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TRANSCRIPT
Abolition 2000 Annual General Meeting
Abolition 2000 Annual General Meeting Minutes2 May, 2004 -- New York City
1) Introductions
2) Abolition 2000 history (Alice Slater)
3) A2000 report 2003 – 2004 (Emma McGregor-Mento)
4) Planning for 2004 – 2005
i) Proposals
ii) Lead-up to the 2005 NPT RevCon
iii) Events during the NPT
iv) Ideas to Develop
v) Strategic thoughts
5) Timeline Review (Janet Bloomfield)
6) World Regions fishbowl (Appendix 1)
7) Affirmation of Service (Appendix 2)
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1) Participants
NAME
ORGANIZATION
ADDRESS
PHONE/EMAIL
Aaron Tovish
Mayors for Peace - Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation
1-2, Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, JAPAN 730-0811
41-22-340-3853
Akira Kawasaki
Peace Boat
3-14-3-2F, Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku,Tokyo, JAPAN, 169-0075
+81-3-3363-7967
Alice Slater
Global Resource Action Center for the Environment - GRACE
215 Lexington Ave, Suite 3100New York, NY 10016
(212) 726-9161
Allan Connolly,MD
Physicians for Global Survival - Canada
#208-145 Spruce St.Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA K1R 6P1
Alyn Ware
Peace Foundation
PO Box 23-257, Cable Car LaneWellington, Aotearoa-New Zealand
[email protected](64) 4 385-8192
Bernadette Lucet
Stop-Essais/Pax Christi
36 chemin des Graviers
F-91190 Gif sur Yvette
France
Bruce Gagnon
Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
G.N PO Box 652
Brunswick, ME 04011USA
(207) 729-0517
Carol Naughton
WMCND / Basic
020 7700 2393
Caroline Gilbert
Christian CND
162 Holloway RdLondon, N7 8DQ
UK
+44 0181 876 6025
Charles Jenkins
Taprock Peace Center
103A Keets Rd.
Deerfield, MA 01342 USA
Claire Poyner
Abolition 2000 UK/CCND
Darwin Bund Graham
Los Alamos Study Group
2901 Summit Pl. NE
Albuquerque, NM
Dave Knight
Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space
162 Holloway RoadLondon, N7 8DQ
UK
44-1756-760419
Debbie Grisdale
Physicians for Global Survival Canada
145 Spruce St. Suite 208Ottawa, ON, K1R 6P1CANADA
613-233-1982
Diane Perlman
Psychologists for Social Responsibility
1750 P80 NW
Washington, DC 20036
Dominique Lalanne
Stop-Essais
36 chemin des Graviers
F-91190 Gif sur, Yvette
FRANCE
33-1644-83866
Emma McGregor-Mento
Global Resource Action Center for the Environment - GRACE
215 Lexington Ave, Suite 3100New York, NY 10016 USA
[email protected](212) 726-9161
Gagnaize Francois
Le Movement de la Paix
139 bd Victor Hugo93400 Saint OUEN – FRANCE
Gerard Halie
Le Movement de la Paix
139 bd Victor Hugo93400 Saint OUEN – FRANCE
Greg Mello
Los Alamos Study Group
2901 Summit Pl. NE
Albuquerque, NMUSA
Hilda Lini
Pacific Concerns Resource Centre PCRC
83 Amy Street, ToorakPrivate Mail BagSuva, Fiji Islands
(679) 3304 649
Ingo Bonde
IPPNW Germany
Ruhrtal str. 372 B45219 EssenGERMANY
Jackie Cabasso
Western States Legal Foundation
1504 Franklin Street, Suite 202Oakland, CA, 94612 USA
510-839-5877
Janet Bloomfield
Atomic Mirror
25 FarmadineSaffron Waldon, EssexCB11 3HR UK
+44 (0)1799516189
Julia Kramer
Pressehuette Mutlangen
Steinacker 57
D-70619 Stuttgart
GERMANY
Justine Wang
Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
1622 Anacapast
Santa Clara, CA 93101USA
805-965-3443
Kathleen Sullivan
Educators for Social Responsibility - Metro
33 Flatbush Avenue, 7th FL, Brooklyn, NY, 11217 USA
[email protected] x14335
Keiko Nakamura
Peace Depot
3-3-1-102 Minowa-cho, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-0051 JAPAN
Kyoko Ishida
Peace Depot
3-7-9 Nakano,
Nakano-ku, Tyoko 164-001, JAPAN
Louis Zeller
Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League
704-756-7550
Louise-Claude Collombier
Stop-Essais
36 chemin des Graviers
F-91190 Gif sur Yvette
FRANCE
Marie Guerrier
Le Movement de la Paix
139 bd Victor Hugo93400 Saint OUEN – FRANCE
Marion Kupker
GAAA Germany
Beckstr. 14 20357 Hamburg GERMANY
413-627-5980
Mitsuo Okamoto
Hiroshima Alliance for Nuclear Weapons Abolition (HANWA)
