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This week, people in Wales will join with others all over the world in remembering the 65^th anniversary of the August 6^th 1945 devastation of Hiroshima when a US atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city. Three days later a second US nuclear bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. Over 250,000 people were killed by heat, blast, fire and radiation. Contrary to what was claimed at the time, the dropping of these two nuclear bombs did not end the 1939 -1945 war (1).

Jill Evans MEP and Chair of CND Cymru will speak on the National Eisteddfod Maes at an event to remember the foolishness and cruelty inherent in the development, deployment and use of nuclear weapons. She will reiterate the feelings of the majority of people in Wales, that such weapons of mass destruction (2) are neither needed nor wanted.

Jill Evans said,

“Nuclear weapons are immoral and internationally illegal. They don’t defend us against the real threats we face but make the world a more dangerous place. At a time when everyone is talking about cuts in public services, we are calling on the British government to make the easiest and most far reaching cut of all – British nuclear weapons. Trident and its planned replacement have no role in building the sustainable economy we need. It is simply common sense.”

British people are facing increased taxation and stringent cuts in public services; yet the British Government spends over £2 billion a year (3) on the Trident nuclear weapons system and is planning to spend even more on replacing it with new nuclear weapons.

Costly plans, already going ahead at AWE Aldermaston to replace Trident with new nuclear weapons will cost the British Taxpayer at least a further £76 billion (4).

Any use of nuclear weapons would be socially, environmentally and politically catastrophic.

Ms. Evans added,

“On the 65th anniversary of the devastation of Hiroshima, what could be a more fitting memorial to all those who lost their lives than for the British government to scrap Trident. What a wonderful message of peace that would send to the world.”

Many across Wales will be remembering those who suffered and continue to suffer as a result of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. At the same time, campaigners for peace and justice urge everyone to speak out against nuclear weapons, which offer no security from climate change, soaring food prices, resource depletion, disease or poverty and homelessness across the world.

(Other commemorative events taking place throughout Wales are listed below.)

CND Cymru calls upon the British Government to make a commitment that British Government will neither use, threaten to use, nor develop new nuclear weapons, and will take immediate steps for their abolition.

ENDS

Interviews will be available on the Eisteddfod Maes. 7 August. The CND Cymru commemoration begins at 12pm at the CND Cymru/Peace tent (705-6). Picture editors: There will be banners and singing.

For Comment/interviews in advance Contact:

CND Cymru National Secretary Jill Gough

t: 01239 85 11 88 m:01239 85 11 88 heddwch@cndcymru.org

CND Cymru Chair Jill Evans MEP

t: 01443 440 999 m:07803 902 401

CND Cymru Vice Chair

Dr.John Cox 01495 773 495 e: drjohncox@aol.com 07940582593

Some Hiroshima/Nagasaki Commemorative Events in Wales:

National Eisteddfod, Blaenau Gwent August 6^th 10am Pabell Cytûn: Cymdeithas y Cymod Remembrance Service 10am. All welcome. m: 07799 505176

Newport (Pembrokeshire) August 6^th 8.30 for 8.45pm Meet: white iron bridge, to sail candle boats down the river after spoken contributions of different types in Welsh and English and rendition of Dona Nobis Pacem. Details from Ros t: 01239 821 129 or Robbie 01239 615 921 e: r_manson@sky.com

Newport (Gwent) (Tredegar House Lakeside) August 6^th 6:30 – 7:00 pm

Commemoration with shared poems and readings.  Everyone invited to bring flowers to strew on the lake. Contact: Ingrid Wilson m: 07976 267367 iw@ideasuk.co.uk

Cardiff (Roath Park Lake) August 6^th t: 02920 889 514 m:07845 982 238

Llandrindod August 6^th (Peace Garden) 12 noon Tree planting Llandrindod CND This year’s tree is a Broom bush kindly donated by Brian & Marion Lopez. Contact Vi Shenton t: 01597 829 303

Chester August 6^th 8.00pm (The Groves) Readings, silent reflection and the dropping of white flowers on the river. t: 01244 679 051 dai.owen@virgin.net

National Eisteddfod Blaenau Gwent August 7^th

Meet: Y Pabell Heddwch (CND Cymru Tent nos: 705-6)

12pm Remembering Hiroshima & Nagasaki – Scrap all Nuclear Weapons Now – and let it begin here!

