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WHAT'S NEW IN INES? |
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No.33/2001 |
Dateline: August 24, 2001 |
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This is the weekly electronic information service of the International Network of Engineers and Scientists for Global Responsibility
Editor: Tobias Damjanov, e-mail:
WNII is archived at: http://inesglobal.org/archive.htm
INES homepages: http://inesglobal.org http://www.inesglobal.com/
INES International Office
INES Chair: Prof. Armin Tenner [Please note that the first "1" in q18 is the number one, while the last "l" is an "L"]
CONTENTS of WNII No. 33/2001
SPECIAL SECTION
ON THE US MISSILE DEFENCE POLICY
New names for Star Wars systems (from Bruce Gagnon, Coordinator, Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space)
Just as the Pentagon recently changed the name of the School of Americas in Georgia, they are now renaming the components of Star Wars. Probably for the same reason, the public was getting to familiar with all of the different components of the program like NMD and TMD.
The House Armed Services Committee on August 1 endorsed the Bush Administration's request for $8.2 billion in 2002 ($2.9 billion more than in 2001) for Star Wars research and development. The Senate Armed Services Committee will make its recommendation after Congress returns in early September.
By playing this terminology shell game the Pentagon and Bush Administration make it harder for critics to differentiate between systems like we were able to do with NMD and TMD. Many Democrats opposed NMD but supported TMD but now the difference is not so clear, potentially forcing them to support the whole package.
The Pentagon is also now considering bringing back to life a space-based hit-to-kill program from the early 1990s that was called Brilliant Pebbles. At this time they are calling it an "experimental activity."
Abolition 2000 homepage: http://www.abolition2000.org Grassroots News: http://www.napf.org/abolition2000/news/
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty: A Big Bad News from Japan
INES Council Member Dr Hiro Umebayashi, who also serves as President/Executive Director of Peace Depot (a Japanese NGO), as well as the International Coordinator of the Pacific Campaign for Disarmament and Security (PCDS), has distributed the following information:
The Government of Japan seems to try to retreat from the best part of its 2000 UNGA resolution, time-limit of 2003 for entry-into-force of CTBT.
On Aug. 10th, Mr. Yoshifumi Okamura, Director, Arms Control and Disarmament Division, MOFA Japan, and myself had a public discussion in a meeting organized by a citizen group at a conference room in the 2nd Parliamentarian Office Building in Tokyo. One of the discussion themes was CTBT policy of Japan. I commended GOJ's initiative in UNGA resolution that set the time limit of 2003 for the entry into force of the CTBT and requested Japan to work for reconfirming this in the upcoming CTBT conference as well as in UNGA of this year. It was really a strong desire of Japanese NGOs, hoping the GOJ might do something that would match its public opinion for the first time in nuclear disarmament history.
The response was frightening one. Shamefully, Mr. Okamura started with explaining the change of US administration and tried hard to convince the audience that a resolution which US did not endorse was useless. "Japan has been taking realistic steps and always trying to involve the US. We don't want to propose unrealistic resolution. It is very important moment. So we are very much careful." I said, "There is still considerable support for CTBT in the US. One cannot say the US public will not make the Senate vote change if strong international voice encourages them. The continuation of the Japanese resolution can be one of the most powerful international voices."
The reaction of the audience was so strong that Mr. OKAMURA told in his concluding remark that he noted and would consider citizens' strong support for the 2003 time limit.
As you may be aware, this is just same with the first phase of Japan's attitude on the Kyoto Protocol. It ended in a good way because we had a very strong European voice, but I am afraid it will not be the case this time.
We need strong international pressure to MOFA Japan. Please encourage it to remain strong for its 2003 time limit policy in whatever means you can take. MOFA's e-mail address:
In Japan, citizen groups will work hard to stop this setback.
For your information, the UNGA resolution 55/33R was sponsored by Japan and Australia and was adopted on 20 November 2000 with 155 in favor, 1 against and 12 abstention. It includes the following para. on CTBT.
"3 (a). The early signature and ratification of the CTBT by all States, especially by those States whose ratification is required for its entry into force, with a view to its early entry into force before 2003, as well as a moratorium on nuclear-weapon-test explosions or any other nuclear explosions pending its entry into force."
Hiro Umebayashi < >
World Court Project UK mailing list http://www.gn.apc.org/wcp
The World Court Project UK provides information and ideas about nuclear weapons and international law, especially as it relates to the UK. However, much of the material would be useful to abolitionists in other countries as well. It has a list of email contacts who are updated every time there is more information on our web site.
If you would like to be on this list, could you please let us know by returning this with "Yes, I would like to be on the WCPUK email list" in the body of the message. All that will happen is that you will receive an update notice from time to time.
Contact: George Farebrother, Secretary, World Court Project UK: < >
CONFERENCES, MEETINGS, SEMINARS
Resisting Global Militarism http://www.vipirg.ca
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