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abolition-usa-digest      Sunday, August 1 1999      Volume 01 : Number 161




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

Date: Sun, 1 Aug 1999 18:29:20 +1000
From: FoE Sydney - Nuclear Campaign <[e-mail]>
Subject: (abolition-usa) DE-ALERTING LETTER FAXED (BUT KEEP SIGNING)

Here is  copy of the 'B&B' (De-Alerting) letter as of 31/7/1999.

Some new signatories have come through since than but not enough to warrant
re-printing the letter.

I faxed it yesterday (31/7/1999), but will most likely (depending how many
new signatures come through ) do it again next weekend. (cheaper ISD rates).

It is to be released to media on Aug 6th in Sydney, Adelaide, Auckland, New
York, San francisco, Toronto, London, Moscow, and Costa -Rica.

I have the draft releases from SF (TVC and Livermore Conversion Project),
and San Jose (Costa Rica).

It has now been faxed (31/7/1999) to the following numbers:

RUSSIA:
7-095-205-4330(General Russian Govt fax Number - incredibly slow)
7-095-244-3276 (Foreign Ministry)
7-095-244-2203(Foreign Ministry)
7-095-247-2722(Defence Ministry)
7-095-293-3323(Defence Ministry)

US:
1-202-456-2461 (Clinton)
1-202-456-2883 (Clintons security adviser)
1-703-695-1149(secy for Defence)
1-202-224-4908 (Senator Bob Bennett)
1-202-224-1083 (Senator Chris Dodd)

=46rance: Pres. Jacques Chirac, 33-1-47-42-24-65, Foreign Min, 33-1-45-51-60=
- -12

Britain: Tony Blair, 44-171-925-0918.

If you know any other critical fax nos it should go to, let me know.

John Hallam,  fax [phone] ph 61-2-9517-3903.

John Hallam
=46riends of the Earth Sydney,
17 Lord street, Newtown, NSW, Australia,
=46ax(61)(2)9517-3902 ph (61)(2)9517-3903

[e-mail]    http://homepages.tig.com.au/~foesyd


=46ROM:
=46RIENDS OF THE EARTH INTERNATIONAL,
=46RIENDS OF THE EARTH AUSTRALIA,
=46RIENDS OF THE EARTH NEW ZEALAND,
=46RIENDS OF THE EARTH ENGLAND WALES AND NORTHERN IRELAND,
=46RIENDS OF THE EARTH EL SALVADOR,
=46RIENDS OF THE EARTH NIGERIA,
=46RIENDS OF THE EARTH UKRAINE,
=46RIENDS OF THE EARTH GEORGIA, (TBILSI)
=46RIENDS OF THE EARTH FINLAND,
=46RIENDS OF THE EARTH DENMARK,
=46RIENDS OF THE EARTH ESTONIA
=46RIENDS OF THE EARTH FRANCE,
=46RIENDS OF THE EARTH CYPRUS,
=46RIENDS OF THE EARTH JAPAN SIBERIA PROGRAM,
=46RIENDS OF THE EARTH AUSTRIA (GLOBAL-2000)
=46RIENDS OF THE EARTH MACEDONIA,


AUSTRALIAN PEACE COMMITTEE,
MEDICAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE PREVENTION OF WAR,
PAX CHRISTI N.S.W.,
UNITING CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA,
WAYSIDE CHAPEL, UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA,
PITT STREET UNITING CHURCH, PITT ST, SYDNEY,
ST JOHNS ANGLICAN CHURCH, DARLINGHURST, SYDNEY,
CAMPAIGN FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND DISARMAMENT (CICD) AUSTRALIA,
AUSTRALIAN ANTI-BASES CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE,
PEOPLE FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, N.S.W.,
WAR RESISTERS INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA,
THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY,
AUSTRALIAN CONSERVATION FOUNDATION,
ENVIRONMENT CENTRE OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY,
ARID LANDS ENVIRONMENT CENTRE,
ENVIRONMENT CENTRE OF W.A.,
ANTI-URANIUM COALITION OF W.A.,
PEOPLE FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT WESTERN AUSTRALIA,
CENTRE FOR URBAN ECOLOGY, S.A.,
EVERYONE FOR A NUCLEAR-FREE FUTURE LISMORE,
BIG SCRUB ENVIRONMENT CENTRE,
EVERYONE FOR A NUCLEAR-FREE FUTURE GOLD COAST,
EVERYONE FOR A NUCLEAR FREE FUTURE ADELAIDE,
PACIFIC CONNECTIONS,
TWO BILLION VOICES FOR PEACE PROJECT,
UNITED TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL SA.,
UNITED FIREFIGHTERS UNION OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA,
MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT AND ARTS ALLIANCE S.A.,
CFMEU, SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BRANCH,
A.M.W.U., SA. OFFICE.,
ALL-UNION GREEN CAUCUS,
GRAHAM F. SMITH PEACE TRUST, SA.,

SENATOR LYN ALLISON, VIC.,
SENATOR MEG LEES, LEADER, DEMOCRATS, VIC.,
SENATOR NATASHA STOTT-DESPOJA, DEPUTY LEADER AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRATS,
SENATOR VICKY BOURNE, DEMOCRAT SENATOR FOR N.S.W.,
SENATOR ANDREW BARTLETT, DEMOCRAT SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND,
SENATOR DEE MARGETTS, GREENS, W.A.,
SENATOR BOB BROWN, GREENS, TAS,
SENATOR GEORGE CAMPBELL, ALP,  N.S.W.,
SENATOR MARGARET REYNOLDS, ALP, N.S.W,
SENATOR JIM MC KEIRNAN, ALP., W.A.,
ANTHONY ALBANESE, ALP FEDERAL MP FOR GRAYNDLER,
TANYA PLIBERSEK,  ALP FEDERAL MP FOR SYDNEY,
JANN MC FARLANE, ALP FEDERAL MP FOR STIRLING, W.A.,
JILL HALL M.P., MEMBER FOR SHORTLAND,
IAN COHEN, GREEN MLC, NSW.,
LEE RHIANNON, GREEN MLC, NSW.,
SANDRA KANCK, DEMOCRAT MLC, S.A.,
IAN GILFILLAN, DEMOCRAT MLC, SA,
ROBYN GERAGHTY, MP, STATE MEMBER FOR TORRENS, SA,
=46RANCES BEDFORD, MP, STATE MEMBER FOR FLOREY, SA.,
JIM SCOTT, W.A., GREENS, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, W.A.,
LOUISE CROSSLEY, NATIONAL CONVENOR, GREENS,