Walk around Maes with banners followed by address by Jill Evans at Y Pabell and singing from Côr Cochion.

More information from CND Cymru heddwch@cndcymru.org m:07704 67 57 87 t:01239 85 11 88

………………………………….

(1) Contrary to what was claimed at the time and the story that is usually told, it is widely agreed the bombs did not end the war.

“It would be a mistake to suppose that the fate of Japan was settled by the atomic bomb.  Her defeat was certain before the first bomb fell. “

(Winston Churchill British Prime Minister).

“Japan was at that very moment seeking some way to surrender with minimum loss of face.  It was not necessary to hit them with that awful thing”

(US President Dwight Eisenhower)

(2) The total yield of the 200 nuclear warheads now deployed on the 4 British Trident submarines is around 14.4 megatons, which is roughly equivalent to 1,000 times the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

(3) Running costs of existing Trident 2007-2023: £26-31 billion Keith Hartley, ‘The Economics of UK Nuclear Weapons Policy’, International Affairs, Vol. 82, No.4, pp.675-684, for military equipment a 10% rise in real terms each year is suggested, p. 684)

(4) http://www.cnduk.org/images/stories/briefings/trident/cost_british_nweapons_07.pdf Aldermaston: www.aldermaston.net/awe

(5) A concise discussion of some of the cost increases which have emerged since the 2006 White Paper in the latest briefing sent out to MPs: http://www.cnduk.org/images/stories/briefings/trident/parlcndtridentsdsr_june2010.pdf

Cymdeithas y Cymod (Wales Fellowship of Reconciliation) made a pilgrimage to Aberporth, Ceredigion in June. Parc Aberporth was built with over £13 million of taxpayers’ money and is where unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) and their spying and tracking equipment are being perfected for use by arms companies, on behalf of the British army. The group were joined by CND Cymru, Bro Emlyn Peace and Justice Group and Cardigan and North Pembrokeshire Amnesty International Group. The service and vigil was led by Cymdeithas y Cymod President, Guto Prys ap Gwynfor, Robin Gwyndaf and Eirian James.

The use of unmanned drones as weapons of war in conflicts around the world has been called into question by one of Britain’s most senior judges. Lord Bingham, a former senior law lord, said that they are ‘cruel as to be beyond the pale of human tolerance’.

]]> http://www.cndcymru.org/aberporth-people-in-wales-say-no-to-perfecting-war/feed/lang/cy/ 0 http://www.cndcymru.org/unarmed-forces-day http://www.cndcymru.org/unarmed-forces-day#comments Sat, 26 Jun 2010 07:07:41 +0000 Elenydd http://www.cndcymru.org/?p=868

Peace Campaigners Speak Out on Armed Forces Day

On June 26th CND Cymru members will join others who campaign for peace and justice in several events in Ceredigion and in Cardiff. On this the propaganda event ‘armed forces day’ they will be calling for a different way of running the world – for an ‘unarmed force’ of genuine justice and peace which upholds human rights.

In Aberystwyth the Choir of Hope, Côr Gobaith will be supporting the Aberystwyth Palestine Solidarity Campaign as they leaflet in the streets to encourage shoppers to boycott any goods imported from Israel and grown or made on territories which were illegally taken from Palestinian people. Before their event Women in Black will be holding a thirty minute silent vigil urging us all to ‘Remember Gaza’.

In Aberporth, Cymdeithas y Cymod (Wales Fellowship of Reconciliation) will hold a service and vigil at Parc Aberporth, Ceredigion where Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs – drones) and their spying and tracking equipment are being perfected for use by arms companies, for the British military. The service will be led by Cymdeithas y Cymod President, Guto Prys ap Gwynfor and there will be other speakers. They will be joined by local campaigners against the UAV centre form the Bro Emlyn Peace & Justice Group and Aberporth group, ACTIMA.

The use of unmanned drones as weapons of war in conflicts around the world has been called into question by one of Britain’s most senior judges. Lord Bingham, a former senior law lord, said that some weapons were so ‘cruel as to be beyond the pale of human tolerance’.

