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abolition-usa-digest       Monday, July 19 1999       Volume 01 : Number 151




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

Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 11:47:09 -0700
From: "David Crockett Williams" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (abolition-usa) India Global Peace March 1999

From: anil sharma <[e-mail]>

Subject: Global Peace March assumes more relevance in war time
Date: Monday, July 19, 1999 6:02 AM

GLOBAL PEACE MARCH ASSUMES MORE RELEVANCE IN WAR TIME


While two nuclear weapon neighbours, India and Pakistan, get over from a
very costly mini-war, a handful of peace marchers tread along a 1500
kilometers route in India. They demand an end to nuclear weapons by all
nuclear nations, a complete global disarmament, and establishment of a ju=
st
socio-economic human order where trustful relations, and not weapons,
provide us security.  When the march reached Jaipur on June 8 a question =
was
raised whether, at a time when the country was waging a war against Pakis=
tan
supported infiltrators in Kargil, was it not appropriate top wind up the
march and for the marchers to stand with the rest of the country?

Although the war had been going on for sometime it was only in Jaipur tha=
t
question was raised.  This question did not cross anybody=92s mind in the
rural areas.  It probably shows that the urban population identifies more
with the concept of nation state and patriotism than their rural
counterpart.  The nation state has more presence in cities.  Most of its
programmes of governance and development are also meant for the urban
population.  It is the urban population, therefore, which can be provoked
more easily in the name of nationalism.  Incidentally, the same populatio=
n
is more prone to provocation on communal lines.

When India carried out its nuclear tests last year we were told that the
nuclear weapons would provide security to the country.  The nuclear bomb =
was
supposed to act as a deterrent.  Even after Pakistan carried out its test
the bomb supporters claimed that peace could now prevail in the region as
both India and Pakistan would be discouraged to take military action agai=
nst
each other because of the deterrence caused by nuclear weapons.  This
argument was advanced by a BJP leader in a newspaper article.  When the
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee undertook the Lahore bus journey it
appeared that the government was seriously interested in peace.  But the
events in the sub-continent after the Indian test in Pokhran during the l=
ast
one year show a clear escalation in arms race between India and Pakistan.
Since their respective nuclear tests India and Pakistan have been
continuously flexing their muscles by carrying out a number of missile
tests.  How did Shri Vajpayee assume that he could extend a hand of
friendship when he was carrying a nuclear weapon in his other hand?  Did =
he
not perceive that the arms race in which he had pushed the country was go=
ing
to culminate in a war instead of guaranteeing peace?  Was the BJP not abl=
e
to see any contradiction between the top two achievements during its
thirteen months rule that appeared in its advertisements =96 the nuclear =
tests
and the Lahore bus journey?

The theory of deterrence, given as a justification for building nuclear
weapon, has failed to work.  The nuclear weapon did not bring peace in th=
e
sub-continent but it brought a war.  Pakistan did not seem to be deterred=
 in
any manner by the Indian nuclear bomb.  After having witnessed the
destructive capability of nuclear bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki seven
countries in the world have produced over 60,000 of them, but not a singl=
e
bomb has been used after 1945.  The nuclear weapon states have preferred =
to
lose a war rather than exercise the nuclear option.  Such is the stigma
attached to a nuclear bomb.  Given this history it is unlikely that Shri
Vajpayee will use nuclear weapon in a war.  In this scenario where the
Indian nuclear bomb has failed to deter Pakistan and there is no likeliho=
od
of it being used, what was the need for creating this useless device?  On
the other hand let us consider a scenario where the bomb will be used by =
one
of the two countries.  The other country is immediately going to retaliat=
e
in the same coin.  Since the nuclear bomb cannot be stopped once it has b=
een
discharged or there is no protection against it, the result will be large
scale human and environment destruction on both sides of the border.  The
casualties will run into several lakhs and maybe even into crores.  It is
not clear why a person with a reasonable mind would take a decision in
favour of creating a nuclear device?  The nuclear bomb is a product of
mindless development.  It is a symbol of greed and tyranny.  It is
self-destructing and can cause extinction of humankind from the face of
earth.

