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abolition-usa-digest     Thursday, October 8 1998     Volume 01 : Number 028




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

Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1998 14:21:55 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tracy Moavero <[e-mail]>
Subject: (abolition-usa) for chicago meeting

A few words from the Peace Action International Office . . .

How will the US network relate to the international one? US progressive
movements sometimes reflect US culture in that talk about being "world
citizens" doesn't translate into talking to, listening to and working with
activists outside our borders. Let's not forget that what we're attempting
to set up is a campaign for national action on issues that are inherently
international.

Making coordination and regular information exchange a priority will help
keep the US campaign from getting isolated or represented in fragments. I
recommend the following:

1. One organization (preferably on the proposed coordinating committee) act
as international liaison for the campaign. That liaison can send short
monthly updates to the international listserver and/or regional and national
coordinators. While some activists already monitor the US listserver and
forward some postings to their national lists, I think an overview of our
activities would create a fuller picture of a *coordinated* US campaign.

In turn, that liaison can monitor what is going on elsewhere and send
updates to the US listsever or to the coordinating committee. I don't mean
the kind of issue information already found on the listservers, but strategy
and action plans. Also, the liaison could take questions from the committee
directly to national/regional coordinators so that the US campaign can
benefit from the expertise of those campaigns. Example: The discussion for
the Chicago meeting about a coordinating committee and about network vs.
organization already happened internationally three years ago. Looking at
the structures of the international and national campaigns could be useful.

Another example is the recent work around Jabiluka and Faslane, which have
brought a level of attention to our issues not seen in Australia and the UK
in a long time. While every country has a unique political culture, the US
discussions would surely benefit from the lessons of both international and
national campaigns (and vice versa).

2. I would also encourage the Chicago meeting (I am unable to be there) to
think about coordination with international work such as action days,
inspections, the May 1999 Hague-Brussels walk. Lets include these major
actions on our calendar, even if it's in italics to signify an overseas
event. Some international coordination has already happened, such as days of
actions at "sites of the crime", so we would just be building on that.

A few personal comments:
I'd like to make a pitch for Plain and Simple language. I love the PSR
proposal for an easy-to-read brochure. We're talking about activating the
"mile wide, inch deep" public support. To get a letter written or petition
signed, people don't need a lot of detail. I've sometimes been faced with
petitions or requests for letters on environmental or health care issues
that go beyond my knowledge, and that's frustrating. Even words we think of
as common, like "convention", can be unfamiliar to the people we wish to reach.

Also, I agree wholeheartedly with Jonathan Granoff's comparison to the
abortion issue. Neither side of that debate has moved the public with
detailed analysis of laws or procedures (with a few notable exceptions).
What motivates people in that debate is moral belief. Telling people that
the US is in violation of the NonProliferation Treaty or CTBT will not
motivate them to action. Hitting them with the insanity of the continued
reliance on nuclear weapons (and the money it is costing) will.

Lastly, didn't the Indigo Girls do an anti-Mobile Chernobyl tour? I remember
reading about it. They hooked up with Winona LaDuke and local activists in
the towns they played in. During the French nuclear tests rock musicians
including U2 (who have worked with Irish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament),
George Michael, Jon Bon Jovi and others make protests during the MTV Europe
music awards in Paris. While the biggest names are hard to get, we should
think about potential allies. Once we're rolling as a national campaign,
we'll be more attractive to big names.

Though much as I like the Indigo Girls, it wouldn't hurt to work with
musicians who aren't white folkies, since that wouldn't do much to break any
peace movement stereotypes or help us diversify. As a younger activist, I
sometimes feel like I've taken a trip backwards in time at peace movement
events. Often what older activists hold near and dear doesn't speak to me.
(For some people, "no nukes" is stuck between pet rocks and bell bottoms.)
If we're serious about motivating younger people to act, and about diversity
for that matter, we need to be in tune with differences in culture. We'll
never create a strong abolition movement if we are seen as quaint and out of
touch.

Good luck in Chicago.

