Appeal to the MCFA to condemn terrorism

[Jaime Eduardo Santos <santos@DROPMEhmi.de>]

Dear all,

Sometime ago, during the run up to the invasion of Irak, the MCFA board
has issued a statement in which it (quite rightly in my view) raised
concerns about the ability of researchers to move and work freely after
security measures and visa controls had been tightened by Western
governments. I would now suggest it does the same (and transmits its
views to the relevant European and Spanish organizations) in what
concerns the condemnation of terrorism in the aftermath of the terrible
attacks which took place in Madrid. Let me remind you that scientists,
being highly mobile individuals, are perhaps among the first to be
hindered or treathened by the scourge of terrorism. Moreover, we should
all express our solidarity to our Spanish colleagues for what has
happened, which is outrageous and which no cause, no matter how noble,
can justify. Terrorism has killed many times before, also in Spain,
without constituting a subject over which we have (as a community) given
much thought. However, I believe that two wrongs don't make a right and
that such a situation should change, hence my appeal.

I apologise if I am using this list to make what is effectively a
political appeal (for which other lists would probably be more adequate),
but I believe that this list is the one which has, so to say, the widest
coverage.

'No pasaran'. Best, Jaime.

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			Jaime Eduardo Moutinho Santos
			    Hahn-Meitner Institut
			       Abteilung SF5
			    Theoretische Physik
			   Glienicker Strasse 100
			       D-14109 Berlin

                            Tel: 0049-30-8062-2313
			    Fax: 0049-30-8062-2098

                             email: santos@DROPMEhmi.de


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