The nuclear bomb is neither a scientific achievement nor is it a matter o=
f
national pride.  How can we be proud of something which is capable of
killing lakhs of people at one go including common citizens, women, child=
ren
and the aged? The bomb violates this basic norm of any war, from ancient =
to
modern times.  Worse, even though the bomb is made for enemy, it poses a
danger to our own people in the process of its production.  The irony is
that we may never end up using the nuclear bomb. But we have endangered t=
he
life and health of laborers and adivasis of Jadugoda uranium mines of Bih=
ar,
scientists and scientific workers of various atomic research and processi=
ng
centers, our security men in charge of testing and handling of nuclear
weapon and the families of all these affected people. The bomb is a matte=
r
of national concern and not pride. The government has chosen to keep the
people in dark about the ill effects of radioactivity. Whereas an
independent survey of people living in the vicinity of Rawatbhata nuclear
power plant by Dr. Sanghamitra Gadekar reveals higher incidents of leukem=
ia,
tumors, skin diseases and congenital deformities, the government chose to
honor the Plant on 5th June this year with the environment conservation
award. Soon after the Global Peace March began scientists of Bhabha Atomi=
c
Research Center issued a statement that there was no danger from
radioactivity in Khetolai after the last year=92s test. However, there wa=
s no
basis for this statement because in public knowledge no scientist ahs yet
carried out any survey in Khetolai area. The science of nuclear power is
destructive.  It is a mockery of humankind to raise the Jai Vigyan slogan=
 on
the basis of a nuclear test. This kind of science can only be condemned.

When the Global Peace March was in Jaipur on 9th June 1999 a meeting was
organized. Speaking on this occasion Ex-navy Chief Admiral Ramdas critici=
zed
the politicians for not being able to solve the border problems of the
country since independence. In his opinion it was not appropriate for the=
m
to expect the security forces to handle the complicated situations arisin=
g
because of their incompetence for a long time. He revealed that the India=
n
armed forces were engaged continuously since the Second World War, in war
with neighboring countries at one border or the other. He said that the
Kashmir problem between India and Pakistan was political and it would be
foolish to expect a military solution to it. He emphasized that the nucle=
ar
bomb has zero military value. He also criticized the politicians of both
countries for making jingoistic and provocative statements immediately af=
ter
their respective nuclear tests worsening the relationship between the two
countries.

The decision to organize the Global Peace March was taken last year, much
before the fall of Vajpayee government and announcement of general
elections.  The march itself started before the Kargil war broke out.  Th=
e
objective of the Global Peace March is global nuclear disarmament,
establishment of weapons-free society and a just human order.  It is
questioning the notion of security based on weapons and is proposing that
real security can be derived only from relationships based on trust and
love.  The mission of the Global Peace March is bigger than the politics =
of
the sub-continent.  Rather being forced to fall in line with a narrow
nationalistic agenda, motivated by the politics of vote, it would work
steadfastly to build a global consensus for an arms free world.  The miss=
ion
of Global Peace March is a long term one whereas the temporary situation =
of
Kargil conflict is a result of short term vision of a few politicians of
both sides.  The Global Peace March is based on a holistic philosophy for=
 a
better world and is backed by a concrete commitment for a peaceful world
order whereas the present war has arisen out of irresponsible behaviour o=
f a
few politicians.  In war time it becomes more important for the Global Pe=
ace
March not to leave its agenda of peace but to work tirelessly to convince
people of the futility of al wars.  The Global Peace March cannot comprom=
ise
with its larger objective in the interest of humankind.  Even if it were
known that Kargil war would take place at this time beforehand the decisi=
on
to organize the March would have remained unchanged.  The immediate
political compulsions cannot entangle the Global Peace March.  And no
attempts should be made to do so.

The reason of the Kargil war, the Kashmir problem, should be solved by a
political dialogue.  It is high time that the will of the people of Jammu=
 &
Kashmir should be considered.  After all it is they who have the basic ri=
ght
to determine the future of J&K.  India and Pakistan cannot hope to go on
ruling their respective portions of Kashmir by sheer brute force.  They
cannot alienate the people of region and still claim that the land is
theirs.  Both countries need to act responsibly and involve representativ=
es
of all ethnic identities residing in J&K in a process of dialogue.  The
Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has recently expressed hope th=
at
no responsible person would resort to using the nuclear bomb and the prob=
lem
would be solved by a political dialogue.  Why not do it sooner than later=
?
But the most important thing is that India and Pakistan should first stop
treating Kashmir as their military playground.

The initiative of Global Peace March received a boost when the Campaign f=
or
Nuclear Disarmament (CND), a group active in Europe, extended support to =
the
March.  Recently in a day-long demonstration in London Indian, Pakistani =
and
British citizens part of CND appealed to India and Pakistan to halt the
Kargil war and the dangerous arms race between them.  Such global events =
are
strengthening the cause of the Peace March.  For Global Peace March such
global processes are more important than the question of nationalism.