WORLD COURT PROJECT UK,
SENATOR DOUGLAS ROCHE, SENATE, CANADA,
BRITISH-AMERICAN SECURITY INFORMATION CENTRE, US/UK,
GREENPEACE INTERNATIONAL,
JAPAN CONGRESS AGAINST A AND H-BOMBS (GENSUIKYO)
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LAWYERS AGAINST NUCLEAR ARMS (IALANA),
WOMENS INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM (Geneva/NY),
CENTRE FOR DEFENCE INFORMATION, WASHINGTON, USA,

CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT U.K.,
SAFFRON WALDEN GROUP AGAINST NUCLEAR WEAPONS,
YOUTH AND STUDENT CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT,
WEST MIDLANDS CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT,
YORKSHIRE CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT,
MEDACT (IPPNW UK),
TRIDENT PLOUGHSHARES 2000 NORFOLK UK.,
NETWORK INFORMATION PROJECT, SOUTHAMPTON,UK, .,
CAMPAIGN FOR ACCOUNTABILITY OF U.S., BASES,
MENWITH HILL WOMENS PEACE CAMP, YORKSHIRE, UK.,
GLOBAL NETWORK AGAINST  WEAPONS AND NUCLEAR POWER IN SPACE,
ANGLICAN PACIFIST FELLOWSHIP, MILTON KEYNES, U.K.,
EPISCOPAL PEACE FELLOWSHIP, U.K.,
ST BARTHOLEMEWS JUSTICE AND PEACE GROUP, ST ALBANS, U.K.,
CHRISTIAN CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, U.K.,
CALDERDALE GREEN PARTY, YORKSHIRE, U.K.,
PUBLIC INTEREST CONSULTANTS, SWANSEA, U.K.,
Y2K COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK U.K.,

JEANETTE FITZSIMMONS MP, NZ GREENS,
BRIAN DONELLY, MP,
HARRY DUYNHAVEN, MP, NZ LABOUR,
LIANNE DALZIEL, MP, NZ LABOUR,
JUDY KEALL, MP, NZ LABOUR,
PETER DUNNE, MP, NZ LABOUR,
SANDRA LEE, MP, DEPUTY LEADER, ALLIANCE,
DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY CENTRE, NZ,
AOTEOROA/NEW ZEALAND PEACE FOUNDATION, AUCKLAND, NZ.,
ENGINEERS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, N.Z.,
NEW ZEALAND GREENS,
NATIONAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON DISARMAMENT, N.Z.,
PEACE ACTION DUNEDIN, N.Z.,
PEACE COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND,
ABOLITION-2000 NEW ZEALAND,
IPPNW NEW ZEALAND,
VETERANS FOR PEACE NZ.,
ARCHITECTS AGAINST NUCLEAR WAR, NZ.,
C.N.D., VETERANS NEW ZEALAND,
CENTRE FOR PEACE STUDIES, UNIV. OF AUCKLAND, NZ,
NEW ZEALAND NUCLEAR - FREE PEACEMAKING ASSOCIATION,
WILPF AOTEOROA,

PACIFIC ISLANDS ASSOCIATION OF NGOS, BELAU.,
COALITION OF PETROLEUM PRODUCING STATES OF NIGERIA,
MALAYSIAN PHYSICIANS FOR THE PREVENTION OF NUCLEAR WAR,
GREEN ACTION KYOTO,
Y2K WORLD ATOMIC SAFETY HOLIDAY, SENDAI, JAPAN,
SOUTH ASIAN COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH, NAGERCOIL, INDIA,
AWAMI COMMITTEE FOR DEVELOPMENT, MULTAN, PAKISTAN,
INDONESIAN NATIONAL NETWORK FORUM ANTI-NUCLEAR SOCIETY,
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PROJECT FOR SUSTAINABILITY, (AEPS) THAILAND,

ECODEFENSE KOENIGSBERG/MOSCOW,
WISE-KALININGRAD,
ANTINUCLEAR CAMPAIGN OF SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL UNION MOSCOW,
PLATAN YOUTH GROUP, KALININGRAD,
EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE KALININGRAD REGIONAL DUMA,
GREEN WORLD, SOSNOVY BOR, ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA,
ST PETERSBURG PEACE COUNCIL, ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA,
CENTRE FOR NUCLEAR ECOLOGY AND ENERGY POLICY RUSSIA,
BAIKAL ENVIRONMENTAL WAVE, RUSSIA,

ECOSENS, ROMANIA,
COMMITTEE OF 100, FINLAND,
PEACE UNION OF FINLAND,
STUDENT NATURE PROTECTION GROUP, TARTU, ESTONIA,
SWEDISH PHYSICIANS AGAINST NUCLEAR WEAPONS (SLMK - SWEDISH CHAPTER OF IPPNW)=
,
NORWEGIAN PHYSICIANS AGAINST NUCLEAR WAR (IPPNW)
PEACE MOVEMENT OF ESBJERG, DENMARK,
WAR RESISTERS INTERNATIONAL, FREDRIKSHAVN, DENMARK,
ALDRIG MERE KRIG (AMK) DENMARK,
DANISH ASSOCIATION OF CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS,
WOMENS INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM (FRANCE),
MOUVEMENT DE LA PAIX, FRANCE,
INTERNATIONAL ALBERT SCHWEITZER FOUNDATION,
DR SCHWEITZER HOSPITAL FUND, FRANCE/SWITZERLAND
GLOBAL INITIATIVE FOR IMMEDIATE DISARMAMENT, SWITZERLAND,
DARMSTAEDTER FRIEDENSFORUM, GERMANY,
NUCLEAR-FREE AWARD, GERMANY,
ANTI-ATOM PLENUM, BOCHUM, GERMANY,
CITIZENS INITIATIVE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, LUECHOW-DANNEBURG,
GERMANY,
CENTRE FOR ENCOUNTER AND ACTIVE NON-VIOLENCE, BAD ISCHL, AUSTRIA,
IPPNW AUSTRIA,
ANTI-ATOM INTERNATIONAL, AUSTRIA,
COORDINATION OFFICE OF AUSTRIAN ENVIRONMENT GROUPS, AUSTRIA,
INDEPENDENT SALZBURG PLATFORM AGAINST NUCLEAR DANGERS, AUSTRIA,
PLATFORM GEGEN ATOMGEFAHR, AUSTRIA,
ENERGIE ZUKUNFT MOHTVIERTEL, AUSTRIA,
CENTRUM ENERGIE, CZECH REPUBLIC,
BURGERINITIATIVE UMWELTSCHUTZ, BUDWEIS,  CZECH REPUBLIC.,
=46OR MOTHER EARTH INTERNATIONAL, GHENT, BELGIUM,
WORLD INFORMATION SERVICE ON ENERGY, AMSTERDAM,
MDB ENERGY PROJECT, NETHERLANDS,
=46OR MOTHER EARTH NETHERLANDS,
CENTRE FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, NETHERLANDS,
GLOBAL ANTI - NUCLEAR ALLIANCE, NETHERLANDS,
ANPED (NORTHERN ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABILITY) NETH,
ASEED- EUROPE, (AMSTERDAM)
STROHALM (UTRECHT) NETHERLANDS,
ITALIAN LAWYERS AGAINST NUCLEAR ARMS,

