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WRI homepage > Publications > The Broken Rifle > No.63, October 2004 > PDF version

A Europe that refuses war?

Euro diarmament graphic

Editorial

Welcome to the special bilingual edition of "The Broken Rifle" for the European Social Forum. This issue provides information on workshops and seminars of interest to antimilitarists and pacifists, and also additional information on especially relevant issues. The European Social Forum is an important meeting place for movement activists from a wide range of social movements from all over Europe - a unique place to share experience, and to discuss our strategies for another world. We hope it will be an enriching experience. If you want to chill out, or want to meet with other pacifists/antimilitarists, visit us at our stall at Alexandra palace, or give us a call at the ESF on (+44) (0) 7739-498335.

A Europe that refuses war? Antimilitarism and the European Social Forum

The European Social Forum in Paris in November 2003 stated in its final document: "We march for a Europe that refuses war". At the same time, many European countries - Britain, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, to mention just a few - were contributing troops to the "coalition of the willing" occupying Iraq, and the heads of the European Union were discussing a new "EU constitution", with a heavy military component, which would mark a major milestone in the militarisation of the European Union (see article below).

A Europe that refuses war? Hardly.

But we can be a bit more optimistic. On 15 February, more than 10 million people world-wide followed the call of the European Social Forum 2002 in Firence and marched through the streets of Europe and elsewhere - probably the biggest simultaneous anti-war demonstrations ever. At the World Social Forum in Mumbai in February 2004, Arundhati Roy remarked: "It was wonderful, but it was not enough. February 15th was a weekend. Nobody had to lose as much as miss a day of work. Holiday protests don't stop wars."

Resistance to the occupation of Iraq

Arundhati Roy went on: "This movement of ours needs a major, global victory. It's not good enough to be right. Sometimes, if only in order to test our resolve, it's important to win something. In order to win something, we need to agree on something. That something does not need to be an over-arching pre-ordained ideology into which we force-fit our delightfully factious, argumentative selves. It does not need to be an unquestioning allegiance to one or another form of resistance to the exclusion of everything else. It could be a minimum agenda.(...)

So if we are against Imperialism, shall we agree that we are against the U.S. occupation and that we believe that the U.S. must withdraw from Iraq and pay reparations to the Iraqi people for the damage that the war has inflicted?

How do we begin to mount our resistance? Let's start with something really small. The issue is not about supporting the resistance in Iraq against the occupation or discussing who exactly constitutes the resistance. (Are they old Killer Ba'athists, are they Islamic Fundamentalists?)

We have to become the global resistance to the occupation."

If we - wherever we live, but especially here in Europe - want to be the resistance to the occupation, then it is not enough to look at the U.S. as the "source of all evil". It is important to be aware that the occupation of Iraq is supported (and only possible) because of the active support of European governments, militaries, and corporations. Part of the "Multi-National Division South-East" in Iraq, which is led by Britain, are troops from Norway, Romania, Denmark, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Portugal and Lithuania. Other countries include Poland, Macedonia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, to mention just a few. Although smaller in number, these troups play a crucial role in the U.S. attempt to internationalise the occupation of Iraq.

War profiteers - beyond Iraq

Besides the military, private companies play a crucial role in the occupation of Iraq - well beyond oil companies interested in the exploitation of the Iraq's oil. It is known that Private Military Contractors (PMCs) have more personnel in Iraq than the UK Armed Forces - second only to the US military. PMCs deal with everything from supply to the military, or maintenance of military equipment to data analysis for the front line. The U.S. companies Halliburton or DynCorp became famous for the misconduct in Iraq, but European companies increasingly get into a growing market of services for European armed forces. Companies like Serco (Britain), EADS (European), or Saab Training Systems (Sweden) - again to mention just a few - make more and more profit from "outsourced" services to the military. Serco estimates that the British "market" alone will more than double by 2010 to £8 billion (EUR 11.5 billion) - and Serco wants go get its share. Similar developments can be expected in other European countries.