Tracy Moavero

******************************************
Tracy Moavero
Peace Action International Office
866 UN Plaza, Room 4053
New York, NY 10017-1822
USA
Tel.:  [phone]
Fax:   [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Web:   www.peace-action.org

Peace Action is a member of the International Peace Bureau and Abolition
2000: A Global Network for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, and has
endorsed the Hague Appeal for Peace


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

Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1998 21:00:33 +0100
From: "Sally Light" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (abolition-usa) Tri-Valley CAREs' Goals/Suggestions re: Chicago Conference

Tri-Valley CAREs Goals/Suggestions
Chicago Conference on USA Abolition Campaign
October 9, 1998

Tri-Valley CAREs (Communities Against a Radioactive Environment), a
founding organization of Abolition 2000, makes the following general poin=
ts
about the goals and specific campaign issues to be addressed at the Chica=
go
conference:

Campaign Goals

    During discussions, we should keep in mind that both abolition and the
methods of achieving abolition are equally important.  To that end,
specific, practical suggestions are preferable, especially since the
conference is only one day long.  Further, we should state that the new
organization/network's mission is very similar to that of Abolition 2000.=
=20
In order to overcome the gap in public awareness and in media coverage
concerning abolition, public education/outreach and a media campaign will
be relevant to all we undertake.

Specific Campaign Issues

    Tri-Valley CAREs suggests that the following three areas should be the
primary foci of the new organization/network's campaigns:

Stop the Department of Energy's  "Stockpile Stewardship Program" (SSP).=20
Here, we can focus on HR 307, the Markey resolution which calls for SSP t=
o
be altered so that it oversees a shrinking US nuclear arsenal while the U=
S
actively pursues nuclear disarmament.  Also, we can develop strategies to
accomplish deep cuts in SSP's enormous budget.  Another goal would be to
organize against SSP in our communities and on campuses.
 =20
De-Alerting.
In this area, we should aim to achieve something concrete and meaningful =
by
2000, especially because of the risk of the computer screens going blank
when the year 2000 kicks in.

In addition to defining what we mean by "de-alerting," we need to come up
with successive de-alerting steps to be taken, e.g., what kind of notice
should be given. =20

In our discussions, we should keep in mind that removing warheads from
submarines may be the most politically difficult to accomplish because su=
bs
would be in port simultaneously and therefore vulnerable.
 =20
Abolition.
We need specific initiatives in this area.  Focusing on HR 479, the Wools=
ey
resolution (which mirrors the goals of Abolition 2000), is one idea.=20
Tri-Valley CAREs also suggests the following: recruiting celebrities, cit=
y
campaign, mayors' campaign, bringing in more groups, a "million man" styl=
e
march in Wash. D.C., and any other ideas we can develop.
 =20
Will Abolition 2000 Grassroots Groups "be left behind" by USA Campaign?

    Tri-Valley CAREs is concerned that groups, especially grassroots groups,
which cannot afford to send delegates to the Chicago conference or to
follow-up meetings, may be left out of the process, or become "outsiders"
in the future USA Campaign.  Therefore, in addition to making sure that U=
SA
Campaign's goals are "in sync" with those of Abolition 2000 as well as
having a close working relationship with Abolition 2000, USA Campaign
participants should also work to see that an "insider" =96 "outsider" spl=
it
does not occur. =20

In peace =85        Marylia Kelley                Sally Light
            Executive Director            Nuclear Program Analyst


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

Date: Wed, 07 Oct 1998 23:27:00 -0400
From: Peter Weiss <[e-mail]>
Subject: (abolition-usa) Re:

David et all: The plan sounds good, but please don't forget the legal
dimension and the international connections. Both of these were
essential elements in building the anti-Vietnam war movement; they can
play the same role here.