MAJ-BRITT THEORIN, MEP, PRESIDENT, IPB.,
ELIZABETH SCHROEDTER, MEP,
ERNST GULCHER, MEP, GREEN GROUP, GERMANY,
HEIDI HAUTALA, MEP, GREEN GROUP, FINLAND,
GLYN FORD, MEP, LABOR, SW ENGLAND,
OZAN KEYHUN, MEP, GERMANY,
PER GAHRTON, MEP, GREENS, SWEDEN,

CONGRESSMAN EDWARD J. MARKEY, (D-MASS) WASH, D.C.,
GLOBAL RESOURCE ACTION CENTRE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT (GRACE) N.Y.,  U.S.,
TRI-VALLEY CARES, LIVERMORE, CALIF, U.S.,
NUCLEAR INFORMATION AND RESOURCE SERVICE, U.S.,
WESTERN STATES LEGAL FOUNDATION, U.S.,
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION OF NATIVE AMERICANS,
AMERICAN-INDIAN MOVEMENT OF OKLAHOMA,
NUCLEAR-FREE NEW YORK,
SAVE WARD VALLEY, CALIF, U.S.,
METRO-BOSTON COMMITTEE TO DE-ALERT NUCLEAR WEAPONS,
NUCLEAR AGE PEACE FOUNDATION, CALIFORNIA, U.S.,
PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, U.S.,
LIVERMORE CONVERSION PROJECT, OAKLAND, CALIF.,
ACTION SITE TO STOP CASSINI FLYBY,
PROPOSITION-1 COMMITTEE, WASHINGTON DC, US.,
HEALING GLOBAL WOUNDS, TECOPA, CALIF, U.S.,
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE,
UNITING CHURCH OF CHRIST ROCKY MOUNTAIN CONFERENCE, PEACE AND JUSTICE TASK
=46ORCE,
ALL SOULS UNITARIAN CHURCH COLORADO SPRINGS, U.S.,
METHODISTS UNITED FOR PEACE WITH JUSTICE, U.S.,
QUEST MINISTRIES, OHIO, U.S.,
INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE, SAN FRANCISCO, US,
WAR RESISTERS LEAGUE, NY, USA.,
NEW YORK STUDENT ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION COALITION,
PEACE RESOURCE CENTRE OF SAN DIEGO, CALIF, U.S.,
PROMOTING ENDURING PEACE, NY., U.S.,
PROFESSIONAL NETWORK FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, NY, U.S.,
GRANDMOTHERS AND MOTHERS ALLIANCE FOR THE FUTURE,
WOMENS ACTION FOR NEW DIRECTIONS,
CENTRE FOR ENERGY RESEARCH, OREGON, USA,
CITIZENS PROTECTING OHIO,
OHIO CITIZEN ACTION,
CONCERNED CITIZENS FOR NUCLEAR SAFETY NEW MEXICO,
PEACE ACTION USA.,
PEACE ACTION CENTRAL NEW YORK,
METRO NEW YORK PEACE ACTION COUNCIL, USA.,
PAX CHRISTI U.S.A.,
PAX CHRISTI NEW YORK,
PAX CHRISTI, MORRIS COUNTY, NJ, USA.,
PAX CHRISTI TEXAS,
PAX CHRISTI ST AUGUSTINE FLORIDA,
=46ELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION TASK FORCE ON LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARRIBEAN=
,
ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION ON NUCLEAR POWER,
CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA CITIZENS FOR SURVIVAL,
THREE MILE ISLAND ALERT, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.,
ATOMIC MIRROR, CALIF, U.S.,
NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR A PEACE TAX FUND,
PEDALS FOR PEACE, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF, U.S.,
SACRAMENTO VALLEY CITIZENS ALONG THE ROADS AND TRACKS,
GRANDMOTHERS FOR PEACE INTERNATIONAL, CALIF, U.S.,
TAI MEI PEACE ACTION, SAN GABRIEL, U.S.,
SERIOUS TEXANS AGAINST NUCLEAR DUMPING, U.S.,
STUDENTS FOR A SUSTAINABLE EARTH, W. MICHIGAN, U.S.,
ALLIANCE FOR SURVIVAL, COSTA MESA, CALIF., U.S.,
LONG ISLAND ALLIANCE FOR PEACEFUL ALTERNATIVES,
Y2K-WASH CAMPAIGN BAY AREA CHAPTER,

BILL BLAIKIE MP, HOUSE LEADER, NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF CANADA,
SVEND ROBINSON MP, HOUSE OF REPS, CANADA,
JUDY WASLYCIA-LEIS, MP, WINNIPEG, CANADA
VETERANS AGAINST NUCLEAR ARMS, CANADA,
PHYSICIANS FOR GLOBAL SURVIVAL, CANADA,
NEW GREEN ALLIANCE, CANADA,
PACIFIC CAMPAIGN FOR DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY, BC, CANADA.,
THE SIMONS FOUNDATION, VANCOUVER, B.C.,
PLOUGHSHARES, CALGARY, CANADA,
O.P.I.R.G., PETERBOROUGH, CANADA,
UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF CANADA,
INDIGENOUS WOMENS NETWORK, CANADA/USA.,


PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN,
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT,
KRASNOPRESENSKAYA-2, MOSCOW, RUSSIA,
[phone], [phone] [phone],

PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON,
WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON, US,
[phone], [phone].

