die and so are my broth- ers and sisters because we are all so hungry,” he said. “I would prefer to die rather than keeping waiting for food.” Commented Bob Geldof: “If my four [children] come home from school this af- ternoon and I have nothing, nothing to give them, and then I hear one of the youngest ones saying, ‘Well, come on death, any- thing is preferable to this,’ that is untenable for anyone to listen to, the world, the UK or whatever. It is absolutely a disgrace.” (Source: BBC, Evening Standard, UK)

Water wars For one in six people on the planet, finding 12,4 x 17,4 water for drinking, cooking and washing is a daily struggle; 80 per cent of them live in the countryside where some — quite literally 97,6% — have to fight for every drop. Plumbing the Rights, a recent documentary by Earth Report, paints a grim picture of the growing desperation — as well as a growing aware- ness of their rights — among people in the shanty-towns and villages of the develop- ing world. Cut off by poverty from access to water, people representing the poorest are getting organized to fight for a right to water — a fight they intend to take to Japan when world leaders gather for the third World Water Forum in March 2003. In some urban areas of being poor can literally mean being cut off from a lifeline supply of water. People are coming to see this as a denial of the most basic human right — the right to life. Chatsworth is a town- ship outside Durban housing over 300,000 people. The township is now also the front line of unreported water wars, with security guards and armed police turning up to cut off residents who cannot pay. For one in six people on the planet, finding water for drinking, cooking and washing is a daily Christina Manqele is a single mother, struggle photo: WHO / P. Almasy struggling to bring up her own four children  SHARE INTERNATIONAL 21 VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002  and three others in a tiny two-room flat. After cover the costs, while it feels that the matter from Want”. The Bush administration is 12 years of service for the same employer, of access for the poorest is a political issue. “turning a cold and steely eye away from the Christina found herself without a job and And although the entry of the private sector millions dying of hunger and disease”. seriously ill, needing major surgery. She into water management in the developing The United Nations’ General Assembly began to fall behind in her water, electricity world is proving to be highly controversial, has just been addressed by George W.Bush: and rent payments to the point where she it is being embraced by many governments “We want,” the President said, “the United now owes the council roughly US$2,000. In as a way of mobilizing finance. Nations to be effective, and respected, and January 2000 her water was cut off. Christina Orlean Naidoo a Chatsworth resident: successful.” Yet it is the US which falls $60 resorted to using water from a nearby “It is ridiculous to privatize water. Privat- billion short every year of meeting its polluted stream. An independent analysis ization is a profit-making system. How can agreed commitment to the UN. A lot of found this water to contain high counts of you make profit out of poor people? People money? Not when one realizes “that the an- bacteria from untreated sewage that cause can’t afford to pay for water services, and nual military spending in America has risen waterborne diseases such as cholera. now if you privatize it the prices are defin- by about that amount since Mr Bush entered In a unique piece of legislation, South itely going to increase. The unemployment the White House,” writes Professor Sachs. Africa’s celebrated New Water Act gives rate is high and people don’t have money to The USA is “firmly in the last place among each household the right by law to a basic pay, so if we privatize then people are defin- the 22 donor countries in aid as a share of allowance of 6,000 litres of free water per itely going to die of thirst.” income, a position it will continue to hold month. In view of this the community ral- (Source: BBC World TV; Changing Cur- even after the small increases the adminis- lied round and helped Christina to make an rents web publication, www.tve.org) tration announced earlier this year.” Amer- urgent application to the High Court to get ica’s planned contribution to the global her water reconnected. But it was not until Aids fund is only a fraction — one-sixth — three months later that she was finally able Weapons of Mass Salvation of what is needed in 2003. It would take only to argue the case in court. In the meantime Weapons of Mass Salvation is the title of a $25 billion a year to prevent around 8 mil- she still had no water. In desperation she de- special report for The Economist by Jeffrey lion deaths annually. “The expected $100 cided to