Jill Gough, National Secretary of CND Cymru said:

‘Many know that if there is to be any healthy, safe future for our children and those all around the world then it is nigh time we learned, as humans, to behave differently. Life on the planet is already damaged by human activity; people are suffering from resource depletion, pollution and disease and poverty – as a result of violence and greed.

‘We want Wales to be part of the solution, not the problem. There will be more of the sort of situations we are seeing in Israel and Palestine, more conflict and further suffering unless we stop fuelling the arms trade – which itself fuels wars. We say ‘No’ to more military development at Aberporth and ‘No’ to the proposed Military Academy at St Athan.’

Ray Davies, Vice Chair of CND Cymru commented this week:

‘Ironically, the tragic milestone of the 300th British death in Afghanistan came just before the start of Armed Forces week. As the endless, pointless war goes on, CND Cymru and Côr Cochion marked the latest casualties with a vigil in Queen St, Cardiff last Wednesday.

‘The majority of the British public do not agree with our involvement in Afghanistan, as reflected by the warm response to the vigil in Cardiff.

‘One passerby in particular stood out. An ex serviceman expressed his gratitude to the vigil as he put a note in the collecting bucket to build the movement to bring the troops home.

I hope our politicians come to their senses so we will not have to hold a vigil for the 1000th death.’

‘We will be on the streets campaigning for peace and justice for all peoples – until we get it!’

ENDS

• For information about Palestine Solidarity Campaign Aberystwyth contact Elizabeth Morley eimorley@rocketmail.com The Aberystwyth Vigil starts at 10.30am in Owain Glyndwr Square.
• Cardiff Vigils, leafleting and singing for peace and justice by Cor Cochion Caerdydd will continue. For more information/interviews contact Ray Davies 02920 889 514
• For More information about the campaign to stop the testing of UAVs/drones at Aberporth see www.bepj.org.uk
• For interviews about Aberporth event contact Jill Gough 01239 85 11 88 (before 10am) m: 07704 675787

Jill Gough, National Secretary of CND Cymru said today:

“Nuclear weapons are not only immoral and ridiculously expensive. With the threat of Climate Change and the challenge of decreasing resources, conflict in the world is likely to increase. Nuclear threats, proliferation and technology will only exacerbate the problem. Instead of arming themselves, it would be wiser for nation states to invest in conflict prevention measures, upholding human rights, working to conserve resources and to halt climate change.

The procurement of a new updated British nuclear weapons system gives a green light to other now non-nuclear states to develop their own nuclear weapons. Is this really how we want to spend British taxpayers’ money – at a time when public services are being cut? “

Jill Evans MEP and Chair of CND Cymru commented:

“Its a scandal that the government is inflicting massive cuts on the people of Wales when they could save billions at a stroke by cancelling the Trident nuclear weapons system. Most people would choose a good quality health service, successful schools and proper care and support for those who most need it rather than nuclear weapons. Trident can’t defend us against any of the real threats we face today. Now is the time to scrap it.”
ENDS

Notes:
(1) Running costs of existing Trident 2007-2023: £26-31 billion       Keith Hartley, ‘The Economics of UK Nuclear Weapons Policy’, International Affairs, Vol. 82, No.4, pp.675-684, for military equipment a 10% rise in real terms each year is suggested, p. 684)

(2) http://www.cnduk.org/images/stories/briefings/trident/cost_british_nweapons_07.pdf  Aldermaston: www.aldermaston.net/awe

(3) A concise discussion of some of the cost increases which have emerged since the 2006 White Paper in the latest briefing sent out to MPs: http://www.cnduk.org/images/stories/briefings/trident/parlcndtridentsdsr_june2010.pdf

Bilingual interviews are available.

CONTACTS:

CND Cymru – Please update your records with these details if necessary
National Secretary, Jill Gough t: 01239 85 11 88 m: 07704 675787 heddwch@cndcymru.org

For interview:

Jill Evans MEP Chair of CND Cymru: t: 01443 440 999
Dr John Cox Vice Chair CND Cymru: 01495 773 495
Cllr. Ray Davies Vice Chair CND Cymru: 02920 889 514

CND Cymru: www.cndcymru.org

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (Britain):  www.cnduk.org

………………………………..

