[JNV] Trident Briefing, Events Listings and Christmas book offer

[JNV]

1) Christmas Book Offer
2) Trident Briefing
3) Events Listings

1) Christmas Book Offer

Dear friends,

For the rest of the month, JNV is offering a special "3 for 2" deal on Maya Anne Evans' 'Naming The Dead' (normally £7 direct from JNV) and Milan Rai's '7/7: The London Bombings, Islam and the Iraq War' (normally £10 direct from JNV).

Three copies of Maya's book will cost only £14 + £3.00 postage (total £17.00).

Three copies of Milan's book will cost only £20 + £3.00 postage (total £23.00).

If you email us (info at j-n-v.org) your order (number of copies, name, address and telephone number) and post your cheque at the same time, we will post out to you first class as soon as we get your email.

For more about these books, see the JNV website www.j-n-v.org

2) Trident Briefing

We have a rapid response to Tony Blair's speech and the Trident White Paper available on our website as text and as a double-sided briefing.

*****

JNV Anti-War Briefing 98

TRIDENT: NUCLEAR THREATS AND 'VITAL INTERESTS'

5 December 2006


BLAIR'S ANNOUNCEMENT

On Mon. 4 Dec., Tony Blair announced his Government's intention to retain nuclear weapons indefinitely, by replacing the submarines that carry Britain's Trident nuclear missiles. <http://tinyurl.com/y6fogq>

JNV opposes the replacement of Trident. We oppose the development, use or threatened use of nuclear weapons (or any other weapons of mass destruction) by Britain or by any other state or group.

THE RISKS

Tony Blair justifies keeping nuclear weapons past 2024 by referring to three specific threats: 

(1) a 'major nuclear threat to our strategic interests' might emerge;

(2) there is 'a new and potentially hazardous threat' from states such as North Korea and Iran;

(3) 'there is a possible connection between some of those states and international terrorism'. <http://tinyurl.com/y6fogq>

In other words, China or Russia may become unfriendly to Britain's 'strategic interests'; there are anti-Western 'rogue states' in the world engaged in WMD proliferation; and they might supply weapons to figures such as bin Laden, who has declared his determination to acquire WMD.

Blair does not explain why non-nuclear methods are inadequate in dealing with these risks, or why other countries do not also have the right to use nuclear weapons to manage such risks. On the issue of state-sponsored nuclear terrorism, Blair knows perfectly well that the high-level US 'Gilmore Commission' concluded in 1999 that the likelihood of a WMD state supplying such weapons to a terror group was 'low'. (pp. 17-18; pdf <tinyurl.com/yneqyn>)

Blair also fails to define Britain's 'strategic interests'. This is his most important omission.

PROTECTING 'VITAL INTERESTS'

Blair's 4 Dec. speech to the House of Commons ends by claiming that the Trident decision is based on 'what we think is in the long-term strategic interests of our nation and its security.'

Blair has also published an official justification of his Trident decision, a 'White Paper', which uses the slightly different phrase 'vital interests' (20 times in 40 pages). In the foreword, Blair writes: 'An independent deterrent ensures our vital interests will be safeguarded.' 

The White Paper says the UK's nuclear weapons are designed 'to deter and prevent nuclear blackmail and acts of aggression against our vital interests that cannot be countered by other means.' (p. 17. The White Paper is a 1Mb pdf download: <http://tinyurl.com/ug5od>)

This is the constant refrain throughout the White Paper: nuclear weapons are there to protect Britain's 'vital interests'. How strange, then, that this key concept of 'vital interests' is not defined in the White Paper, or in its appendices, or in Tony Blair's speech.

VITAL INTERESTS OUTSIDE EUROPE

If we look back to New Labour's 1998 'Strategic Defence Review' (SDR), this said that Britain's nuclear arsenal should be the minimum needed to 'deter any threat to our vital interests'. (Ch. 4, para. 61. The whole SDR is a 2Mb pdf <tinyurl.com/yl5mcr>, Ch. 4 is at <tinyurl.com/ylv6tw>.) 

The SDR stated baldly that 'our vital interests are not confined to Europe.' (Ch. 2, para. 9) 

It set out the main elements: 'Our economy is founded on international trade. Exports form a higher proportion of Gross Domestic Product than for the US, Japan, Germany or France. We invest more of our income abroad than any other major economy. Our closest economic partners are the European Union and the US but our investment in the developing world amounts to the combined total of France, Germany and Italy. Foreign investment into the UK also provides nearly 20% manufacturing jobs. We depend on foreign countries for supplies of raw materials, above all oil.' (Ch. 2, para. 9) 

So: Britain's 'vital interests' include exports, investments abroad, foreign investment into the UK, and imported raw materials (particularly 'oil'), as well as national survival. 

The SDR was clear: 'Outside Europe our interests are most likely to be affected by events in the Gulf... We have particularly important national interests and close friendships in the Gulf.' (Ch. 2 para. 40)

PROTECTING EXPEDITIONARY FORCES - PAST

Britain's nuclear forces therefore must have a role in the Middle East.