reconnect her own water. Despite the Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Co- billion cost of war against Iraq would there- Act, the authorities say this is against the law. lumbia University, New York, and Special fore be enough to avert around 30 million Partly as a result of having reconnected Adviser on Millennium Development premature deaths from disease, if chan- her own water illegally, Christina lost her Goals to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. nelled into a sustained and organized part- case. Today she is still forced to use illegal Hard-hitting criticism of the shortcomings nership with the poor countries.” water as she struggles to pay off her bill. As of current US policies is combined with an Professor Sachs argues that there is “a more and more households have their water urgent call for change, compassion and the way out”: let the United Nations do what it supply cut off, community members are right use of the United Nations to benefit the was created to do. Despite criticism and now taking the law into their own hands entire world. withholding of funding, the UN’s special- and have become expert at reconnecting “If George Bush spent more time and ized agencies “have far more expertise and people’s water. money on mobilizing Weapons of Mass hands-on experience than any other organ- “Cutting off somebody’s water is totally Salvation (WMS) in addition to combating ization in the world”. inhumane and its definitely against the con- Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), we Sachs urges that, in tandem with the stitutional right to basic services,” accord- might actually get somewhere in making World Bank, the UN should be asked to set ing to Brandon Pillay, a local activist. this planet a safer and more hospitable up “Global Frameworks of Action” which “People who can’t afford to pay are forced to home.… WMS … are the arsenal of life- would “outline in broad terms, yet with spe- reconnect illegally and to go to bed know- saving vaccines, medicines, and health cific budgetary guidelines and timetables ing that they’re using illegal electricity and interventions, emergency food aid and attached, the specific ways in which rich- water. They have to do it because they have farming technologies that could avert liter- and poor-country governments, the pri- children and this is a basic necessity for ally millions of deaths each year in the wars vate sector, philanthropic foundations people in this community.” against epidemic disease, drought and fam- and other parts of civil society could get Further north of Durban, along the Dol- ine. Yet while the Bush administration is organized to win the fight against pov- phin Coast, thousands of people in the poor- prepared to spend $100 billion to rid Iraq of erty and disease.” est townships now have their water supplied WMD, it has been unwilling to spend more “Our interconnectedness on the planet by a private multinational. A French com- than 0.2 per cent of that sum ($200 million) is the dominating truth of the 21st century,” pany, SAUR International, has been in 2002 on the Global Fund to Fight Aids, writes Sachs, yet the US is doing little to mo- granted a 30-year concession to run the wa- Tuberculosis and Malaria.” bilize weapons of mass salvation. If George ter services. But here the poor are cut off Not sparing the US President’s illusions, Bush would mobilize America to fight pov- from the start. Standpipes prevent people Professor Sachs writes of the great leaders of erty, disease and hunger he would mobilize from accessing water until they pay 60 Rand the Second World War alliance who under- millions against terrorism and “fulfil his for a card, and then they pay extra for water stood both destruction and salvation, and own call for the world to ‘show that the on top of that. Despite promises of free water, whose aim was not simply to destroy but “to promise of the United Nations can be ful- many people simply can’t afford the cards. create a world of shared prosperity”. filled in our times’”. (Source: The Econom- Meanwhile, SAUR International claims Roosevelt, he points out, spoke not only of ist, UK) it is not making a profit and merely acts to “Freedom from Fear” but also “Freedom • 22 SHARE INTERNATIONAL VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002   LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