From Cllr. Ray Davies (CND Cymru Vice Chair) to the press:

When will we have political leaders who have the guts to stand up to the generals, admirals and air commodores, and tell them :
we don’t need  Trident to carry on pointlessly traversing the oceans of the world with its useless nuclear warheads.

Blair, Brown and now Cameron have all fallen at the feet of the military to do their bidding. Yet this country is now on the threshold of a major financial crisis, which will see the worst cuts in public service expenditure since before the first world war.

Already in Caerphilly we have lost 300 jobs, with more to come. This is replicated throughout the country- in  cuts to the Tax Office,  Jobcentres, cancellation of new hospital buildings and schools,- cuts  which could drive us into a 30′s like depression.

No service, they say, is immune from cuts; yet the only expense singled out for ring fencing is Trident.

The  UK military has spent £20 billion on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Now Nick Clegg states in Parliament that the cost of Trident would exceed £100 billion; more than the whole of the budget for schools, hospitals, roads and transport.

This is absolutely obscene.
What do we get for all that military expenditure? Generals searching the globe for a remote area where we can find an excuse for the next armed conflict to justify their existence.

One day, just maybe, we might have brave leaders who say, enough is enough, who are willing to stop the insanity  of nuclear arms.

Oh for a budget that ring fences schools, hospitals and public services, and cuts  nuclear weapons.

Yours sincerely

Ray Davies
Vice chair,CND Cymru

Hybu Heddwch

Bydd cyn ASE a Llywydd Sefydliad Heddwch Fflandrys, Nelly Maes, a Chyfarwyddwr y Sefydliad, Tomas Baum, yng Nghymru yr wythnos nesaf (Chwefror 23 a 24) i roi tystiolaeth i’r Cynulliad i gefnogi deiseb 1,500 o enwau sy’n galw am Academi Heddwch Cymru. O Gaerdydd bydd Nelly yn teithio i Gaerfyrddin, Aberystwyth a Bangor i siarad am eu gwaith.

Mae nifer o sefyliadau tebyg mewn cenhedloedd eraill, yn cynnwys Ffindir, Fflandrys a Chataluyna, a rhai yn nhaleithau’r UDA. Maent yn trefnu hyfforddiant ac ymchwil i faterion heddwch, y farchnad arfau a gwariant milwrol. Mae Sefydliad Heddwch Fflandrys yn archwilio effaith polisiau a gweithrediadauy Senedd Fflandrys ar heddwch a chyfiawnder – o fewn y gymdeithas, yn ogystal ag yn ghenedlaethol ac yn rhyngwladol.

Mae llawer o unigolion a mudiadau wedi uno i ofyn i’r Cynulliad i ymchwilio i’r posiblrwydd o sefydlu corff tebyg yng Nghymru, yn eu plith Canolfan Cymreig Materion Rhyngwladol, Cymdeithas y Cymod, CND Cymru a Chynefin y Werin. Gallai Academi Heddwch Cymru roi cyngor i’r Cynulliad ar bolisiau perthnasol i heddwch, gyda ei gwaith yn seiledig ar ymchwil academaidd annibynnol.

Meddai Cadeirydd CND Cymru Jill Evans ASE:

“Mae gan Gymru a Fflandrys gyswllt hanesyddol oherwydd trasiedi rhyfel a’n dymuniad dros heddwch. Rydym yn adeiladu ar y cyswllt hwn heddiw. Rwyf yn hyderus y byddwn yn derbyn cefnogaeth gan bob plaid a phob sector gymdeithas. Sefydlwyd ein Cynulliad Cenedlaethol i ddelio gyda’r materion sy’n effeithio pobl Cymru. Fel mae’r ymrwymiad i ddatblygu cynaladwy wedi llywio gwaith y Cynulliad, byddai Academi Heddwch yn codi ymwybyddiaeth ymysg Aelodau’r Cynulliad am effaith polisiau a phenderfyniad sy’n perthyn i faesedd milwrol, arfau a gwrthdaro ar Gymru a gweddill y byd. Mae Fflandrys wedi ein hysbrydoli, ond dim ond un yw hwn ymysg llawer o sefydliadau tebyg o amgylch y byd. Gwn fod gan Academi Heddwch Cymru le yn eu mysg.”

