Dear ICAN supporters

Welcome to your monthly e-bulletin from ICAN Australia, updating you on the progress we’re making in our world-wide campaign to abolish nuclear weapons; and how you can help.

This month: ICAN addresses the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation on Disarmament in Moscow and Dimity Hawkins joins ICAN staff as National and International Campaign Coordinator.

ICAN act: things to do today

Sign this petition to urge the US and Russia towards zero nukes
Avaaz, a global democracy web movement, together with Global Zero, an alliance of leaders working for nuclear disarmament, have initiated this petition urging the US and Russia to take bold steps towards a nuclear weapons free world.  Sign the petition here: http://www.avaaz.org/en/time_to_global_zero

Sign this petition for a nuclear weapons free world
Japanese anti-nuclear organisation Gensuikyo have initiated this petition in the lead up to next year’s major  international meeting for the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty – please take the time to sign it! Just click 'Please Sign!, or even better, print out the petition and gather a page of signatures.  http://www.antiatom.org/GSKY/en/index.html

Lobby the US Congress for disarmament
In the US, the Campaign for a Nuclear Free world is asking supporters to lobby the US congress to support President Obama’s disarmament initiatives. 

Challenge BHP’s plans for the world’s largest uranium mine
BHP Billiton, the world’s largest resource company, plan to make Australia in to the global nuclear industry’s uranium quarry - fuelling nuclear risks and unresolved nuclear waste management around the globe. The proposed expansion of the BHP Olympic Dam (Roxby Downs) uranium and copper mine in northern South Australia is really for two mines in one – a new open pit mine with the existing underground mine continuing to operate for decades to come.  For more information and to take action visit http://www.acfonline.org.au/BHPsubmission

Melbourne: Tuesday 14 July:  MAPW dinner and update on ICAN at the NPT meeting in New York
ICAN Chair Tilman Ruff and ICAN Board member Ruth Mitchell attended the UN’s nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty Preparatory Committee (“NPT PrepCom”) in New York in early May. Hear why there is new hope for real international progress for nuclear disarmament, at MAPW’s Victorian Branch dinner. All welcome at 7pm, Lanna Thai Restaurant, 65 Flemington Rd. $30 for a tasty meal. Bookings essential, please, to secretary@mapw.org.au   Details and flyer: www.mapw.org.au

Melbourne: Saturday 8 August: Hiroshima - Nagasaki Peace Concert 2009
Attend the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Concert, organized annually by Japanese for Peace.  Speakers include Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlum and visiting senior scientist and nuclear disarmament expert from Physicians for Social Responsibility Steven Starr.  Performers include Yumi Umiumare (Butoh Dance), Bruce Watson (Acoustic Guitar, Singer/Songwriter), Djiva (Indigenous Female Duo), Ayako Sato and Fuefukuro (Japanese Drum and Bamboo Flutes) and Jordie Lane (Singer/Songwriter).  ICAN will also have a stall, so come and visit us!  3pm-5pm, Village Roadshow Theatrette, State Library, Swanston St, Melbourne. Entry:$15/conc $10.   Contact infor@jfp.org.au or visit www.jfp.org.au

ICAN GIVE! Make a donation to ICAN Australia and it will be doubled! 
For a limited time, every dollar you donate to ICAN Australia will be matched, thanks to a generous challenge grant from the Poola Foundation.  Please consider making a donation today to help us meet this challenge so we can continue to campaign on this vital issue. Thanks to the many supporters who have already donated!
Donate at www.icanw.org/donate.

 

ICAN news

ICAN must support US and Russia towards zero nukes
ICAN, has welcomed news of the United States and Russia's renewed commitment to reduce their nuclear arsenal through the negotiation of a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty – however the goal must be zero. http://www.icanw.org/news/australia-must-support-us-russia-towards-zero-nukes

ICAN appoints Dimity Hawkins to staff
ICAN Board member and former MAPW Executive Officer, Dimity Hawkins joins ICAN staff from mid-July as the National and International Campaign Coordinator.  Jessica Morrison, who has been ICAN’s Outreach Coordinator this year and Australian Director prior to 2009 was farewelled from ICAN at the end of June.  Adam Dempsey, who has also worked as our web master also leaves ICAN. Jessica and Adam have both been wonderful assets to ICAN and we wish them all the best.  Teri Calder, who has been working with ICAN as the Funding and Communications Coordinator will continue with this work and assist in a more general role.
 