WILLIAM COHEN, US SECRETARY OF DEFENCE,
[phone],

BILL RICHARDSON, US SECRETARY OF ENERGY,
[phone].

IGOR SERGEYEV,
DEFENCE MINISTER OF RUSSIA,
Znamenka-19, 103160, Moscow, Russia,
[phone], 247-2795, 247-2722, 293-3323.

=46OREIGN MINISTER OF RUSSIA,
[phone], [phone],

CC
ALL HEADS OF STATE (BY EMAIL)
ALL UN MISSIONS (BY EMAIL)

Dear Presidents Yeltsin and Clinton, Defence Ministers and Defence
Secretaries, Heads of State and UN Missions,

The organisations above, representing millions of people worldwide, are
writing to convey their extreme concern  over the possibility that Year
2000 (Y2K)-related computer failures in nuclear weapons systems may lead to
an unacceptable risk of  nuclear war by accident or miscalculation.

In the current political situation this is most especially the case.
According to Alexandr Arbatov, of the Defence Committee of the Russian
State Duma, US-Russian relations are at 'the worst, most acute,  most
dangerous juncture since the US-Soviet Berlin and Cuban missile crises.'

The danger   during the Y2K rollover lies primarily in the possibility that
spurious data may induce commanders, even at the highest levels, to
mistakenly authorise the launches of nuclear weapons.

Events similar to this have already occurred. For example:

In the US in 1980,  a malfunctioning computer chip sent spurious alert
signals;

In 1983 in Russia, satellites mistook glare off the tops of clouds for a US
missile launch, (and disaster was averted by the refusal of the local
commander to believe the warnings were real);

In 1995,  a Norwegian research rocket prompted a full-scale Russian alert.

If Y2K breakdowns produce inaccurate early warning data, or if
communications and command channels are compromised, the combination of
hair-trigger force postures and Y2K failures could be disastrous. There
should therefore be a 'safety first ' approach  to Y2K and nuclear
arsenals.

Because none of the nuclear weapons states can guarantee that their
nuclear- related computer systems are Y2K compliant, the only responsible
solution is for them all to  stand down nuclear operations. This approach
should include taking nuclear weapons off alert status and decoupling
nuclear warheads from delivery vehicles.

The stakes involved in any nuclear exchange between Russia and the US are
such that they dwarf any other considerations. The future of life itself on
earth could be in doubt.

In  light of this, we strongly urge that you remove all strategic and
tactical nuclear weapons from 'hair trigger' alert, and place them in a
status in which at least hours and preferably days would be required to
launch them.

The Canberra Commission in August 1996, noted that terminating nuclear
alert status would:
- --Reduce dramatically the chances of accidental or unauthorised  nuclear
missile launch.
- --Help set the stage for intensified cooperation on a more far- reaching
disarmament agenda
- --Have a very positive influence on the political climate between nuclear
weapon states.

This last is especially relevant in the current tension between Russia and
NATO, which has prompted Russia to withdraw from cooperation with the US on
Y2K problems.

According to the Canberra Commission,
"Taking nuclear forces off alert could be verified by national technical
means and nuclear weapon state inspection arrangements. in the first
instance, reduction in alert status could be adopted by the nuclear weapon
states unilaterally"

If both sides are verifiably de-alerted, it will not be possible for either
to launch a disarming first strike.

The immediate stakes are so high, and the potential for global catastrophe
so clear, that mutually verified de-alerting in the face of the Y2K
computer problem must take precedence over all other considerations of
politics and national security.


Signed

Kevin Dunion, Chairperson, Friends of the Earth International,
John Hallam, Nuclear Campaigner,  Friends of the Earth Australia,
Wendy Johnson, Friends of the Earth New Zealand,
Dr Patrick Green, Senior Energy, Nuclear and Climate Campaigner, Friends of
the Earth England Wales and Northern Ireland,
Ricardo Navarro, Friends of the Earth El Salvador,
Nnimmo Bassey, Friends of the Earth Nigeria (Environmental Rights Action),
Benin City, Nigeria,
Viktor Khazan, Friends of the Earth Ukraine,
Manana Kochladze, Friends of the Earth Georgia, Tbilsi, Georgia.
Jan Kunnas, Friends of the Earth Finland,
Bo Stroem, Friends of the Earth Denmark,
Tonu Oja, Chairperson, Friends of the Earth Estonia, Tartu, Estonia.
Amis de la Terre, Paris, France,
Loukia Pavlidou, President, Friends of the Earth Cyprus,
Oleg Svistunov, Friends of the Earth Japan Siberia Program,
Corine Viellers, Global-2000(Friends of the Earth Austria)
Daniela Stojanova, General Secretary, Friends of the Earth Macedonia,

Peter Garrrett, President, Australian Conservation Foundation,
Helen Caldicott, MD, Founding President, PSR,
Irene Gale, Australian Peace Committee, SA Branch,
Denis Doherty, Secretary, Pax Christi NSW,
REV. John Mavor, President,  Uniting Church of Australia
Rev. Ray Richmond, Wayside Chapel, Uniting Church in Australia,
Pitt Street Uniting Church, Pitt St, Sydney,
Rev. John Stanley, St Johns Anglican Church, Darlinghurst, Sydney,
Julie Marlow, Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Committee,
Babs Fuller-Quinn, Australian Peace Committee, National Committee,
Susan Wareham, President, Medical Association for the Prevention of War,
IPPNW Regional Vice-President, Aust.,
Pauline Mitchell, Campaign for International Cooperation and Disarmament,
Peter Jones, War Resisters International, Australia.,
Alec Marr, National Campaign Director, The Wilderness Society,
Mark Wakeham, Environment Centre of the Northern Territory,
Deborah Metters, Arid Lands Environment Centre, Alice Springs, NT.,
Rowena Skinner, Environment Centre of W.A.,
Robin Chapple, Anti-Uranium Coalition of W.A.,
Cherie Hoyle, Centre for Urban Ecology, SA.,
Graham Daniell, People for Nuclear Disarmament, Western Australia.,
Zohl D' Ishtar, Pacific Connections,
Richard Goode, 2 Billion Voices for Peace Project,
Ian Dixon, Big Scrub Environment Centre, Lismore,
Isabelle Whyte, Everyone for a Nuclear-free Future, Lismore,
Robin Taubenfeld, Everyone for a Nuclear-Free Future, Gold Coast,
Jonivar Skullerud, ENUFF, Adelaide,
Chris White, Secretary, United Trades and Labour Council, SA,
Paul Martinella, State Secretary, CFMEU, SA,
Trevor Smith, National Secretary, CFMEU, Forests and Forests Products
Division, SA,
Stephen Smith, Secretary, CFMEU, Furnishing trade Division, SA,
Jacob Grech, Earthworker, All-Union Green Caucus,
Mick Doyle, United Firefighters Union of SA,
Paul Noak, Secy, A.M.W.U. SA Office.
Martin O' Malley, Secy, CFMEU, SA Branch.
Stephen Spence, Secretary, Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, SA.,
Leonie Ebert, Graham F. Smith Peace Trust, SA.,