Meddai Stephen Thomas, Canolfan Cymru Materion Rhyngwladol:

“Gwneir llawer o waith eisioes o gwmpas Cymru ym maes annog heddwch ac atal gwrthdaro treisol. Mae addysg yn yr ysgolion a phrifysgolion, ymchwil academaidd, ac ymgyrchu ar faterion heddwch. Mae’n briodol i geisio cryfhau’r ymdrechion gan gymaint o fudiadau ac unigolion, trwy cydlynu y fyddai’n cael ei ddarparu gan Academi Heddwch genedlaethol.”

Meddai Jill Gough, Ysgrifennydd Genedlaethol CND Cymru:

“Rydym wedi derbyn cefnogaeth eang ledled Cymru sy’n dangos fod y syniad yn un amserol. Byddai’n adlewyrchu traddodiad ein cenedl, a theimlad y cyhoedd ar faterion byd-eang, petai’r Cynulliad yn rhoi arweiniad trwy sefydlu Academi Heddwch yng Nghymru.”

DIWEDD

Am ragor o fanylion a chyfweliadau:

Stephen Thomas

stephenthomas@wcia.org.uk

Jill Evans ASE 01443 441 395 m: 07803 902 401 Jill.evans@europarl.europa.eu

Dr John Cox

01495 773 495 drjohncox@aol.com

Robin Gwyndaf

02920 626 287 rgwyndaf@sky.com

Jill Gough

01239 851 188 heddwch@cndcymru.org

Ben Gregory

01286 882 134 benica@gn.apc.org

Mae taflen esbonio wedi cael ei hatodi.

Bydd y cyflwyniad i Bwyllgor Deisebion y Cynulliad yn digwydd am 9.00yb

Bydd Llywydd Sefydliad Heddwch Fflandrys, Nelly Maes, a’i Gyfarwyddwr, Tomas Baum, yn rhoi tystiolaeth i’r Pwyllgor, gyda Stephen Thomas, John Cox a Jill Evans

Bydd cyfle tynnu lluniau/cyfweliadau gyda Nelly a Tomas cyn y sesiwn tystiolaeth, yng Nghyntedd y Senedd, rhwng 8.30 a 8.45 yb.

Bydd taith siarad dau ddiwrnod ledled Cymru gan Nelly Maes yn dilyn y cyflwyniad

Digwyddiad:

Cardiff

Chwefror 23 2.30yp

Y Senedd Cyfarfod gyda Nelly Maes and Tomas Baum croeso i bawb Manylion Bethan Jenkins: bethan.jenkins@wales.gov.uk 029 2089 8271

Caerfyrddin

Chwefror 23 7yh

Festri Capel Tabernacl, Waterloo Terrace.

Manylion: Mererid Hopwood 07855 868 077

Aberystwyth

Chwefror 24 1 – 3yp

Y Prif Neuadd, Adeilad Gwleidyddiaeth Rhyngwladol, Prifysgol Aberystwyth

Manylion Dr. Grant Dawson – Is-Cyfarwyddwr, Sefydliad Cofio David Davies

dawson.grant@gmail.com 01970 628 563

yr Athro Nicholas J. Wheeler – Cyfarwyddwr, Sefydliad Cofio David Davies

njw@aber.ac.uk 01970 628 563

Bangor

Chwefror 24, 7.30pm

Capel Berea Newydd, Rhodfa Dewi Sant, Ffordd Penrhos, Bangor

Cyfarfod cyhoeddus: ‘Academi Heddwch i Gymru?’

Trefnwyd gan Grw^p Heddwch a Chyfiawnder Bangor a Môn Peace and Grw^p Heddwch a Chyfiawnder Arfon

Manylion Phil Steele 01248 490 715 phil.steele@btinternet.com ;

Ben Gregory 01286 882 134, benica@gn.apc.org

Spending on new facilities at AWE has increased seventeen-fold over the past decade, from £24m in 2000 to £420m last year. This is in spite of government denials that any decision has been made to go ahead with new warheads, with Ministers stating decisions will not be made until the next Parliament.