    Have a good meeting; regards, Peter

Mark Mebane wrote:
>=20
> ATTENTION CHICAGO MEETING ATTENDEES AND ALL INTERESTED PARTIES!
>=20
> The following memo was drafted by David Cortright proposing specific
> strategies for a U.S. Nuclear Abolition Campaign.  Your suggestions and
> feedback are encouraged.  Also included is the October 9 meeting agenda
> and directions to the NEW LOCATION for this meeting!!!  Peace be yours.
> Mark Mebane
> Fourth Freedom Forum
>=20
> STRATEGIES FOR NUCLEAR ABOLITION
>=20
> A Listing of Possible Activities and Opportunities for Joint Action,
> and A Time Line of Events
>=20
> STRATEGIES & ACTIVITIES
>=20
>         The goal is to build a U.S. based organization for nuclear weap=
ons
> abolition within the overall framework of the global Abolition 2000
> network.  The focus is bringing about a political change within the
> United States in favor of nuclear weapons abolition.  The assumption is
> that eliminating nuclear weapons will not be possible without a major
> political change within the United States.
>=20
>         The function of the proposed campaign will be to build grassroo=
ts
> awareness and activism.  The campaign will employ a bottom-up strategy
> that attempts to build an active political constituency for abolition a=
t
> the grassroots level.  The political initiative for abolition will not
> come from within the Beltway but will require a great wave of grassroot=
s
> activism and concern.  Without an active and informed citizen's movemen=
t
> for denuclearization, politicians will not act.   The goal of the
> proposed campaign is to build the necessary level of citizen pressure t=
o
> change U.S. nuclear policy.
>=20
> POLITICAL OBJECTIVES
>=20
>         The goal of nuclear weapons abolition needs to be translated in=
to
> concrete proposals that can take various political forms: legislative
> vehicles, platforms for presidential candidates, and propositions for
> ballot support and petitioning.  The elements of the political plan
> include:
>=20
>         =97 requiring the United States to negotiate in good faith for =
a
> convention banning nuclear weapons,
>=20
>         =97 urging the United States to adopt immediate initiatives to =
reduce
> nuclear weapons to minimal levels and proceed with no first use,
> de-alerting, and other disarmament measures.
>=20
> POSSIBLE CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES
>=20
>         The following are suggestions for possible joint activities by
> grassroots groups around the country.  The listing is not exhaustive.
>         1. Building an abolition congress of civic organizations.  This=
 concept
> is elaborated in a separate memo, based on ideas developed by Jonathan
> Schell, Pamela Meidell, and Celia Owens.  The idea is to invite all
> manner of civic organizations to approve a simple resolution in favor o=
f
> nuclear abolition and to designate representatives within the
> organization to participate in an ongoing abolition congress.
>=20
>         2. Public television documentary.  Former CBS producer George C=
rile is
> preparing a powerful two hour television documentary entitled, Sleep
> Walking to Armageddon, which will be broadcast on Public Television
> sometime in 1999.  The broadcast will feature expert commentary from
> General Lee Butler and Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev.  The
> State of the World Forum is providing substantial support for the
> development of the documentary.  Broadcast of Sleep Walking to
> Armageddon could be a significant moment of public engagement with the
> nuclear issue and might serve as an opportunity for widespread action
> and media commentary by grassroots groups.
>=20
>         The State of the World Forum is planing to produce a National T=
own Hall
> Meeting in conjunction with the documentary broadcast.  This national
> event could serve as a catalyst for similar events and activities by
> local groups.  Parallel efforts might be held in dozens of communities,
> with groups using the opportunity to gain news coverage and appearances
> on radio and television talk programs.  Local teach-ins and town
> meetings might be organized and could be used as vehicles for promoting
> active involvement in the Abolition Campaign.
>=20
>         3. Outreach to colleges and universities.  A special effort cou=
ld be
> made to encourage debates, teach-ins, and conferences on college and
> university campuses, as a way of engaging students and faculty in the
> challenge of eliminating nuclear weapons.  A number of "flagship"
> teach-ins could be organized at major universities, and a call could be
> issued for other campuses to sponsor similar events.
>=20
>         4. Outreach to the religious community.  Several initiatives ar=
e
> already underway to build awareness and involvement within the religiou=
s
> community.  More than one- hundred Catholic Bishops have signed a
> statement initiated by Pax Christi.  A religious coalition in support o=
f
> the Comprehensive Test-Ban has been active.  Discussions have begun for
> a possible series of religious events in Washington at the National
> Cathedral and elsewhere.  These efforts should be supported and
> strengthened.
>=20
>         5. Introducing the nuclear abolition issue in town meetings.  I=
n New
> England, the American Friends Service Committee will be introducing the
> abolition question in town meetings.  Abolition proposals have also bee=
n
> adopted by a number of city councils in New Jersey and elsewhere.  Thes=
e
> efforts could be broadened to other communities.
>=20
>         6. Raising abolition in the electoral debates.  Discussions hav=
e begun
> about ways to elevate the visibility of the nuclear abolition issue in
> the year 2000 Presidential primary debates.  Efforts are needed to link
> these activities together in a coordinated attempt to demonstrate the
> political viability of nuclear abolition.  Special projects might be
> organized in Iowa and New Hampshire.  A debate or special educational
> effort might also be launched in the South prior to the primaries there.