- When writing to the Share International Honourable work letters page, please indicate if you wish your name to be withheld. In the absence of any indication the editors will assume Dear Editor, and black mirror sunglasses (which I really that your name may be printed. Due to an In March 2002 our group were late prepar- hate, especially worn indoors). ever-increasing number of letters re- ing the stand for the esoteric fair in Ham- The woman went to my left and the man ceived, it may take many months before burg. We only had one week left and much to my right in the queue. At once she turned your letter is published. Please refrain work to do. I had not been well and felt tired to me and we started talking. She had to give from sending your letter more than once and without energy or interest to do any- a talk that evening in the university (for the — as this can cause delays and confusion. thing, so I decided I should work as little as annual Woman’s Day) and wanted to have possible. more pictures. She enjoyed having the op- On Friday morning I went out with my portunity to talk to children, and soon we daughter to the nearest photocopy shop to talked about the need to change education, this.) She interrupted me, turning to me copy the ‘hand of Maitreya’ and several pic- to free children from being conditioned, the quickly, looked into my eyes directly, and tures of light circles. I was waiting in a queue importance of the mother in the family and without a smile said: “No, nothing is diffi- when two people came in who attracted my the necessity to create new and better struc- cult! It’s an honour to do this work.” attention. A very energetic young woman tures in the world. She was full of animation, I tried to explain that she misunderstood with a strong radiance, a ‘sunny’ person energy and joy; I was fascinated. me, but she stopped me with a gesture and with very long dark hair which fell down to Then we had a misunderstanding: I continued: “It is not at all difficult or a her waist in tiny curls. She had big green wanted to agree with her that by talking to strain, it is wonderful — wonderful to be eyes surrounded by lots of green mascara. children a different kind of speech or words allowed to do this work and to go to fairs and Behind her a young man who looked a little is sometimes necessary, more concrete de- to do all this. I know this because I did it. It is bit like the German singer Heino — not a scriptions than adults need. And I said: “It’s an honour to work for the new times.” favourite of mine so to speak: very yellow- difficult sometimes to find the right words.” I had not told her before what I was doing blond hair, brown skin, black leather jacket (I have been a teacher for 25 years and I know and I am fairly sure that I had not mentioned the fair. But at this moment we were stopped by the copier who had enlarged the ‘hand of Maitreya’ to A2 size. He held the photo up and asked: “Is it okay?” All the people in the long queue looked at the hand and stopped talking. For me, the energy streaming out was very strong. Then the young man with the glasses tapped me on my shoulder, and in a rather hushed voice asked: “Is it His hand?” “Yes,” I answered quickly. I found his question unusual because in Northern Ger- many religious things are generally not in- cluded in daily life and I never heard some- one talk about the Christ in such a familiar way. I asked him if he knew about the photo or the story. He took off his glasses. He had green eyes too and looked intelligent and sympathetic. He answered: “No, I don’t, but The hand of Maitreya when I saw this hand I thought it must be His hand.” My daughter returned and we rushed off immediately. In the following hours, at first the young man seemed unusual to me, but more and more the words of the young woman came back to my mind. Though she had misunderstood me, she gave me just what I needed at that moment. And it really worked! In the evening we had a group meeting and I told the story to the others. No doubt it  SHARE INTERNATIONAL 23 VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002   LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

 gave us a lot of fiery energy, wondering things. After we had let them off at a should add that before we had started off I whether the woman and the man were ‘spe- crossroad we were still a little confused from had stuffed a little copy of Maitreya’s hand cial’ or not. We had really good ideas about the interesting conversation so that Peter, in the windscreen ventilation and asked how to arrange our stand, and at the fair it upon turning off, accidentally drove into Maitreya to look after us and the car. seemed that we were “the centre of interest” the opposite lane. We noticed quickly, Did we get help from a Master or with people coming to us continuously all though, and corrected it. Maitreya? day long — and of course it was “an honour Unfortunately, the police had seen Petra and Peter Schag, Berlin, Germany. for us to be allowed to work for the new this, and as we drove off the road at the (Benjamin Creme’s Master confirms that times”! next gas station to fuel up they blocked the two ‘walkers’ and the ‘policemen’ were Were they ‘special’ people in the photo- our way and took away my husband’s Maitreya and the . The ‘help- copy shop? driving license and car papers. I was mad