It was cold and damp; several of our party locked on to each other and blockaded the gates completely obstructing the traffic on the roads leading to the establishment. The singing was good, thanks to Cor Gobaith of Aberystywyth and Theo of Seize the Day. The Buddhists from Milton Keynes,the violinist and trombonist raised our spirits too. Trident Ploughshares support were brilliant and on hand with cups (and saucers) of tea, sandwiches, soup  and hand,  feet and …bottom warmers.

Meanwhile, from 6.30 am, all the other gates had been blocked by protestors (see more at www.tridentploughshares.org). There were very many police who, it was felt were mainly fair and gentle, at least at Construction Gate.

All in all that day there were 26 arrests. We spent the day getting the message out and the event was reported well in the Welsh national and local media.

Thanks to you all who came – and if you weren’t there …we’d love to have you along next time!

North Wales Blocks the Construction Gate

1. Blockader and CND  Cymru Vice Chair Ray Davies writes:

‘The 2010 blockade of AWE Aldermaston was a tremendous success. Over 500 peace activists converged on the nuclear facility from all corners of Europe. Our Welsh contingent spent the night in the church hall in Reading discussing our tactics for the blockade. The adrenalin was running high as people tested out their lockon tubes and equipment, and very little sleep was had by anyone.

We left the church hall before dawn, and as we approached the Construction gate in the darkness, we attached ourselves together with the tubes. As we slowed down by the gate, we very quickly threw ourselves in front of the gates, along with 15 of our Welsh colleagues and 15 internationals.

The whole place was  brought to a standstill. The MOD had their secret plan – to open another entrance to the base;  but no sooner had they opened it, a flood of protesters managed to block it. The police had been forced to wear their identification badges, and so their treatment of us was far better than on previous blockades.

A band from the Basque country, and  Aberystwyth’s choir Cor Gobaith provided the entertainment, with peace music from all over the world.

The ground was soaking wet, and by 9 a.m. the misty rain was falling.

Our international colleagues brought a roll of aluminium  foil to keep out the cold, and some of us were trussed up like turkeys. A policeman stamped his cold feet, and said, ” Get up before you get hypothermia.”

I replied, “Don’t worry about us. We have our principles and passion for peace to keep us warm. What have you got ? you are guarding the most evil  weapons, which threaten all of mankind.”

The atmosphere was electric. We were winning. News came from the other gates of the total success of the blockade. Nothing was going in, and nothing coming out.
By 10 am the womens’ gate was in uproar, with 6 arrests. Our blockade leader Angie Zelter formed a plan which required us, and the Bangor delegation, to chain ourselves together at the main gate. As the police were thinking of ways to deal with us, it allowed  the internationals to pile on to the road, lock themselves on, and within minutes the whole of the Aldermaston perimeter was brought to a standstill. Within half an hour,  it was reported that there were tailbacks going back 3 miles in every direction.

Police were in turmoil. Cutting equipment of all sorts was brought in to deal with the internationals, and this allowed the other 7 gates to maintain the blockade without interference. It took the police 2 1/2 hours to disentangle the internationals and take them off to Reading police station.

We had already been warned  that if we didn’t stop obstructing the main road, then we too would be arrested and charged. By one o’clock, the police had had enough. Aldermaston had closed for the day, and we had won. We all converged on the main gate, singing and dancing , proclaiming our fantastic victory- the best blockade ever. At 345 I was back in Reading railway station, full of aches and pains but happy in the knowledge that we had stopped production at Aldermaston,. We had sent a powerful message to Gordon Brown and his government  that it would be madness to proceed with the new breed of nuclear weapons instead of spending our taxes on education, health and the things that matter to us all.

Why did we get up at 4 a.m.,  on a freezing cold wet morning?

I did it for our beautiful but fragile planet, for my wife Wendy, children Tad and Carwyn, and so that the generations to come will have a future. And I don’t think we need to worry about the caretakers of that future, because the young people came to Aldermaston in their droves, and they will be  back again and again until we had won the greatest prize- to rid the world of the horror of nuclear weapons.’

