A Memo to Japan's
Prime Minister,
from Shimon Peres
Dr. Steven E. Plaut
April 24, 1997
Israeli Labor Party
Headquarters, Tel Aviv
Your Excellency:
I am writing to express my horror and outrage at the behavior of the Peruvian military forces in taking back the compound of the Japanese Embassy from its captors and the freeing of the hostages.
Does not your excellency know that there is no military solution to the problems of terrorism? There must only be political solutions!
Terrorism can never be eliminated until its underlying causes, frustrations and ambitions are addressed. And look at how your people violated the human rights of the captors!
Clearly the terrorists, er--I mean activists, who
Rather than violate their human rights in the commando raid that you ordered, you should have entered into serious negotiations.
took over the Japanese compound were acting out of frustration. For years Peru has denied them their national rights. Peruvian police have sometimes addressed members of the guerilla groups in an impolite tone and have even arrested some without first reading them their rights. They have also been held in prisons in which the VCR's are very difficult to program.
Rather than violate their human rights in the commando raid that you ordered, you should have entered into serious negotiations. You could have arranged for your representatives to meet secretly with heads of the guerilla organizations in Scandinavian countries.
Then, after agreeing to the outlines of an accord, President Clinton would have been happy to host you and the terrorist activists for lunch in the Rose Garden.You would then be guaranteed a Nobel Prize, which you have now lost through your hasty irresponsible commando assault.
Making peace with the guerillas should be easy. You need only grant them large sections of Peru in which they can set up their own state, and make Eastern Lima their Holy Capital. After that, nothing but peace and harmony will prevail.
It is still not too late. You can still learn from my own leadership and experience in promoting peace. You can resolve the problems of Peru and assure the security of Peruvians by following the Oslo lead, and seeking a
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DON'T MISS THE
AFSI WESTERN
CONFERENCE:
Oregon,
June 21-22, 1997
The Second National Western Conference of Americans For a Safe Israel will be held on Satruday night, June 21 and Sunday, June 22, 1997, at the Greenwood Inn, in Beaverton, Oregon, just outside Portland.
The conference will feature a distinguished panel of speakers, including Prof. Edward Alexander, author Rael Jean Isaac, AFSI Chairman Herbert Zweibon, CIPAC Chairman Richard Hellman. The chairman of Bridges for Peace, Larry Ehrlich, will speak on "Israel: Righteous Claims in a Hostile World," in a program that will also feature AFSI chapter leaders from around the country.
Registration cost of $75 includes a fish luncheon. An AFSI leadership strategy session will be held at 7:00 p.m. on the evening preceding the conference, at the Greenwood Inn.
Accomodations at the Greenwood Inn will be available at the rate of $75 per double occupancy. To reserve your place at the conference, call AFSI National Chapter Coordinator Inez Weissman at 503-699-1609 (fax: 503-699-1610).
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humane and honorable compromise with the guerillas. Besides, if you do not seek accomodation with those who held the Embassy, then you will be forced to deal with the even more extreme terrorists from Shining Path. A deal with the Topemora activists will insure that they will crack down on the Shining Path fanatics, and will underwrite your security.
Remember, all we are saying is give peace a chance. Peace Now.
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Comradely yours,
Shimon Peres
Ex-Prime Minsister and hope-to-be-soon-again-if-Channel-One-Succeeds
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Dr. Steven E. Plaut teaches in the Graduate School of Business at the University of Haifa.
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