ful’ man was not ‘special’.) Heide Diercks, Hamburg, Germany. and shouted: “We are not going to pay (Benjamin Creme’s Master confirms that anything!” They told us to stay there and Ghostly guidance? the ‘man’ was Maitreya; the ‘woman’ was drove out of the gas station around a cor- Dear Editor, the Master Jesus.) ner out of sight. On Wednesday 16 October 2002 my wife I was rather angry and certainly did not and I went to Notre Dame de Bonnefontaine Sleep remedy want to pay the police a “bribe”. At that mo- (canton of Fribourg, Switzerland) where in Dear Editor, ment, to our right a car with two men stopped the forest a spring flows in a cave dedicated A man from Maarheeze, Holland, came to and the driver (he didn’t look Turkish but to the Madonna. me about six months ago. He had bone can- more European) asked us if we were having In the little town of Payerne we stopped cer and came to me for help because I am a trouble with the police. We told him our to ask the way. As I was about to put coins healer. I spoke to him for an hour and a half. situation, first in English and then in Ger- into the parking meter, a man called out I also told him about the return of the Christ, man, but he seemed to have known every- from the other side of the parking area tell- and gave him two cards of ‘Maitreya’s thing beforehand anyway. He was very nice ing us not to pay because in the morning the hand’. and unobtrusive and seemed somehow parking was free. Then he ran up, greeting us About four weeks ago he visited me amused and relaxed. He offered to take care with a marvellous smile. again. He was a different man from the first of our papers and walked to the police car. I We took the opportunity to ask him the time — instead of fear of death, he had ac- was still sceptical and said to my husband way to Bonnefontaine. His face became cepted that he could die. He told me that that I would simply drive away on the other even more smiling and happy and he told us from the day I gave him the cards of side of the gas station (since I still had my that last Sunday he had been there with his Maitreya’s ‘hand’, every night he put one driver’s license), he could apply for a new Catholic wife. With a rare kindness and a under his pyjamas on the left side and the driver’s license in Germany, and the rental fine humour the man gave us detailed direc- other under his right side. From that day for agency would take care to get back its car tions. Taking leave of him, we told him our six months he slept every night, and had no papers. names were Georges and Marcelle and still pain at night. I went to the police car to protest and to smiling broadly he replied: “And I am I said: “Perhaps you would like to have see what was going on. I doubted that the Caspar the Ghost!” new ‘hand’ cards?” man could help us, and stood beside him, Half-an-hour later we were in the cave “My story isn’t finished,” he said. dragging at his sleeve and grumbling in we had searched so hard for, still astonished “Every morning I awake bathed in perspira- general. He was nice but didn’t let himself to have been so well-informed at the right tion, then my wife gives me dry clothes, and be interrupted in his friendly discussion moment. a dry bed. But in all those months the hands with the police. Then I talked to the police- Since then we have wondered about two of Maitreya were never wet, crumpled or dis- men directly, but they also were not at all things: (1) Is the spring of Bonnefontaine coloured. So I tell you I need no new ‘hands’. impressed by me. So I stood around for a energized? (2) Who was the kind man who I am very glad and thankful with the ‘hands’ while not knowing what to do, until I con- gave us information in Payerne? I have.” vinced myself again to simply take off. Marcelle and Georges Wyss, Preles, Swit- Anneke v/d Burgt, Heerlen, the Netherlands Peter had paid for the gas and I wanted to zerland. (Benjamin Creme’s Master confirms that sit behind the steering wheel, when the nice (Benjamin Creme’s Master confirms that this is indeed a miracle manifested by man came around the corner, waving the (1) the spring at Bonnefontaine is indeed Maitreya.) papers. He handed them to Peter, opened his energized, by the Master Who was the arms and the two embraced each other sin- Madonna; and (2) the “kind man” was Arresting experience cerely. Then we all shook hands to thank Maitreya.) Dear Editor, him. We were very relieved and totally During our vacation to Turkey in October happy. The man really seemed amused the Loop the loop 2002 my husband Peter and I had a funny whole time as if this was only a performance Dear Editor, experience. We had rented a car and driven for him. On 9 November 2002, a friend and I were into the mountains. On our way back we Afterwards my husband and I really had standing outside getting a breath of fresh air picked up two walkers who