3-10-37-2 Ozuka-nishiAsaminami-ku, Hiroshima, 731-3167 JAPAN
818-283-01287
Monika Steinhoff
LASG
1298 Lejano Nn.
Santa Fe, NM 87501 USA
Nathalie Gauchet
Le Movement de la Paix
139 bd Victor Hugo93400 Saint OUEN – FRANCE
Pamela Meidell
Atomic Mirror
PO Box 220
Port Hueneme, CA 93044
Pierre Villard
Le Mouvement De La Paix
139 bd Victor Hugo93400 Saint OUEN – FRANCE
Pol D’Huyvetter
For Mother Earth
K. Maria Heudrika plein 5
B-9000 Gent/BELGIUM
32-495-280259
Ralph Hutchison
Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance (OREDA)
PO Box 5743
Oak Ridge TN 37831USA
865-483-8202
Regina Hagen
INESAP
Teichhausstrasse 46D-64287, DarmstadtGERMANY
{49} 615116 44 [email protected]
Rhianna Tyson
Jane Adams Peace Assoc - WILPF
777 UN Plaza, 6th Fl.New York, NY 10017
[email protected] 212-682-1265
Roland Nivet
Le Mouvement de la Paix
Le Square General Delestraint, Rennes, Brittany, F-35200FRANCE
[email protected][33] (9) 95.19.50.8
Sally-Alice Thompson
Los Alamos Study Group
1519 Anderson Pl. SEAlbuquerque, NM
Sam Akaki
CND(UK)
162 Holloway Rd
NT 809 London, UK
Satomi Oba
Plutonium Action Hiroshima
P.O. Box 1 Konan Post Office, Hiroshima CityJAPAN
[81] (828) 2826-06
Steve Leeper
Mayors for Peace
1046 Vance Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA, 30306 USA
Steven Staples
Polaris Institute
312 Cooper Street
Ottawa, ON K2P OG7CANADA
Sunny Miller
Taprock Peace Center
103 A Ketts Rd.
Deersfield, MA 01342 USA
Susan Nickelson
Ribbon International
212-722-5335
Susi Snyder
WILPF
777 UN Plaza, 6th FlNew York, NY 10017 USA
Sylvia Zisman
NJ Hiroshima Remembrance Committee
104 Warwick Circle,
Springfield, NJ, 07081
USA
Wolfgang Schlupp-Hauch
Pressehuette Mutlangen
Friedenswerkstatt Mutlangen, Forststr. 3, 73557 MutlangenGERMANY
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2) History of Abolition 2000
The Abolition 2000 network was founded at the 1995 Review Conference, when activists from around the world first wrote the founding document: http://www.abolition2000.org/statement/ setting out an eleven-point program for nuclear disarmament and calling for negotiations to eliminate nuclear weapons. Over 2,000 organizations in more than 90 countries have now enrolled and are actively participating in various working groups to accomplish Abolition 2000's mission.
The first project and the first demand of the consensus statement was a nuclear weapons convention, setting out the path to the elimination of nuclear weapons. An A2000 working group, led by several member groups, drafted a Model Nuclear Weapons Convention.
The Abolition 2000 network was formally constituted the next year, by a number of groups meeting at The Hague. The Moorea declaration, supplement to the A2000 statement, was adopted at the Abolition 2000 Conference, Moorea, Te Ao Maohi (French Occupied Polynesia), 25 January 1997.
See the website for additional information: www.abolition2000.org
3) A2000 coordinator report – Emma McGregor-Mento
Over the past 9 months, my work has included: compiling and distributing network materials; updating the website and listserves with news and initiatives; maintaining the network membership database; and responding to requests for regional contact lists.
The annual mailing was sent out to the network in February, and we raised $1,846.08. In your packets you will see financial reports, tracking income and expenses for 2003 – 2004. Additional checks have been deposited since PaxChristi USA prepared the report, so the balance now stands at $2,890.87. The balance includes $1,700 raised by the MayDay outreach committee for yesterday’s rally. I am interested to hear if you have innovative fundraising ideas for the network. For starters, I like to set up a ‘paypal’ system for on-line contributions, which will also make it easier for people outside the U.S. to contribute.
As a result of the mailing, a dozen new organizations joined the network; and over 20 groups requested a contact list for their region to begin a local network.
Over the past few months, the focus has been preparing for the PrepCom; and working with the MayDay planning committee - who worked very hard on the Town Meeting and yesterday’s rally. Both events were very successful, and are crucial to educating and activating people, as well as “keeping up the spirits of the choir.”
Moving forward, some of my priorities include:
- Improving the website as a resource. In the packets is a print-out of the A2000 homepage. Review the site online, and let me know if you would like translations, more news on your region, or have other suggestions. I would like to send out a monthly e-mail compendium of actions and updates on your initiatives.
