PRESS RELEASE

11 June 2001

Bush’s Arrival in Europe
Met by Global Statement of Opposition
to US Missile Defence

Three prominent British politicians will join over 600 parliamentarians and nongovernmental organisations from around the world to highlight a growing movement of global opposition to US missile defence plans.  On June 12, events in London, Sydney, and Washington will unveil an international letter of opposition to encourage Washington to abandon its missile defence plans, proceed with deep nuclear arsenal reductions, take missiles off hair-trigger alert, and move immediately toward the total and unequivocal elimination of nuclear weapons.  In London, Labour MPs Dr Phyllis Starkey and Malcolm Savidge and Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesman in the House of Lords, Lord Wallace, will join disarmament groups to highlight British concern for the plans.

June 12^th also marks the arrival of US President George W. Bush in Europe for a visit that will include a meeting at NATO, an EU-US summit, and a bilateral discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin.  High on his list of priorities will be the need to convince sceptical European governments of the wisdom of the US’s controversial missile defence plans. The release of the international letter demonstrates the broad and deepening opposition to US plans throughout the world.

The letter’s release also comes as UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is working to form the new Labour Government.  In the coming months, the government is due to face a difficult ride as MPs from both sides of the House seek to force the government to abandon its non-committal stance and oppose the use of UK based-facilities in US missile defence.  In May, an Early Day Motion tabled by Savidge, challenged the UK government’s position on US missile defence and gained the signatures of 178 MPs.

The opposition of over 600 prominent individuals and institutions, including parliamentarians, non-governmental organisations, think tanks, and grassroots groups, comes at a critical time for European decision making on how to proceed with missile defence.  A recent meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Budapest showed a rift between Europe and the US on developing the system, following months of statements by European leaders showing concern for its potential impact on international stability.

BASIC Director Dan Plesch said:  “The release of this letter comes at a critical juncture for Europe, the UK and the world.  Opposition to US missile defence plans is growing and truly global.  The world is realising that the US is pursuing policies that threaten to plunge us back into a new Cold War.”

 London Event:  Tuesday, June 12^th, 1.30 – 3.00 (lunch provided),
at One Bird Cage Walk, London SW1H
(Nearest tube: Westminster or St James’ Park)

Speakers:
Malcolm Savidge, MP; Dr Phyllis Starkey, MP; Lord Wallace, House of Lords; Dave Knight, Chair, CND; Dan Plesch, Director, BASIC

For more information, please contact:
Mark Bromley or Dan Plesch on +44 (0)20 7407 2977

Full Letter With Signatories

.
Back to NMD home page

Back to BASIC Publications home page