U.N. Petition to Stop World War III
Netlore Archive: An email petition 'to stop a third world war' has been circulating since September 2001 under the United Nations' name, but the organization unequivocally disavows it
Description: Email hoax
Circulating since: Sep 2001
Status: False
Email example contributed by T. Rollinson, 10/14/01:
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Subject: United Nations Petition
Mourn the Victims. Stand for Peace. Islam is not the Enemy. War is NOT the Answer. Today we are at a point of imbalance in the world and are moving toward what may be the beginning of a THIRD WORLD WAR. If you are against this possibility, the UN is gathering signatures in an effort to avoid a tragic world event. Please COPY this e-mail in a new message, sign at the end of the list, and send it to all the people whom you know. If you receive this list with more than 500 names signed, please send a copy of the message to: unicwash@unicwash.org Even if you decide not to sign, please consider forwarding the petition on instead of eliminating it. |
Email example contributed by Sven, 09/17/01:
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Subject: FW: Anti-war petition Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 14:25:40 0930 ANTI-WAR Petition* As a result of the day of terror on Tuesday September 11 and that left the Twin Towers of New York and the Pentagon of Washington D.C. destroyed the United States may be about to declare war. The New York Times stated that, because the attack it is not only against the U.S.A. but against all of civilization, ".. It is necessary to identify to the countries that support the terrorist movements because it is there that the true war will be directed." The chief of the Arab newspaper Al-Quds, with headquarters in London, said that the Islamic terrorist Ussama Bin Laden had had noted three weeks ago that it planned to carry out "an important" attack against American interests. Karen Huges, who advises President Bush, assured us at a press conference that the country has the means to guarantee national security. What the U.S.A may feel compelled to do may result in very lamentable reprisals against the Islamic world. However, the state of Alert that United States maintains, is not without good reason. The American people are very indignant and are requesting justice somehow... and a reprisal for their dead siblings. Today we are in a point in imbalance in the world and are moving toward what may be the beginning of a THIRD WORLD WAR. If your are against this possibility, the UN is gathering signatures to avoid this tragic world event. Please COPY this e-mail in a new message, sign at the end of the list, and send it to all the people that you know. If you receive this list with more than 500 names signed, please send a copy of the message to: unicwash@unicwash.org Even if you decide not to sign, please consider forwarding the petition on instead of eliminating it. <*translated from Spanish 9-13-01 -- LWW> |
Comments: A testament to the staying power of Internet hoaxes, this unauthorized "United Nations" petition began circulating in 2001 within days of the September 11 terrorist attacks and was still going strong a year later, apparently reinvigorated by U.S. threats of war against Iraq.
Messages sent to the email address in the petition are greeted with the following autoreply:
The email account you are trying to reach, unicwash@unicwash.org, recently closed due to a massive petition campaign that was started by an unknown source. While the intentions were admirable, this petition generated thousands of emails and has caused serious computer problems on our system. For those looking to send a petition somewhere, we suggest sending a postal letter to your government representative.
The email address belongs to the United Nations Information Centre, which further disavows the petition on its Website:
The U.N. is NOT involved in soliciting or collecting such petitions. We would suggest that since it is member governments of the U.N. who will decide on whatever action occurs in various situations, citizens should contact their own government.Member states of the United Nations decide on the policies and programs of the organization. Citizens wishing to express their views or concerns on any issue, such as international peace and security should consider addressing their views first to the officials of their own government.
Last updated: 10/16/02