>=20
>         7. Abolition walks.  The American Friends Service Committee in =
Vermont
> sponsored a successful walk for nuclear abolition in August 1998.  Is
> this an activity that can or should be repeated in other states?
>=20
>         8. Nuclear abolition speaking tours.  General Lee Butler, Admir=
al
> Stansfield Turner and other former government officials will make
> appearances in various cities in the coming years that could be
> coordinated with the activities of local abolition groups.  In addition=
,
> the campaign might wish to sponsor other speakers as part of a
> coordinated national campaign of public outreach.
>=20
>         9. Petition drives.  The campaign might sponsor a nationally
> coordinated petition drive, perhaps using existing Abolition 2000
> declarations to demonstrate widespread support for elimination of
> nuclear weapons.  These petition drives might be coordinated by
> congressional districts and states, and the delivery of petitions
> coordinated in such a way as to influence legislative proposals.
>=20
>         10. Producing educational materials and designated website.  Th=
e
> campaign might encourage participating groups to produce specific
> educational pieces for use at the grassroots level or with particular
> constituencies.  The production of different pieces could be coordinate=
d
> among the participating organizations with copies distributed to all
> groups.  In addition, one or more groups might work together to create =
a
> special website with links to other sites and sources of useful
> information.
>=20
> TIME LINE OF EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
>=20
>         The following are events and dates that may serve as opportunit=
ies for
> coordinated abolition activity by the participating groups.  The list i=
s
> not exhaustive.
>=20
>         February, 1999: Town Hall meeting in New York's Cooper Union, s=
ponsored
> by the Nation Institute.  Jonathan Schell helping to organize.  General
> Lee Butler speaking.  Media coverage possible.  Need to build large
> audience.
>=20
>         March 1999: Proposal to introduce nuclear abolition issue in Ne=
w
> England town meetings.
>=20
>         April 1999: NPT PrepCom meeting, New York.  Likely presence of
> Abolition 2000 network.  Support and publicize the eight nation new
> agenda appeal for nuclear abolition.  Organize press conference and
> activities.
>=20
>         April 24-25 1999: NATO 50th anniversary summit, Washington D.C.=
. Plans
> developing for an alternative to NATO citizens event in Washington a fe=
w
> days before the official 50th anniversary summit.  Opportunity to raise
> questions about NATO's continued reliance on nuclear weapons, especiall=
y
> its first use doctrine and nuclear sharing arrangements.
>=20
>         May 11-16 1999: Hague Appeal for Peace, the Hague, Netherlands.=
  Ample
> opportunities to press for nuclear abolition and network with activists
> doing similar work in many other countries.
>=20
>         December 1999: Proposed presentation of petitions to UN General
> Assembly and Secretary General, hopefully coordinated with similar
> petitioning in other countries.  The presentation might include a forma=
l
> request that each parliament pass a resolution urging negotiations for
> the elimination of nuclear weapons.
>=20
>         March 2000: Proposal for additional efforts to introduce nuclea=
r
> abolition propositions in New England town meetings.
>=20
>         April / May 2000: NPT review conference, possibly in Geneva or =
New
> York.  Major international event with significant possibility for
> citizen involvement.  Critical moment for reflection on the future of
> the nonproliferation regime and the need for disarmament.
>=20
>         September 2000: UN "Millennium Assembly," major public event be=
ing
> organized by the UN to commemorate the beginning of a new century and
> millennium.  Discussions are underway with staff of Undersecretary
> General for Disarmament Affairs Jayantha Dhanapala for a special
> ceremony to recognize and celebrate those nations, such as South Africa=
,
> that have given up the nuclear option.  A major opportunity for
> significant public activities to call for a nuclear weapons free future.
> ***********************************************************************=
*
>         Draft Agenda
>         October 9 Organizing Meeting on a
>         U.S. Campaign for Nuclear Weapons Abolition
>=20
> 1.      Opening remarks
>         (10:00-10:30)
>=20
>         Jackie Cabasso, Western States Legal Foundation
>         Jonathan Schell, author, The Gift of Time & Fate of the Earth
>=20
> 2.      Update on process and discussions to date
>         (10:30-11:00)
>=20
>         Alice Slater, Global Resource Action Center
>         David Cortright, Fourth Freedom Forum, Inc.
>=20
> 3.      Personal Introductions and reports on regional and local activi=
ties
>         (11:00-12:30)
>=20
>         * regional networks: (MI, FL, CA, CO, New England, Metro NY)
>         * religious communities (Pax Christi, AFSC, FOR)
>         * national affiliate organizations: (Peace Action, War
> Resisters            League, Physicians for Social Responsibility, 20/2=
0
> Vision)
>=20
> LUNCH (12:30-1:30)**
> ** thoughts for discussion of philosophical assumptions over lunch with
>         Joe Gerson, Andy Lichterman and others.
>=20
> 4.      Discussion of opportunities for joint strategies and activities=
 &
> Small Group Session
>         (1:30-4:00)
>=20
> 5.      Questions of structure, accountability, and future communicatio=
ns and
> meetings
>         (4:00-5:00)
>=20
> ATTENTION: SITE CHANGE FOR MEETING!!!
> DEPAUL UNIVERSITY'S MONSIGNOR JOHN J. EGAN URBAN CENTER, 243 S. WABASH
> AVE. (CORNER OF WABASH & JACKSON, 1 BLOCK EAST OF THE ORIGINAL SITE)
> 9TH FLOOR, ROOM 9102
>=20
> -
>  To unsubscribe to abolition-usa, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.=
com"
>  with "unsubscribe abolition-usa" in the body of the message.
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------------------------------

