PASS IT ON
January 7, 2009
Activists,
I submit this paper to you for your consideration, to support
and follow-up on previous writings about the need to stop the
missile defense system in Europe, and these defense systems worldwide,
along with nuclear disarmament as well, in the long run.
With tensions mounting in the world with the horrible "war" in Gaza
and military build-ups in many countries such as Afghanistan we need
to pay attention to these developments and take action to oppose more aggression.
Let us share plans and developments. Soon I will be sending out another paper,
demonstrating a case against the missile defense system.
Too, let's give support to the Czech activists (see bottom of paper for action)
who are trying hard to save their country by opposing the system.
There's a good video link to The Invisables, an eerie and powerful demonstration in Europe.
A letter from one of their leaders, Mr. Jan Tamas is included also.
arn specter, phila. pa. usa
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Need to Halt Plans for Missile Defense System in Europe
- prevent possible nuclear confrontation -
by Arn Specter, Phila., Arn's News
January 2, 2009
(revised and updated from my Dec.26, 2008 article)
Call for Action to Stop Nuclear Arms Buildup
This paper offers a general plan, a Campaign to Ban
the U.S. Missile Defense system in Europe
We are now faced with a situation we hoped would never occur,
a potential threat and counter-threat by the two most dangerous nations on earth. Plans for a Missile Defense System in Europe, located in Poland and the Czech Republic, have become too dangerous to continue by the U.S. and it's European allies, because of possible Russian retaliation- including the threat of nuclear attack.
Russia now is threatening the U.S. and making plans for missile deployment in their territories while the U.S. is sitting back and refusing to change course on their plans to "defend" Europe against Iran.
Military aggression is on the march in Eastern Europe.
The Czech Activists Response:
Video, The Invisables Against the Missile Defense System shows an absorbing and eerie demonstration by Czech protestors and their ongoing campaign for a missile free country. Other videos on the
website give evidence and explanations opposing the system.
Although the Bush Administration, the Military and the State Department know of these developments it is unlikely they will change course at this time. In power only a few more weeks the administration will leave the scene in Washington and leave the new administration with a perilous dilemma. They will have a lot of homework to do just to fully understand the problems our overzealous military foreign policy has created in recent years.
We as the informed activist, anti-war, disarmament and peace community working with military and defense issues (including nuclear) need to inform and educate the new government of this dangerous situation in Eastern Europe and pursuade them to change these plans for missile defense and prevent a possible confrontation with Russia.
If we mobilize as a activist community and generate efforts that
foster diplomatic actions by our government (as well as the United Nations, the European Community, and others of influence) for "diplomacy" in Eastern Europe and Russia - in order to suspend the development of the Missile Defense system - then we have a chance to curtail an increase in tensions between all countries and peoples involved, and avert any military action.
The whole MDS too may well not be an effective deterrent against an attack, as it has not been proven reliable at intercepting a incoming missile, decoy
or more than one missile at a time. Some have called the system a money making sham or boondoggle for the military industrial complex to the tune
of $100 billion over the last 10 years or so, a shameful waste of taxpayer money.
With the Bush administration having only a few weeks left in government,
it will be up to the Obama administration to take up this issue of missile defense. We, as the activist-disarmament-peace- anti-war community need to step up and convince the Obama team and Congress ( the committees and subcommittees who work with the MDS , the military and appropriations)
the absolute necessity of fostering diplomacy with Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic and the EU (European Community) now - as soon as possible - in order to avert war, or possible a nuclear war, as these missiles have nuclear warhead capability.
Russia has threatened to send missiles to the northern border of Poland if the U.S. and Poland start to build an interceptor base there which would only be a few hundred miles away, well within range of Russia's missiles. Lately though Russia has made the offer to hold off doing so if the U.S. stops the plans for building the system. Unfortunatly the U.S. keeps turning down their goodwill offers. Consequently our challenge is to convince our government to foster diplomacy, to talk with Russia and calm things down and withdraw our plans to defend Europe against an attack by Iran, which is highly unlikely in the first place. There is no evidence that Iran has ever threatened to attack Europe.