- In keeping the network connected, I will send email alerts to everyone in the 2000+ member database, and invite them to join the caucus listserve. There are currently only 350 members on the listserve.
With initiatives such as Mayors for Peace and the Citizens Weapons Inspections campaign, I am confident that the network will continue to expand and activate new people in the lead-up to the 2005 Rev Con. 2005 also marks A2000’s 10th anniversary, which is an amazing achievement, and you should all feel proud of how far the network has come.
I would like to recognize WILPF and RCW for their amazing work on this year’s PrepCom and on behalf of the network, thank Alice Slater and GRACE for hosting the position for the past 3 years, as well as all of the founders of Abolition 2000, for their guidance and strength in supporting the network. It is an honor working with you all, and thanks for your truly inspiring hard work.
4) PLANNING FOR 2004 – 2005 We broke into six groups to brainstorm ideas and discuss proposals in the lead-up to 2005, and reported back to the whole group. Several proposals and initiatives had consistent support, and several new working groups were also created. If you are interested in joining a working group, please contact the convener.
PROPOSALS:
MAYORS FOR PEACE
There was a strong endorsement for the Mayors for Peace campaign.
The campaign displays both a grassroots approach, though signatures to Mayors, and a top down approach – though Heads of State supporting the campaign. The Mayors campaign came out of last years brainstorming session. Mayor Akiba was originally asked to draft the campaign. The first milestone has been achieved – coming to the NPT and making a video, which will be broadcast widely (August 6th this year is the target date). For updates on the campaign: http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/mayors/english/http://www.abolition2000.org/groups/mayors/
Advisory Group: A core advisory group has been built into the Mayor’s campaign plan to provide oversight going forward into the Rev Con and 60th anniversary. An advisory board (which will include Abolition 2000 members) will be in place by August.
Action: Abolition 2000 representatives in every region will work to increase membership in the Mayors for Peace campaign in the lead-up to 2005.
Contact Mayors for Peace Working Group Conveners: Steve Leeper and Aaron Tovish
i) Mayors for Peace and Abolition 2000 Joint Appeal for Hiroshima and Nagasaki day / Year of Remembrance and Action for a Nuclear Free World Proposal to organize and cosponsor an international series of actions from August 6 – 9, 2004, when people around the world will organize coordinated actions to mark the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and demand that the U.S. and all other nuclear weapons states comply with disarmament obligations under the International Law and disarm. Mayors can help with venues, permits, authorizations, phone calls to key players, and publicity.
A2000 regional coordinators can keep each other informed of what is happening internationally. The proposal articulates support for demanding an increased level of co-ordinated visibility and accountability. Heads of state will be invited to attend events.
Contact: Steve Leeper and Aaron Tovish, Mayors for Peace, and Tara Dorabji, Tri-Valley CARE’S - [email protected]
ii) Proposal to enact a Nuclear Weapons Convention: Abolition Now! by Janet Bloomfield, Aaron Tovish and Pamela Meidell.
International lawyers and experts have drafted a model NWC for use in negotiations. Citizens will endorse the model NWC, and lend support to their Mayors (“Mayors” includes local authorities) in requesting that the Head of Government would convey the signatures to the 2005 NPT RevCon. The Chair of the 2005 NPT RC will announce that negotiations will commence in Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 2005, on the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Pam is working on immediate procedural demands, and Janet will look at petition by the end of the month. The plan is to contact delegates immediately and follow up with a petition and signature campaign.
Contact the Abolition Now! Working Group Convener: Janet Bloomfield
iii) International Law - public outreach petitions on Article VI compliance: Movement de la Paix and Christian CND: Nuclear disarmament is an international obligation. A committee will draft comments to feed into the petition for Article VI compliance – calling on NWS to complete the elimination of the nuclear arsenal in accordance with the 13 steps of the NPT. The petition will incorporate Head of States and greater NGO access into the draft proposal, and will be used as a campaign tool during the 2005 Rev Con. The A2000 statement will be incorporated into the petition. Villard will draft the petition in two weeks, and send it to the AGC list. Signatures can be printed out monthly. Another aspect of the petition is to focus on getting mayors to sign on behalf of citizens, eg NWFZ.
Contact: Carolyn Gilbert and Roland Nivet
iv) World Fair of Cities for Peace: International organizational effort for demonstrations all over the world. Invite Abolition 2000 and religious groups to be onboard and help with outreach. An idea is to have a rock concert in Central Park in NYC, during the 2005 NPT RevCon, with top musicians and speakers. “Give peace a dance!”
Contact: Steve Leeper and Aaron Tovish
2) EDUCATION INITIATIVE (Youth and Disarmament working group)
“Reach one, each one, we’ve all got to teach one”
Kathleen Sullivan will convene the Youth and Disarmament working group – engaging and educating youth; increasing involvement in NGO presentations; youth initiatives; and disarmament education in schools. We need a range of educational materials – including articles and film screenings. More news will follow on the Abolition 2000 website.