At the WSF in Mumbai, Arundhati Roy went on: "Our resistance has to begin with a refusal to accept the legitimacy of the U.S. occupation of Iraq. It means acting to make it materially impossible for Empire to achieve its aims. It means soldiers should refuse to fight, reservists should refuse to serve, workers should refuse to load ships and aircraft with weapons. It certainly means that in countries like India and Pakistan we must block the U.S. government's plans to have Indian and Pakistani soldiers sent to Iraq to clean up after them.

I suggest that (...), we choose, by some means, two of the major corporations that are profiting from the destruction of Iraq. We could then list every project they are involved in. We could locate their offices in every city and every country across the world. We could go after them. We could shut them down. It's a question of bringing our collective wisdom and experience of past struggles to bear on a single target. It's a question of the desire to win."

War Resisters' International is presently preparing an international campaign on war profiteers, which will take up Arundhati Roy's call, but will also go beyond Iraq. This for two reasons: we believe that a successful campaign needs to be rooted in the local circumstances, and that it is therefore important to not only choose U.S. companies, but to point to the complicity (and profit) of European companies and governments in the occupation of Iraq.

Secondly, the occupation of Iraq is only one more step in the "war on terrorism", with others to follow - Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Somalia - who of us knows the next victim? The provision of services for military operations by private corporations, and the process of the militarisation of the European Union (with the EU constitution as one landmark) will lead to more European involvement in future wars - something we need to act on now, if we want to prevent it. For us as antimilitarists and war resisters it is also important to be clear about our objectives when we campaign against war profiteers. "Take the profit out of war" is not sufficient - we are opposed to war profiteers, because we are convinced that war is a crime against humanity.

Europe in Bad Constitution

European Day of Action October 29th

On October 29th 2004 the draft for the EU constitution is intended for signing by the heads of state of the EU member states. After that the ratification process is supposed to start in all 25 EU countries.

We oppose the ratification of this constitution treaty

We oppose the ratification of this constitution and call on everybody to organize events about Europe in Bad Constitution on Oct. 29th in as many places in Europe as possible.

In order to document the protest, the photos of the actions are collected on a website and presented in a press conference the next day.

In order to prevent this constitution treaty from being passed, we support a Big Public Campaign that aims at informing and warning the public about the contents of this draft constitution.

An initiative by
DFG-VK, Haußmannstr. 6, 70188 Stuttgart, phone +49-711-2155112, fax +49-711-2155214, ba-wue@dfg-vk.de, www.dfg-vk.de
This is part of the campaign Steps towards Disarmament by the DFG-VK, www.schritte-zur-abruestung.de
With support from
IMI, Hechingerstr. 203, 72072 Tübingen, phone +49-7071-49154, fax +49-7071-49159, imi@imi-online.de, www.imi-online.de
War Resisters' International, 5 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DX, Britain, phone +44-20-72784040, fax +44-20-72780444, infoatwri-irg.org, wri-irg.org

No to a military European Union

On 29 October, the new constitution for the European Union will be signed during a special ceremony in Rome. It then needs to go through the ratification process in the 25 member states of the European Union.

The new European Constitution is not just a legal document of more than 300 pages - together with the European Security Strategy, which was approved on 12 December 2003, it will be a milestone in the militarisation of the European Union.

While the war on Iraq lead many antimilitarists to a focus on US militarism, it is important to not forget about Europe. This article gives a brief overview on the ongoing process of the militarisation of Europe.

A military constitution?

When the European Commission first presented the draft constitution, it had to admit that it "completely rewrites the originals" (the existing EU treaties) as far as foreign actions and security are concerned. "[I]t develops the common security and defence policy and enables those Member States wishing to do so to enhance their capacity for action within a common framework", so the Commission back in September 2003 [1]. For the first time the EU will explicitly have the competence to "define and implement a common foreign and security policy, including the progressive framing of a common defence policy" (Art I-12 para 4). The new "solidarity clause" (Art I-16 para 2) is especially significant for non-NATO members, as it demands from EU member states to "unreservedly support the Union's common foreign security policy in a spirit of loyalty and mutual solidarity"- NATO membership through the back door?

Disarmament unconstitutional?

