DC Update

[Guest guest]

Here is some positive news from Washington. Thank you very much Anuttama

prabhu.

 

---------- Forwarded Message ----------

 

Letter PAMHO:11521355 (53 lines)

Anuttama (das) ACBSP (IC N.America)

04-May-06 04:30 +0700 (17:30 -0400)

(Bhakti Bhrnga) Govinda Swami [46053]

Saunaka Rsi (das) SDG (IC) (Oxford - UK) [29981] (received:

04-May-06 04:51 +0700)

"Vyenkata Bhatta dasa" <vbd (AT) iskcon (DOT) com> (sent: 04-May-06 04:32

+0700)

srigurucarana (sent: 04-May-06 04:32 +0700)

DC Update

---------------------------

Dear Maharaja, Saunaka Rsi, Vyenkatta (US ISKCON Communications) and Sri

Guru Carana Prabhu,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

Update from my end in Wash, DC:

 

I spoke today for 1/2 hour with the political consulate for the Kazahkstan

embassy. The ambassador is in Kaz. I followed the strategy Saunaka

recommended and discussed that the situation is heating up around the world

(AP stories, Indian media, protest in Hungary) and that WE need to try to

find a reasonable solution to this.

 

I told him our people around the world are increasing disturbed and that

there will likely be protests building. Not a good time for this as the US

Vice President in in Kaz this month, bad for the govt' reputation, etc.

 

He seemed genuinely relieved to have me speak from the point of looking for

a solution.

 

I told him that apparently the 5 day notice (or something to that effect)

had been delivered today and that the national government--that is concerned

about international issues and reputation-- needs to get involved and slow

down these guys locally.

 

He at first tried to explain the legal arguments for the action against

Krishnas, but after I pointed out that human rights organizations "on the

ground" are telling the media that it is persecution and land grabbing, he

agreed it is not proper.

 

I was pushing him to at least get his govt to buy some time and not let the

locals demolish any property. If that happens, I told him, there will be an

international outcry of a size they don't want to deal with.

 

He is calling his people in the capital and promised to call me back

tomorrow. My effort will be to get them to stop the immediate confiscation

and demolition so that cooler (national) heads can intervene and find a

solution.

 

Ie, "if they papers are wrong fix it. Don't demo the place..."

 

Your servant,

 

Anuttama dasa

 

PS. Srigurucarana dasi (a Chicago-based an experienced Kaz native and former

temple VP) is working on a brief fact sheet that could/should be sent to

temples so they are informed as to the basic details of the situation which

they can use easily as talking points. There remains some confusion and the

more we are all speaking from the same page, same facts, same points to the

media, the better.

 

I will help her edit that.

 

Please visit http://www.palaceofthesoul.com to get an update of what is

developing in Kazakhstan