There are between 5-6 million kids in summer camps every year in the US, providing an opportunity to educate: www.humanchainreaction.com. Youth can educate others, start clubs and lobby governments.
Existing educational materials include:
- Cyber schoolbus website: http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/
- UN study on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Education (available through the Department for Disarmament Affairs)
Contact the Youth and Disarmament Working Group Convener: Kathleen Sullivan
3) NORTH KOREA PROPOSAL
Proposed by Hilda Lini, who welcomes input from the General Council.
Need to try to organize the 6 countries to meet. There are already Japanese NGO committees – Citizen-based conferences and regional NGO’s to continue the process. The A2000 network could endorse the regional initiative. AGC needs to weigh in on the matter.
Contact: Akira Kawasaki and Hilda Lini
4) ABOLITION 2000 FUNDRAISING campaign (fundraising working group)
Steve will start the initiative in Atlanta, and if successful, it will be used as a model. A2000 members will go door-to-door selling packets with a list of famous endorsers and a signed letter from the Mayor. Could sell blocks from the German wall, ribbons and t-shirts. 50% could go to Abolition 2000, 25% to the salesperson, and 25% to the local group. Using USPIRG as an example of door to door outreach. From Susi’s experience, going door to door was a good outreach tool, but bad for fundraising.
It was also suggested that the network should work to approach wealthy individuals, and ask them to support Abolition 2000.
Contact the Fundraising Working Group Convener: Steve Leeper
5) CULTURE OF PEACE Working Group. The UN has declared the decade 2000-2010 as the decade of peace. Need to links with the anti-globalization movement. A concept for a coalition – Culture of Peace. Example: Nuclear Weapon Free Oceans / Oceans for Peace
Contact: International Fellowship of Reconciliation.Contact: *Who proposed this?*
LEAD-UP TO THE 2005 NPT REVCONOrganized lobbying efforts during the NPT and before NPT in capitals. There was a lot of support to influence decision makers in advance before the NPT, as there is limited ability to influence states at the UN.
Regional Coordinators
In building the international network in the lead-up to 2005, it is important to have regional coordinators to work with their local groups, and feed proposals, initiatives, and regional news to the network. The Global Council needs to be more proactive in their regions, and working group conveners need to be part of that effort. Please decide on the point person in your region, and forward names to Emma McGregor-Mento.The UfPJ-disarm group could be the U.S. regional contact. It was strongly suggested that regions meet and get materials sent out before coming to the 2005 Rev Con. First we need regional consultations. Send outcomes to the coordinator.
There is an Abolition 2000 meeting in Stuttgart, Germany in October, where coordinators of A2000 efforts in Europe will meet. England, France, Germany combined – regional groups. The NATO and European perspective, and priorities of A2000 in EU will be discussed. NATO, with UN reform, is a concern in Europe.
Action: Work to recruit more members and regional coordinators from Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Russia.
Boycott Bush initiative
ABCDE: Abolition Boycott Campaign for Disarmament Everywhere! - A delegation from A2000 could visit Japan and deliver our message to decision makers, with the possibility of boycotting Japan.
- Need to approach labor and bring them into the discussion before the boycott.
Contact: Pol D'Huyvetter and Steve Leeper
2005 Vision document
2005 Vision document for the next 10 years written by the founding mothers and fathers - revisiting the 11+ principles next year. Action: Brainstorm undeveloped proposals for the 10th anniversary and 2005 Rev Con.Contact: Pamela Meidell and Alice Slater
1st Committee and NPT
The group proposed an interface - linking them to the 1st Committee and NPT (September or November).
Contact: Rhianna Tyson
Treaty Day
A day that is allocated to teach students about treaty’s in schools in the UK – a model for other countries. Need to work on an international scale – use of video and dvd’s. Contact: Carolyn Gilbert
International law campaign wallGerman Student (international law campaign) Peace wall bricks – encourage people to take them for next year? Contact: Peter Cole – student leader
Brainstorming Ideas
- Truth and reconciliation commission.
- Anniversaries – youth commission – ritual to restore justice. Hibakusha to speak out.
- Creative process – Ottawa process, DPRK, Abolition convention, sustainable energy
DURING THE 2005 NPT REVCONSeveral ideas for events during the NPT were brainstormed, and need to be further developed.
Events -
Next year is the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In addition to the Mayors, host a large youth, ‘downwinders’ and Hibakusha forum.
Church event- There is support for having a gathering of world religious leaders in NY in a large church service and demo during 2005. Fellowship of Reconciliation in the US will help support the idea. It was suggested to contact the secretary general of spiritual religious leaders.Contact: Carolyn Gilbert
Themes -
The RevCon is 4 weeks, and not many people can stay the whole time. Propose to plan themes in advance, for example: 1st week - writing contest, 2nd week - woman’s week, 3rd week – religious groups…. People can then choose to come to specific events.
