Silence means consent to war: Zengakuren

As an increasing number of students throughout the world are getting involved in the anti-war campaign, the Japanese student union has resolved to increase campus activities in opposition to a war against Iraq.

During its 54th National Congress which concluded on March 5 in Tokyo, All Japan Federation of Student Unions (Zengakuren) delegates from all over the country discussed an anti-war action plan and adopted a unanimous special resolution. It stated: "Silence means giving consent. We, university students who are responsible for Japan's future, place great importance on peace and the Japanese Constitution. From this viewpoint, we declare ourselves against the war and call for a peaceful solution of the issue based on the U.N. Charter."

In line with the adopted action program, students will make efforts to establish universities attractive to all students to learn, to develop a campaign to expand scholarship programs, to oppose planned tuition increases and the plan to change national universities into corporate entities, and to learn more about war and peace. (end)