Senator Lyn Allison, Democrat Senator for Victoria,
Senator Meg Lees, Democrat Senator for South Australia, Leader of the
Australian Democrats,
Senator Vicky Bourne, Democrat Senator for NSW.,
Senator Natasha Stott-Despoja, Deputy Leader, Australian Democrats,
Senator Andrew Bartlett, Democrat Senator for Queensland,
Senator Bob Brown, Green Senator for Tasmania,
Senator Dee Margetts, Green Senator for Western Australia,
Senator George Campbell, ALP Senator for NSW.,
Senator Margaret Reynolds, ALP, NSW,
Senator Jim Mc Kiernan, ALP, W.A.,
Anthony Albanese. ALP, Federal member for Grayndler,
Tanya Plibersek, ALP,  Federal member for Sydney,
Jann Mc Farlane, Federal member for Stirling, W.A.,
Jill Hall, M.P., Federal member for Shortland, NSW,
Cheryl Davenport MLC., W.A.,
Ian Cohen, MLC, Greens, NSW,
Lee Rhiannon, MLC, Greens, NSW,
Sandra Kanck, MLC,Democrats, S.A.,
Ian Gilfillan, MLC, Democrats, SA,
Robyn Geraghty MP, Member for Torrens, SA.,
=46rances Bedford, ALP State MP for Florey, S.A.,
Jim Scott, WA Greens, Legislative Council, W.A.,
Dr Louise Crossley, National Convenor, Greens, Australia,
Hannah Middleton, President, Communist Party of Australia.

Commander Robert Green RN (Ret'd), Chair, World Court Project UK,
=46elicity Hill, Womens International League for Peace and Freedom, Geneva/N=
Y
Martin Butcher, British-American Security Information Centre, US/UK,
Stephanie Mills, Greenpeace International Nuclear and Disarmament Campaign,
Bernice Boermans, Executive Director, International Association of Lawyers
Against Nuclear Arms, (IALANA), The Hague, Neth.,
Rear-Admiral Eugene J. Carroll, USN (retd), Deputy Director, Centre for
Defence Information, Washington, USA,

Dave Knight, Chair, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, U.K.,
Janet Bloomfield, Former Chair CND, Abolition U.K, Saffron Walden Group
Against Nuclear Weapons,
Bruce Kent, Vice-President, CND,
Jenny Maxwell, West Midlands CND, Birmingham, U.K,
Tigger Mc Gregor, Youth and Student CND, U.K.,
Dave Webb, Yorkshire CND., U.K.,
Anni Rainbow and Lindis Percy, Campaign for Accountability of American
Bases, U.K.,
Gillian Reeve, Director, MEDACT (IPPNW U.K),
Jane Tallents, Trident-Ploughshares 2000, Norwich, Norfolk, U.K.,
Di Mc Donald, Network Information Project, Southampton, U.K,
Catherine Euler, Menwith Hill Womens Peace Camp, Yorkshire, U.K.,
Catherine Euler, Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space,
Sue Claydon, Anglican Pacifist Fellowship, Milton Keynes, U.K.,
Mary H. Miller, Episcopal peace Fellowship, U.K.,
Monica King, St Bartholemews Justice and Peace Group, St Albans, U.K.,
Calderdale Green Party, Yorkshire, U.K.,
Alan Watson, Partner, Public Interest Consultants, Swansea, Wales, U.K.,
Paul Swann, National Coordinator, Y2K Community Action Network, U.K.,

Jeanette Fitzsimmons, MP, NZ Greens,
Brian Donelly, MP,
Harry Duynhaven, MP, NZ Labour,
Lianna Dalziel, MP, NZ Labour,
Judy Keall, MP, NZ Labour,
Peter Dunne, MP, NZ independent,
Sandra Lee, Deputy leader, Alliance,
Dr Kate Dewes, Disarmament and Security Centre,
Marion Hancock, Aoteoroa/NZ Peace Foundation, Auckland, NZ.,
Gerry Coates, Engineers for Social Responsibility, NZ,
Keith Locke, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, NZ Greens,
Llelwyn Richards, National Consultative Committee on Disarmament, NZ,
Barbara Frame, Peace Action Dunedin, NZ.,
John Urlich, Peace Council of New Zealand,
Rev. John Murray/Dame Laurie Salas/Robin Halliday, Abolition-2000, New Zeala=
nd,
Ian Prior, IPPNW New Zealand,
Chris King, Veterans for Peace New Zealand,
Derek Wilson, Architects Against Nuclear War, NZ,
Robert E. White, Director, Centre for Peace Studies, University of
Auckland, NZ.,
John Gallagher, New Zealand Nuclear-Free Peacemaking Association,
WILPF Aoteoroa,

Richard N. Salvador, Pacific Islands Association of NGOs, Belau,
Tom Mbeke-Ekarem, Chair, Coalition of Petroleum-Producing States of Nigeria,
Ron Mc Coy, Malaysian Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War,
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia,
Yumi Kukuchi, Y2K WASH Campaign, Sendai, Japan/USA,
Aileen Mioko Smith, Director, Green Action Kyoto, Japan.,
Hiroshi Taka, Assistant Secretary, Japan Council Against A and H-Bombs
(Gensuikyo),
S.P. Udayakumar, South Asian Community Centre for Education and Research,
Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, South India,
Asif Rasheed Leghari, Awami Committee for Development, Multan, Pakistan,
Nana Suhartana, Indonesian National Network Forum Anti-Nuclear Society,
Pipob Udomittipong, Alternative Energy Project for Sustainability, Thailand,

