RAWALPINDI, April 26: The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Citizens Peace Committee has called for total boycott of the US and British products in protest against the two major powers for imposing wars on weak nations. It is a non-violent resistance to the aggressive policies of the two countries, and people are requested to voluntarily stop consuming US and British products so as to hurt their corporate interests, said a report of the committee.

The committee believed that corporate interests were important to the US and the UK, as these determined their foreign policies. The US-led wars of aggression in four continents during the 20th century, and the recent war on Iraq, are aimed at protecting and promoting these interests besides creating a secure environment for Israel, the report said.

“The weaker nations, due to their specific constraints, have no option but to surrender to the dictates of the rulers in Washington DC and London.

“The economically and militarily weak countries know what they are doing is not liked by their citizenry nor is it in their interest but they are compelled to do so.

According to the report, US food chains promote fast food as the most fashionable and high status cuisine in Pakistan, whereas this is labelled as junk food for the low-income strata in the United States.

“The local chains pay their American principals a royalty of 5 per cent on each sale for using their brand names. It is this 5 per cent that goes to bloat the coffers of the US corporations most of whom are major contributors to the state of Israel.

“Thus, part of the money that we pay to consume American fast food goes to strengthen the US and Israeli armed forces, US aggression worldwide and the Israeli atrocities on the Palestinians. Also, such conspicuous consumption promotes a slavish following of the American culture and value system, which further undermines our society psychologically,” the report said.

The campaign to boycott the US and British products asks the people to stop eating at US food chain restaurants like McDonald’s KFC, Pizza Hut, Dunkin’ Donuts, Subway; stop consuming American brand beverages like Coca Cola, Pepsi, 7-up, Sprite, Teem, Marinda, Fanta; stop using American banks like Citibank, Bank of America, American Express, stop purchasing petroleum products from Caltex and Mobil stations. There is a long list of products ranging from soaps, detergents, cosmetics, cigarettes, clothes, shoes, and accessories which, the CPC advised, should be boycotted.

The proponents of the boycott movement were of the view that such step would greatly reduce the money flowing out of the country in the form of royalties and it would also give a boost to our local industry, encouraging the local entrepreneurs to increase their quantity and improve quality.

The boycott call does not extend to everything American or British. The campaigners understand that there is a constructive as well as a destructive side of the US policies and products.

The positive side includes US knowledge producers (universities and research institutions), books, journals, IT computers and software, life-saving drugs, progressive writers, intellectuals, dissenters, activists for civil liberties, human rights and peace, art and literature etc.