Bulletin #15 - October, 2008
17 October 2008
Dear ICAN supporters,
It's been a busy time in nuclear politics! The US-India deal looks set to go ahead. However the good news is that the proposed Australian-Russia nuclear treaty is flailing. The UN General Assembly is about to talk nuclear weapons as Australia and Japan's new Disarmament Commission meets for the first time this weekend. It has also been a busy time for ICAN, with lots of people being active.
ICAN ACT - things to do today!
- NO! to Russian uranium deal. The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has recommended rejecting the treaty, now it's the Government's turn. E-mail the Prime Minister
- ICAN Give! Donate to the campaign to help us continue: donate online.
- Order ICAN resources: info@icanw.org
ICAN NEWS
Melbourne Action: Japan and Australia get out of the nuclear umbrella
Kangaroos and kimonos joined under nuclear umbrellas at Flinders Street Station to protest our countries' involvement with US nuclear weapons.
Both Japan and Australia are part of the "US nuclear umbrella", indicating we believe we are covered by the ‘extended deterrence' of US nuclear weapons. ICAN volunteers handed out information stating that if Australia and Japan are serious about ridding the world of nuclear weapons, as indicated by our co-chairing the International Commission on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (ICNND), then we need to get out of this nuclear umbrella. More information and photos (including Dr Bill who was ‘hopping mad' about nukes in his kangaroo suit).
Australian Research Network for nuclear disarmament
ICAN Board members are part of a group of eminent academics who formed a new network to promote collaborative activities promoting nuclear disarmament. The network is hosted by Marianne Hansen of the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies in University of Queensland.
Children bury guns on International Day of Peace: Sep 21.
ICAN with the Peace Organisation of Australia organised a toy gun burial with young children, talking about the risks of all weapons - from small arms to nuclear weapons. Read more.
Hawkesdale Students share campaigning stories. Hawkesdale Year 6 students visited Melbourne recently, sharing their stories about nuclear weapons campaigning they've recently done. Read more
ICAN spreading the word. Jessica Morrison presented to Yr 11 students from 6 different schools as part of a lecture series organised by Social Education Victoria. Prof Joe Camilleri and Prof John Langmore were part of an AsiaLink Regional Security Issues Forum.
International Commission on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament meet this week.
The Commissioners have been announced and will meet this weekend in Sydney.
UN First Committee meets in New York
The UN First Committee is currently considering a range of resolutions aimed to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons. See Reaching Critical Will for daily updates, government statements and commentary.
BBC transcript in wake of nuclear attack. The BBC releases a script from the 1970's which starts: "This is the Wartime Broadcasting Service. This country has been attacked with nuclear weapons. Communications have been severely disrupted, and the number of casualties and the extent of the damage are not yet known." Read full script
Nuclear attack on Melbourne 'inevitable', says academic.
Prof Joseph Siracusa said more than 270,000 people would die and 150,000 would be injured if a nuclear bomb was detonated on the corner of Swanston and Collins streets. Read more.
Australia backs off from Russian Nuclear Deal. The cross-party Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has recommended the Government does not go ahead with the proposed Russian nuclear deal. Read more. Read Dr Jim Green's Opinion piece on ABC online and add your comment to the 120 others.
Russia says U.S. on dangerous path over arms control. Russia has criticised the USA for refusing to negotiate a replacement treaty before the START arms reduction treaty runs out next year. Read more.
Russia signals preparedness for a nuclear arms race. "By 2020 we must guarantee our capacities of nuclear deterrence in various military and political conditions, in various military and political situations, as well as ensure the comprehensive provision of new types of weapons and means of gathering intelligence" said the President. Read more.
Iran 'determined to enrich uranium'. Iran will continue with uranium enrichment, the focus of international fears about its nuclear program, even if the country is promised supplies of nuclear reactor fuel, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said. Read more.
US Election and Nukes. Nuclear weapons continue to feature in the US election. During the Vice Presidential debate, both candidates refused to rule out use of nuclear weapons. Read more. However the Republicans are clearly more comfortable with pushing the button, even if appearing less knowledgeable about the issues. Read more.
US must increase nuclear arsenal: State Dept
The US must increase its nuclear arsenal in response to China's growing military might, according to a State Department report. Read More.
US-INDIA deal approved by the Nuclear Suppliers Group and US Congress
Amidst much controversy, the Nuclear Suppliers Group provided an exemption to India, allowing the US-India deal to go ahead without India signing the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. Subsequently, the USA has passed domestic law that allows this treaty to proceed. Read more. This paved the way for France and India to also sign a nuclear deal, which they did last month. Read more. Standford academic says this is "reckless foreign policy". Read more.
Pakistan eyes nuclear deal after India-US pact. Pakistan says it wants a deal on nuclear co-operation with the United States similar to the one the US Senate has just approved with India. Read more.
UN Inspectors return to North Korea
North Korea has allowed IAEA inspectors to return this week after the US lifted terrorism blacklist on the country. Read more
Thanks to the Union of Australian Women who have recently joined ICAN.
See our updated international list of ICAN partners.