We need to make this effort and utilize the power as a community who has studied, written, protested and lobbied for disarmament and change to more peaceful ways of settling troubled problems in the world. It may well be best that no one group or organization lead the way but more of a broad coalition of forces making efforts from resources- contacts and networks- and experience already gained from years of work and activism. For groups to work on their own and/or with other groups to mobilize their memberships and the public, to work with the media and government, to press diplomacy efforts as prevention against more conflict and possible war. To regain alliances within Eastern Europe where there is now mistrust after years of threats and intimidations.
The Czech activists, leading the European anti-missile defense movement,
are now being harrassed by the conservative-right Czech government.
Clearly we are now engaged in a new arms race although it has only been suggested up to this point. Both the U.S. and Russia, the two largest armed countries in the world, have invested billions of dollars in the building of their defenses, including missiles and missile defense systems, both on the earth and also in space.
This proliferation is out of hand already and needs to slow down and stop for the safety and well being of the planet's survival...since the nuclear threat and capability are increasing - more sales of nuclear technology and arms than ever before. As a reaction to this development I do see the increase of efforts by groups for nuclear dis-armament and peacemaking in the U.S.
and Europe, as in 2008 - the Year of the Protest - thousands of people participated at rallies against the war(s), for disarmament
and for various causes. If we mobilize now we have a chance for success.
Let's think and talk/discuss this effort and cross over our separate areas of expertise in order to join together in support of a mutual effort to challange and pursuade our new government for re-establishing peace in Eastern Europe, and with Iran as well.
As the U.S. and Russia increase military buildup the people in the world are facing more danger. No matter how we look at it diplomacy is our only reasonable response to these war-threatening situations giving us a chance to hold meetings, carry on negotiations, make agreements and settle these conflicts in good faith and trust in a chance for a peaceful future for mankind.
We need to identify the people in government, the United Nations, the EU, our own informed activist, anti-war, disarmament and peace community working with military and defense issues , and plan an action campaign for diplomacy and the pull-back of the Missile Defense System in Europe and plans for any other missile defense and/or nuclear weapons development.
One idea is to call for a conference with representatives of the U.S. government and the Coalition to discuss the situation, perhaps in the late Spring of this year. During this conference we can present "our case" including ample evidence that the system itself has been proven unreliable, the peoples of Poland and the Czech Republic don't want it there, the cost is very high straining our budget during a time of monetary restraint, the EU is against it, and it is provoking such a strong reaction from Russia with possible military consequences, including nuclear attack and counterattack.
Too, just to put this out to all of you - that although these are my thoughts and ideas I am not looking to lead this effort, rather to be a supportive part of it from my location in Phila. Too if there is another effort in process now or other efforts to "stop the madness" as Amy Goodman, DemocracyNow puts it in her book, please notify me about it.
Much has been written about stopping the wars and passing laws for disarmament although only I'm only aware of some of the plans of activist groups ongoing now. Too, let's monitor the Obama Team's foreign affairs policies and interject our positions desiring disarmament. Let's step up our activist efforts as we conclude this holiday season and move into a new year - 2009 - with new resolve and determination to help create progress in our country and in the world.
arn specter, phila.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lately: December 26. 2008
Russia sold short-ranged missiles to Iran.
Russian missiles to Belarus.
Russian missiles to another country,,,countries?
U.S. refused to accept Russia's offer to pull back missiles in Europe.
Russia institutes repressive legislation against their people; opposition parties/groups. No more trials by juries, to start.
U.S. building Interceptor Missile System in Persian Gulf
(UAE, United Arab Emirates)
Israel - Palestinian "war" in Gaza
Further escalation in Afghanistan and Pakistan/India
Military Aggression is on the March!