Direct action-
Plaster photo’s of loved ones to the sidewalk for delegates to walk over
Major youth gathering -
There will be a major youth gathering at the Youth Caucus UNUS next year and around 600 – 700 youth in the General Assembly. Part of the NGO presentations next year could be given by young people.
Location -
Conference room 4 is not a good forum. Need to advocate to raising the forum to the Head of State level in the General Assembly, with civil society and NGO’s on delegations.
Art -Textile paintings compilation: In Nagasaki last year, people were painting pictures on textiles – reflecting peace. It could be taken up as an international campaign and the pictures could be taken to NYC next year. Many people can contribute and it could be in the form of a contest. Next year, we are working to have more exhibit space at the U.N.
IDEAS TO DEVELOP
OPANAL conference / NWFZ A2000 support - Proposal to expand role in Latin America - Jan / Feb in Mexico. Encourage civil society to support and expand the network into Caribbean and Latin America NWFZ. Need to flesh out the proposal.Contact: Susi Snyder, Rhianna Tyson and Pamela Meidell Pamela will report back.
- New Mexico-hosted conference to empower civil society; taking our focus away from state sponsored conferences like the NPT. Contact: Greg Mello LASG
- World Educators Conference in Mexico (labor leaders) Contact: Kathleen Sullivan
Nuclear Free Zones - Need a proposal to make towns a nuclear free zone to generate publicity, for example: New Paltz, NY. Steve Leeper will lead the effort in seeing which cities are already peace cities / nuclear free zones / signed abolition resolutions (Jackie has some information)
Back-up plan after 2005 - Some discussion on the amending the NPT as a mechanism to eliminate nukes. A Working Group needs to be formed to address the issue in more detail. Need to examine “what next” if we don’t get what we want in 2005. Need to examine the Ottawa process.
Boycott Bush - The U.S. operates outside international law. Need to create an international network for people to join the movement, including global warming and Kyoto protocols. Abolition 2000 could lend support to a U.S. boycott. There are boycott kits on the For Mother Earth website: http://www.motherearth.org/ Think of ways to bring the force of people around the world to bear on civil society in the U.S., and NGO’s to show international support. The Los Alamos study group is among the groups that will support the initiative. Contact: Pol D’Hyvetter
Iraq war crimes tribunal - A2000 hosted war crimes tribunal in context of falsified “WMD in Iraq” as justification. Everyone has the obligation to point out that the US abuses the NPT Treaty. John Burroughs has been working on World Tribunal in Iraq.Contact: John Burroughs
CSD lobbying (in 2006, the CSD theme will be energy) - Contact: Edel Buekes from Sweden WILPF
Raising the NPT to head of state level Contact: Pamela Meidell
STRATEGIC THOUGHTS
In the US, we have to resist the shortcuts. We need to use the limited resources and the social organizations that we have. What invests in movement building? What is flexible and adaptable?
Read the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell – good resource
A paradigm shift needs to take place. How has this happened in history? 1) point out the gross discrepancies in the paradigm – why it does not work
2) describe new hegemonic paradigm
3) tipping point: mavens, connectors, salesmen
Protest US bases:Sylvia has been involved with bases in New Jersey, and has seen bad situations arise as they are closed. Unions and representatives come out demanding jobs. Need to organize in advance and have advisory boards organize the clean-up.
Abolition 2000 mailing: instead of spending a lot of money on sending out the mailing, information can be posted on the website. A postcard can be sent to members (not on email) to alert them to the availability of the mailing on the web. Only non-email members would receive the mailing.
UN reform:
Next year will be the 60th anniversary of the 1st resolution of the UN anniversary. In the context of discussions on UN reform, how do we put forward out discussions? Need to look at UN reform – how we want to see it play a role in disarmament. Making it a ‘peoples’ body.
Kofi Annan names high-level panel to propose collective action to meet new global challenges: http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?infocusID=84&Body=xxxxx&Body1=
APPENDIX 1
Fishbowls for Regional Reports (Notes by Andrew Lichterman)
Africa
PND Parliamentarians for Nuclear Disarmament working on the implementation / ratification of the Palandaba Treaty (Africa NWFZ)
Note large uranium resources in Africa– Congo, Niger– will make them points of contention
The Mayor of Addis Abbaba Ethiopia is a possible Mayor for Peace. Note smaller African countries not well represented at NPT. Mayor of Cairo invited, couldn’t come Alexandria showed interest, but it couldn’t we worked out (logistics) Lagos was attempted, but it was close to municipal elections– so couldn’t be done, despite some interest. South Africa seems promising– Some possibilities in Tanzania as well. IPPNW physicians– issues like the Congo war, which has killed millions in the last few years, and HIV catastrophe are their main priorities. Small arms more of a concern, due to the very violent and destructive warfare in the region.
