[Imc-finance] Request for Computer Funding for IMC Beirut

[Petros Evdokas]

> Date: Mon, 09 Feb 2004 
> From: "blue.pi" <blue.pi at so36.net>
> Subject: [Imc-finance] Request for Computer Funding for IMC Beirut
> To: imc-finance at lists.indymedia.org

 
> Request for Computer Funding for IMC Beirut 
> 
> Summary: $1700 for computers and Printer 
> 
> Full text:
> Our Proposal for a computer space stands as stated in June 2003.
> http://lists.indymedia.org/pipermail/imc-finance/2003-June/001852.html 
> 
> We received from IMC finance $450 to equip computers with Arabic and to 
> possibly buy furniture and other things necessary for such a space. IMC 
> Portland volunteered to send us six computers as part of the IMC-Tech 
> solidarity project. 
> 
> However, we never received any computers, because of various problems. After 
> contacting IMC Portland several times on the issue and also tracking down 
> people in Europe who are involved in tech-solidarity projects, we have given 
> up hope of ever receiving computers. 
> 
> Since we urgently need a space, because many of our volunteers don&#8217;t have 
> their own computers, we would like to ask for some funding now to buy second 
> hand computers in Lebanon ourselves. 
> 
> We estimate that each computer would cost around $300. 
> 
> Thus we are asking for: 
> 
> 5 Computers: $1500
> Printer:	$200
> Sum:		$1700 
> 
> Solidarity
> Blue
> (IMC Beirut liaison) 
> 
> --------------------------------


Marhaba Blue Pi, and other colleagues at Imc Beirut,

I'm in Portland right now, partly in pursuit of similar forms of co-operation as you are, with various imc groups in the States, specifically for the needs of cyprus indymedia and of other related projects. We have also experienced many dissappointments in these years, building relationships withe imc colleagues in the States.

I have encountered first hand some of the "foggy" situation here in Portland at that zone where the "technical meets the political", but I think it' still possible to clarify it. There are some very good and committed imc members and allies here (and, as everywhere, some really undependable organizations and individuals). 

If you feel comfortable with my proposal, I would be happy to pursue more contacts for your needs, as I will be doing the same for cyprus indymedia and for the (too slowly) evolving eastern mediterranean indymedia hub. Our needs are actually similar: a little technical support, and a high degree of *dependable* communications with our colleagues here - isn't that right?

Regerdless of whatever apparent disagreements we may have had in the past Blue, I still believe they were not real, and that it's possible for us to work together. If I can help with the needs of imc Beirut here in Portland, please let me know.  

I will probably be meeting with the same individuals who left you hanging, but there are many ways to enliven the project when the chance exists for face- to- face meetings. 
 

As soon as I can get to Seattle, I hope to meet with Sheri Herndon (hi Sheri!), who also has similar concerns as I do, about the chaos and confusion surrounding many of global indymedia's projects, especially when it comes to how the imc groups in the advanced industrial (or imperial) countries don't seem to be very dependable in their relationships toward imc groups in countries where colonialism, imperialism, war, and revolution are on the daily agenda. This chaos and lack of accountability impacts on all of us, specifically on issues of finances, sharing of tecnologies and tech- support, and also most importantly, in the building of political alliances.

There are many individuals and organizations in the imc- network in the States who really *are* dependable, but those of us "out there" in the colonies don't have the abilitiy to judge who is who through emails. That's partly what I am doing here: building more solid bridges. 

I would be happy to find out better ways for you to connect to trustworthy imc comrades here in Portland. And I would be especially honored to help, if at least one or more of the imc computer systems ends up in the hands of radical- minded allies of indymedia in the Shatila Palestinian refugee settlement close to Beirut. I am partial to this cause, because of the Humanitarian Aid Campaign we have been working on for Shatila, which has received international support and recognition in these times of non-stop slaughter. 

More information on that campaign is here:
"Shatila - Playgrounds in the Rubble"
http://english.cyprusdada.bandwidthcoop.org/feature/display/48/index.php

"Humanitarian Aid Shipment Rescued....."
http://english.cyprusdada.bandwidthcoop.org/feature/display/218/index.php

Please let me know,
Thanks,
Petros
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