Over £1 Billi<>N
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summer 2006 number 40 free (or donation) cymru campaign for nuclear disarmament If Wales could spend over £1 billi<>n either towards a new British* Trident nuclear mi SS i Ie system ( * estimated total cost £25-40 billion) or • end hospital closures • reduce NHS waiting lists • have a dentist in every town / • give schools the resources and teachers they need Which would you Welsh MPs keeping mum on Trident replacement Western Mall reporter Martin Shipton asked our MPs whether they supported spending of over £25 billion on a new generation of nuclear weapons. Their response, reported In the Western Mall on 17'" July -http://lcwales.icnetwork.co.uk/ - was disappointing: 2 For - (Conservative-Stephen anyone". However he thought Ute Crabb & David Davies) present version of Trident might as well STOP THE BOMBING! 6 Against -(2 Labour, 1 Independent stay until 2025 (when Ute USA plans to and 3 Plaid Cymru-Adam Price, replace their Tridents). He intends to Elfyn Llwyd & Hywel Williams) complain to Ute Western Mail Utat their 1 - "Misunderstood" (Lib-Dam report Utat he was 'in favour of a nuclear Lemblt Oplk) deterrent' does not reflect his opinion. 31 - Did not reply The other Lib-Dems did not reply. Two Labour MPs, Martin Caton The only two MPs wholly in support of (Gower) and Paul Flynn (Newport the Government were Conservatives West) provided unequivocal MPs David Davies (Monmouth) and statements not only opposing any Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire) replacement for Trident in future but - implicitly in the same camp as Peter equally challenging the retention of the Hain who, although he did not reply to present version - as did all three Plaid the Western Mail questionnaire, ltas Cy_mruMPs. just resigned his membership of CND. New Blaenau Gwent Independent MP Just one of the many events acrQss \Xllles..called In response to the heddwch action: Dai Davies was also wholly opposed to escalating Middle East crisis was a lunch time peace vlgll In the Please write to your MP and ask nuclear weapons and expressed his centre of Cardiff. Speakers from across the political spectrum them whether they support the satisfaction in walking Michael Foot's expressed their outrage at the continuing upward cycle of violence. development of footsteps on this issue. The children in the targeted areas are the main victims; their homea a new generation of nuclear are being destroyed, they are without food water or electricity and a Lib-Dern MP Lembit Opik was reported weapons. Let them know how by the Western Mail as "For" but, third of the dead and wounded In Lebanon and'Gaza are children. you feel- after all they represent Vigils, protests, events and meetings have been held across Wales. tackled by heddwch, assured us that youl If possible, please send To be put In touch with events In your area email CND Cymru: he was totally opposed to Trident copies of replies to CND Cymru [email protected] , contact your nearest CND Cymru Vice replacement as "it would not deter (see contacts page 8). Chair (see Contacts Page:8) CND Cymru works for internati~nal peace and disarmament and a world in which the vast resources now devoted to militarism are redirected to the real needs of the human community and the environme~t. What are Nuclear Weapons? TRIDENT The atomic bqmb that destroyed Hiroshima and kl lied at least 75,000 people by heat and blast, had the explosive power of 15,000 tons of Bruce Kent answers some questions: TNT. Many more died a long and lingering death from nuclear radiation. In an all-out nuclear war, more would die from nuclear WHAT IS THIS TRIDENT ANYWAY? radiation 'outside the battlefleld' than Inside from heat and blast. Trident is shon.hand for Britain's WHAT ABOUTTHE NUCLEAR NON Modern thermonuclear bombs can have over 1000 times this submarine based nuclear weapons PROLIFERATIONTREATY? explosive power of the Hiroshima bomb and, when they used to be system - 4 nuclear submarines each with It was agreed in 1968 and said t11ree tested for real, caused radlonucleldes to be spread around the world 16 nuclear missiles. Each missile has 3 -8 tllings: - In 1963, babies growing up In Wales had over 50 times as much bombs (or warheads) - up to 192 a. That every country is entitled to radioactive Strontlum-90 In their bones as before the tests started warheads. Each warhead is at least ten have nuclear energy without (and now). times as destructive as the US bomb that linlits; The smallest bomb now being considered for the new Trident miss lie killed over 75,000 people in Hiroshi.ma on b. Those wit11out nuclear weapons system ls more than ten times as powerful as the Hiroshima bomb August 6•• 1945. Trident is capable of would stay that way. and our government plans to have at least 192 of them. Exploded destroying all life on a whole continent c. The nuclear nations would over 192 'enemy cities', this could kill well over 60 mllllon people and would scatter lethal radionucleides negotiate a treaty lo clinlinate all (more than the population of Britain) by heat and blast alone - and throughout the world. nuclear weapons. even more would die when later the dust and debris of these WHY DOES THE GOVERNMENT explosions contaminated Britain and other parts of the world as WANT TO REPLACE IT? SO IS IRAN IN VIOLATION OF radioactive fallout. Because it's supposed to become THIS TREATY? 