|
Written by Dave Webb
|
|
Saturday, 23 October 2010 18:13 |
|
During the weekend of 15-17th October I represented CND at and international peace-weekend in Lisbon where an international conference voiced its concern about the NATO Conference due to be held in the city in November. We also set about organising a counter cummit and our network “No to NATO – no to War” opened the final stages of preparations of our protests against the new NATO strategy.
|
|
Written by Dave Webb
|
|
Saturday, 23 October 2010 18:04 |
|
I was one of the speakers at a recent conference on “Drone Wars” in London on 18 September. Organised by the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) this was the first of its kind in the country and aimed to bring together academics, researchers and activists to discuss the issues associated with the increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) by the security forces and the military.
|
|
Written by Dave Webb
|
|
Sunday, 09 May 2010 02:23 |
Thursday
Yesterday the United States released for the first time newly declassified details about its nuclear stockpile. As of September 30, they had 5,113 nuclear weapons which, officials stated, represents a 75% reduction from the 22,217 that the US had when the Berlin Wall fell in late 1989. Although the figure includes warheads that are operationally deployed, kept in active reserve and held in inactive storage - the Pentagon admits that it does not include "several thousand" warheads that are now retired and awaiting dismantlement.
When Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed the NPT Conference she told the U.N. assembly that these numbers “send a clear, unmistakable message” and a senior defense official expressed hope that it would set a standard for the rest of the world, including China, to be more transparent about their nuclear weapons programs. She also said that the US nuclear weapons stationed throughout Europe as part of the NATO nuclear force will remain there for some time.
|
|
Written by Dave Webb
|
|
Saturday, 08 May 2010 11:18 |
|
Wednesday
So many people have asked me what the result of the election will be! I'll be glad when it's over - or will I?
During the day, the President of the Review Conference, Ambassador Cabactulan announced that agreement had been reached on the setting up of three subsidiary bodies which will focus more in-depth on the specific topics of practical nuclear disarmament, regional issues (including the Middle East resolution), and institutional issues of the Treaty. This doesn't sound like much but, in terms of the long and slow diplomatic process, marks a positive achievement, and the focus can now turn to the substantive issues and the associated negotiations.
|
|
Written by Dave Webb
|
|
Saturday, 08 May 2010 10:30 |
Tuesday
The first event today was a breakfast meeting for members of the Abolition Caucus. This meeting is held every day at 8am and is open to anyone who wants to be involved in discussing possible responses or actions following the previous days events. Discussion at this meeting focussed on the speech of the Secretary General and the walk out on the Presdient of Iran's speech.
Every morning at 9am a member of the delegation from one of the countries present at the NPT would come to meet with the NGOs. At the meeting views and comments are exchanged and it is a useful way of getting a feel for what is happening and feeling a litlle closer to events. Today it was the turn of the ambassador from Ireland. In order to promote a realtively free exchange of views and to avoid misquotes and statements taken out of context, it is agreed that direct quotes from the meeting will not be used.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page 3 of 3 |