Vladimir Sliviak, Ecodefense, Russia,
Galina Raghouzhina, World Information Service on Energy (WISE) Kaliningrad,
Alexandra Koroleva, Educational Committee, Kaliningrad Regional Duma,
Mikhail Trofimov, Ecodefence! International, Kaliningrad,
Alisa Nikoulina, Antinuclear Campaign of Social-Ecological Union, Moscow,
Pavel Malyshev, Platan Youth Group, Kaliningrad,
Oleg Bodrov, Green World, Sosnovy Bor, St Petersburg, Russia,
Vera Brovkina, St Petersburg Peace Council, St Petersburg, Russia,
Lydia Popova, Centre for Nuclear Ecology and Energy Policy, Russia,
Marina Rikhmanova, Baikal Environmental Wave, Baikal, Russia,

George Razvan Marcu, Ecosens, Romania,
Malla Kantola, Committee of 100, Helsinki, Finland,
Laura Lodenius, Peace Union of Finland, Helsinki, Finland,
Pepe Mardiste, Student Nature Protection Group, Tartu, Estonia,
Gunnar Westberg, MD., SLMK (IPPNW), Swedish Physicians Against Nuclear
Weapons,
Bjorn Hilt, Chair, Norwegian Physicians Against Nuclear War, (IPPNW)
Poul Eck S=F8rensen, Peace Movement of Esbjerg, Denmark,
Arne Hansen, War Resisters International, Fredrikshavn, Denmark,
Majken Jul S=F8rensen, Aldrig Mere Krig, (AMK) Denmark,
Anja Johansen, Militaernaegterforeningen, (Danish Association of
Conscientious Objectors)
Daniel Durand, Secretary, Mouvement de La Paix, France,
Solange Fernex, Womens International League for Peace and Freedom, France,
Chrystoph Wyss, International Albert Schwietzer Foundation, France/Switz,
Chrystoph Wyss, Dr Schweitzer Hospital Fund, Switzerland,
Dr Roland Schutzbach, Global Initiative for Immediate Disarmament, Switzerla=
nd,
Xanthe Hall, Assistant Director, IPPNW Germany, Berlin,
Regina Hagen, Darmstaedter Friedensforum, Germany,
Claus Biegert, Nuclear-Free Award, Germany,
Horst Hohmier, Anti-Atom Plenum, Bochum, Germany,
Ilona Joerden, Citizens Initiative for Environmental Protection,
Luechow-Danneburg, Germany,
Matthias Reichl, Centre for Encounters and Active Non-Violence, Bad Ischl,
Austria,
Dr Klaus Renoldner, President,  IPPNW Austria,
Claudia and Margit, Anti-Atom International,
Claudia and Margit, Coordination Office of Austrian Environment Organisation=
s,
Heinz Stockinger, Independent Salzburg Platform Against Nuclear
Dangers,(PLAGE), Salzburg, Austria,
Josef Puehringer, Platform Gegen Atomgefahr, Austria,
Josef Puehringer, Centrum Energie, Czech Republic,
Josef Puehringer, Burgerinitiative Umweltschutz, Budweis, Czech Republic,
Josef Puehringer, Energie Zukunft Mohtviertel, Austria.,
Pol D'Huyvetter, For Mother Earth International, Ghent, Belgium,
Peer de Rijk, WISE- Amsterdam, Netherlands,
Ophelia Cowell, MDB Energy Project, Netherlands,
Marjan Willemsen, For Mother Earth Netherlands,
Ak Malten, Global Anti-Nuclear Alliance, Netherlands,
Pieter Van Der Gaag, Deputy international Coordinator, ANPED, Northern
Alliance for Sustainability,
=46rank Van Schaik, Transport Coordinator, ASEED-Europe,
STROHALM, Utrecht, Netherlands,
Kaj Leers, Journalist, Netherlands,
David Boerma, Coordinator, Pacific Region, Centre for Indigenous Peoples,
Netherlands.,
Giorgio Nebbia, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Economics, University of
Bari, Italy,
Dr Joachim Lau, Italian Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms,

Maj-Britt Theorin, MEP, Sweden,
Elizabeth Schroedter, MEP, Germany,
Ernst Gulcher, MEP, Green Group, Germany,
Heidi Hautala, MEP, Green Group, Finland,
Glyn Ford, MEP, Labour, SW England,
Ozan Keyhun, MEP, Germany,
Per Gahrton, MEP, Greens, Sweden.,

Congressman Edward J. Markey, (D-Mass), Capitol Hill, Washington, DC.
Alice Slater, Global Resource Action Centre for the Environment, NY., USA.,
Marylia Kelley, Tri-Valley CARES, Livermore, California, US.
Mary Olson, Nuclear Information and Resource Service, US.,
Jackie Cabasso, Executive Director, Western States Legal Foundation, US.,
Grace Thorpe, National Environmental Coalition of Native Americans,
Carter Camp, Chair, American-Indian Movement of Oklahoma, US,
Bill Smirnow, Nuclear-Free New York, US,

Molly Johnson, Coordinator, Save Ward Valley, Calif, USA.,
William F. Santelmann, Metro-Boston Committee to De-Alert Nuclear Weapons
David Krieger, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Santa Barbara, Calif, US.
Robert W. Tiller, Physicians for Social Responsibility, U.S.A.,
Dr Lachlan Forrow, Past Chair, IPPNW,
Jonathan Mark, Action Site to Stop Cassini Flyby,
Sherry Larsen-Beville, Livermore Conversion Project, Oakland, Calif, USA.
Ellen Thomas, Proposition-1 Committee, Washington DC, US.,

Diana Roose, Peace Education Director, American Friends Service Committee,
Patricia Watson, Peacework, American Friends Service Committee,
Robert Kinsey, Peace and Justice Task Force,  Uniting Church of Christ,
Rocky Mountains Conference,
Rachel Keeler, Executive Director, Pax Christi, New York,
Nancy Small, National Coordinator, Pax Christi, USA,
=46rank Dworak, Pax Christi, Morris County, NJ, USA.,
Adam Eidinger, Pax Christi Washington Action Group, U.S.,
Joyce Hall, Pax Christi Texas,
Paul Villavisanis, Pax Christi, St Augustine, Fl,
Betty Obol, SL, The Loretto Community, U.S.,
Phil Mc Manus, Chair, Fellowship of Reconciliation Task Force on Latin
America and the Carribean, U.S.,
Heidi Cooper, All Souls Unitarian Church, Colorado Springs, US.,
Howard W. Hallman, Methodists United for Peace with Justice, Washington, USA=
=2E,
Guy Templeton Black, Quest Ministries, Ohio, U.S.,