told us many to laugh about the whole situation. Maybe I in Amsterdam. The night sky was clear and 24 SHARE INTERNATIONAL VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002   LETTERS TO THE EDITOR my friend happened to notice a glowing or- headed straight at me, much closer than I’d Italian opera — whereupon I laughed ange ball moving erratically across the sky. remembered. It looked as though he might quietly to myself hardly containing it. We watched it for a couple of minutes: it was try to mug me, but I quickly turned my head, Then he touched me on the shoulder to get travelling in one direction but all the while shot him a hard look, and he backed off. me to look at him, which I did and he sang to made abrupt zig-zag loops and twists, al- Somewhat relieved, I made my way back to me. I was highly delighted. I knew he wasn’t most dancing about. the tube, continuing to keep an eye on him drunk or mad. Next he got up and pranced Could you please say whether it was a till he was out of sight. around and danced, singing and interject- UFO or something else? At the time, I had a strange, only par- ing it with comments about it being a spe- Sonya Creme, Amsterdam, Holland. tially registered sensation. I couldn’t figure cial night, a special weekend. He performed (Benjamin Creme’s Master confirms that out how he suddenly got so close to me, and for the few people who were there and the object was not a UFO but Maitreya’s why, seemingly just in time, I had turned my everyone without exception smiled and Lightship.) attention back to him. On one level, this was laughed. a sad, half-crazed street-person. On another, Then at Finsbury Park station he turned Alarm bell it seemed I’d turned back toward him as if in and looked directly at me and in a very Dear Editor, response to him saying something to me in- cheeky way raised his eyebrows three times While visiting London in the mid-1990s ternally, like: “Hey, pay attention will as if to say: “Do you recognize me?” Then I thought I would make it a tourist visit to you?” he got off. As he was getting off I suddenly see the place in the modern world to Reading accounts of appearances by got an image of that finger on my shoulder which the Teacher had chosen to return. I Maitreya and the Master Jesus in Share In- and his last look and recognized him as walked the length of Brick Lane and back ternational, it becomes apparent that the Meher Baba. A few weeks later I saw him again to get a feel for the area, and on the manner in which they appear often has again, and practically bumped into him as I way back to the tube station detoured something to do with the psychology of the came out of my flat. “Lovely, lovely,” he into a small side street just off person to whom they are appearing (not al- said in passing. I was dumbfounded and Whitechapel. About a block into the side ways entirely flattering). The nature of the swore that next time I would speak with street I saw a man I took to be about 50-55 appearance itself seems to have something him. Was it Meher Baba or a Master taking years old, obviously a street person, am- to communicate. Then I remembered that, as on his earthly look? bling nervously around with no particu- a younger man, I often wore work shirts and (Benjamin Creme’s Master confirms that lar sense of direction. Dressed in a blue jeans. Was this street person an exagger- the ‘Turkish man’ was Maitreya.) work shirt and jeans, he was of medium ated, future-tense reflection of me and my height and build, with short-cropped, own fears? Father figure blondish-red hair, a three-day stubble To this day, I don’t know if I’ve com- (2) I went to Assos, in Turkey, for Christmas. and a very tired, weary expression on his pletely grasped the significance of this en- On the first day my friend and I walked to an face. counter, but as I recounted it, I realized who archaeological site. When we arrived in the My reaction to him was one of alarm and the ‘street person’ might have been. It was village a handsome looking tall man with pity. Alarm because he seemed slightly quite a performance. grey hair and practically transparent, menacing, walking in an unsteady, almost Marc Gregory, Santa Monica, California, youthful-looking skin aged 55 (as he told uncontrollably agitated manner. Then pity USA. me later) appeared out of nowhere. He told and some guilt, for having been alarmed in (Benjamin Creme’s Master confirms that us he was the head archaeologist and would the first place. the ‘street person’ was Maitreya.) be happy to show us around even though it Same old scene, I thought. Anyone liv- was closed. He gave lots of information on ing in any modern city has seen it all too Piccadilly circus Saint John and the church he built there, often: not enough food, no real shelter, Dear Editor, showed us the cave church where evidence over-exposure to the elements, and, in