By Sandeep
Address: A-893, Indira Nagar, Lucknow =96 226016, U.P., India, Phone: (05=
22)
347365


- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Web site for the peace march:
http://www.aidindia.org/peace

Web site for electronic signature campaign:
http://www/indiatogether.org/petitions/gpm.htm



______________________________________________________
From: anil sharma <[e-mail]>
Subject: Why is Global Peace March being organized?
Date: Monday, July 19, 1999 5:51 AM

The peace marchers reached the city of Kanpur on 17th/18th July and had a
few public meetings there.  While many people in rural areas are respondi=
ng
positively to the marchers, some people in cities are raising doubts abou=
t
the relevance of peace march in the time of war.
Marchers are determied in their goal and claim that the march has attaine=
d
greater relevance during war.  Following is a reiteration of the objectiv=
e
for which the march was organized.
- ------------------------------------------------------

WHY THE GLOBAL PEACE MARCH IS BEING ORGANIZED?

Last year the status of Nuclear Weapon State was forced upon us.  Even
before we could realize what was going on our government had acquired the
capability to produce nuclear weapons and now they have also tested missi=
les
which can carry these nuclear warheads.  Now we possess a capacity to kil=
l
lakhs of people at one go.  Not only that we can also ensure that future
generations will be born deformed or will die of leukemia.  And in all
likelihood we will invite nuclear attack on ourselves too either because =
of
our actions or inadvertently.  In the name of providing security to peopl=
e
our government has made the environment of the entire region more insecur=
e
for now there is a real chance that nuclear weapons can e used.  In tryin=
g
to create a deterrence we have been pushed into a never going to stop arm=
s
race.  The budget for nuclear arms research was increased immediately aft=
er
last year=92s testing.  The only way now we can keep ourselves =91safe=92=
 is by
building more sophisticated weapons and in more numbers.  This is the kin=
d
of situation we find ourselves in today.

The concerns against these developments and disagreement with the nuclear
testing last year have taken the shape of a Global Peace March this year.
People are taking part in a long march through summer and rainy season to
say that they do not want nuclear weapons or nuclear energy.  They are go=
ing
to tell the politicians that they should be left alone and allowed to liv=
e
in peace.  They cannot feel proud of an act which makes any sane person f=
eel
ashamed.  They feel humiliated at the celebrations meant to glorify the
nuclear testing.  An act of irresponsibility, immaturity and criminality =
can
only deserve condemnation.  These concerns are being voiced in public
meetings held every day since the march started from Khetolai on May 11,
1999.

The madness in which the people have been plunged must be stopped.  Peopl=
e=92s
sentiments have been exploited by resorting to jingoism.  The bogey of en=
emy
has been raised.  Act of criminality has been presented in the garb of
scientific achievement to make it more acceptable to the people.  The
government would keep all the information related to radioactivity secret
and prefer to put lives of its own citizens in peril.  Where is this all
going to lead to?  Can the result be anything other than spread of hatred=
,
animosity, misery, parochialism and eventually destruction?

Dr. Surendra Gadekar and Dr. Sanghamitra Gadekar, who are also supporting
the peace march, have been actively working for a non-nuclear India for o=
ver
a decade now and bring out a journal called =91Anumukti=92 from Vedchi.,
Gujarat.  It is probably the only journal of its kind which is published =
in
India containing informative material based on thorough research and
reliable data on the nuclear issue.  Gadekars very lucidly remove any dou=
bts
from our minds that nuclear research can have any peaceful uses.  Nuclear
energy is as dangerous as nuclear weapons.  The =91atoms for peace=92 pro=
gramme
was a farce and it has only helped in proliferation of nuclear weapons
knowhow.  It was meant to promote the interests of American companies in =
the
business of nuclear reactors.  The nuclear arena has seen amazing
international collaboration.  In our own case the development of nuclear
programme was helped by Canadian and American support in-spite of the cla=
ims
of our scientists that it is indigenously developed.  By giving an
impression that the energy and weapons programmed are totally different t=
he
scientists have been able to mislead the people.

Nuclear energy is no longer the =91option for future=92, as was considere=
d by
the scientific community a few decades back.  It is dangerous and costly.
So far the scientists have not been able to figure out a way of safely
disposing off the nuclear waste.  Every method tried so far has failed.  =
On
the other hand more cases of hazardous effects of radioactive material on
human health have been exposed.  In a survey of population living close t=
o
the Rawatbhata Nuclear Power plant near Kota in Rajasthan carried out by =
Dr.
Sanghamitra Gadekar higher incidents of leukemia, skin diseases,
birth-deformities and other physical and mental disorders as compared wit=
h a
normal population have been reported.

And what is the benefit that we derive out of our nuclear energy programm=
e
after endangering the lives of our people?  A meagre 2% of our installed
capacity from a badly managed and inefficient nuclear energy programme!  =
We
don=92t want to learn from our experiences and want to push this programm=
e.
The Atomic Energy Commission, without any bureaucratic control or
accountability to the people, is already consuming a major share of our
research resources.  The last year=92s Pokhran testing was also meant to
silence the critics of nuclear energy programme.