'obsolete' by 2030. No, but it is in violation of a subsequent Trident gets thumbs UNISON votes for voluntary agreement entered into wit11 WHATDOTHEYWANTTO t11e International Atonlic Energy down from Bishops health REPLACE ITWITH? Authority about inspections. 19 English Bishops have written an open The Health Workers' union UNISON, No one knows for sure. One idea is to letter to MPs asking them 10 consider wllich is Britain's largest trade union and make the missile more accurate, so that ARE THE NUCLEAR STATES their views at t11c eventlial fomial debate t11e Labour Pany's largest affiliated trade NEGOTIATING TO ABOLISH they can destroy an 'enemy's' weapons on Trident. In their letter they said tJiat union with over 1.3 million members, NUCLEAR WEAPONS? first. Another is to enable the missiles to 'Just War' arguments mJe out tJie use of voted overwhelmingly at tlleir Annual No. All we have are negotiations aimed at carry different sons of bombs. nuclear weapons and tJ1at such weapons Conference to back a motion calling on nuclear weapon "good housekeeping", challenge hwnanity's God-given tl1e govcnunent not to replace Trident. WHAT WILL THAT LOT COST? for instance, - limits on test explosions responsibility to tJie eartll. Tllis vote can1e one day after Gordon No one knows exactly. Anything between and agreements 1101 lo put such weapons They also said tJiat the use of nuclear Brown's arn1ouncement tllllt he was in £25 billion or £40 biJlion. That's at least into space, etc .. weapons "would be notlling less t11an favour of a new generation of nuclear the equivalent of 120,000 newly qualified HOW COULD NEGOTIATIONS ON tJie mass murder of tJiousands if not tens weapons. The UNISON motion says tllat nurses every year for the nex1 ten years. ABOLffiON START? of tllousands of innocent civilians. The "a decision to replace Trident would run resultant fall-out from a tactical or counter to (Britain's) treaty WHO IS IT AIMED AT? Easily, ifthere was the political will. Already there is a d~ ilecldraft trca attlcfiekl'>1capou wuld 1161 be &iiffirie&~ .-.-- _.-, No one knows. Nuclear weapons are to a particular area." They arc also The motion resoh,cd to "oppose the life lodged wit11 t11e United Nations wllich _ useless ageinsHerrorists, supposed cemed Uiat "tlle use of limited replacement ofTndent and to call for t11e new enemy. No country is tlueatening us could be its basis. It covers the difficult con · decommissio1ling oft11e existing Trident wit11 nuclear weapons. But i.ft11ey were issues of observation, inspection on resources on WMDs divens resources from education, health and aid to t11ose weapons system." they would be insane. Radioactive fallout demand, control of nuclear material, criminality, and t11e like. who are tJie poorest and most in need". Kate Hudson, Chair oft11e British from a nuclear war alone would pollute The letter, wllich appeared in The Campaign for Nuclear Disannament, the earth for hundreds of years to come. WHY DON'T THE NEGOTIATIONS Independent newspaper ends: " At tlie called on ot11er trade unions and SURELYTHEY ARE INSURANCE START? Gleneagles smrunit a year ago tlie G8 organisations to join t11e movement AGAINST UNCERTAIN FUTURE? Because t11ere is no political will. People pledged to "Make Poverty History" and against a new generation of nuclear 11 That is just what t11e GoveITlTllent says. do not realise that abolition of nuclear to end the debt burden on t11e world's _"_'e_ap_o__s_. __________ But it is a very odd insurance which weapons is perfectly possible, and easier poorest com1tries. The costs involved in actually increases tlle risks. to 'police' tlllln partial disarman1ent. t11e maintenance and replacement of Police Clamp Down Trident could be used to address The possession of nuclear weapons is on Anti-Trident Protest WHAT DO YOU MEAN? pressing environmental concerns, t11e like storing dynamite in your cellar as a In July, protestors al Aldermaston If Britain replaces Trident, it will show the causes of terrorism, povcny and debt, means of protecting yourself against Atomic Weapons Establishment found world that we iliink our security depends and enable hmnanity and dignity to be burglars. You will go up with tlle burglar tlmnselves corralled and unable to on nuclear weapons.