this (1) While travelling on the London Picca- of four religions was apparent. He also told case, one got the impression of a nervous dilly Underground line a couple of years me to stop smoking saying he’d given up system compromised by drug or alcohol ago, I had an encounter which delighted some years before, and gave me wild thyme abuse. A sort of one-man encapsulation of me. I noticed an older couple across from for my lungs and held my hand. I felt like a everything that is wrong with the world, me and heard myself think: “Tourists.” A child and he the father. He had child’s everything that comes of greed, compla- Turkish-looking man, dressed in working hands, unblemished (for an archaeologist). cency and indifference. Worse, this guy mode, with balding hair combed sideways, Later, back at the hotel, when we told the seemed too whacked out to even try to be fattish with a moustache, said out loud: staff of our adventure they looked at each helped. “Could be, could be.” Next I heard myself other and declared it was impossible as So I kept an eye on him. He darted out say: “On holiday.” Again, the man who was the archaeologist had returned to Istan- onto the street, stepped back to the curb, sitting next but one to me said: “Could be, bul four days before for the holiday. Who muttered something angrily to himself, could be.” I suddenly realized that he was was he? walked aimlessly around, crossed the street either mad or telepathic and I laughed Mary O’Reilly, London, UK. and turned my way. In the interim, I had be- internally and could hardly stop myself (Benjamin Creme’s Master confirms that gun to sightsee again when suddenly he was looking at him. Next, he burst into song — the ‘archaeologist’ was, in fact, Maitreya.)• SHARE INTERNATIONAL 25 VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. If your Master or the Christ could today address directly the Questions dealing with the ac- United Nations Security Council and the world’s leaders, what tivities of Maitreya and the Hierarchy of the Masters of would They advise in order to cement a real and permanent rap- Wisdom, and about the Age- prochement in the Middle East, and with the Muslim world in gen- less Wisdom Teachings, eral? which have not been answered A. The creation of justice and freedom through the sharing of essen- in his books, are answered by Benjamin Creme in this sec- tial resources throughout the world. Sharing is inevitable, and the tion. Benjamin Creme does not sooner understood and implemented, the sooner peace and secur- seek to set himself up as an ity for all will be achieved. This is true for the Middle East and the arbiter of the authenticity of world in general. other groups’ activities and communications. Please re- frain from posing such ques- Q. (1) How receptive, from the Hierarchy’s point of view, is human- tions. ity at present to Maitreya’s ideas? (2) Does increased fear and Send your written questions to: Share International/Ques- tension close people psychologically to His priorities? tions, PO Box 3677, London A. (1) Twenty-five per cent are very receptive; 40 per cent are fairly NW5 1RU, UK. receptive; 35 per cent are not receptive. (2) No, the opposite. Fear drives people to act hysterically — as in the US today — or to look for answers to the problems. A. (1) Terrorists. (2) Local people. (3) No. (4) Terrorism against Westerners. (5) Not directly, but he sympathizes with their aims. Q. I am confused about Maitreya’s reappearance. I can under- stand that karmic laws are under consideration here as well as not Q. Who will be the next president of Indonesia? Will it be Megawati infringing free will. It just worries me sometimes that only the again? agents of the “light” forces take heed of these things. We have A. No. many crazy people ready to blow themselves up (with many others) in the supposed name of God. They seem to have no problem (or Q. What would happen to Indonesia in the future? (1) Will Indo- awareness) of , free will etc. nesia come out from its present crisis, or get worse? (2) What will If they pull off some major terrorist acts (nuclear, chemical happen to Indonesia’s economy in the future? or biological), it doesn’t seem like the planet, or human race, A. (1) It will get worse. (2) Downgraded, near collapse. will be around for the reappearance. How is that karmically correct? Q. How would you describe the state of the US economy at present? A. Of course, that is precisely why this time is one of such major A. Shaky. As stable as the Dow Index which, we know, is totally tension and crisis. Nevertheless, Maitreya and the Masters must erratic. obey the karmic law — even if we do not. We have to trust that Maitreya knows exactly when — and when not — to intervene, and Q. Would you say there is a danger of an economic domino effect still remain within the karmic law. throughout Latin America, with one