Two useful briefings for those wanting to take action on the arms trade and nuclear weapons ... Firstly, Quaker Peace and Social Witness's Peace and Disarmament programme have put together an excellent pack on Trident, about which they say:
"Would you like to know more about the UK's nuclear weapons and help to make sure that they are not replaced? You can: Quaker Peace & Social Witness has produced a new campaign pack a vailable free (although donations are welcomed). For your pack, please email Kat Barton and David Gee at disarm@quaker.org.uk giving your name and postal address. We will send you one copy unless you state otherwise.
The pack includes a briefing about nuclear weapons in the UK, an action ideas sheet, a list of key arguments against replacement and postcards and petitions to use in your Meeting or peace group and local community. Thanks to research by the Oxford Research Group, the pack includes a 'decision-makers' list - key officials and Parliamentarians with a bearing on the Government's decision. There are also instructions for making paper cranes, which we are suggesting are enclosed with letters to decision-makers. Folding paper cranes is also an ideal activity for children over 9 and young people's groups."
Meanwhile, with Stop the Arms Trade Week coming up - 3-11 June - CAAT's briefing on the Defence Export Sales Organisation (which they would like to see shut down) is very informative. The briefing concludes:
"Despite the very different circumstances that pertain today [than from when DESO was set up] - the supposed separation of the arms industry from government via privatisation, the internationalisation of the arms industry, and the complete change in the role of surplus UK equipment - 40 years on, DESO still exists. There have always been strong ethical reasons for shutting DESO, but now it is difficult to see ANY public interest in retaining it. DESO remains open not because of the national interest, but as a result of inertia and arms company influence."
Read the briefing to find out more.