The EU will have the only constitution in the world that includes a commitment to "progressively improve (...) military capabilities" (Art I-41 para 3), and a new "European Armaments, Research and Military Capabilities Agency" is foreseen to "identify operational requirements" - to make sure that member states don't fall behind in their military capabilities. This is not only theory - even before the constitution had been agreed on, the EU moved to establish a European Defence Agency, with the tasks mentioned in Article I-41 para 3. Not surprising, EU "foreign minister" Javier Solana reported to EU defence ministers in May 2004 that "the European defence industry is emphatic about the need for this agency" [2] - not surprising, as the EU's military spending is likely to increase.

EU troops all over the world

The constitution not only establishes some form of EU military (with 60,000 troops), made up of contingents made available by member states (Art I-41 para 3). It also - and again this is unique for a constitution - establishes that international interventions will be a EU task: "joint disarmament operations" (Iraq?), "military advice and assistance tasks, conflict prevention and peace-keeping tasks, tasks of combat forces undertaken for crisis management, including peace-making and post-conflict stabilisation" as part of the "fight against terrorism" (Art III-309 para 1).

Again, the EU is already implementing this. In 2003 the first military EU mission was operation Artemis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with up to 2,000 EU "peace-keepers". Presently, the EU has "police missions" in Bosnia-Hercegovina, in Macedonia, and in Georgia, and is preparing to take over from NATO's SFOR with the biggest EU military operation in Bosnia-Hercegovina in December 2004. Operation Althea will involve a force of 7,000 troops. It remains to be seen when the EU will make the step from "peace-keeping" to combat operations...

The EU is also developing its own military structures. A "planning cell" has been established at NATO's military headquarters in Mons in Belgium, at the EU will also strengthen its "operational strategic planning unit" at Cortenberg in Brussels.

Time to act

It is not too late to act. Although the new constitution will be signed by the EU governments on 29 October, it will then need to be ratified in all 25 member states. Some of the member states will do so by way of a referendum [3], and these countries might need to play a crucial role in a campaign against the militarisation of the European Union.

But laws (and constitutions) are first just a piece of paper - they need to be implemented, and this is also where resistance is needed. While the European military unites, we also need to develop some of our campaigns on a more European level, while at the same time keeping our focus at the grassroots (there are more than enough lobbyists in Brussels already). Would it be an idea to have co-ordinated nonviolent actions at military bases that host the 60,000 or so troops committed to the European Military, or bigger European actions at key installations (such as the Satellite Centre in Toledo in Spain, the "Planning Cell" in Mons or the "headquarters" in Brussels in Belgium)? The European Day of Action on 29 October (see the call "Europe in Bad Constitution") could be a good start.

Andreas Speck

Notes:

[1] Opinion of the Commission, pursuant to Article 48 of the Treaty on the European Union, on the Conference of representatives of the Member States' governments convened to revise the Treaties, 17/09/03.
[2] Summary of the remarks made by Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, at the meeting of EU Defence Ministers, Brussels, 17 May 2004, S0133104
[3] According to a BBC overview these countries are: France, Britain, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg. Some countries did not yet decide whether or not to hold a referendum.

Related seminars/workshops

Militarisation of the European Union, seminar 1902, Sunday 9.00-12.00

War Resistance, Nonviolence and Peace in ESF Workshops and Seminars

This is only a selection of ESF workshops and seminars related to antimilitarist issues. You may find more information in the complete ESF list, especially in the War and Peace section. www.fse-esf.org
Please note that times and venues may be subject to change after the publication of this issue.

Friday, October 15th

Workshop 719

13.00 - 15.00
Nonviolent Direct Action against nuclear weapons in Europe: Bombspotting and citizens' inspections of Weapons of MassDestruction
Nuclear weapons can also be found in Europe and they are as illegal as elsewhere.
Find out how you can prevent war crimes by carrying out "citizens weapons inspections" of nuclear sites. "Bombspotting XL" (16th April 2005) will be an inspection action at 3 places in Belgium. We look for partners to make this a European action. We will also discuss plans for the non-violent direct action against the British Trident nuclear weapons on 4th July (date to be confirmed) at Faslane naval base in Scotland.
Speakers: Hans Lammerant (Forum voor Vredesactie - Bomspotting), David Heller (For Mother Earth), a speaker from Trident Ploughshares
Venue: Bloomsbury NATFHE, Argyle

