I wrote the letter below on March 9, 2003, ten days before the invasion of Iraq. It is the most widely read text I have written, having been published in the leading newspapers across the world and all over the Internet: close to 500 million people have read it.
The war is now entering its 6th year, and over 4,000 American soldiers have lost their lives, together with an indefinite number of Iraqis. According to the CNN (March 24, 2008), “estimates of the Iraqi death toll range from about 80,000 to the hundreds of thousands, with another 2 million forced to leave the country and 2.5 million displaced within Iraq, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees”.
Many of the people I mention have already left the scene, yet the war goes on. At the moment, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Below are some extracts from the letter:
Thank you, great leader George W. Bush.
Thank you for showing everyone what a danger Saddam Hussein represents. Many of us might have forgotten that he used chemical weapons against his own people, against the Kurds and against the Iranians. Hussein is a bloodthirsty dictator, today seen as one of the world’s clearest expressions of evil.
But that is not the only reason I have for thanking you. During the first two months of 2003, you showed the world a great many important things. So, recalling a poem I learned as a child, I would like to express my gratitude.
Thank you for revealing to the world the enormous gulf that exists between the decisions made by those in power and the wishes of the people. Thank you for making it clear that neither José Maria Aznar nor Tony Blair really care or show the slightest respect for the votes they received. Aznar is capable of ignoring the fact that 90% of Spaniards are against the war and Blair is unmoved by the largest public demonstration to take place in England in the last thirty years.
Thank you for insisting that Tony Blair should appear before Parliament with a fabricated dossier written by a student ten years ago, and present this as ‘damning evidence collected by the British Secret Service’.
Thank you too, because, after all your efforts to promote war, the normally divided Arab nations were for the first time unanimous in condemning any invasion, at a meeting held in Cairo.
Thank you also for your rhetoric stating that ‘the UN now has a chance to demonstrate its relevance’, which made even the most reluctant countries take a stance against any attacks.
Thank you for trying to divide a Europe that is struggling for unification; this was a warning that will not go unheeded.
Thank you for having achieved something that very few have so far managed to do in this century: bringing millions of people together on all continents to fight for the same idea, even though that idea is opposed to yours.
Thank you, because without you we would not have realized our own ability to mobilize. It may serve no purpose this time, but it will be useful later on. Now that there seems no way of silencing the drums of war, I would like to borrow the words of an ancient European king to an invader: ‘May your morning be a beautiful one, with the sun shining on your soldiers’ armor, for in the afternoon I will defeat you.’
So, enjoy your morning and whatever glory it may yet bring you.
Thank you for not listening to us and not taking us seriously, but understand that we hear you and will not forget your words.
Thank you, great leader George W. Bush.
Thank you very much.
tags technorati : Technorati Paulo Coelho Paulo Coehlo Warrior of Light Warrior of the Light Newsletter
Hi thanks Mr Coelho for your deep insights.very thanks
A Student,
if you have read “Warrior of the Light: A Manual”, there’s this part that says:
“A Warrior of the Light is never indifferent to injustice.
He knows that all are one and that each individual action affects everyone on the planet. That is why, when confronted by the suffering of others, he uses his sword to restore order.
But even though he fights against oppression, at no point does he attempt to judge the oppressor. Each person will answer for his actions before God and so, once the Warrior has completed his task, he makes no further comment.
A Warrior of the Light is in the world in order to help his fellow man, not to condemn his neighbour.”
He wasn’t judging Bush, the message was our unity. Do you think he posted this to make us hate Bush?
Mr. Coelho was just opening our eyes to the obvious fact – we are united – for the world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes. But he notices them because Paulo Coelho has, in a very remarkable degree, the power of detaching his mind at will.
I hope this brings you clarity,
Rahimi
honest & fearless words – many would not have the courage in your position to write such a letter, but it is only people with your visibility that are seen and noticed – so thank you for voicing what millions feel.
This letter is everything that has to be said to that person
Thankyou for speaking for truth and justice. You are a dear soul fighting the good fight. I hope you enjoy this poem Paulo.
Best. It is a necessity for Humanity that those who carry the flame of the Lords Love, speak out ceaselessly against injustice.
The bloodstained hand that commits the deed,
Rarely meets the hand that wrote conscience freed,
A river of blood into a few short orders writ,
That spilled onto streets a thousand miles away.
The bloodstained hand that commits the deed,
Rarely understands the lives he deprives,
Oceans apart, their fates written in a few short lines
That collided onto streets not million miles apart,
The pen that dictates the weight of deaths degree,
Rarely meets the hand who performs his decree.
