Youth Action Alert!

(Friday 15 June 2001 Washington, DC, USA) Bush Administration Fails to Respond to Youth Action!

In 1998, Song Kosal, ICBL Youth Ambassador and 17 year-old Cambodian landmine survivor, initiated the Youth Against War Treaty which states:

We don’t want more war.
We don’t want more mines.
We don’t want more victims.
We promise to work for peace in the world.

In March 2001, 263 000 petition signatures, banners and symbols of peace collected from youth in 42 countries were sent to the White House in an effort to urge President Bush to join the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty.

To date, the youth have not received one single reply from the Bush administration.

Please print a copy of the action letter and send it to President Bush, asking him why he has failed to respond to the voices of youth taking action against landmines.

Youth at Clarkedale School in Burlington, Canada wrote letters to President Bush, asking him to sign the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. They did receive a response, though it was not what they expected.

"Dear Friends:

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.

I am pleased to hear from young people like you who care enough to take the time to write. All of us have God-given talents we can use to make the world a better place. I hope that you will always use your special talents for the good of those around you.

Remember that reading is one of the best ways to expand your views of the world. Reading helps to increase your knowledge, open your eyes to new experiences, and create big dreams.

Mrs. Bush joins me in sending you our best wishes.

Sincerely,

George W. Bush."

Enclosed with the letter was an autographed photo of the US President. Said student Laura Gibson, 10, “I didn't want the signature on the picture. I wanted it on the treaty.” To view the full news article published about Bush’s response click here.

Please, write a letter to President Bush, asking him why he has failed to respond to the voices of 263 000 youth worldwide. Urge President Bush to issue an appropriate response to the petitions.

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
USA

Tel. +1-202-456-1414
Fax +1-202-456-2886/ 2461
Email presidentSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERwhitehouse.gov

Sample letter:

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(Date)

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Bush,

I am writing to inquire about the 263 000 Youth Against War Treaty signatures sent from the International Campaign to Ban Landmines sent to the White House in March 2001.

Youth in 42 countries collected 263 000 signatures for the petition stating:

We don’t want more war.
We don’t want more mines.
We don’t want more victims.
We promise to work for peace in the world.

The petitions, colorful banners and symbols of peace were mailed to the White House when the US Government refused to attend a petition handover ceremony at Lafayette Park on March 10, 2001.

To date, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines has not received a response to the petition signatures. I would like to know why you have not responded to the voices of 263 000 youth?

Every year tens of thousands of innocent civilians around the world are killed or injured by antipersonnel mines. To date, 140 countries have signed the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, but not the United States.

Please join the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty immediately and respond to the Youth Against War Treaty petitions.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

(Your Address)
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