Dear ICAN supporters,

Australia is currently reviewing its defence policy, and the majority of people having input are those who want a bigger military. Consultation meetings are still to be held in WA, NSW and Victoria, and an easy e-mailable public submission form is on their website. Have your say!

A wonderful upset occurred last week: the Nuclear Suppliers Group did not approve the US-India deal, instead suggesting over 50 amendments! Disappointingly, Australia not only supported the deal but is rumoured to be lobbying other countries to approve it. This delay risks the entire passage of the deal and so members are urged to again e-mail Foreign Minister Stephen Smith to tell them you think it's vital to reject the deal.

Hear a 5 minute video by Ambassador Dhanapala about why the future of the NPT hangs on this deal.

Read more about status of the deal.

This week, the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties is publicly questioning whether we ratify a treaty to sell Uranium to Russia. There also appear to be doubt within the Australian Government about whether to sell uranium to Russia, with the Chair of the Treaties Committee Kelvin Thompson expressing reservations.

Read More. Act today-e-mail the Government.

ICAN ACT - things to do today!

1. Contribute to the Australian Defence Review. Key issues for ICAN include: Australia to reject the protection of US nuclear weapons including supporting foreign military bases. More info
2. Mark the International Day of Peace: pledge a small action for 21 September. Events for this day are at www.mapw.org.au
3. Join the Stop the War Fair campaign against the arms fair opening on Remembrance Day in Adelaide . Join Campaign. Sign a petition to support.
4. NO! to the US-India Deal. E-mail Stephen Smith. Watch Dhanapala Video (5mins).
5. NO! to Russian uranium deal. E-mail the Joint Standing Committee.
6. ICAN Give! Help ICAN survive after our initial funding runs out next year: donate online.
7. Order ICAN resources: info@icanw.org

ICAN NEWS

ICAN asked to say more about Russia deal. ICAN was asked to give a supplementary statement to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) review about nuclear safety in Russia. The Committee will report to the Government on 17 September, who will then decide how to proceed.

ICAN argues to reject US-India deal. ICAN has been continuing to urge the Australian Government not to support the US-India deal. We gathered 31 signatures on a joint sign on statement that was sent to media and the Government. However, last week saw Australia support the deal in the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Read more.

ICAN IN THE NEWS

Trashing Nuclear Promises by Assoc Prof Tilman Ruff, published in Online Opinion following Australia's decision to support the US-India nuclear deal in the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

NUKES NEWS

US-INDIA deal stalled in Nuclear Suppliers Group

ICAN has been calling on Governments to block this deal in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Australia disappointingly voted to support the proposal. However, up to half of the countries in this group have refused to support the current deal - proposing 50 amendments to the current agreement. Read NZ Disarmament Minister Phil Goff's press release.

Read Australia 's support for the deal. News story.

Read news stories: AFP short news item  Asia-Times Opinion piece.

International Commission on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament to commence in October.

When co-chairs of the Commission Gareth Evans and Yoriko Kawaguchi met in Japan recently they announced they were working to quickly appoint Commissioners and will have their first meeting in October. Read Article.

The Nuclear Deterrent that fails to Deter.

An Opinion piece in The Age by Daniel Flitton which argues that while we talk about Iran and Israel "The problem is much wider. The declared nuclear powers - the US, Russia, the UK, France and China - have never surrendered their own bombs, despite their promises." Read article.

Russia threatening to Nuke Poland over US missile shield deal.

Russia threatened a nuclear strike against Poland after a landmark deal to site American global anti-missile shields in the country. Read article.

Academic: Nuclear Threat on our doorstep.

ANU Security Analyst Paul Dibb warns that if the power balances shift in Asia our region could face a major nuclear break out. 

Keating: Nuclear weapons most pressing problem.

Former PM Paul Keating urged immediate action on the nuclear weapon threat in detail at a speech at the Melbourne Writers festival this week. Read news report. Read full speech.

Putin's ultimatum to Rudd over uranium deal. 

Kelvin Thompson, chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties expresses reservations about ratifying the treaty which would allow Australia to seel uranium to Russia. His reservations sparked intense response from Russian diplomats. Read article.

WE CAN! - New ICAN partners

Thanks to the following organisations who have recently joined ICAN: 

·         Victorian Trades Hall Council 

·         Australian Nursing Federation 

-- 
Jessica Morrison
Australian Director
International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
G03 60 Leicester Street, Carlton VIC 3053
Phone: + 61 3 9347 4795	
Mob:     0431 519 577
Fax: + 61 39347 4995
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www.icanw.org