Schooled in different worlds,
More in common perpetrator and oppressed
Suffering entwined in their fates unfurled,
That spilled onto streets a thousand miles away.
The bloodstained pen that commits the deed
Rarely meets with the rivers of blood,
which from his pen spill like a flood,
onto streets a thousand miles away.
This is the last three paragraphs from Harold Pinter’s 2005 Nobel in Literature Speech. It reaches me at the soul level, and I cannot turn away….
When we look into a mirror we think the image that confronts us is accurate. But move a millimetre and the image changes. We are actually looking at a never-ending range of reflections. But sometimes a writer has to smash the mirror – for it is on the other side of that mirror that the truth stares at us.
I believe that despite the enormous odds which exist, unflinching, unswerving, fierce intellectual determination, as citizens, to define the real truth of our lives and our societies is a crucial obligation which devolves upon us all. It is in fact mandatory.
If such a determination is not embodied in our political vision we have no hope of restoring what is so nearly lost to us – the dignity of man.
thanks Mr Coelho for your deep insights. your letter speaks for millions of us. see seven Bush would agree with you, but he can not say he does. you know why. God bless you
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SO TRUE PAULO
good letter
Dear Paulo,
I was one of the millions who read your article in ‘le Monde” when it was published and I was relieved that someone had the courage to express the feelings of so many of us. I would like to answer to the Student first : if i may bring to your attention dear student that what Paulo wrote was not bitter, he pointed out all the positive impacts of what happened. this war was rejected by so many people who felt that the changes can happen in other ways. if Saddam was to be ‘removed” there are other ways than the one HE ( saddam ) used . I believe that the Iraqis could have been helped differently. now they lost everything except hope???( sometimes hope). I do not think that the terrorists were in Irak and that this war is against the extremism.
If you recall,no ADM were found and nothing justifies what happened. If this is the right way to eradicate extremism and hate many of the rulers of the world would have to face war. I understand from what Paulo wrote that WE simple people have to be alert for ” the bells ring for every and each one of us” and keep fighting to try to think without prejudices or fear. It is a long way but as long as we walk….
love
Estimado Paulo Cohelo:
Es cierto pero lamentable lo que dice en esta última edición del Guerrero de la Luz. Es un poco también lo que sentimos los argentinos al ver que nuestra presidente no reacciona acorde a las necesidades de la mayoría. Le agradezco por haber puesto en sus palabras lo que los argentinos sentimos, aunque sea en otra circunstancia.
Aprovecho la ocación para felicitarlo por su trabajo y pedirle que no lo abandone.
Mis mejores deseos para usted y sus afectos
Atte. Agustina Torok
Camina hacia el futuro
Thanks for saying this so well! Fond regards, Jim
Hi paulo !!
( sometimes i wonder if u get time to read all that goes on on ‘your’ blog, neverthless !! )
it was a good letter and hope bush too may have read it. ultimately the world politics is “all about money, honey !!” is are most human endeavours, even writing books !!
see the effect of Iraq war, the prices of crude oil have gone thru roof, no doubt mastreminded by the same people who were behnd sending troops to iraq. sometimes i wonder what can people do with their billions, other than producing more billions with them, for all teh humanly needs and even desires, a few millions may be enough ! but no, after a ceratin point, we become in service of money rather than moneys erving us, check out stock exchanges, soecially when they are crashing and u can see the facses of those who are servants of money.
u are a man of god ! interestigly both bush and blair spoke about guidance from above while justifying their actions !!
Dear Mr. Coelho,
I have been one of your fans for a long period of time , I have the good collection of your books and use Alchemist as my bible. I had a comment on your last article on your blog regarding ” Thank you President Bush”.
Although war has never been a solution in human history, but some of us like Mr. Saddam Hussain won’t give up without war. I might not know, what was the precise reason for USA invasion to Iraq but People of Iraq were dying even before US invasin. I believe they should thank Bush or Us for their freedom and now it is their time to stop being conservative muslims and try for peace and helping American soldiers defeat the terrorism in their country. I’m a persian and believe people can change their way of life through thinking and reading and being creative and knowing religion is man made and not to discriminate or categorize humans by their religion, race or nationality. We all need peace and humanity so let’s not blame the president but give eachother a positive enegy to bring peace and greenery on earth.
Thank you for giving me a change to express my opinion.
Best regards,
Hooman
I am disappointed. I usually turn to you for wisdom, optimism, and direction on how to live my life with clarity and with respect and love for everyone. Faced with this cynicism and sarcasm of five years ago, I am unsure what to think. I know you are human like the rest of us, but when so many look to you for guidance, why send a message of hate and bitterness?
hmmm….to mr.bush
i thank you too…