This is clearly an anti-people programme.  Based on exaggerated claims an=
d
sometimes clear lies, enveloped in secrecy, slowly poisoning the environm=
ent
and endangering health of its citizens, creating an atmosphere of rivalry
and worsening our relationships, this programme must be given up.  The
Global Peace March aims to open up all these issues for discussion among
people.  Let the debate take place.  No amount of security is more import=
ant
than a conscious decision by the people.

By Sandeep
Address: A-893, Indira Nagar, Lucknow =96 226016, U.P., India, Phone: (05=
22)
347365

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Web site for the peace march:
http://www.aidindia.org/peace

Web site for electronic signature campaign:
http://www/indiatogether.org/petitions/gpm.htm


______________________________________________________
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------------------------------

Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 17:43:19 -0400
From: Bob Tiller <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (abolition-usa) Major Barbara data

Please explain the "Major Barbara" references.   In Shaw's play of the same name Major Barbara was a gentle --but conflicted -- Salvation Army leader (in one of the first religious organizations allowing women to hold leadership roles).   How does she equate to Frank Gaffney?  Are you referring to a different Shaw character?

Shalom,
Bob Tiller




California Peace Action wrote:

> Hello to the fine people of the Abolition list serve,
>
> I think the idea that Bob Kinsey just put out here is a great one. The peace community needs to publicize the fact that these horrible decisions to endanger humanity and squander resources are not beyond the control of human intervention, but in fact the result of human intervention.
> Major Barbara #1 (in terms of nuclear weapons) is the Center for Security Policy. Started in 1988 by Frank Gaffney (Reagan Pentagon appointee) this think tank recieved over $2 million in corporate donations from companies like Lockheed Martin and Boeing which profit from Star Wars. The board members include 5 Lockheed Martin Execs, and Edward Teller. These folks are the major power behind the Star Wars lobby.
> I got this information from an article by William Hartung of the World Policy Institute. I'm sure they have a lot of the information you seek. I imagine Council for a Livable World also has a lot of information on odious weapons merchants. Below are two lists: the top 100 military contractors , and the top fifty nuclear contractors. Unfortunately they are in a rather unweildy format, but it's a start. I hope this helps get the project under way. I'd love to kept appraised of any developments of this.
>
> Sincerely,
> Andrew Page
> Northern California Political Director
> California Peace Action
>
> The 100 Largest Military Contractors
>
> Data are for fiscal year 1997. Numbers in parentheses indicate rank order.
>
> Source: Publication DIOR/PO1-97, U.S. Government Printing Office, Wasbington
> DC 20402.
>
> Aerospace Corp. (41) Boeing Co. (2) Federal Express Corp.
> Alleghey Teledyne, Inc. Boeing Sikorsky (45)
> (91) Comanche Team (78) Federal Prison Indus-
> Alliant Techsystems, Inc. Booz Allen & Hamilton, tries, Inc. (71)
> (30) Inc. (34) Federal Republic of Ger-
> Allied Signal, Inc. (23) BTG, Inc. (92) many (95)
> American Automar, Inc. CBS Corp. (15) FMC Corp. (37)
> (81) Chevron Corp. (48) Foundation Health Sys-
> AT&T (67) Chrysler Corp. (75) tems, Inc. (18)
> Atlantic Richfield Co. Clark Enterprises, Inc. Gencorp, Inc. (89)
> (51) (73) General Dynamics CO@.
> Avondale Industries, Inc. Computer Sciences Corp. (4)
> (19) (17) General Electric Co., In-.
> BDM International, Inc. Draper, Charles Starks, (8)
> (29) laboratories (74) General Electric Co.
> Bechtel Group, Inc. (50) Dyneorp (25) PLC (53)
> Bell Atlantic Corp. (99) Electronic Data Systems General Motors Cop. (6)
> Bergen Brunswig Corp. Corp. (33) Government of Canada
> (98) Exxon Corp. (24) (68)
>
> Government Technology Massachusetts Institute Shell Oil Co. (43)
> Services (77) of Tech. (32) Soltek of San Diego (87)
> GTE Corp. (12) MCI Communications Southwest Marine, Inc.
> Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. (60) (85)
> Corp. (94) McKesson Corp. (100) Ssangyong (USA), Inc.
> Halliburton Co., Inc. (44) Mitre Corp., The (40) (84)
> Harris Corp. (63) Motorola, Inc. (39) Standard Missile Co.
> Hensel Phelps Construc- Nasseo Holdings, Inc. (46) LLC (27)
> tion Co. (69) Newport Nevs Ship- Stewart &- Stevenson Ser-
