Polish & Euro solidarity demos against US missile defence

from email, 28 March 2008:

Polish Campaign Against Militarism
Web: www.tarcza.org or www.m29.bzzz.net
Email: campaignagainstmilitarism@gmail.com
International Contact: Damien at 0048607340093

On Saturday March 29 large crowds are expected in Slupsk, Poland to protest against the installation of elements of the American Anti-Missile Defense System at the proposed site in Redzikowo.

A public meeting will be held outside of the City Hall (Ratusz) starting at 12pm.

Most recent opinion polls have shown that approximately 60 percent of local inhabitants oppose the US base.

Solidarity vigils are scheduled to be held in various locations, including Berlin and Hamburg, Prague, London, Dublin, Washington DC as well as at Fylingdales in the UK.

Statement

We oppose the building of the US Military Base housing elements of the US Missile Defense System for numerous reasons:

1. The US government has admitted that there is no proof of any threat from Iran, the country whose missiles it most often claims the Defense System is designed to protect them against.

2. We believe that the installation of the missiles in Poland will trigger a new arms race. This is a costly endeavour and, in our opinion, the wrong path to go down. We believe in solving problems not by increased military force but by new policy.

3. The System has not proven to be effective in tests.

4. The Missiles can also be converted and used as offensive weapons.

5. The US government has not been honest about housing nuclear weapons on European Bases. The Belgian government has admitted that US nuclear weapons have been secretly kept on its terrority. Nuclear weapons are weapons of mass destruction and must be elimated. There is no guarantee that nuclear weapons will not be secretly stored in Poland and there is cause for concern that some parties in Poland may be willing to cooperate in such covert plans.

6. The majority of Polish people are against the plans. Most Americans also wish to avoid such military spending and a new arms race. There is also considerable opposition to the Missile Defense System in the scientific community and in the government.

See http://www.tarcza.org

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