South Africa is negotiating contracts to build nuclear power plants, which are being promoted as a major development driver for the region.
Algeria– Mouvement de la Paix working with Algerian peace groups, on the conflict there, etc. Senegal– work against child soldiers, etc. Rwanda– with International League for Human rights, regarding French responsibility for failing to avert genocide there.
Nigerian Association of (?) And Otabanga Alliance– both are interested in nuclear weapons abolition– Otabanga alliance aware that uranium for Hiroshima bomb mined in Congo– wants to link the issues by having the Congo apologize for its role
South Asia
World social forum reports– Global antiwar assembly was one network there, Achin Vanaik gave a useful report, good links between Indian and Pakistani peace activists
Mayors– positive response from Bangalore, but snap elections wiped out those possibilities (why?) Dacca– similar problems.
Pakistan– Lahore, Rawalpindi expressed interest, but didn’t come to NPT. Unclear why– possible government intervention.
Mayor’s campaign put together an informal Anti-Nuclear Alliance– web page for posting info on activities. Possible project– bring people from poorer regions to raise money for organizing there, etc.
Rhianna Tyson represented A2000 in Mumbai– there was a workshop on nuclear weapons issues, good links made regarding environmental impacts of nuclear weapons and power industries
Uranium mining workshop– Hilda Lini attended. Linked those issues to the nuclear weapons testing contamination issues in the Pacific, etc. Also raised these issues in workshops on US crimes. Also discussed were NWFZ proposals– South Asia, Southern Hemisphere.
Peace Boat went to Mumbai– 300 participated in the Social Forum. On the way, had on-boat forum on nuclear issues with key US activists. Good contacts made at this forum with South Asian anti-nuclear activists.
Japanese and Korean Hibakusha testified at Mumbai, pressed for conversion of weapons budgets. Note Indian government would not issue a visa for a Pakistani researcher.
PNND opened an office in Sri Lanka– J. Weeramantry, who authored the best (dissenting) opinion of the ICJ judges on the legality of nuclear weapons, will head that office.
Indian activists report extensive environmental problems surrounding the nuclear fuel cycle (mining, manufacture, etc.) and also unsafe operations of nuclear power plants frequent accidents, etc. Read Flashpoint by Sri Rama (?)
Northeast Asia
Hiroshima and Nagasaki really want to do something in 2005– activating mayors in 2005–Mayors for Peace campaign-- but really need help from the activists to make the mayors activities more meaningful, and to develop activities in their cities
There is an effort to push the Japanese govt on a NE Asia NWFZ– trying to take the opportunity of the 6 party talks that have resulted from the North Korea nuclear weapons impasse.
PNND organizing also going on in Japan– but hard to find a concrete focus
Korea- Many US Korean organizations have been very active on this issue. Bush administration has shown little movement in the 6 party talks. Kerry is putting out the word he supports direct dialogue with North Korea.
Highest priority for anti-nuclear activists may be to resolve Korea crisis peacefully. Peace Boat held a civil society forum on peace boat from Portugal to NYC, including how to resolve North Asia nuclear issues. Submitted paper on this topic to UN
Japanese public opinion hostile to N Korea, over other issues such as the abduction of Japanese citizens by N Korea long ago, now revealed.
Extensive workshops on NE Asia security issues at Mumbai– “Six Party Talk Process is our Prepcom.” We need to work for a positive outcome of this process before the 2005 NPT Review Conference.
There are strong concerns that Japan may attempt to revise/amend Article 9 of its constitution, to allow Japan to expand the offensive capabilities of its military.
Cooperation with US on missile defense. Aegis destroyer schedule for deployment in Sea of Japan this September. (Aegis is the at sea radar and coordination element of one form of theater missile defense).
Japan has over 40 tons of separated plutonium from its nuclear power program. New reprocessing plant scheduled for opening will reprocess approx. 7 tons/yr. Japan has the capability to become a nuclear weapons state in short order, with enough plutonium to make a large nuclear arsenal if desired.
Hiroshima tribunal– 60th anniversary of the bombing. Possible hearings in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Washington, report verdict to the Hague. US support, cooperation needed.
Pacific
Mayors for Peace campaign– one mayor from New Zealand this year, Wellington and Christchurch mayors expected next year. PNND is working on a Southern Hemisphere and adjacent Areas Nuclear Weapons Free Zone.
Militarization and nuclearization of the Pacific are linked. South Pacific NWFZ– trying to get it implemented, get NWS like US to sign protocols, expand it to rest of Pacific. Small states that US has great power/influence over tend to follow US policy, vote with it in international fora, so this is difficult.
US military buildup for potential North Korea invasion is in progress- bases in Pacific being expanded, more exercises in the region, presence of forces– aircraft, ships, etc. Guam, Okinawa, etc.
Vandenberg AFB is the center of missile defense buildup– but ground sensing in Hawaii, launchers also in Alaska, Aegis radars on ships.