> Highmark, Inc. (59) building, Inc. (16) vices (49)
> Honeywell, Inc. (72) Nichols Research Corp. Sverdrup Corp.(36)
> Humana, Inc. (20) (52) Texas Instruments, Inc.
> International Business Northrop Grumman (26)
> Machines (79) Corp. (3) Texas Instruments/Martin
> International Shipholding OHM Corp. (42) Marietta (62)
> Corp. (97) Olin Corp. (82) Textron, Inc. (10)
> ITT Industries, Inc. (13) Oshkosh Truck Corp. (66) Thiokol Corp. (83)
> The Johns Hopkins Uni- Philip Morris Cos., Inc. Tracor, Inc. (22)
> versity, Inc. (-i6) (88) Triwest Healthcare
> Johnson Controls, Inc. Phillip Holzmann Alliance (64)
> (47) Aktiengesefls (58) TRW, Inc. (14)
> Kaman Corp. (90) Primex Technologies, Unisys Corp. (65)
> Kuwait Petroleum Corp. Inc. (96) United Defense, LP
> (86) Procter & Gamble Co. (56) (21)
> Litton Industries, Inc. (9) Raytheon Co., Inc. (5) United States Depart-
> Lockheed Martin Corp. Renco Group, Inc. (38) ment of Energy (31)
> (1) Rockwell International United Technologies
> 1ogicon, Inc. (35) Corp. (28) Corp. (7)
> Longbow LLC (34) Rolls-Royce PLC (57) Vanstar Corp. (80)
> Maersk, Inc. (61) Science Applications VSE Corp. (93)
> Mantech International International Corp. Worldcorp., Inc. (55)
> Corp. (70) (11)
>
> The Top 50 Nuclear Weapons Contractors
>
> Data are for fiscal Year 1997. Numbers in parentheses indicate rank order.
> Source: Department of Defense data compiled by Eagle Eye Publishers.
>
> Alliant Techsystems, Inc. BDM Corp. (12) Continental Maritime
> (15) Boeing Co. (2) Industries (46)
> Allied Signal, Inc. (16) Colsa Corp. (26) Draper, Charles Stark,
> Bath Holding Corp. Computer Science/ Laboratories (13)
> (8) Raytheon (17) Dynetics, Inc. (37)
>
> Eaton Corp. (29) Mevatec Corp. (38) Sequa Corp. (35)
> Gencorp, Inc. (32) Motorola Corp. (30) Southwest Marine, Inc.
> General Dynamics Corp Nassco Holdings (50). (19)
> (9) Newport News Ship- Sparta, Inc. (43)
> General Electric Co. (7) building, Inc. (10) Teledyne, Inc. (23)
> General Electric Co. Nichols Research Corp. Texas Instruments, Inc,
> PLC (48) (22) (39)
> Thomas W A. Hoffman Northrop Grumman Textron, Inc. (44)
> (24) Corp. (3) Thermo Electron Corp.
> Honeywell, Inc. (27) Ogden Corp. (47) (44)
> ITT Corp. (36) Olin Corp. (40) Thiokol Corp. (31)
> The Johns Hopldns Uni- Orbital Sciences Corp. (42) Tracor, Inc. (14)
> versity (45) Owen Corp. Systems TRW, Inc. (II)
> Johnson Controls (18) Group (20) United Technology
> K Systems, Inc. (34) Raytheon Co., Inc. (4) Corp. (6)
> Litton Industries, Inc.(9) Rolls Royce PLC (41) Wales-Weapon Systems
> Lockheed Martin Corp. Science Applications Engineering (49)
> (1) International Corp. Westinghouse Electric
> Lucas Industries, Inc.(3) (21) Corp. (28)
>
> _____________________________________________________________________________
> California Peace Action
> 2800 Adeline St, Berkeley, CA 94703
> tel:[phone] fax:[phone]
> email: [e-mail]
> www.capa.org
>
>
>
>
>
> _____________________________________________________________________________


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

Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 18:28:56 -0400
From: Bob Tiller <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (abolition-usa) LETS GET DE-ALERT CAMPAIGN GOING

Dear John Hallam,

Thank you for pointing out the urgency of the problem.  Physicians for Social
Responsibility (the U.S. affiliate of IPPNW) has been working on de-alerting
for over two years.  Among other steps we have:
   -written in our newsletter about Y2K and de-alerting (15,000 circulation)
   -brought a speaker to our national conference (Bruce Blair) on de-alerting
   -published an article in the Chicago Tribune on Y2K and de-alerting
   -published an article in the New England Journal of Medicine on accidental
nuclear attack and de-alerting
   -sponsored and publicized to grassroots (along with other U.S. groups) a
call-in day to the White House, urging Clinton to begin de-alerting and to talk
with Yeltsin about Russia doing it
   -included de-alerting in our slide show on abolition
   -spoken with Congressional staff about de-alerting
   -issued press releases and spoken with reporters about de-alerting
   -spoken with members of the Canberra Commission about advancing de-alerting
   -distributed a brochure on Y2K and nuclear weapons that was developed by
Physicians for Global Survivial (Canada)
   -assisted the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability in developing and
dsitributing a packet of materials on de-alerting
   -organized a sign-on letter on de-alerting