Workshop 1943

16.00 - 18.00
Youth, Students and the Anti-War movement
The opposition to war on Iraq and Bush's ongoing war drive have been marked by the involvement of young people on a massive scale. This seminar will provide an opportunity to bring together young people and students from across the world to share experiences about building peace/anti-war campaigns and to discuss ideas around future initiatives against war and occupation for peace and disarmament.
Speakers: FOSIS; Youth CND; Stop the War; Spanish anti-war movement; WFDY; Chairs: Student CND, Stop the War
Venue: Alexandra Palace, Cochabamba

Workshop 1893

19.00 - 21.00
The Arms Trade is Out of Control
This seminar will be divided into three parts: a general presentation of the global Control Arms Campaign and how to get involved; a more detailed presentation on the International Arms Trade Treaty; and a presentation of the 'community safety' side of the campaign. Q&As will follow the three parts.
Speakers: Anna Macdonald (Control Arms Campaign Manager, Oxfam GB); Brian Wood (Military Security and Police Campaign Manager, Amnesty International); Holger Anders (European Information Officer, IANSA)
Venue: Alexandra Palace, Seoul

Seminar 2000

13.00 - 15.00
No to the militarization of Europe: Kick out US bases
This seminar will discuss the current situation regarding military bases in Europe and the continent's growing militarisation. The seminar will also be paricipatory and action orientated, developing stratgeies for opposition to the bases.
Speakers: Sissy Vavou (Assembly of Chania, Greece); Stergios Lalidis (Activist at Litoharan base, Greece); David Heller (For Mother Earth, Belgium); Arielle Denis (Mouvement de la Paix, France); Rae Street (CND, UK); speaker from BastaGuerra; chair: Kate Hudson (CND, UK)
Venue: Alexandra Palace, Woomera

Saturday, October 16th

Workshop 2107

9.00 - 11.00
The New Nuclear Danger: the urgency of global abolition of nuclear weapons
The nuclear weapons states are researching and developing new nuclear weapons designed to be used in further illegal pre-emptive wars - in Britain we believe this is taking place at Aldermaston. This seminar will look at current developments and the global political context in which they are taking place - an increasingly aggressive US militarism - and discuss campaigning strategies to prevent these developments taking place. These will include action through the European Union relating to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference and others.
Speakers: Pol D'Huyvetter (Abolition 2000 Europe); Arielle Denis (Mouvement de la Paix, France); Bruce Kent (Movement for the Abolition of War, UK); Tony Staunton (Nuclear Free Coalition Plymouth, UK); Caroline Gilbert (Christian CND, UK); Jill Evans (CND Cymru, Wales); Jenny Jones, Mayors for Peace
Venue: Alexandra Palace, Chiapas

Workshop 825

9:00 - 11.00
Nonviolent Campaign against War profiteers
Responding to Arundhati Roy's call to shut down corporations that profit from war, War Resisters' International invites participation in campaign development. Based on a tradition of nonviolent strategies, we will explore what resources and action is needed for an international network to stop these corporations from promoting war for profit.
See also: "A Europe that refuses war?"
Speakers:Joanne Sheehan, Andreas Speck
Venue: Bloomsbury ULU 2b

Workshop 1332

9:00 - 11.00
Refusing to kill
Bringing together men (and women) who refuse to kill for the military-industrial complex. Working with the Global Women's Strike to demand that society Invests in Caring not Killing. Campaigning for justice with refuseniks, veterans, and military families made ill, disabled and/or suffering in other ways, because of war and occupation
Speakers: No information
Venue: Bloomsbury NATFHE, SL

Workshop 868

9.00 - 11.00
What do we mean by Nonviolence?
Turning the Tide resource people
Nonviolence is a word that means different things to different people. This workshop will explore a range of understandings and consider how collective nonviolent resistance can be effective.
Speakers: Turning the tide resource people
Venue: Bloomsbury Birkbeck 541

Workshop 827

11.30 - 13.30
Nonviolence and Globalisation from below
How can nonviolent action - the power of the people - strengthen our movement? Nonviolence is a form of action that affirms life and speaks out against oppression.What nonviolent theories,techniques,strategies and practical tools can help us create successful campaigns and reach the victories needed to further our agenda?
See also: "A Europe that refuses war?"
Speakers: Joanne Sheehan, Stellan Vinthagen
Venue: Bloomsbury Birkbeck 541

