From the Editor

We are pleased to be able to publish once again, sharing ideas for promoting peace and fostering conflict prevention and resolution. Our first articles focus on International Peace and Security issues; the later articles hopefully will be of value to community leaders and to school principals and teachers striving to eliminate violence in the communities and in the schools. Such violence (mental and physical) breeds the anger and fear that generate conflict in communities and prejudices that impact on the policies between nations.

There are two articles that are particularly relevant to the ongoing conflict in Iraq: Dr. Rubenstein's article An Exit Strategy from Iraq and my piece on Cameroun's Transition to Independence—the latter also could have relevance to the resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Ambassador McDonald's article Using Multi-Track Diplomacy to Deal with Ethnic Conflict has current and continuing relevance for intra-state as well as interstate conflict situations. As Einstein said, "PEACE, cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding."

We have other articles that, if heeded, can help achieve peace through understanding—see particularly the articles of Dr. Louise Diamond, Dr. Krieger, and the Friends Committee on National Legislation. Achieving the Renewable Energy Revolution as recommended by engineer Hank Snow would also promote peace.

In our Millennium Issue, we presented the UN Decade of a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World. We are pleased to report on a personal and two community efforts to achieve nonviolence, as well as programs and ideas to promote peace and nonviolence in our schools. Also, we provide statements from the major religions on the issues of war and peace—their conclusions are very similar.

It is a pleasure to salute (inside front cover) the families of the victims of the September 11^th, 2001 tragedy in the US for the way they have turned their grief into a crusade to work for peace rather than seek revenge.

We send thanks to those who have provided the moral and financial support to permit us to continue publishing, albeit on an unscheduled basis. Special thanks to Bonnie Kuhr for "desk-top" assistance and to Ashleigh Brilliant (Brilliant Enterprises 117 W. Valerio St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 USA) for permission to use his Pot-Shots postcards.

Peace be with you all!

Jim Roush

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