Jennifer Olaranna Viereck, Coordinator, Healing Global Wounds, Tecopa, CA,
USA.,
Karen Talbot, Director, International Centre for Peace and Justice, San
=46rancisco, California, US.,
Chris Ney, War Resisters League, NY, USA.,
Jasmina Arsova, War Resisters League,, NY. USA.,
Holly-Poole Kavana, New York Student Environmental Action Coalition,
Carol Jahnkow, Peace Resource Centre of San Diego, Calif, US.,
Janette Michelle Cuevas, Executive Director, Promoting Enduring Peace, NY.,
Babette Lindfield, Professional Network for Social Responsibility, NY, U.S.,
Susan Lee Solar and Maria Mendez, Grandmothers and Mothers Alliance for the
=46uture,
Susan Shaer, Executive Director, Womens Action for New Directions,
Peter Bergel, Centre for Energy Research, Salem, Oregon, USA.,
Harvey Wasserman, Citizens Protecting Ohio, USA.,
Sarah Ogdahl, Toledo Area Director, Ohio Citizen Action,
Jay Coghlan, Concerned Citizens For Nuclear Safety, New Mexico, USA.,
Gordon S. Clark, Executive Director, Peace Action USA.,
Diane R Swords, Peace Action Central New York,
=46ran Teplitz, Peace Action, Peace Action Education Fund, USA.,
Sonya Ostrom, Metro New York Peace Action Council,
Judith H. Johnsrud, Environmental Coalition on Nuclear Power, Pennsylvania,
U.S,
Judith H. Johnsrud, Central Pennsylvania Citizens for Survival, U.S.,
Scott D. Portzlines, Three Mile Island Alert, Pennsylvania, U.S.,
Pamela Meidell, Atomic Mirror, Calif, U.S.,
Tom Keirans, National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund,
Shiela Baker, Pedals for Peace, San Luis Obispo, Calif, U.S.,
Inga Olson, Sacramento Valley Citizens Along The Roads and Tracks,
Earth-Savers, Syracuse, U.S.,
Barbara Weidener, Grandmothers for Peace International, Calif, U.S.,
Lyn Miles, Tai Mei Peace Action, San Gabriel, U.S.,
Alan Moore, Butterfly Gardeners Association, Berkley, Calif,
Don Moniak, Program Director, Serious Texans Against Nuclear Dumping,
Amarillo, Tex, U.S,
Andrew Nixon, Students For A Sustainable Earth, W. Michigan University, U.S.=
,
Jack and Felice Cohen-Joppa, The Nuclear Resister,
Marion Pack, Alliance for Survival, Costa-Mesa, California, USA.,
Peggy jacobs, Long Island Alliance for peaceful Alternatives, U.S.,
Jane Grossman, Bay Area Chapter, Y2K WASH Campaign, (World Atomic Safety
Holiday), USA/JAPAN,

Senator Doug Roche, Canadian Parliament,
Bill Blaikie MP, House Leader, New Democratic Party of Canada,
Svend Robinson MP, House of Representatives,Canada,
Judy Waslycia-Leis, MP, Winnipeg, Canada,
Dr David Morgan, President, Veterans Against Nuclear Arms, Vancouver,
Canada,
Dr Barbara Birkett, President, Physicians for Global Survival, Ottawa, Canad=
a
Dr Ross Wilcock, Physicians for Global Survival, Canada,
Dave Greenfield, New Green Alliance, Saskatoon, Canada,
Patti Willis, Pacific Campaign for Disarmament and Security, B.C., Canada,
Prof Eric Fawcett, Physics Dept, University of Toronto, Canada,
Dr Jennifer Allen Simons, The Simons Foundation, Vancouver, B.C.,
Sally Hodges, Chair, Ploughshares, Calgary, Canada,
O.P.I.R.G., Peterborough, Canada,
Genivieve Talbot, United Nations Association of Canada,
Priscilla Settee, Indigenous Womens Network, Canada/USA.,




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

Date: Sun, 1 Aug 1999 21:19:31 +1000
From: FoE Sydney - Nuclear Campaign <[e-mail]>
Subject: (abolition-usa) ACTION PROPOSALS: SUPPORT FOR MARKEY/FAX CAMPAIGN TO CLINTON/YELTSIN

John Hallam
Friends of the Earth Sydney,
17 Lord street, Newtown, NSW, Australia,
Fax[phone] ph (61)(2)9517-3903

[e-mail]    http://homepages.tig.com.au/~foesyd

DEAR People,

Here are two or three action proposals which I hope we'll not only discuss,
but come to conclusions on pretty smartly.

They are all things that need to be done quickly, but in as coordinated and
disciplined a manner as we are capable of.

There are a few things we need to think about pretty smartly.
- --Getting resolutions on de-Alerting in our national parliaments
- --Lobbying our national governments
- --getting maybe a resolution on de- alerting up in the UN.

- --getting the EP to do a resolution on de- alerting
- --getting the Congress to back Ed Markeys resolution on de- alerting
- --Getting an avalance of faxes in to Clinton, Yelytsin, Benett and Dodd,
and Sergeyev (Russian defence Min), asking them to take strategic nukes off
alert.

This last I think needs to happen relatively soon BUT NOT RIGHT NOW.

We need to think carefully about timing, and I'd suggest something like
about 2 weeks after H-Day, so that it is possible to get as many of the
larger groups behind it.

PLEASE DO NOT RUSH AND DO IT NOW TILL WE HAVE DISCUSSED HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE.

PLEASE DO NOT DISCUSS FOREVER.

Let's pick a definite date, say 2-3 weeks from now, and lets think
carefully what message we will take and to whom.

I'd be prepared to do the necessary to coordinate it. But I'm not going to
just 'do' it. If it's to be effective it needs to be properly coordinated.
if people just start doing it in an uncoordinated way it's less effective,
and could possibly backfire.

It would need to be properly integrated with an effort to support the
Markey resolution in the US, and possible resolutions in Australia and the
EP.

For god sake lets get on with it, whether it's de- alerting or shuttting
down reactors.



