(9 July 2003) The historic inauguration of the new US Peace Government during America’s Independence Day celebrations fulfils the supreme purpose of government and heralds a new era of peace and affluence for the nation and the whole world family.

This was the proclamation by His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to members of the international press corps during a special news conference to launch the US Peace Government held in Washington, D.C., on 2 July, and to hundreds of cabinet members and delegates attending the gala inaugural convention of the US Peace Government in Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa, on 4 July.

The two events were broadcast live via satellite, Internet webcast, and teleconference call. Maharishi will hold his next global news conferences on 9 and 10 July.

Dr John Hagelin, world-renowned quantum physicist and founding leader of the US Peace Government, explained during the news conference that "the new, ‘complementary’ government will create harmony in America and peace in the world. It will not usurp the responsibilities of the existing government, which is primarily focused on crisis management." Four hundred of America’s top scientists, physicians, and educators from all 50 states will serve as cabinet members.

Maharishi said that the emergence of the Peace Government comes as the fulfilment of the desire of individuals throughout the ages for life on earth to be happy, peaceful, and affluent. It also comes as the culmination of the natural evolution over time of the principles and practices of government.

"Despite the development of so many different systems of administration ─ monarchy, dictatorship, democracy ─ and despite the best intentions of each new generation to improve upon the quality of life, the whole world family continues to face problems everywhere. This is because governments are based on manmade constitutions with their inherent human weaknesses and failings. As a result, no government is capable of fulfilling the desires of its millions of citizens.

"Now, however, with the complete knowledge of Natural Law available in ancient Vedic science and modern science, the Peace Government is equipped with the knowledge and programmes to bring fulfilment to every system of government. These programmes will enliven in individual and national consciousness the unifying influence of total Natural Law ─ the Constitution of the Universe ─ which underlies and integrates all diversity. Every individual will develop his total brain physiology and cosmic creative intelligence so that he can fulfil his desires. And every nation will be administered through peace, not through fear of punishment," Maharishi said.

The US Peace Government is now establishing 200 Peace Palaces in the nation’s largest 200 cities. Each Peace Palace will be a Capital of the US Peace Government. It will be a centre for 100 to 200 peace-creating experts whose daily practice of Transcendental Meditation and Yogic Flying will promote coherent national consciousness. It will also offer consciousness-based programmes to prevent problems in all areas of society ─ health care, education, defence, economy, energy, agriculture, and the environment. Three Peace Palaces have already opened in Bethesda, Maryland; Lexington, Kentucky; and Fairfield, Iowa.

The US Peace Government is the American affiliate of Maharishi’s Global Country of World Peace ─ "a nation without borders for peace-loving people everywhere". The Global Country of World Peace is establishing 3,000 Peace Palaces in the world’s largest 3,000 cities ─ including the 200 Peace Palaces in the United States and 51 in the UK. It is also establishing groups of 8,000 peace-creating experts on every continent, including a larger group of 40,000 experts in India.

"These groups of peace-creating experts will quietly radiate total Natural Law ─ the light of God ─ throughout the whole society and promote coherent world consciousness. Then no one will suffer ─ no one will face problems or difficulties," Maharishi said.

Maharishi then concluded: "The success of the Peace Government is ensured because the knowledge of total Natural Law in our possession today is complete in its theory and practice ─ and because every intelligent man experiences that the knowledge which has been guiding life so far is unsatisfactory. So it doesn’t matter how dark it has been in the night, because now it is the time for the dawn. Soon we will have a beautiful administration in every country that will give rise to an ideal civilisation ─ a perfect civilisation that is worthy of this scientific age."