2. British CND Press Release

Hundreds blockade nuclear bomb factory

The Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston, Berkshire, was subject to the biggest blockade in years as 800 campaigners effectively blocked all entrances to the site for several hours. Anti-nuclear campaigners are intent on obstructing building work which is in preparation for the production of new nuclear warheads. Welsh protesters joined with international activists to send a strong message to government here and worldwide, that the abolition of nuclear weapons is the only answer to security and proliferation risks.

Protesters were joined by two Nobel Peace Prize laureates – Jody Williams and Mairead Maguire who ‘locked-on’ to other campaigners at the designated ‘Women’s Gate’. The blockade was timed to raise the profile of the issue of Trident replacement in the run-up both to the General Election and the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference, in New York in May.

Opinion polls now consistently show a majority against spending £76bn or more on Trident Replacement.

Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament said:

“The Prime Minister says he wants Britain to take a lead on nuclear disarmament. But he cannot do this if he is spending billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money on upgrading the nuclear bomb factory at Aldermaston. As Britain goes to the UN nuclear talks in New York in May, we urge the Prime Minister to see sense as the majority of the British public have and end wasteful spending on weapons of mass destruction and commit genuinely to a nuclear weapons free world.

http://www.flickr. com/photos/ cnduk

Groups and individuals of all ages, religious and political beliefs and backgrounds will be travelling to the blockade from Knighton, Swansea, the South Wales Valleys, Newport, Aberystwyth and Bangor… Jill Evans, MEP since 1999 and Chair of CND Cymru will also take part in the protest with other Members of the Scottish, British and European Parliaments. Côr Gobaith of Aberystwyth will also be singing outside the ‘Welsh Gate’ at Aldermaston.

Protestors will highlight the immorality, illegality, insecurity and waste of resources inherent in the development and possession of nuclear weapons.

Jill Evans commented:

‘The British government is cutting public services but at the same time are spending billions of pounds on illegal, immoral and ineffective nuclear weapons. Most people are in favour of scrapping Trident and having better schools and hospitals. In this economic and climate crisis, the moment is right to for the government to take a lead on this. We will keep protesting until they listen.’

Comments from other participants:

Michael Green, Knighton, Powys (Theatre Director):

‘Nuclear weapons were always insane. Now they’re also stupid in that they’re totally unsuited to the types of war that will, sadly, be fought in the 21st century.’

Pippa Bartolloti Newport Gwent (Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for Newport West):

‘The British Government must listen to its own people, there is no desire for new nuclear weapons and there is no support for new nuclear weapons. Trident renewal will cost British taxpayers more than £95 billion -money that should be spent on eradicating poverty and creating sustainable Green collar jobs for the future. Nuclear weapons are not about defence, they are about attack of the most foul and destructive kind in existence.’

Heather Bolton, Bangor

‘Part of my reason for taking part in the Aldermaston Blockade is to highlight the hypocrisy of the British Government which appears to be seeking a role as a global policeman, stating who can or cannot possess nuclear weapons. Meanwhile the British Government is itself reneging on international commitments to decrease its own nuclear weaponry.’

Angie Zelter, Knighton (Founder of Trident Ploughshares and Right Livelihood Award Laureate)

’5 of us from the Knighton are joining others from Builth Wells to support the Blockade of Aldermaston. We have a duty to non-violently resist the building of new nuclear weapons facilities and stop Britain’s reckless and illegal nuclear proliferation. Our message is simple – No to Trident and No to any replacement or modernising of nuclear weapons. ‘

Jan Jones, Swansea (Artist)

‘We need a nuclear disarmament treaty, not new nuclear weapons. How can we tell other countries that they can’t have nuclear weapons when we insist on having them? Chemical and biological weapons have been banned – we’ve got a chance now to ban nuclear weapons as well’.

Nick Jewitt, Bangor

‘Nuclear weapons are not only immoral, but it is illegal for Britain to continue to have them, still less to manufacture new ones, when it is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Five of us will be going to Aldermaston from the Bangor area, to represent the many who oppose both the dishonouring of the Treaty and the appalling waste of money already being spent as well as the huge amounts proposed for Trident ‘Replacement’.’