Constant work needed to keep New Zealand NFZ
Middle East
Groups working on abolition also linking to Palestine-Israel work– key element to further development are: regional NWFZ, assistance to Israel’s nuclear program in the past from France, US
Some issues of working with peace groups in Israel– peace issues their linked to terrorism-
Mayor’s campaign– must be more decentralized this time around– this will be especially true in regions like the Middle East, where we have some interest from cities but fewer peace movement contacts–
French peace movement makes link between NWFZ for Middle East and resolution of the Palestine-Israel conflict, occupation. Work with Peace Now, a number of other groups. New association– Two Peoples, Two States. Promoting a series of discussions in France. US has a strong responsibility to make a meaningful commitment to a peaceful resolution of this conflict.
Iraq– doctors are reporting high cancer levels, they are linking it to DU use in the region (query: in 1991 war, no fly zone attacks, 1998? Latency period too long for it to be from this round of attacks, 2003 invasion and after).
Europe
UK– weaponization of space, missile defense a big issue. Menwith Hill major ground station, among other facilities. Campaign of post cards, etc. to the UK govt. against space weaponization.
Christian campaign for nuclear disarmament– trying to do outreach to new audiences on nuclear disarmaments. Do birthday parties for the NPT on May 19, walk around the embassies annually to ask what they have done to implement article VI obligation since last year, etc
Germany– citizen inspections, large demos at US bases, anti-Iraq war demos, a number of international conferences. Focusing on DU– health effects, etc.
Organizing for Youth Assembly in Hiroshima, August 6, 2005
Nuclear Disarmament Days, France, October 2003– French a2000 organizations joined in a new campaign against nuclear weapons National appeal statement for disarmament– about 25 national organizations that have signed on– trade unions, women’s organizations, peace organizations– expect about 40– have organized a number of demonstrations in cities across France. One event was with veterans of French nuclear tests. They will be going to court to have their claims recognized. Regular France a2000 organizations. Separate group set up to work on Mayor’s for peace. Working for support from Euro parliament– Euro parliament endorsed the Mayor’s for Peace campaign!!!
Germany– a2000 has put together a (really excellent) large display/poster on missile defense. Looking to get more mayors for the mayors campaign. Has been using letters from Mayors for Peace directed to mayors of cities where local activists are working to get the mayor to join.
The German students have donated pieces of the wall of peace they built as “seeds” for other cities, these are available if you want them
CND– “No new nukes” campaign, focusing on Aldermaston, and against upgrades of UK’s version of Trident SLBM’s also ongoing campaigning, parliamentary activities.
Iraq– German IPPNW is working on Iraq health issues, IPPNW international also can provide experts on health impacts– nuclear weapons, DU, etc. See GOTOBUTTON BM_1_ www.ippnw.org for contacts in your country.
Public Awareness Project in UK (surveys) have found UK public knows little about nuclear weapons, thinks its an old-fashioned issue. Plans on public awareness campaign– school curriculum, web-based campaign, public events.
Norway– working on nuclear abolition, missile defense, main connections to economic and social impacts of military production.
Belgium– weapons inspections, nonviolent actions at NATO bases where there are nuclear weapons. US is planning to reduce its tactical nuclear weapons in Europe, so it is possible the weapons in Belgium will be withdrawn. Also doing parliamentary work. Also mayors for peace, and 2005 Hiroshima and Nagasaki commemorations. Finally Boycott US campaign.
US is about to open a spy station in Darmstadt, Germany, moved from another location.
Blackaby papers- Abolition 2000 UK– available on web site.
Mayors– Several European mayors came to the NPT this year. Berlin Hanover, Brussels, Barcelona, Manchester, Helsinki, Turin, Rome, Dresden, several others– good contacts, we need to renew efforts.
European Social Forum– 2nd social forum– expanded peace groups participation– organized permanent forum for peace– CND, Mouvement del la Paix, had speakers at several sessions.
Reaching Critical Will– CD in Geneva– meet for nine week sessions three times a year– RCW reports on it, see their site, get involved.
North America--
Canada– IPPNW tours of medical schools, Public service announcements Parliamentary work. Nuclear weapons issues not well known. Polaris institute– building links between militarism and globalization organizing– one focus is the social forums. There is an alliance between the corporate lobby, focusing on free trade, and the military lobby, focusing on military integration with the US. Missile defense is the key current issue on this. Canadian Coalition to Oppose Missile Defense.
Peace centers– focusing on DU, veterans affected by DU, campus anti-war network working on health effects of DU.
US nuclear weapons program– stockpile life extension. Secondaries being done at Oak Ridge. Stop the Bomb campaign, Oak Ridge Environmental and Peace Alliance.
Artists– Ribbon international
Important to keep a regular presence at weapons facilities. Coalitions of religious organizations meeting to figure out how to do outreach to congregations on nuclear weapons issues. NRDI.org
NAPF
A2000 coordinating office at www.abolition2000.org wants input on what it should be doing. US world social forum event in Boston in July
Psychologists for social responsibility– information re: psychological responses to nuclear weapons.
