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Jan van Aken

Primacy Of Military Conflict Resolution Not Sustainable

On the occasion of the International Day of Peace on 1st September, Deputy Party Chair of DIE LINKE, Jan van Aken, declares:

The German invasion of Poland 73 years ago launched the Second World War. Millions dead, endless destruction, and unfathomable misery were inflicted by Germany on its neighbours, Europe, and the world the second time in the 20th century.

On 1st September, the German date for "Anti War and International Peace Day", we commemorate the millions of victims of this war and the victims of all wars and military conflicts yet to come. 1st  September should keep reminding us that the logic of war is always accompanied by human suffering, destruction of environment and economic fundament, and hardship. War may not even be thought of as ultima ratio.

Civil conflict resolution must be the aspiration in every conflict. To this belongs for DIE LINKE a strengthening of the UN, a transformation of military alliances – first of all NATO - into systems of collective security, radical disarmament, as well as a prohibition of arms exports.

To this, especially German politics are requested to take on a leading role with regard to our history. Not foreign assignments of the German Federal Army are the solution - but their immediate stop. Not German arms exports and support of regimes worldwide are the solution - but an instant ban on export of arms and military know-how.