country after another appear- ing to collapse, or on the verge of doing so? Q. Minnesota Democratic Senator Paul Wellstone was killed in a A. Yes, that scenario is very much on the cards. plane crash along with his wife, daughter, staffers and pilots while campaigning for re-election. He was a true democrat in that he Q. There seems to be increased seismic activity at present across the cared about his constituency, especially the poor in his district. He globe. What is the cause? did not take money from corporations. His death is a great loss to A. There are several causes: increased sun-spot activity; natural America. (1) Was foul play the cause of the plane crash? (2) What plate-movement; the heightened tension generated by humanity was his ray structure and point of evolution? by wrong thought and action — this is a time of crisis and widespread A. (1) No. This tragic event was a pure accident. (2) S: 2; P: 4 (6); M: fear. We have President Bush and his advisers to thank for that. 6 (2); A: 4 (6); Ph: 3 (7). He was 1.5 degrees initiate. Q. Did any of the Masters comfort and help the children killed Q. (1) Did Jesus have a brother Jacob (James)? (2) Was he older or recently in the earthquake in Italy? younger than Jesus? (3) Was he stoned to death, and why? (4) A. Yes, as always in a catastrophe, several Masters are immediately Could we have his ray structure and point of evolution? involved in saving and comforting. A. (1) Yes. In fact, four brothers. (2) Younger. (3) Yes. As a brother and follower of Jesus. (4) S: 3; P: 6 (2); M: 3 (7); A: 6 (6); Ph: 7 (3). He Q. I know your Master’s article about children and gays is a lot was 1.6 degrees initiate. deeper and more helpful to all than I understand at my point of evolution, but I’d like to know more about how to handle the criti- Q. Who did the Bali bombings in October 2002? (1) Is it terrorists’ cism of readers who misinterpret it as bigotry. [‘The family’, SI work or the USA? (2) Is it local people’s work, or foreigners? (3) Is October 2002] it linked to Al Qaeda? (4) What is the motive behind this? (5) Is Abu A. The Master’s article is not about “children and gays” but about Bakar Basyir a terrorist like the Americans say? the family unit as the basic form in which children can find the 26 SHARE INTERNATIONAL VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS necessary relationships to evolve correctly from an esoteric and Q. (1) Can one send energy to another person by using the card karmic standpoint. The Master says expressly that Hierarchy is not showing Maitreya’s hand? (2) If one holds in one hand the card the enemy of homosexuals, but it is obvious that single-sex partner- and in the other hand a photo of this person, does this work (bet- ships cannot provide the full requirements for children’s inner de- ter)? (3) If one holds in one hand the card and with the other hand velopment. I have no doubt that same-sex partners can and do pro- one holds the person, does this work (better)? vide, to adopted children, the love and care which all children also A. (1) No. (2) No. (3) No. need. Q. (1) Is it psychologically possible for child soldiers to be fully Q. (1) Are the Energies being sent into the world by the Christ and rehabilitated and restored to a normal psychological state? (2) Masters now more potent than ever? (2) Would it be correct to say What would be the best way to help them? that there seems to be an intensification of Hierarchical effort at A. (1) Yes, very often. Many have been rehabilitated even after present as we move to the year’s end? years of ‘service’. (2) They usually need counselling, and edu- A. (1) Yes. (2) Yes. cation in the company of ‘normal’ children, well away from their army experience. And, of course, much love and affec- Q. The groups working around the world for the Emergence also tion. have the opportunity to help inform, explain and educate after Maitreya’s full public emergence. (1) Many in the groups are inter- Q. In many Western countries the incidence of depression is in- ested in healing, but no specific instruction has been given about creasing staggeringly. In the UK, for example, the prescribing of it. Is that because the primary task, at least initially, is educa- anti-depressants has increased 700 per cent in the last 10 years. tional? (2) Will the Masters be giving training in healing? (3) What is the reason for this ‘epidemic’? Would that be in some years’ time? A. Depression is the social illness of a society dedicated to material- A. (1) Partly, yes. (2) Not directly, but through disciples. (3) Yes. ism. It is ‘spiritual starvation’, and is growing more and more throughout the developed Western world. The highest incidence Q. Are any of the Masters residing in Africa ()? of depression and the greatest use of anti-depressants and tranquil- A. In Africa, yes. In Kenya, no. lizers are in the USA.