New Jersey– contacting mayors of major New Jersey Cities for Mayor’s for peace.
Fellowship of Reconciliation August 5-10th meeting– welcomes international messages of support.
WILPF– a central priority is the military-corporate connection.
LASG– focusing on local organizing re: social, economic, ecological impacts. Citizen inspections. Mayors campaign– creative ways to mobilize people.
Mayors–asks that local activists try to make contacts with mayors who will be attending US conference of Mayors in June.
Nevada Desert Experience– working to put together a large action Hiroshima Day week 2005 in Nevada– Las Vegas and the Test Site.
There is campus organizing regarding nuclear weapons and military research and its connection to universities. Initial focus is the University of California system, which manages the two main nuclear weapons design labs at Livermore and Los Alamos, and the University of Texas, which may bid to manage Los Alamos.
Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space:
Important pieces to focus on–
Current ongoing militarization of space
Programs other than the US– for example, Europe moving toward independent military space capabilities. See article by Regina Hagen in INESAP bulletin GOTOBUTTON BM_2_ www.inesap.org spring 2004
Global network– www.space4peace.org
Need to expand outreach
Nuclear Weapons Convention Working Group – Alyn Ware
Alyn Ware presented a written report from the A2000 Nuclear Weapons Convention Working Group and that Justine Wang was appointed a co-convener of the group.
Military Corporate Working Group - Steve Staples
Missile defense a key issue. Very important to link up with the anti-globalization groups, and fora like the world social forum.
APPENDIX 2
AFFIRMATION OF SERVICE
Members are asked to continue to serve on the Coordinating Committee and the Global Council. Last year the Coordinating Committee included the Global Council in collective decisions. The Coordinating Committee is involved in administrative work, mailings, and meetings. The Global Council is responsible for policy and provides regional representation.
Addition to Coordinating Committee:
Susi Snyder
Continued service on the Coordinating Committee: Jacqueline Cabasso, USA
Akira Kawasaki, Japan
Dominique Lalanne, France
David Robinson, USA
Richard Salvador, Belau
Alice Slater, USA
Alyn Ware, Aotearoa – New Zealand
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Continued service on the Global Council:
Colin Archer, SwitzerlandMyrla Baldonado, Philippines
Praful Bidwai, India
Janet Bloomfield, UK
Reiner Braun, Germany
John Burroughs, USA
Arielle Denis, France
Pol D’Huyvetter, Belgium
Daniel Durand, France
Jean-Mathieu Essis, Cote d’Ivoire
Corazon Fabros, Philippines
Bruce Gagnon, USA
Irene Gale , Australia
Ron Gray, Australia
Regina Hagen, Germany
Xanthe Hall, Germany
John Hallam, Australia
Fawzy Hammad, Egypt Dave Knight, UK
David Krieger, USA
Dr. Balkrishna Kurvey, India
Samsung Lee, South Korea
Andrew Lichterman, USA
Motarilavoa Hilda Lini, Fiji
Yael Martin, USAJean-Marie Matagne, France
Pamela Meidell, USA
Greg Mello, USA
Zia Mian, USA
Natalia Mironova, RussiaBahig Nassar, Egypt
Carol Naughton, UKA .H. Nayyar, PakistanAgneta Norberg, Sweden
Satomi Oba, Japan
Mitsuo Okamoto, Japan
Claire Poyner, UK
Ian Prior, Aotearoa/NZ M.V. Ramana, USA
Adm. Ramu Ramdas, India
Paul Saoke, Kenya
Kathy Sanchez, USA
Jurgen Scheffran, Germany
Susi Snyder, USA
Steve Staples, Canada
Aaron Tovish, Switzerland
Rhianna Tyson, USA
Hiromichi Umebayashi, Japan
Jo Vallentine, AustraliaAchin Vanaik, India
Cheung Wooksik, Korea
Alexey Yablokov, RussiaAlla Yaroshinskaya, Russia
Additions to Global Council:
Steve Leeper, Mayors for Peace
Sam Akaki, CND, UK
Kate Hudson, CND, UK
Kyoko Ishida, Peace Depot, Japan
Diane Perlman, PsySR
Le Mouvement De La Paix: Roland Nivet, Arielle Denis, Pierre Villard, Marie Guerrier
Ingo Bonde – IPPNW BoD, German Section resp.
To be invited to the Global Council:
- Rouland Nivet is looking to recruit a representative from Mouvement Algerian - Paix et Development (via Le Mouvement De La Paix)
- Hilda Lini will invite Deborah Harray on behalf of Abolition 2000
- Pam Meidell will invite someone from the Polynesian Test site – Te Ao Maohi (French Occupied Polynesia),
Leaving the Global Council:
Akihiko Kimijima, Japan