New Partners in the Global Search for Abolition of Nuclear Weapons

by Rosalie Paul

Peace Action Maine continues to play a determined role in the global campaign to abolish nuclear weapons that began with our founding as the Maine Freeze Campaign in 1983.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the first use of nuclear weapons, and much energy is being devoted around the globe to ensuring they will never be used again. Many of our members traveled to New York for the May 1st rally in support of the UN conference to review and protect the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The rally, organized by the United for Peace and Justice Coalition, was a cry by tens of thousands of participants for global nuclear disarmament and for an end to the war in Iraq.

The United States seems interested in non-proliferation only as it refers to other nations. It has no intention of being bound by this international agreement, even going so far as to threaten first use of nuclear weapons against nuclear or non-nuclear states.

Some of the "Middle States" are voicing clear support for abolition. Nuclear-capable countries including Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden and eight NATO members called last year for a resolution to implement commitments already made. The U.S. along with Britain and France voted against them.

But the grassroots is finding support from surprising corners. One is the "International Mayors for Peace Emergency Campaign to Ban Nuclear Weapons." Led by the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, many hundreds of mayors in the US and around the world have endorsed a proposal that negotiations begin in 2005 and conclude by 2010 for a treaty to eliminate nuclear weapons and implement global nuclear disarmament no later than 2020. Looking at the list (www.abolitionnow.org) it's heartening to see Mayor of Belfast, Maine, Michael Hurley among the signatories. There are instructions on that website for involving the mayor of your town or city, and we urge you to take that action.

Then there is the important refusal of Canada's Prime Minister, Paul Martin, to participate further in the U.S. missile "defense" shield. Martin has publicly stated his aversion to the possible "weaponization of space." According to Bruce Gagnon of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, the Canadian peace movement is doing an excellent job of creating national debate on the issue and of pressuring their government. Most exciting of all is the recent resolution passed by the Belgian Senate calling for the withdrawal of the 480 U.S. nuclear weapons based in Europe! This is the first time a European Parliament has demanded removal of weapons currently based in Belgium, Germany, England, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey. The United States is the only country that has nuclear weapons stationed on the territory of other countries. The Mayors for Peace Campaign includes 200 Belgian mayors. They have worked to build momentum for this important resolution.

Perhaps readers know of other signals that the world grows weary of U.S. arrogance around nuclear weapons issues? We welcome your letters for publication in the fall.

 

Back to: Summer 2005 Peace Talk