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 with "unsubscribe abolition-usa" in the body of the message.
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------------------------------

Date: Sun, 1 Aug 1999 18:35:04 -0700
From: "David Crockett Williams" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (abolition-usa) Support of Abolition/Conversion

From: News <[e-mail]>
To: Abolitionists <[e-mail]>
Subject: HR-2545-Norton/Woolsey Appeal to Activists for Telephone/Letter
Campaign in Support of Abolition/Conversion
Date: Sunday, August 01, 1999 6:34 PM


                 U.S. Congresswomen Norton and Woolsey, Co-Sponsoring
HR-2545,
                       Appeal to Activists for Telephone Campaign in Support
of

                                Global Nuclear Disarmament and Conversion

On July 30, 1999, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, representing the
District of Columbia, held a press conference to announce her introduction
of
H.R. 2545, the "Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act of 1999"
(NDECA). In Ms. Norton's own words, "The bill would require the United
States
to disable and dismantle its nuclear weapons and to refrain from replacing
them
with weapons of mass destruction once foreign countries possessing nuclear
weapons enact and execute similar requirements. The bill also provides that
the
resources used to sustain our nuclear weapons program be used to address
human
and infrastructure needs such as housing, health care, education,
agriculture,
and the environment."

Although Norton's bill has been characterized as "idealistic" and
"quixotic,"
her press conference seemed not only to highlight the rationality of the
measure, but also to galvanize some supportive action.

"On the 54th anniversary of the first nuclear test at Alamogordo, New
Mexico, I
introduced the Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act.  This is the
fourth time I've introduced it.  I try to link my introduction of the bill
every year to some current notions that I think make the bill more and more
timely, " Ms. Norton stated.  "My hope is not that one day the Republican
Congress will get religion and understand they ought to pass my bill all at
one
time, I do not live in fairyland, but that gradually this bill and parts of
this bill will capture the imagination of a majority of Congress."

Ms. Norton was joined at the press conference by California Representative
Lynn
Woolsey, the first co-sponsor of the measure.  "The cold war is over, yet
...
with the cold war being over, the threat of nuclear weapons still hangs over
us
like a dark mushroom cloud that does not go away, and it won't until we do
something about it. And while my colleagues, our colleagues, are taking care
of
building more nuclear weapons, I continue to ask the question, who's taking
care of our children?"  Rep. Woolsey said.

Ms.  Woolsey noted that the NDECA would complement her own measure "H.R. 82
(which) calls on the president to use the United Nations' 'model nuclear
weapons convention' as a guideline to start multilateral negotiations to rid
all countries of nuclear weapons....  I am pleased to be signing on as a
co-sponsor of the NDECA, and if it doesn't pass this year, I'll sign on in
the
next Congress, and the next Congress, and the next Congress, until it will,"
Woolsey pledged.

Norton explained that the United States "cannot make a credible case to
persuade such countries to abandon their nuclear ambitions unless we
ourselves
are willing to take the initiative in dismantling our own nuclear weapons
program and helping arms industries to convert to useful economic activity."

Dr. Marcus Raskin, co-founder of Institute for Policy Studies, former member
of
the White House Staff (1961), a White House Delegate to the U.N. Disarmament
talks in Geneva (1962), currently a Professor at George Washington
University,
author of 17 books,  and one of the nation's foremost experts on nuclear
disarmament and international affairs, made a practical observation on the
effective history of nuclear arms control:  "The United States signed on to
the
idea of general and complete disarmament. And there are six treaties in
being
which begin with that idea, including various arms control agreements, no
nuclear testing in the atmosphere, space, and so forth. The point is also
that
the United States has done virtually nothing with regard to moving toward
general and complete disarmament. It also is part of the non-proliferation
treaty, the idea of cutting back radically in nuclear weapons, and getting
other nations to do the same. So the United States has not done its role."

Dr. Raskin apparently stimulated thoughts of activism with a couple of
additional comments.  "I don't think the peace movement has done its role
either, and I think that one of the problems here is that we have to work
through the strategy for bringing on a disarmament situation."
Specifically,
Raskin suggested that there are "many members of Congress who should be
lobbied
very hard, for this bill, and for the economic conversion part of this bill,
and perhaps a good place to begin with would be with the Progressive Caucus
itself."

"There are a number of things that have to be linked together, which means
that
there has to be a dialogue in the peace movement to show the linkages
between
these various questions," Raskin said, referring to weapons systems,
economics,
and politics.  Finally, Raskin suggested that it was up to the "peace
movement"
to "come up with a program which could be worked through with members of
Congress, led by Congresswoman Norton, and just see where we go over the
course
of the next three or four year period."

In direct response to Dr. Raskin, Ms. Norton replied,  "It seems to me we
need
to talk a great deal more to Marc Raskin. Let me just say as a member of the
Progressive Caucus he's come forward with one of these obvious and therefore
brilliant ideas.... I'm willing to get the Chairman of the Caucus, of which
I
am a member, to sign a 'Dear Colleague' letter with me asking all members of
the Caucus to sign onto this bill. This is their politics anyway. But if you
let the bill just lie in the hopper, there it lies. The way it jumps out of
the
hopper is that other members join in on the bill, and I would ask you to
contact members of your network to ask them to write their Congressmen, or
better still, call. If you call and say, 'Are you a co-sponsor of, and use
the
title of my bill, HR-2545, Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act
of
1999?'  When a Member hears you ask that question, particularly a member of
the
Progressive Caucus, if they're not, they quickly become a sponsor. It'd be
even
better than writing a letter."

Raskin's suggestion of political activism caught on.  Bob Tiller, director
of
the national office of Physicians for Social Responsibility, a national
organization of over 15,000 health care professionals, U.S. affiliate of
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (recipient of the
1985 Nobel Peace Prize), picked up the hint.  "We will be, as Ms. Norton
asked
and encouraged us to do, be contacting our members and asking them to urge
their members of Congress to become co-sponsors of this legislation," Tiller
promised.

Following on the same suggestion, Arnold Peterson, the coordinator of the
Metropolitan Area Veterans for Peace, pledged that he would be making the
same
plea to the members of his organization.

###

The full transcript of the press conference, with speeches by Congressional
Co-Sponsors Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), and
nuclear
policy experts Dr. Marcus Raskin (Institute for Policy Studies), Mary Olson
(Nuclear Information and Resource Service), Bob Tiller (Physicians for
Social
Responsibility), and John Steinbach (Veterans for Peace), as well as the
text
of the bill HR-2545, can be found at
http://prop1.org/prop1/990730p1.speeches.htm

____________________________________________________________

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

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

End of abolition-usa-digest V1 #161
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