We post this invitation by IPAN to a meeting of interested organisations to discuss the potential formation of a broad national coalition campaigning against Nuclear Submarines and AUKUS. This Introductory invitation is signed by 15 organisations listed at the bottom of the letter.
Australians are facing a dangerous turn of events with the Government joining the AUKUS military agreement (Australia, UK, US) that can open the door to nuclear power and nuclear weapons in Australia. The establishment of the AUKUS military agreement will escalate the threat of war and devastating consequences for people and the environment in our region.
Other consequences arising from this increased military commitment by the Australian government is the diversion of scarce public resources from the social, economic and health needs of the people, rebuilding local sustainable industries, protecting the environment and dealing with climate change. Disposal of nuclear waste will be a significant problem. Australia’s independence and control over our own country will be eroded even more.
Under the AUKUS agreement Australia will acquire nuclear powered submarines that can act as a “trojan horse” for the introduction to Australia of nuclear power and reactors, nuclear-armed US and UK warships based in our harbours and bombers in military airports. Military storage facilities will be upgraded and new ones established, potentially storing nuclear weapons in our country.
AUKUS will increase the number of US troops in Northern Territory previously signed under the Force Posture Agreement. Minister Dutton made public announcement that he envisages a large increase in US troops in Australia as well as storing of U.S. military supplies, fuel, munitions, armoured vehicles and tanks in the Northern Territory.
The only purpose of such a military build-up is preparation for war.
We invite you to a discussion to establish a broad based Coalition of peace, anti-war, environment, community, faith organisations and unions to develop a united people’s response to the serious developments of AUKUS and campaign to reverse these government decisions.
We envisage such a broad-based coalition will comprise many autonomous organisations coming together to co-ordinate agreed national days of action, issue public statements, and other joint activities in the name of the coalition. Such a coalition would not supplant independent activities and the autonomy of individual member organisations, but enhance and strengthen their individual organisations and the people’s movement overall. All member organisations of the coalition will be respected and have an equal status.
Nothing in this letter is meant to pre-determine the direction and decisions of a coalition. The purpose of this letter is simply to gauge your response to the need, potential and value of such a coalition. It is suggested that those who respond positively get together for a zoom meeting on Sunday 7 November, 2 pm.
If you and your organisation are interested in attending the preliminary discussion on the formation of a coalition, please RSVP by Monday 18 October to ipan.aukus@gmail.com
This invitation is signed by:
- Independent and Peaceful Australia Network
- Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition
- Friends of the Earth
- Pax Christi Victoria
- Melbourne Unitarian Peace Memorial Church
- Medical Association for Prevention of War
- The Quaker Peace and Legislation Committee
- Spirit of Eureka
- Just Peace
- Marrickville Peace Group
- Philippines Caucus for Peace
- Campaign for International Co-operation and Disarmament
- Sydney Criminal Lawyers
- Lawyers for Peace
- Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Australia
If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us on the above email address, or phone: 0417456001; or 0434162419
The French are understandably upset about being stabbed in the back by Australia’s sinking of the submarine contract.
They pontificate about the need for trust in international affairs and now claim countries trading with Australia must beware of being double crossed. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said. “I’m very angry today, and bitter… This is not something allies do to each other.”
Correct, Monsieur!
But neither do allies bomb civilian ships, which is exactly what French Secret Service agents did in July 1985 when the Greenpeace anti-nuclear protest ship, Rainbow Warrior, was bombed in Auckland harbour, killing Fernando Pereira. It was preparing to protest French nuclear testing at Mururoa atoll. In 1989, outside the National Press Club, Canberra, three of us pelted rock ( M Rocard!) cakes, coloured yellow with turmeric ( symbolising yellow cake uranium) at the then French Foreign Mister, Michel Rocard.
Our banner carried Dreyfus’ famous words, J’Accuse! We were arrested and charged with “throwing a repulsive substance to wit an orange pastry like substance” at an internationally protected person.
Magistrate Michael Ward wrote, “The actions of the defendants are not such as would necessarily lead any right minded person to be offended. In short, it was a peaceful protest, with actions by the defendants not necessarily inappropriate to the situation as they perceived it’.
Unlike the French, we were found not guilty
Gareth W R Smith
Palestine Liberation Centre
Byron Bay
NSW 2481
Australia
Tel: (61)2-56058404
MOB: 0491107279
“Those who can make you believe in absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” Voltaire
George Orwell, ‘Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.’
“The sleep of reason produces monsters.” Goya