Date: Thu, 08 Oct 1998 08:58:56 -0400
From: Proposition One Committee <[e-mail]>
Subject: (abolition-usa) Please Address This Proposal in Chicago?

<center>PROPOSAL TO BUILD A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT TO PRESSURE THE U.S.=20

POLITICAL SYSTEM FOR NUCLEAR WEAPONS ABOLITION

</center>

October, 1998


    We appreciate the opportunity to help build a strong U.S. abolition
campaign.  Regrettably, no one from our organization is able to attend
the October 9th meeting in Chicago.  However, we hope you will consider
this proposal as you evaluate and develop specific strategies and
activities for the creation of a broadly inclusive campaign that will
inject denuclearization and the elimination of nuclear weapons into the
political mainstream.


    FACTS:  The United States (1) was first to research, produce, test, and
deploy nuclear weapons, and first to use them against human targets, (2)
has led the world in the development and production of innovative nuclear
weapons and delivery systems throughout the nuclear age, and (3)
notwithstanding the NPT and CTB, continues to test, develop, and produce
new weapons systems.  No wonder the U.N. resolutions for a nuclear
weapons abolition convention are getting nowhere fast.


     We believe that as long as the nuclear weapons policy of the United
States remains unchanged, it is highly unlikely that anyone is going to
take suggestions for international abolition seriously. Much of the world
is snickering at the blatant NTP/CTB/Subcritical hypocrisy of the United
States, a major obstacle to using the NPT or CTB as tools for securing an
international convention on nuclear weapons.=20


    If we are to be practical, we must accept the fact that actions =85 not
simply resolutions =85 will be necessary to turn this problem around.  Zia
Mian alluded to this fact in his address to the NPT Preparatory Committee
at the U.N.:  "We believe it is time for these opinions to be acted upon.
Words are cheap. It is the responsibility of all the states who have
supported these resolutions in the General Assembly and the Conference on
Disarmament to force negotiations upon those who will not negotiate.
Otherwise they are doing no more than standing on the sidelines wringing
their hands, they are providing cover for those countries who have no
intention of negotiating."