ENDS
Bilingual interviews are available from Welsh speaking participants.

CONTACTS:

CND Cymru
National Secretary, Jill Gough 01239 85 11 88 m: 07704 675787

For interview:

• Jill Evans MEP: e: Jill.evans@europarl.europa.eu t: 01443 441 395 m: 07803 902 401
• Jill Evans is Chair of CND Cymru. As an MEP she represents the whole of Wales in the European Parliament. She was arrested at Faslane in 2007 during a blockade of the nuclear base by elected representatives from all over Europe.
• Newport, Gwent Pippa Bartolloti e: pbartolotti@freenetname.co.uk
• Knighton Michael Green, e: michael.green@fountainhead.org.uk t: 01588 650 780
• Knighton Angie Zelter m: 078-35354652
• Swansea Jan Jones e: swanseacnd@btinternet.com t: 01792 830 330
• Bangor Nick Jewitt m: 07909 588208
• Bangor Heather Bolton m: 07955 380022
• Aberystwyth m: 07817 596 285

NOTES

• More information about the blockade: www.tridentploughshares.org
• The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament: www.cnduk.org
• CND Cymru: www.cndcymru.org
• Potted history of AWE Aldermaston 2000-7: http://www.tridentploughshares.org/article1476

When the British Parliament decided to replace the British nuclear weapons system Trident in March 2007, it agreed to new submarines and missiles, but not to refurbishing or replacing the warheads. Despite the fact that such a decision is not due until the next Parliament, continued building work at AWE Aldermaston suggests plans to test, design and build a new generation of nuclear warheads are already going ahead.

The Government says that the decision to replace Trident is not irreversible. A delay to the ’Initial Gate’ decision on replacing the Trident nuclear weapons submarines will now take place following the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in May 2010. A recent poll showing the majority of the British public want the country to rid itself of nuclear weapons.

Those who campaign for nuclear disarmament employ as many kinds of non-violent methods as there are different kinds of people and possibilities – from lobbying and petitioning, street activity, peace camps and direct action, from Faslane in Scotland (where the Trident Nuclear armed and powered submarines are based) down to Devonport in south west England where the Trident submarines are maintained. All have their welcome place in the movement, and AWE Aldermaston is no exception, as many groups such as Aldermaston Women’s Peace Camp, CND Cymru and Trident Ploughshares have all played a part in highlighting the role of the nuclear bomb factory.

A Westminster Government Defence Review Green Paper published on 3rd February assumed that Trident is to be renewed and that this is not up for discussion. While official estimates are that the capital costs of renewing Trident will be £15 – 20 Billion, with annual running costs of £1.5 billion per year until 2060, the true costs are likely to be higher. It is Trident that should be cut, not vital public services.

The 640 sq mile zone will overfly a large area of West Wales inhabited by approximately 50,000 people. It will include part of north Pembrokeshire, north Carmarthenshire, south Ceredigion and an area of western Powys including the Sennybridge military training area of Mynydd Epynt.

More information on the BEPJ website

“We call upon the National Assembly for Wales to investigate the potential for and the practicality of Wales having a Peace Institute concerned with Peace and Human Rights, comparable with those supported by state governments in Flanders, Catalonia and elsewhere in Europe.”

The petition will be handed by a deputation headed by Sue Essex, the former Finance Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government, has been initiated by the Welsh Centre for International Affairs, Cymdeithas y Cymod, Cynefin y Werin and CND Cymru and already has achieved all-party support within the National Assembly.

Speaking in support of the petition, Sue Essex will say:

‘Wales may be a small country but with a Peace Institute we could be a greater voice for peace and justice in the world’.

National Secretary of CND Cymru Jill Gough said today:

‘The widespread support we received throughout Wales for this initiative shows that it is timely. It would reflect this nation’s heritage, and mirror the public mood on global issues, if the Assembly gave a lead in establishing such an Institute in Wales.’

For further details, see attachment with this email or contact Stephen Thomas (bilingual) on 02920-228549, John Cox on 07940582593 or Sue Essex at 10.30 at the Senedd Building.