We will continue to work on de-alerting, both before and after Dec. 31, 1999.
Currently I am talking with the staff of a Congressman who will probably
introduce a resolution on de-alerting soon.  It is also possible that there may
be a letter from Members of Congress to President Clinton on de-alerting.

Other organizations in the U.S. are also working on de-alerting.  I hope this
information provides some hope and encouragement for you.

Shalom,
Bob Tiller, PSR



FoE Sydney - Nuclear Campaign wrote:

> John Hallam
> Friends of the Earth Sydney,
> 17 Lord street, Newtown,
> Fax[phone] ph (61)(2)9517-3903
>
> [e-mail]    http://homepages.tig.com.au/~foesyd
>
> Dear Everybody,
>
> Some thoughts on a de-alerting campaign.
>
> The possibility that Y2K-Related computer failure might possibly give rise
> to an accidental nuclear war is both real and frightening.
>
> Lets put it clearly.
>
> If what BASIC and others are saying is correct, there is a significant
> risk, however remote, that Y2K related computer failure over the rollover
> period could lead to an accidental nuclear exchange or accidental nuclear
> war.
>
> Even if the risk of this were very small it's not a risk that the planet
> should be subjected to.
>
> And it's a risk that CAN be eliminated or minimised by taking  N-weapons
> off hairtrigger alert.
>
> But on the whole, the people out there in middle- Australia, middle
> America,  middle -Japan,or middle Russia still have no real idea that it is
> a possibility.
>
> When I explain this stuff to people I meet, they usually look a bit
> stunned, and are either silent, or just say 'Oh', or use an expletive, and
> then they ask what they can do to help. When I explained it on a national
> telephone hookup of antinuke groups, there was a sort of silence, followed
> by a soft collective groan.
>
> People know it's serious but can't quite get their minds around it.
>
> Is that why there's not more of a focus on it?
>
> It needs to be much more of a campaign priority than it seems to be.
>
> As far as I can see at the moment, while Rennie Drielsma and Operation
> de-Alert, and the Boston de-Alerting Committee are devoted to de- alerting,
> and there have been some new initiatives with the World Atomic Safety
> Holiday (WASH) idea coming out of Japan, and the NIRS Y2K campaign (which
> is more reactor - focused), and while PGS, TVC,  and everyone on this list
> are doing things, there is not a strong focus on this topic.
>
> People agree that it's important, and the Y2K problem gives it extra
> urgency, but the actual time- bounded and time- urgent nature of the
> problem is not, to my mind getting enough attention.
>
> The letter to Bill Clinton and Boris Yeltsin that I have been circulating,
> which many of you have signed, is to be released on Aug 6th. By then it
> will have been faxed a number of times to Bill'n Boris, and to their
> respective defence secretaries, as well as by email to all heads of state
> and the UN.
>
> But that is only the start of any de-alerting campaign.
>
> In Australia, we will be looking at getting Senate resolutions up on de-
> alerting.
>
> I hope that the same thing may be possible with the EP.
>
> But we really need a much more concentrated focuss on this issue to make a
> difference, with pressure especially in the US and if we can manage it, in
> Russia.
>
> I hope that in the next 1-2 months this will be possible.
>
> If people are doing work on de- alerting on any level - grass roots
> congress, duma, or kremlin or white house - can they gat in touch with me?
>
> And can people sign and  circulate the de-alerting letter to others to
> sign, and think what steps to take beyond letters?
>
> get in touch with me on the above adress.
>
> John Hallam,
> Nuclear Campaigner,
> Friends of the Earth Sydney, Australia.
>
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Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 18:31:22 -0400
From: Bob Tiller <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (abolition-usa) CAN ANYONE HELP? CONGRESSIONAL SIGNATURES FOR  DE-ALERTING LETTER

Dear John Hallam,

Physicians for Social Responsibility is working on other initiatives relating
to de-alerting and Congress, so will not be able to pursue this one.