  PROPOSED STRATEGY FOR MAJOR POLITICAL CHANGE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES


    Any meaningful strategy must necessarily go beyond educating,
outreaching, conferencing and mere talk in general.  A successful
strategy must be based on promoting some tangible, workable vehicle that
is actually capable of carrying an abolition movement to its desired
culmination. =20


    A strong foundation for exerting decisive political pressure on the
United States to abolish nuclear weapons was laid by U.S. Congresswoman
Eleanor Holmes Norton in 1994, when she introduced the Nuclear
Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act to the U.S. House of
Representatives. In essence, the bill would mandate that the U.S.
government to eliminate its' nuclear weapons if all other countries do,
and to redirect the nuclear weapons budget towards converting the nuclear
weapons industries and restoring the environment.


     An official government version of the 1997-98 version of the bill,
H.R. 827, can be accessed online at
http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas2.html -- type "H.R. 827" into the box,
and click "Search."  The text and a great deal more information is
available online at http://prop1.org/prop1/hr827ab.htm.  The text of=20
H.R. 827 appears at the end of this proposal.


    Obviously, if Mrs. Norton's bill becomes law it will send an
unmistakably clear message to the world that the United States is
actually sincere about trying to reverse the nuclear weapons program it's
been pursuing, and the strategic objective for achieving major political
change within the United States would be accomplished.  Unfortunately,
although Mrs. Norton has introduced the Nuclear Disarmament and Economic
Conversion Act three separate times (H.R. 3750 in 1994, HR. 1647 in 1995,
and H.R. 827 in 1997), thus far it has failed to gain enough political
support to make its way out of committee.  However, as the focus of a
broad based grassroots movement HR 827 could easily gain the widespread
political support.


PROPOSED TACTICS TO ACHIEVE THE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE


    The following are suggestions for possible joint activities by
grassroots groups around the country.  The listing is not exhaustive.


    1.  Due to the existence of Mrs. Norton's Nuclear Disarmament and
Economic Conversion bill, the most obvious opportunity for grassroots
joint activity is banding together in support of this existing
legislation.  The only thing standing between Norton's bill becoming "the
law of the land" is lack of legislative support.  They only thing lacking
for legislative support is U.S. voter pressure upon congressional
representatives.


    2. Building voter initiative movements, similar to the Freeze
initiatives of the early 80's,  in states where Representatives won't
support the billwould impress upon the politicians that there is popular
support for the idea.


    3. The inclusion of abolition initiatives on ballots around the country
would guarantee that the subject would be center stage in the electoral
debates.=20


    4. Petition drives.  Although simple petitions do not usually carry
great weight with politicians in office, petitions that qualify voter
initiatives for the ballot have significant weight unto themselves.=20


    5. Producing educational materials and designated website would be
essential to any political movement.


    6. Public television documentary could feature commentary from experts
like General Lee Butler and Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev, as
well as economic authorities, who would explain how much the United
States has spent on its nuclear arsenal, and offer alternatives as to how
that money could have been spent.  A documentary of this nature could be
a significant moment of public engagement with the nuclear issue and
would serve as method of mobilizing public support for lobby and/or voter
initiative participation.


    7. Speaking tours by people like General Lee Butler, Admiral Stansfield
Turner, other former government officials, and nuclear, religious, or
economic authorities, building public exposure on issues of Nuclear
Disarmament and Economic Conversion.


    8. Outreach to colleges and universities.  A special effort could be
made to encourage debates, teach-ins, and conferences on college and
university campuses, as a way of engaging students and faculty in the
challenge of eliminating nuclear weapons, and enlisting them into
practical lobbying and electoral projects.  See, for example, the "Campus
Outreach  Project" and questionnaire at
http://prop1.org/prop1/outreach.htm.