Workshop 424

11.30 - 13.30
Arms Reduction: a perquisite for fruitful relationships among Mankind
Discuss proposal for countries to agree and implement a legally binding instrument, to reduce the amount of resources spent on arms by between 1 and 5 percent for a period of between 10 and 25 years, and to spend the resources saved on programmes that benefit humanity and the earth.
Emphasize that it is paramount to prevent resources being wasted on producing weapons; rather than trying to control arms after they have being produced; as arms are made to and do kill people.
Speakers: Karl Miller. Vijay Mehta
Venue: Bloomsbury Birkbeck 540

Workshop 845

11.30 - 13.30
Working Towards Social Change in Israel
Deep internal social changes are going on inside Israel, which create great opportunities, but also great dangers, for the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A vibrant and rapidly growing, though still greatly outnumbered, social movement is developing in Israel, aiming to transform the Israeli society into one capable of sustaining a just peace with the Palestinian people. Supporting this movement is perhaps no less important than acting directly in solidarity with Palestine for the defence of Palestinians' basic human rights and for the ultimate political goal of attaining peace in the region. The workshop will present the movement itself, its aims, the challenges it is facing and the possible outcomes of its success or failure in the coming years to attain some of its central goals.
Speaker: Sergey Sandler
Venue: Bloomsbury ULU 2b

Workshop 1429

14.00 - 16.00
Nonviolence and Latin America
This group will present nonviolence as a concept and its application to Latin America as a form of resistance, drawing on the experience of different organizations and academics from Latin America and Europe.
Speakers: Professor Marío Lopez Martínez, Instituto de la Paz y los Conflictos, Univerisdad de Granada, España. Dr. Maria Carmen Roldan, España. Professor Alejandro Bendaña, Centro de Estudios Internacionales, Nicaragua.
Adam Baird MA, England.
Venue: Bloomsbury

Workshop 858

14.00 - 16.30
Dealing with the Colonial Past
The past shapes the present and the future. The legacy of a colonial past is still very vivid and determines basic structures of injustice, racism, exploitation, discrimination, human rights violations and lack of empowerment so as to contribute to new ways of living and taking a more participative role in society.
Speakers: Roberta Bacic (WRI), Jan van Criekinge (Forum voor Vredesactie)
Venue: Bloomsbury ULU 2c

Workshop 1913

16.30 - 18.30
Militarization, violence against women and women's activism
Particular attention will be given to the impact of small arms on women; the construction of militarism and masculinities; Palestinian women struggling against occupation; militarization and women's activism in Nigeria; militarization and trafficking for forced prostitution in Kosovo.
Speakers: Cynthia Cockburn (Women in Black); Rebecca Peters (Director, IANSA); Alice Ukoko (WILPF); Sian Jones (Amnesty International); Amneh Badran (Palestine Solidarity Campaign)
Venue: Alexandra Palace, Gleneagles

Workshop 456

16.30 - 18.30
Weapons of Mass Destruction in Europe
There are US nuclear weapons in Belgium, England, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey, plus British weapons in Scotland and the French arsenal. The workshop will be for sharing information on how to oppose WMD. We will consider lessons from past campaigns, current opportunities and future plans for disarmament.
Speakers: No information
Venue: Bloomsbury, Birkbeck 35

Workshop 803

16.30 - 18.30
Military Research, Science and engineering
This meeting will expose the strong influence that the military has on scientific research and technological development, and argue for major changes in the way science and engineering are run. It will include new, up-to date research on this issue. There will be 4-5 speakers from UK, France Germany and eastern Europe.
Speakers: Ottfried Nassauer (Director of the Berlin Information Center on Transatlantic Security (BITS), Germany); Dr. Stuart Parkinson ( Director of Scientists for global responsibility (SGR) UK); Alexis Vlandas (Nanotechnology, Materials Department University of Oxford, UK); Reiner Braun (International Network of Engineers and Scientists for global responsibility, Germany). Moderator/ Chair: Prof. Jean-Paul Laine (SNESup, France)
Venue: Bloomsbury NATFHE