Shalom,
Bob Tiller




FoE Sydney - Nuclear Campaign wrote:

> Dear People,
> I am looking for people who might be able to get congressional signatures
> for the Y2K De-Alerting letter that I have been circulating.
>
> It isn't possible to do so via congressional email because all that happens
> is that you are auto-spammed by the autoresponders.
>
> There is no human response whatsoever, and it is hopeless.
>
> As I am physically located in Australia it is hardly possible to do it by
> fax and phone.
>
> I need someone who is willing to take on the task of getting as many
> congresional signatures to this important letter, well before the date of
> Aug 6th, when it is to be released to media.
>
> I hope to hear from someone soon!
>
> I am sending up the letter be separate email.
>
> -
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------------------------------

Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 16:39:36 -0600
From: "Bob Kinsey" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (abolition-usa) Major Barbara data

Please forgive my less than precisely defined reference.  I thought that
people would understand a reference to the whole play easier than a
reference to Andrew Underwood from out of that context.  Some people know
the subject of the play without having read it.   I thought I was using a
recognizable shorthand and instead discovered I had opened the floor for
people to display their Shaw-erudition.  Obviously I would have been better
off
leaving the whole reference off the web because now we are wasting a lot of
time.  Obviously--if we are going to address the system which keeps the
nuclear arms race in gear--we are not going to need the addresses of the
"person" Major Barbara.  We are going to need the awareness Shaw brings in
this play that the resistance to disarmament is driven by more than just the
military sector of the system.   And we need clear tools and strategies for
how to redirect these economic players in our current culture of violence.
As you say, Major Barbara was gentle but as I recall not terribly effective.
____________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
Bob Kinsey, Peace and Justice Task Force
United Church of Christ, Rocky Mountain Conference
[e-mail]
303-425-0348
"Two paths lie before us.  One leads to death, the other to  life."
Jonathan Schell
"Faith has need of the whole truth"  Teilhard de Chardin
"Jesus was non-violent.  Shouldn't Christians be?



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

Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 18:45:04 -0400
From: Bob Tiller <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (abolition-usa) Re: LETS GET DE-ALERT CAMPAIGN GOING

Dear Janet Bloomfield,

You are right.  De-alerting is definitely a challenge to the deterrence mindset
and an important step along the path to abolition.  Those who embrace deterrence
have seen that link, and that is why there is strong resistence in the U.S.
government to de-alerting (both in Administration and Congress), and probably in
the Russian government as well.

In my view, we should frame our de-alerting work firmly in the context of
abolition, because that is where it belongs.  But we should also recognize that
there may be some times (e.g. when talking to politicians and others who favor
deterrence) when we should be discreet and keep quiet about the clear linkage to
abolition.  In order to succeed in achieving de-alerting and then abolition, we
must realize that we do not have to mention our entire agenda in every setting.

Shalom,
Bob Tiller, PSR



Janet Bloomfield wrote:

> Dear Friends,
> I really appreciate the work that John and others are doing on the whole
> de-alerting question.
> I do have a few question I want to raise about how this fits into the
> context of the wider abolition goal.
> This could be a huge breakthrough point for us because de-alerting, whilst
> being a step related to safety and the possibility of Y2K problems,  is also
> a huge challenge to the whole deterrence mind set. I think that is why it is
> being resisted so much by decision makers.
> What do the rest of you think about this point? I would be interested to
> know.
> Yours in peace,
> Janet Bloomfield
>
> Janet Bloomfield
> 25 Farmadine
> Saffron Walden
> Essex
> CB11 3HR
> England
> Tel/Fax: [phone]
> e-mail: [e-mail]
>
> -
>  To unsubscribe to abolition-usa, send an email to "[e-mail]"
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------------------------------

Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 15:56:57 -0700
From: Nuclear Age Peace Foundation <[e-mail]>
Subject: (abolition-usa) INES Congress 2000

Here is information on the Year 2000 Conference of the International Network of Engineers and Scientists for Global Responsibility to be held in Stockholm on the theme, "Challenges for Science and Engineering in the 21st Century." Please note that Theme Area D, "Steps Towards Comprehensive Security and Lasting Peace," contains a workshop on "Abolition of Nuclear Weapons." As I am organizing this workshop, please let me know if you are interested in participating.

David Krieger

<bigger>*********************************************************

NUCLEAR AGE PEACE FOUNDATION

International contact for Abolition 2000

a Global Network to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons

</bigger>**********************************************************

PMB 121, 1187 Coast Village Road, Suite 1

Santa Barbara, CA 93108-2794

Phone [phone] * Fax [phone]

e- mailto:[e-mail]

URL http://www.wagingpeace.org

URL http://www.napf.org/abolition2000/

**********************************************************



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

Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 19:10:04 -0700
From: "David Crockett Williams" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (abolition-usa) Woodstock30th & Culture of Peace, Global Peace Walk 2000

