Welcome to BASE21

We extend our sincere condolences to all those who have experienced loss due to the terrorist attacks in the US.

The people of the world are deeply shocked and in fear of the acts of terror in the US which killed many people on September 11, 2001. The unbelievable acts
of terror have stunned and pained peace-loving people everywhere. We, Korean women, who have suffered tragedy and pain since the division of Korea and the
Korean War, understand the psychological trauma and fear of all those who have lost family members, friends, and property in this catastrophe, and we extend our sympathy to those in mourning.

We stand firmly opposed to terror, violence and war. We, peace-loving women, believe that acts of terror should be eradicated. At the same time, we believe the means to eradicate terror cannot be violent. Any retaliatory warlike act will surely bring pain to innocent victims. We believe the causes of terrorist
acts and wars originate from hatred and thoughts of revenge. Therefore, we should punish terrorists on the one hand and look for peaceful means to reduce or eliminate hatred and vengeful thoughts on the other.
We believe that the roots of terrorism should be exterminated. Various conflicts can best be resolved through peaceful means such as dialogue,
understanding, negotiation and mediation based on justice and trust.

We are anxious about hasty and excessive retaliation on the part of the United States. People who support peace and justice around the world are anxious about
any hasty and excessive retaliation since the US President George W. Bush has declared war. If the US government attacks the terrorists and other targets
with new high-tech weapons including possibly nuclear weapons without caution, those in the Middle East who have condemned the acts of terror in the US will be
forced to enter the violent cycle of retribution. The US government should not commence any warlike acts where civilians will be sacrificed. Rather, the path
of negotiation, building consensus in the international community, and other legal steps must be the course taken.

We are concerned that any retaliative warlike act by the US will trigger another arms race and a rise in global militarism.

We are anxious about the possibility that the US might use the war as an excuse to justify military expansion and experimentation with new high tech weapons in
Afghanistan. We worry that the world will be divided between countries who join any such war efforts and others who do not. We stand at the beginning of the 21st century. What will we hand over to our descendants? Are we going to bequeath lands wasted by war or lands where peace, equality, and prosperity
flourish? We ask the US government to look for some means to eradicate acts of terror other than military methods. Discussion with people, other countries,
and international organizations that support peace and justice is the route to take.

We do not want the South Korean government to support any retaliative warlike actions. The South Korean government must stand for peace and build peace on the
Korean peninsula and in the world. We urge the South Korean government to support humanitarian aid to the US but not to take part in any military moves. We urge the governments of North and South Korea to make unsparing efforts to build peace on the Korean peninsula and in the world.

We, women who know about wars, are convinced that violence and military force can never bring peace. In this belief, we are strongly united against any acts
of war, and demand peaceful resolution of all conflict. We are working hard to create and maintain peace in the world. We are joining hands with other Korean peace groups and civil organizations and with like-minded organizations around the world.

In closing, we wish to state again that we stand in sympathy and understanding with US citizens at this time of great loss.

Women Making Peace
Korean Church Women United
Goodfriends
Korean Federation for Environmental Movement
The Korean Council For the Women Drafted for Military
Sexual Slavery by Japan
Minkahyup human rights group
Korea Women's Associations United
Kyungki Korea Women's Associations United
Kwangju and Chonnam Korea Women's Associations United
Taegu and Kyungbuk Korea Women's Associations United
Pusan Korea Women's Associations United
Chonbuk Korea Women's Associations United
Kyungnam Women United
Christian Women Minjung Association
Taegu Women's Association
Taejon Women's Association
Pusan Sexual Violence Counselling Center
Pusan Women's Social Institute
Korean Catholic Women Association
Saewoomtuh
Suwon Women's Association
Korean Women's Center For Social Research
Ulsan Women's Association
Korean Women Farmers Association
Cheju Women's Association
Chonbuk Women's Association
Pohang Women's Association
Korea Daycare Center Teacher's Association
Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center
Korea Women Worker Association
Women Link
Korean Women's Studies Institute
Korean Women Theologian Association
Korean Women's Hot Line
Korean Differently Abled Women's United
Taegu Housewives Association For Environment