ICAN Chair addresses International Commission in Moscow
Associate Professor Tilman Ruff addressed the Moscow meeting of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament in June. Tilman and Akira Kawasaki spoke as NGO advisors to the Co-Chairs, raising issues including case for a comprehensive Nuclear Weapons Convention. Their presentation is on the MAPW website www.mapw.org.au (follow the link from the front-page story).
The next Commission meeting is scheduled for Hiroshima in October. ICAN will continue to watch and inform on developments with the ICNND.

ICAN supports Mayors for Peace at ALGA Conference
Mayors for Peace, an international network of local Councils who use their collective voice to advocate for peace and nuclear disarmament, hosted a stall with ICAN staff at the recent Australian Local Government Conference (ALGA).  Council members were invited to fold a paper crane at the stall to honor the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and to learn about Mayors for Peace upcoming local activities.  Non-members were encouraged to join the 50 Councils already part of the network in Australia.  To get involved with Mayors for Peace in Australia contact National Convener, Cr Helen Relph: CrHelenRelph@bigpond.com

Thanks to ICAN Partner Pax Christi
A big thank you to ICAN partner Pax Christi for writing and requesting every member to donate to ICAN.  Members responded very generously!

Nukes news
Nuclear headlines over the past month

N Korea spent $880m on nuclear tests
Impoverished North Korea has spent an estimated $US700 million this year on nuclear and missile tests, enough to solve its food shortage for at least two years, South Korean news reports say.  The figure includes the estimated $US43 million cost of test-firing five Scud and two Rodong missiles on Saturday, according to unidentified government officials quoted by Chosun Ilbo newspaper. The latest tests, staged on the US Independence Day holiday, were seen as a show of defiance to Washington as it seeks tough enforcement of UN sanctions aimed at shutting down the communist state's nuclear and missile programs.
 http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25740199-5005961,00.html

Japan to head up Nuclear Watchdog
Japan, the only nation to suffer an atomic bombing, has welcomed the appointment of one of its own to lead the world's top nuclear watchdog.  The Mayor of Hiroshima, the southwestern city that suffered the first nuclear attack in 1945, was among those offering congratulatory messages.  The 35-nation International Atomic Energy Agency chose Japanese diplomat Yukiya Amano, 62, as its next head in Vienna - the first time a Japanese person has been chosen for the job. Japan has repeatedly vowed it will never make or own nuclear weapons.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25728962-25837,00.html

Peace is our best defence: Malcolm Fraser
In an opinion piece in the Age on 29 June, Malcom Fraser argues that Australia's defence white paper promotes methods from the past when we should be working towards a nuclear-free future.
www.theage.com.au/opinion/peace-is-our-best-defence-20090628-d17h.html

French nuclear test victims to receive compensation
The French National Assembly on Thursday approved a landmark bill for the first time compensating victims of nuclear tests carried out in French Polynesia and Algeria.
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/french-nuclear-test-victims-to-get-compo-20090701-d404.html
This is the bill critiqued by test survivors in late 2008 as few survivors will qualify: read the detailed report at:
www.mapw.org.au/download/france-and-compensation-nuclear-testing-december-2008  

British court ruling sparks debate on nuclear veterans’ rights
The UK High Court ruling in favour of nuclear veterans has rekindled debate about recognition and compensation for the survivors of nuclear testing around the world.
*** Read the feature story in The Age, by Nic Maclellan:
http://www.theage.com.au/national/a-cloud-lifts-20090614-c7fd.html
*** Listen to the ABC interview with Lyn Allison:
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/nationalinterest/stories/2009/2596786.htm

WE CAN!

ICAN Australian Bulletin comes to you from the ICAN Australia team
Sent the first week of each month, from:
International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
G03 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, Victoria, Australia 3053
Phone: + 61 3 9347 4795
Fax: + 61 39347 4995
info@icanw.org

Sign or donate at www.icanw.org
Feedback or contributions to: info@icanw.org

8 July 2009