============================================
support needed for czech activists
Disarmament Supporters,
>
> I've just received the letter below curtesy of a supporter in the U.S. in touch with
> the Czech activist group and leader Mr. Jan Tamas. He is asking for support for
> their continued struggles against a more repressive government there. Too, an
> important meeting will be held on February 18 in Brussels with Mayors from the
> Czech cities. The activists will protest the Missile Defense System plans.
> *Proposal of a Day of Protest on February 18th in Brussels .*
> In support I suggest a "letter of support" campaign for the activists to be sent to:
>
> I've just received the letter below curtesy of a supporter in the U.S. in touch with
> the Czech activist group and leader Mr. Jan Tamas. He is asking for support for
> their continued struggles against a more repressive government there. Too, an
> important meeting will be held on February 18 in Brussels with Mayors from the
> Czech cities. The activists will protest the Missile Defense System plans.
> *Proposal of a Day of Protest on February 18th in Brussels .*
> In support I suggest a "letter of support" campaign for the activists to be sent to:
attention Jan Tamas and/or The Invisables.
>
> Do look at their remarkable video:
>
> http://europeforpeace.eu/, Video,_ The Invisables Against the Missile Defense System _
> shows an absorbing and eerie demonstration by Czech protestors and their ongoing
> campaign for a missile free country. In solidarity with The Campaign to Ban the Missile Defense System in Europe.
> arn specter, phila.pa <http://phila.pa/>. usa
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Dear friends,
> The situation in the Czech Republic (CR) regarding the installation of the radar base – part of the United States Star Wars project – is the following:
>
> 1. The Senate has ratified the agreement with the United States
> 2. The Lower House has not managed to do so, thanks to the
> protests, but could do in the following months.
> 3. The protest is still very strong and 2/3 Czechs continue to
> oppose this project. The censorship against us by mass media has
> been worsened by a truly slanderous campaign: Jan Tamas is a
> terrorist, a left-wing radical, a right-wing radical. A real
> witch hunt has begun. Since we have various activities as
> humanists, including projects in Africa, long distance
> adoptions, schools, hospitals etc, some journalists were sent to
> Guinea to check the projects and create false proof to affirm
> that we are using the money destined to help the children for a
> political battle against the radar. There is a real repression
> going on.
> 4. In the next six months the Presidency of the European Union will
> be in charge of the CR.
>
> We’ve said, time and again, that the Star Wars project divides Europe , increases international tensions, especially with Russia and encourages the arms‘ race. The attitude of the new US administration is not clear yet, but it is evident that CR and Poland are a Trojan horse, their leaderships have the task of dividing Europe , at the mercy of the United States .
>
> *Proposal of a Day of Protest on February 18th in Brussels .*
>
> ***On February 18, about 40 mayors of the region in which the radar is to be built, Czech representatives of the nonviolent movement against the bases and Europe for Peace were invited by some MEPs to the European Parliament to address the missile shield.*
>
> *We invite the representatives of Europe for Peace in various European countries, as well as, other organizations to attend the meeting with a delegation and to organize, together, a protest in front of the European Parliament.*
>
> *In different European cities, we could organize, on the same day, protests and sit-ins, send letters of protest to the Czech embassies and solidarity messages to the mayors and to the movement against the bases, adding other initiatives suggested by creativity.*
>
> **
> *Another proposal is to ask mayors and city councils in all Europe to express their solidarity to the mayors of the CR, sending a letter and having their council (city, province, region etc) approve a motion against the US missile shield.*
>
> *We have examples of this in certain Italian municipalities (Bresso, Rozzano, Limbiate).*
>
> Attached is a letter to the mayors.
>
> These are the materials we can use:
>
> * (the old) Star Wars video http://www.nenasili .cz/en/945_
> about-the- star-wars- shield
> <http://www.nenasili.cz/en/945_about-the-star-wars-shield>
> * Video – interview to N. Chomsky (excellent because it explains
> the link between the US project and nuclear danger)
> http://www.europefo rpeace.eu/ video-detail. php?id=1027&country
> <http://www.europeforpeace.eu/video-detail.php?id=1027&country>=
> * A power point which will be ready in the following days.
