Editor's Note - Issue 2003: 2

It is encouraging that more than a million signatures of Malaysians opposed to the War have been collected and that several anti-War demonstrations, including the mammoth government-sponsored one at Bukit Jalil stadium, have been held. It is in the spirit of helping all Malaysians to understand why the US has invaded Iraq, and why peace, rather than war, should always be our choice, that we decided to produce this special issue of the AM.

The first part of this month�s AM is a collection of short articles written by various Malaysian academics most of whom participated in a �Roundtable on War and Peace Today� held in Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, on 26 February. All present benefited from the presentations as well as the discussion which followed. It was decided, therefore, that the ideas and opinions should be made available to a wider audience. The cover story by Johan Saravanamuttu is particularly enlightening warning us about Washington�s �Project for the New American Century�. Another article by P Lim explains why the rift between America and �Old Europe� has emerged.

Several articles discuss the euphemistic language used to disguise the horrors of war, the �spin� many American media machines have resorted to in order to legitimize their support for war against Iraq, how women and children invariably bear the brunt when war breaks out, etc. Ahmad Fauzi offers an eschatological opinion of this War while Lee Hwok Aun challenges Bush�s invocation of God to support America�s war against Saddam Hussein.

We also carry reports and photographs of the demonstrations which were held by NGOs and opposition parties in Penang and Kuala Lumpur which had gone largely unreported by our own local media. The multi-religious and multi-ethnic complexion of these demonstrations is significant.

Demonstrations and other anti-war activities were also held in various parts of Asia. In this issue we carry reports of these activities organized by Asian groups which, like Aliran, are part of the Asian Peace Alliance.

Let us pray that this War will be halted sooner rather than later. Let us also develop the courage to speak out always in support of peace, indeed on justice, freedom and truth as well.