US Activist Speaking Tour of Wales - Do US Plans Herald a new Cold War?
Bruce Gagnon, co-ordinator of the Global Network against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, is visiting Wales from the USA this week to speak in Cardiff, Bridgend and Aberystwyth about the dangerous and provocative US plans for National Missile Defence (NMD) in Europe.
Bruce is highly respected in both academic and radical circles in the USA. Raised in a conservative home, he joined the US Air force before 'changing his mind' to become a full time campaigner for peace and justice. He says that "The role of the US in the new corporate world order is going to be to 'export security'. The Pentagon will send our kids off to foreign lands to
suppress opposition to corporate globalization."
Peace and justice groups from nine European countries earlier this year agreed strategies and joint campaigns to oppose US plans for National Missile Defence. The US plans are to use radars to detect incoming missiles, and interceptor missiles to shoot them down. While the US claims this as 'defensive', it will allow the US to attack others without fear of retaliation. The proposal adds to global instability and tension with Russia and has led to a new nuclear arms race. And it may well lead to a new Cold War.
Britain already hosts NMD bases at Fylingdales and Menwith Hill in Yorkshire, without public or parliamentary consultation. Now, the US wants bases in Poland and the Czech Republic. This has caused considerable concern not only to Russia, but also to the populations of Poland, the Czech
Republic and across Europe.
Bruce Gagnon asks: "How will we ever end America's addiction to war and violence as long as our communities are dependent on military spending for jobs? We must work to convert the military industrial complex to sustainable technologies."
CND Cymru National Secretary Jill Gough welcomed anyone interested to come along to hear Bruce Gagnon this week. She said:"True security means ensuring adequate, food, education, shelter and human rights for everyone in the world; it means developing human understanding at home and abroad. "
"As with plans to build a 'Military Academy' in South Wales at St Athan, US National Missile 'Defense' plans have nothing to do with protecting people and their environment from future threats. Both may actually increase threats from terrorism. Despite this, the Welsh Assembly Government has blindly welcomed the increasing militarisation plans for Wales, the dangerous US National Missile 'Defense' plans develop apace and the British Government works towards the replacement of the British Trident nuclear weapons system."
"We must say no to NMD, no to a new nuclear arms race, no to militarisation
and no to a new Cold War."
Bruce Gagnon Speaking Tour of Britain [Welsh section] Monday 3rd September Temple of Peace Cardiff hosted by Cynefin y Werin (Common Ground) contact George Crabb
Tuesday 4th September Bridgend - Quaker Meeting House contact: Pete Thompson
Thursday 6th September Oswestry/Oswestry Coalition for Peace contact: Margaret Clarke mgt2800@hotmail.com
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