In the run-up to the 2003 Iraq war, then Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon stated three times that British nuclear weapons could be used against Iraq, for example if British troops were threatened by chemical or biological weapons. (Hugo Young, Guardian, 6 June 2002 <tinyurl.com/yktavt>)

In the run-up to the 1991 Iraq war, then Prime Minister John Major was asked if 'a nuclear device' would be used against Iraq 'if that is necessary for the protection of our own troops' from chemical or biological attack. He replied: 'I do not envisage needing to use the sanction that he suggests.' (Hansard, 15 Jan. 1991 <tinyurl.com/ykrvre>) The option was left open.

These nuclear threats were designed to protect British expeditionary forces in the Middle East, or, from another point of view, to prevent regional powers deterring British invasion forces from forcing their way into the region. Nuclear threats gave Britain freedom of action.

PROTECTING EXPEDITIONARY FORCES - FUTURE

This role for nuclear weapons is hinted at in the Trident White Paper, which says: 'Over the next 20 to 50 years, one or more states could also emerge that possess a more limited nuclear capability, but one that poses a grave threat to our vital interests. We must not allow such states to threaten our national security or to deter us and the international community from taking the action required to maintain regional and global security. The UK's continued possession of a nuclear deterrent provides an assurance that we cannot be subjected in future to nuclear blackmail or a level of threat which would put at risk our vital interests or fundamentally constrain our foreign and security policy options.'

Iranian nuclear weapons, if they are developed, might deter Britain from invading the Persian Gulf region. Nuclear weapons can neutralize this 'constraint', and help Britain to retain control of its 'vital interests'.

There are problems with using nuclear weapons in this way, however.

TACTICAL TRIDENT

It is not credible to threaten a small nuclear power with an apocalyptic all-out assault of 48 nuclear warheads each eight times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb - just in order to protect an invasion force. 

That is why in Nov. 1993 the then Defence Secretary Malcolm Rifkind announced a new role for a single-warhead Trident missile ('Tactical Trident') which could be fired to deliver 'an unmistakable message of our willingness to defend our vital interests to the utmost.' (Brassey's Defence Yearbook, 1994) (See Milan Rai, Tactical Trident, 1995.)

More details were given in the military journal International Defense Review (Sept. 1994): 'At what might be termed the "upper end" of the usage spectrum, [Tactical Trident] could be used in a conflict involving large-scale forces (including British ground and air forces, such as the 1990-91 Gulf War) to reply to enemy nuclear strikes. Secondly, they could be used in a similar setting, but to reply to enemy use of weapons of mass destruction, such as bacteriological or chemical weapons, for which the British possess no like-for-like retaliatory capability.'

'Thirdly, they could be used in a demonstrative role, ie aimed at a non-critical, possibly [!] uninhabited area, with the message that if the country concerned pursued its present course of action, nuclear weapons will be aimed at a high-priority target. Finally, there is the punitive role, were a country has committed an act, despite specific warning that to do so would incur a nuclear strike.'

Only one of these scenarios involves an enemy with nuclear weapons.

VITAL INTERESTS, NUCLEAR THREATS

These are important facts missing from the debate about Trident renewal. Simply: one of Trident's central functions is to guarantee the economic and financial privileges of privileged elites - 'vital interests' - by threatening countries around the world with nuclear destruction.

*****

3) Events Listings


EVENTS

Thurs 7 Dec LONDON: The Clash of Barbarisms & The Middle Wars. 
Talk with Gilbert Achcar, author of 'Eastern Cauldron' (2004), 'The Clash of Barbarisms' (2006) and (with Noam Chomsky) 'Perilous Prospects' (2007). 5pm, Room RHB 137, Richard Hoggart Building, Goldsmiths, New Cross, London SE14 6NW. www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/xenos

Thurs 7 Dec LONDON: Zionism, Anti-Semitism and the struggle against racism.
Lecture by Prof. Nira Yuval-Davis (UEL). 7pm, Room B102, Brunei Gallery, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H OXG. Org. by SOAS Palestine Society.

Fri 8 Dec LONDON: The emerging Pan-European Islamophobic Hysteria- How should Muslims respond? 
Public meeting with Victoria Brittain, Tariq Ramadan and others. 7-10pm, The Chamber, Greater London Authority, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, SE1 2AA. Organised by the European Muslim Network. To book a place at this free event e-mail ruhul-AT-blink.org.uk.www.blink.org.uk

Sat 9 Dec AROUND THE UK: Boycott Israel day of Action. 
See www.bigcampaign.org.

Sun 10 Dec NEWBURY: Planning Meeting for Aldermaston Blockade
6pm at the Friends Meeting House in Newbury (map: http://tinyurl.com/beuyo) for a planning meeting on the action on Monday morning, and a meal. Please bring a sleeping bag and a mat. See <http://www.blockthebuilders.org.uk/Blockades.php> btb-AT-aldermaston.net, mobile tel 07969 739 812.