On pay-per-view TV and internet webcast this Friday, July 23rd, at 12Noon
EST, the Woodstock 30th Anniversary 3 day Concert will begin with opening
prayer ceremonies conducted by the local Oneida indigenous people, Tibetan
Buddhist Monks and Rev. Yusen Yamato, initiator of the Global Peace Walk
project who will be conducting Global Peace Walk 2000 next year from San
Francisco's War Memorial Building on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, birthday
January 15th, to Washington, DC, for Columbus Day activities October 9-12th
including a ceremony of perhaps more than a million people to rededicate the
Washington Monument as a symbol of the message of peace, and ending in New
York City for the United Nations 55th anniversary, October 24, 2000.
Details on Woodstock event and netcast info is at http://www.woodstock.com.
Rev. Yamato will be reachable on the Woodstock30th site July 22-26 at the
"Sacred Space" facility where the Tibetan Sand Mandala is being made during
the event.

Fifty to one hundred walkers are expected to walk all the way across country
next year to be joined by hundreds or thousands more after rendezvous with
other routes in St. Louis next summer.  The Global Peace Walk 2000 will be
carrying the message of Woodstock30th for the development of a culture of
peace and love, in addition to many survival issue messages and letters and
proclamations of support such as those received in Costa Rica June 20-28 at
the World Peace and Prayer Day Ceremony conducted by Chief Arvol Looking
Horse, 19th generation keeper of the original sacred pipe of peace (the
White Buffalo Calf Pipe) http://www.worldpeaceday.com/1999 and the World
Summit on Peace and Time in support of the 13Moon Global Peace Calendar
Change Movement whose representatives presented the Summit results to the
United Nations and to the Vatican this month http://www.earthascending.com .
At this Woodstock30th, Rev. Yamato will be offering 1000 of the 13moon
Pocket Calendars whose "New Year's Day" is July 26th, in the wee hours of
which the Woodstock30th Concert will end.

The mayor of Rome, New York, has issued his proclamation in support of the
Global Peace Walk project and its prayer for "Global Peace Now!" as a
universal human resolve, proclaiming the City of Rome as New York's first
Global Peace Zone in respect of this city being host to Woodstock 30th.
Rome, NY, has thus joined a growing list of municipal Global Peace Zones
including San Francisco City and County, Marin County, and Berkeley,
California; Taos and Santa Fe, New Mexico; et al, to foster a worldwide
Global Peace Zone 2000 and the development of the Culture of Peace.

The text of the Rome mayor's proclamation is as follows:

[Text of Mayoral Proclamation received by fax July 16, 1999]

[seal of the city of Rome, New York]

The City of Rome, New York

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS:  The Global Peace Walk project was initiated in 1995, with its walk
from New York City to San Francisco, to commemorate the United Nations 50th
anniversary by offering the prayer for "Global Peace Now!" as a universal
human resolve; and

WHEREAS:  The anniversary message by the United Nations Secretary General
called for the "Development of a Culture of Peace" and 1995 began the United
Nations International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples; and

WHEREAS:  The Woodstock Concert's 30th anniversary celebration will be
taking place in Rome, New York, July 23-25, 1999, to foster the development
of a Culture of Peace and Love through popular music.  The initiator of the
Global Peace Walk project will participate at the opening ceremony with
local spiritual practitioners; and

WHEREAS:  The Global Peace Project has honored Rome by inviting this city to
be New York's first GLOBAL PEACE ZONE.  We hope to deliver a message of
peace all over the world, by uniting people regardless of race, religions,
ideologies, and countries.

NOW THEREFORE;  I, Joseph A. Griffo, by virtue of the authority vested in me
as Mayor of the City of Rome, do hereby proclaim Rome, New York, as a:

"GLOBAL PEACE ZONE"

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and cause the official seal of the
City of Rome, to be affixed this day.

[signature]

Joseph A. Griffo
Mayor, City of Rome

[official city seal affixed]


For more information on the Global Peace Walk project see the GEAR2000 site
and
Global Peace Walk http://www.globalpeacenow.org

                     David Crockett Williams
                   [e-mail]
            GENERAL  AGENCY  SERVICES
  Phone  [phone]          Fax [phone]
20411 Steeple Court, Tehachapi CA 93561 USA
*********************************************************
   Global Emergency Alert Response (G.E.A.R.)
        http://www.angelfire.com/on/GEAR2000
*********************************************************
      CAPITAL  HILLS  RESEARCH  CENTER
*********************************************************
     For the direct cause of true peace, harmony
    among all life and free natural abundance as
      paradise on Earth, respect True One Law.
*********************************************************
Torahk:  Paradise Systems Psibernetics Program
http://www.angelfire.com/on/GEAR2000/torahk.html
*********************************************************
     For One Human Family:  Love All, Serve All









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

End of abolition-usa-digest V1 #151
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