    9. Outreach to the religious community would be a natural.  After all,
even most fundamentalist Christians agree Jesus wouldn't build a nuclear
weapon, and most fundamentalist Moslems agree that nukes aren't
acceptable for use in a jihad.=20


    10. Introducing the idea of abolishing nuclear weapons by outlawing them
in town meetings, is another way of stimulating participation in the
movement. Abolition proposals have already been adopted by a number of
city councils, providing a legislative vehicle to transform these
proposals into law would enlarge these efforts to have a practical
effect.


    11. Abolition walks. Long distance walks offer an activity that brings
people together, and almost assure media exposure.   Whether this is an
activity that can or should be repeated as a political tactic might be
considered in light of past successes and failures.


- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
- -


House Bill HR-827

[Presented February, 1997, by Congresswoman Norton]


105th CONGRESS, 1st Session

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

A BILL

H.R. 827


    To provide for nuclear disarmament and economic conversion in
accordance with District of Columbia Initiative Measure Number 37 of
1993.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

    This Act may be cited as the "Nuclear Disarmament and Economic
Conversion Act".


SEC. 2. REQUIREMENT FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT AND ECONOMIC CONVERSION.


The United States Government--


    1. shall disable and dismantle all its nuclear weapons and refrain
from replacing them at any time with any weapons of mass destruction;

    2. shall undertake vigorous good faith efforts to eliminate war,
armed conflict, and all military operations;

    3. shall actively promote policies to induce all other countries to
join in these commitments for peace on earth; and

    4. shall redirect resources that are currently being used for nuclear
weapons programs to use--

       (A) in converting all nuclear weapons industry employees,
processes, plants, and programs smoothly to constructive, ecologically
beneficial peacetime activities during the 3 years following the
effective date of this Act, and

       (B) in addressing human needs such as housing, health care,
education, agriculture, and environmental restoration.


SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This Act shall take effect when the President certifies to the
Congress that all foreign countries possessing nuclear weapons have
established legal requirements comparable to those set forth in section 2
and those requirements have taken effect.


- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
- -


We would appreciate hearing your thoughts about this proposal. =20


Sincerely,


Thomas

Proposition One Committee

PO Box 27217, Washington DC 20038 USA

202-462-0757 (fax [phone])

[e-mail] -- http://prop1.org



_______________________________________________________________________


* Peace Through Reason - http://prop1.org - Convert the War Machines! *

_______________________________________________________________________

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

Date: Thu, 08 Oct 1998 12:57:06 -0400
From: War Resisters League <[e-mail]>
Subject: (abolition-usa) Regrets and Comments on the Chicago Abolition 2000 Meeting

Dear friends:

Our input on the Abolition 2000 meeting in Chicago comes late, because we
are pressed hard by preparing for the October 19th "A Day Without the
Pentagon" demonstration in Washington.  Information about this project has
circulated widely on the abolition list and we hope that some of you who
gather in Chicago will also be able to join us at the Pentagon.

This weekend's meeting is extremely important and if it were not for this
large demonstration just ten days away we would be in Chicago and would
have earlier offered additional suggestions and/or comments.

We are very impressed with the high level of the correspondence and=
 enormously
impressed with how far Abolition 2000 has come since its inception.

We agree with those who have noted the links between nuclear weapons and
nuclear power -- while the main focus of Abolition 2000 is the weapons
system, it cannot avoid related questions of nuclear power.  This issue
seems to have been decided by earlier statements.

If we have reservations and questions about Abolition 2000 they would be on
the following areas:

. . .  Whatever we do about the name, we must realize that barring a
miracle we aren't going to have "Abolition by 2000."   We're in for a
long-term struggle and should not be fooled to think it will not be
resolved in the next two years.

. . .  It is a mistake to think about nuclear weapons in isolation from the
struggle to eliminate other weapons.  For one, it is a safe assumption the
US (and probably also Britain, France, China, Israel, and Russia) have
already made serious strides toward new categories of weapons that are
capable of inflicting tremendous suffering on people and the planet.
Whether we are talking about biological, chemical, bacteriological, or
technological weapons, it is safe and necessary
to assume that if we succeeded in abolishing nuclear weapons the job of
making the planet safe would not be done.  Abolition 2000 needs to
understand more clearly the relationship between nuclear and conventional
weapons, and the struggle to eliminate them.

