This year sees the 60th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States. Despite all the consequent death, devastation and suffering the world has not yet achieved a ban on nuclear weapons. Although at the UN Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in 2000 the nuclear weapons states made an "unequivocal undertaking" to take positive steps to nuclear disarmament, very little has happened. This year we must press governments to carry out their legal obligations to achieve global nuclear disarmament.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), the military alliance which includes the USA and Canada, has been expanded to 26 states across Europe. Yet NATO is a block to the furthering of the aims of the NPT as it still holds policies of retaining nuclear weapons, of using nuclear arms first and a policy of nuclear sharing so that the US can store nuclear weapons at bases on the land of non-nuclear weapon states.
The new European Constitution includes articles which support a European army, support for selling more arms from Europe and recommendations that member states should spend more on defence.
The above issues are urgently in need of public debate, because there is no doubt that people are seeking ways to achieve peace and human security. Will they find it through military security? Can governments still threaten the use of nuclear weapons? What is the effect of the spending of huge amounts of money on more advanced technological, including nuclear, weapons? If we are to change hearts and minds, how will we do it?
CND will raise these questions in the workshops at the Europe for Peace" conference on Saturday 5 March. The conference speakers are Tobias Pflueger (Member of the European Parliament), Jeremy Corbyn MP, Arielle Denis (co-president, Mouvement de la Paix). Kate Hudson (chair, CND) and Roger Cole (Peace and Neutrality Alliance).
GM&D CND need nearly 40 volunteers at this year's Glastonbury Festival to help with the left luggage service. Last year they raised over £1,800. If you are interested contact the office (see below) for an application form. You must be available from 21-27 June, willing to work a total of 28 hours including a nightshift, able to lift heavy rucksacks, have excellent people skills, be prepared to deal with rain, mud and sun, in possession of a tent, sleeping bag etc, literate, numerate and 16 or over.
You will get a free ticket and camp in staff fields with better facilities. CND will provide a subsidised minibus from Manchester to the site. Volunteers' children under 12 years of age get in free.
Jacqui Darbyshire, Greater Manchester & District CND (273 8283, gmdcnd@gn.apc.org)
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