>
> In general, we think it is necessary to strengthen the protest against wars, arms‘ race and especially against nuclear weapons. The last events in Gaza (West Bank?) are allarming.
>
> Finally, we propose to start organizing great activities to ask for peace and nuclear disarmament in March, during the 6th anniversary of the invasion of Irak (a possible date could be March 21st, the exact date the war began.)
>
> A strong hug
>
> Jan
>
>
> Do look at their remarkable video:
>
> http://europeforpeace.eu/, Video,_ The Invisables Against the Missile Defense System _
> shows an absorbing and eerie demonstration by Czech protestors and their ongoing
> campaign for a missile free country. In solidarity with The Campaign to Ban the Missile Defense System in Europe.
> arn specter, phila.pa <http://phila.pa/>. usa
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Dear friends,
> The situation in the Czech Republic (CR) regarding the installation of the radar base – part of the United States Star Wars project – is the following:
>
> 1. The Senate has ratified the agreement with the United States
> 2. The Lower House has not managed to do so, thanks to the
> protests, but could do in the following months.
> 3. The protest is still very strong and 2/3 Czechs continue to
> oppose this project. The censorship against us by mass media has
> been worsened by a truly slanderous campaign: Jan Tamas is a
> terrorist, a left-wing radical, a right-wing radical. A real
> witch hunt has begun. Since we have various activities as
> humanists, including projects in Africa, long distance
> adoptions, schools, hospitals etc, some journalists were sent to
> Guinea to check the projects and create false proof to affirm
> that we are using the money destined to help the children for a
> political battle against the radar. There is a real repression
> going on.
> 4. In the next six months the Presidency of the European Union will
> be in charge of the CR.
>
> We’ve said, time and again, that the Star Wars project divides Europe , increases international tensions, especially with Russia and encourages the arms‘ race. The attitude of the new US administration is not clear yet, but it is evident that CR and Poland are a Trojan horse, their leaderships have the task of dividing Europe , at the mercy of the United States .
>
> *Proposal of a Day of Protest on February 18th in Brussels .*
>
> ***On February 18, about 40 mayors of the region in which the radar is to be built, Czech representatives of the nonviolent movement against the bases and Europe for Peace were invited by some MEPs to the European Parliament to address the missile shield.*
>
> *We invite the representatives of Europe for Peace in various European countries, as well as, other organizations to attend the meeting with a delegation and to organize, together, a protest in front of the European Parliament.*
>
> *In different European cities, we could organize, on the same day, protests and sit-ins, send letters of protest to the Czech embassies and solidarity messages to the mayors and to the movement against the bases, adding other initiatives suggested by creativity.*
>
> **
> *Another proposal is to ask mayors and city councils in all Europe to express their solidarity to the mayors of the CR, sending a letter and having their council (city, province, region etc) approve a motion against the US missile shield.*
>
> *We have examples of this in certain Italian municipalities (Bresso, Rozzano, Limbiate).*
>
> Attached is a letter to the mayors.
>
> These are the materials we can use:
>
> * (the old) Star Wars video http://www.nenasili .cz/en/945_
> about-the- star-wars- shield
> <http://www.nenasili.cz/en/945_about-the-star-wars-shield>
> * Video – interview to N. Chomsky (excellent because it explains
> the link between the US project and nuclear danger)
> http://www.europefo rpeace.eu/ video-detail. php?id=1027&country
> <http://www.europeforpeace.eu/video-detail.php?id=1027&country>=
> * A power point which will be ready in the following days.
>
> In general, we think it is necessary to strengthen the protest against wars, arms‘ race and especially against nuclear weapons. The last events in Gaza (West Bank?) are allarming.
>
> Finally, we propose to start organizing great activities to ask for peace and nuclear disarmament in March, during the 6th anniversary of the invasion of Irak (a possible date could be March 21st, the exact date the war began.)
>
> A strong hug
>
> Jan
>