. . .  The problems of the sale of conventional weapons and the extralegal
ways in which the US (and other governments) seek to achieve their aims --
by the CIA, by terrorism, etc. are deeply troubling and should somehow be
brought within the framework of Abolition 2000's goals or program.=20

. . .  Thus the arguments that have been raised about taking on the
institution of war itself, of linking our movement to a call for general
disarmament, must be considered seriously.  For us, those arguments are
very persuasive=97Abolition 2000 should find a way to relate to or
incorporate issues raised by the Hague Appeal and by Global Action to
Abolish War.

. . .  The links between the corporate interests of the US and its military
machinery are obvious.  A disarmed society would "look different" from an
armed society in many ways.  Consequently, there is potential for Abolition
2000 (and all of in the peace movement) to build alliances with other
social justice activists.

. . .  Finally, the most obvious (but often easily avoided) issue for those
of us who live in the US, is that we live in a world dominated by only a
single super power -- our own country.  That superpower is viewed by many
as a major threat.  Should it be any surprise that many nations are uneasy
seeing their fate and the fate of the world in the hands of a nation which
is not willing to pay its UN dues but is only too willing to bomb other
countries, without consultation or concern for international law.  The
problem of terrorism is one which starts to a great extent with our own
government.  To a great extent, the focus of Abolition 2000's work should
be on stopping the U.S. military machine even as it works toward universal
abolition.

We hope to see a number of you on October 19th and will certainly attend
future meetings and consultations.

Peace,

Chris Ney and David McReynolds, Disarmament staff for the War Resisters=
 League


**********
War Resisters League
339 Lafayette St.
New York, NY 10012
212-228-0450
212-228-6193 (fax)
1-800-975-9688 (YouthPeace and A Day Without the Pentagon)
[e-mail]
web address: http://www.nonviolence.org/wrl

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

Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1998 19:10:14 EDT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: (abolition-usa) Re:

" A moral and political commitment to abolish the threat posed by nuclear
weapons demonstrated by:
    a. commencement of negotiations leading to a nuclear weapons convention
    b. a no first use pledge
    c. de-alerting of existing weapons"

The commencement could be demanded by the year 2000 so that we do not lose any
momentum of the name Abolition 2000. The above would keep us in line with the
NAC and other nations pushing forward. It is moreover: realistic, since we
claim no time frame to complete the process and practical, since the steps
suggested in and of themselves make the world safer immediately.

I cannot get to Chicago yet it makes me think of Crosby, Stills and Nash's
wonderful song. David Courtright's outline is very useful in my opinion. Of
particular interest is the idea of enlisting numerous organizations in civil
society to take a moral position on the issue and send delegations. This could
place the issue before labor unions, city councils, bar associatons,
university student councils, etc. Very very good idea.
Also, we can already, in my opinion, be reflecting on more media attractive
events. If we can gain a foothold in getting the issue clarified in the
political arena, especially if we can make it a moral imperative transcending
partisan and even national politics, I feel certain we will galvanize public
personalities to step forward with, as the call it, "buzz". This means it is
emotionally attractive to be personally associated with the issue.

Oh yes, there is a new coalition in Philadelphia called the Philadelphia
Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament. It is growing. It includes WILPF, Peace
Action, Friends, PSR, LAWS, ETC. and we will be having a town meeting. We are
essentially doing what David has suggested. So, that is a useful report. Of
course our city council has declared Philadelphia a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone,
unanimously on Oct. 17, 1997, and our mayor, Ed Rendell, was the first to sign
the State of the World Forum initited Statement of Mayors with a call for
elimination. However, we have not been able to translate this clear public
sentiment into a commitment by any of our congressional delegations, despite
lobbying efforts, of Cong. Woolsey's resolutions. There is just so much
pressure by the military establishment. There is so little cost in not moving
forward. If numerous civic organizations had this on their plate then it would
not be viewed as an interest group issue but as a moral issue. Then we win.

May God's love guide the process of building peace in the world and peace in
our hearts. Thank you for meeting and working with the good faith of
compassion.

Jonathan Granoff


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