Mon 11 Dec ALDERMASTON: Block The Builders
(Planning Meeting is the night before, see above.) If you decide to head straight to Aldermaston on Monday morning, please try and plan your journey to arrive by 7am so that you don&#8217;t get caught up in the traffic caused by the blockade. Meet near Tadley Gate. See <http://www.blockthebuilders.org.uk/Blockades.php> btb-AT-aldermaston.net, mobile tel 07969 739 812.

Mon 11 Dec LONDON: Trial of Brian Haw
For failing to comply with the conditions imposed on him under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA). Since June 2001 Brian has maintained a one-person 24-7 peace vigil in Parliament Square. Time and venue tbc. See www.parliament-square.org.uk. 

Mon 11 Dec LONDON: Meltdown in Iraq: Is it time for an exit? 
Talk between the Independent's Iraq correspondent Patrick Cockburn and Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins. 7pm, Nash Room, Institute for Contemporary Arts, 12 Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5AH. £10/£9 Concessions. Booking essential. Contact (0)20 7930 3647. See also www.ica.org.uk

Mon 11 Dec ALDERMASTON: Multifaith vigil against Trident replacement. 
4 - 6 pm, Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, Berks. Gather on the green opposite Tadley Gate on the South West side of AWE on the A340 at 3.45pm. Contact Chris Gwyntopher: chrisandgwyn-AT-phonecoop.coop or 0773990671.

Tues 12 Dec LONDON: Trident Replacement- The Tipping Point? 
Seminar with Prof Ken Booth (Univeisity of Aberystwyth) and John Vidal (Environmental Correspondent for 'The Guardian'). 10.00 - 12.00 noon, Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House, House of Commons. Organised by the WMD Awareness Programme and Greenpeace.

Thurs14 Dec LONDON: Monthly Meeting of Iraq Occupation Focus. 
7.30 - 9.30pm, Indian YMCA, 41 Fitzroy Square, W1T 6AQ (nearest tube Warren Street). All welcome. See www.iraqoccupationfocus.org.uk.

Sun 14 Jan EASTBOURNE: 'The War on Terror at Home and Abroad.' 
Talk by Maya Evans and artist Emily Johns. Maya will talk about her experiences of 'unauthorised' public protest and civil disobedience in London (where she was the first person to be convicted under SOCPA legislation), and Emily will talk about Iran, inspired by her recent peace delegation to that country. 12.30pm, Friends Meeting House, Wish Road, Eastbourne, BN21. Organised by Eastbourne for Peace and Liberty. For further info, contact Michael or Angie at michael3col-AT-yahoo.co.uk (01323 430040).

Sat 13 JAN - 8 DEC 07 'Turning the Tide' Nonviolence Training Programme.
Monthly 1-day workshops at Friends House, Euston Road, London. For those who wish to learn about tools for radical change, or train as facilitators for activist and community groups working for social change, or, those wanting to join Turning the Tide&#8217;s team of volunteer Resource People who facilitate workshops for these groups. the workshops are available as a complete course or as a one-off events. Open workshops are £20 each, please book at least a week before the workshop. Facilitator&#8217;s Training Programme is £200 &#8211; please contact us by 19 December 2006. booking for either is essential. Contact Turning the Tide, Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ. 020 7663 1064/1061. e: sophier-AT-quaker.org.uk, w: www.turning-the-tide.org
---

>From the Ceasefire Campaign
If you have not yet joined our call for a new direction in Iraq, please consider doing so at this crucial moment. Coalition governments are beginning to accept that there is no military solution, but they haven&#8217;t settled on what an alternative diplomatic approach looks like. With hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths already in Iraq, we cannot afford to miss this chance to demand a new course. Your voice could make a difference over the coming week. Click below to see our ad and join the campaign for a new direction in Iraq:
www.ceasefirecampaign.org
---

Join the Big Trident debate
A broad coalition of individuals and organisations has launched a campaign to secure a full public and parliamentary debate on the replacement of Britain's nuclear weapons system, Trident. The website www.bigtridentdebate.org.uk contains a statement calling for a full debate which individuals and organisations are encouraged to sign. Please visit the site and join the debate.No Trident Replacement
---

The Prime Minister&#8217;s website now has a new petition facility on the 10 Downing Street web site. Here are two possible petitions to sign:
1) Petition against ID cards
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/IDcards

2) For the PM to champion the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and not replace Trident, 
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/trident/
---
 
Occupation of Cardiff Castle for Palestine
2 min 45 sec - 17-Nov-2006 Description: Cardiff Castle The protesters have barricaded the door of the keep.Three peace protesters have occupied the keep at Cardiff Castle in a demonstration over the 'occupation of land in Palestine'. The three got into the keep after buying a ticket for a castle tour and used a bar to block the entrance. D Murphy, Bob Cotterill and Keith Ross stressed they have no wish to damage the castle. The protesters said the action was to make the point about the occupation of land in Palestine which they claimed was being ignored by the public and the media.
http://tinyurl.com/y9s6nl