Q. In response to the following question and answer in Share Inter- Q. How do audiences in the USA respond to the idea of sharing? national: “Q: When Judas betrayed Jesus, did that not alter his A. It is difficult to gauge the response to radio interviews because evolution? A: Yes, it did alter His evolution. He has since paid the the audiences are so large but at my lectures there is always a large price, the penalty. Also, of course, it was part of a plan.” When he majority in favour of sharing. “paid the price, the penalty”, what exactly did that entail? What was it he had to go through? Q. How do audiences in Japan react to your information about a A. In his immediate next life Judas was a ‘Christian’ preacher, a world stock-market crash? follower of Jesus’s teachings. ‘Christianity’ was an unauthorized A. The Japanese people have already experienced their own stock- and unacceptable ‘sect’ or ‘cult’. Judas was betrayed by one of his market crash: the Nikkei collapse from 40,000 to 10,000 points. close followers, arrested, imprisoned, tortured and eventually put They have seen its effect on the economy of Japan and neighbour- to death by stoning. ing countries and await, stoically, a worldwide replica of their own experience. Q. The Thai press has recently reported thousands of tourists flock- ing to see a mysterious phenomenon in Nong Khai province, north- Q. Belgian authorities have decided to withdraw fluoride from eastern Thailand, in which coloured fireballs known as “Naga’s water and were also hoping to have it removed from dental prod- Fireballs” shoot into the sky on the first full-moon night of October ucts, although this latter proposal has not been agreed on. Belgian each year, at the end of Buddhist Lent. The flames, said to come tests show that too much fluoride can affect the nervous system. Is from a mythical serpent living in the Mekong River, are being in- fluoride not good for healthy teeth? vestigated by the Thai Government. Is this an authentic miracle? A. Not all people need or lack fluoride and it is a crime to put it in A. This phenomenon is not manifested by a Master but by the Space drinking water — an infringement of the free will of all the people Brothers (UFOs), so it is not exactly a miracle. who do not need fluoride. Fluoride is good for teeth but only porous or unhealthy teeth. The best way to take it, if needed, is in homoe- Q. In a television report early in August 2002, the first experiments opathic potency. on stem-cells have been shown, then “prophet-genes” have been identified, making it possible to define a human being’s future in a Q. (1) Is anyone receiving messages from “the Brotherhood on single drop of blood. What point have these experiments reached Sirius”? (2) If so are they publishing them? (3) If we come across now? (1) Are they the premises of the future healing through the printed material containing what is claimed to be Sirian language technology of Light? (2) In one of your previous answers, you have — greetings and exhortations — should we generally discount its specified that in no case man should play God. Does this remark validity? apply only to the practice of genetic engineering? A. (1) Under the level of a 5th degree Master, no. (2) No. (3) I cer- A. (1) No. (2) In respect of cloning. tainly would. • SHARE INTERNATIONAL 27 VOL. 21, NO. 10 — DECEMBER 2002 photo: UNICEF / Shamshuz Zaman Peace, Sharing and Justice are central to My Teaching. Wherever the Light of these Truths shines I turn My eye, and through the channel of that Light do I send My Love. Thus do I work. Thus through you do I change the world. Maitreya, from Message No. 92

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