Workshop 720

16.30 - 18.30
Stopping the next war: an action strategy for the peace movement
Europe will continue to play a role in the US military intervention policy and hosts foward deployed US troops. Also the next war will take off from Europe.
During the Iraq war mobilisation for demonstrations on a global scale was succesfull. Direct actions against the American war mobilisation, like blocking military trains, were more dispersed. An internationally coördinated nonviolent action strategy against the war mobilisation, similar to the German anti-Castor actions, gives added strength to the peace movement.
Speakers: Hans Lammerant (Forum voor Vredesactie)
Venue: Bloomsbury ULU 3b

Sunday, October 17th

Workshop 1902

9.00 - 12.00
Militarisation of the European Union
We will examine the EU constitution and armaments policy, the European arms industry; the privatisation of military services; military influence on science, engineering and technology; EU military strategy and operations; the effects these policies on the global South; and what we can do to counter the growing militarisation of Europe.
See also: "A Europe that refuses war?"
Speakers: Tobias Pfluger (DFG-VK, WRI); Ann Feltham (CAAT, ENAAT); Ippy Dee (Aldermaston Women's Campaign, WRI); Stuart Parkinson (SGR, INESS); Hans Lammerant (Forum, WRI)
Venue: Alexandra Palace, Seoul

Workshop 1268

9.00 - 12.00
Building Peace, Opposing War: Women's Activism
Activists discuss and analyse ways women work to build peace and oppose militarism and war, from Greenham, Aldermaston and Menwith Women's Peace Camps, through vigils and non-violent direct action; by working across divisions as in Palestine and by using the United Nations process with Security Council Resolution 1325.
Speakers: Imma Barbarossa (Women's Convention Against Wars, Italy); Olga Tsakiridr (Women's Campaign Genoa 200, Greece); Anna-Lisa Bjorgeberg (Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Sweden); Patricia Tough (Women in Black, Italy); Sian Jones (Women in Black, Aldermaston Women's Peace Camp); Helen John (Womenwith Peace Camp); Anjie Zelta (International Women's Peace Service); Cynthia Cockburn (Chair - Women in Black, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom)
Venue: Alexandra Palace, Woomera

Workshop 1894

9.00 - 12.00
Nonviolent Civilian Responses to Violent Conflict: The work of Peaceworkers
This workshop will look at how nonviolent civilian responses to violent conflict provide a real alternative to military intervention. It will specifically look at the work of Peaceworkers UK and the Nonviolent Peaceforce in promoting civilian strategies for the prevention, management and resolution of conflict. We will be specifically looking at the work of Peaceworkers to train and prepare civilians to work in the peace and conflict field. We will also be looking at work of the Nonviolent Peaceforce in placing civilian peaceworkers in the field and their current project in Sri Lanka.
This will be an interactive workshop with time for discussion and debate.
Speaker: Tim Wallis, Director of Peaceworkers UK and Co-chair of the Nonviolent Peaceforce
Venue: Bloomsbury ULU 2c

Beyond ESF Space

16.00 - 18.00
Trauma and Activism
This workshop takes place on the "Day of Dissent" during the Beyond ESF Space. For further information about this and other events run parallely to the ESF, please see www.wombles.org.uk/auto
Venue: Middlesex University, Holloway Road

DEMONSTRATION

Time to Go - Bush Out! - Troops Out!
International ESF demonstration called by Stop the War Coalition and the Trade Unions Congress. The demonstration is assembling on Sunday 17th October at 13.00 o' clock in Russell Square. The demo route will go through Westminster and finish with a concert and rally in Trafalgar Square starting at 15.30 o' clock.
Nearest Tube: Russell Square

How to get to the workshops/seminars

We know it's easy to get lost and confused in a city as big as London, especially if you're here for the first time. But if you provide yourself with the current bus- and tube-guides, a good map and a compass, you'll surely find your way...

To make it a little more comfortable for you to travel from one seminar to another: here's an overview on all the venues of the workshops and seminars described in this edition.

ALEXANDRA PALACE

Alexandra Palace will be the principle venue for ESF London 2004. The place is easily accesible by public transport.

Tube: Wood Green, Piccadilly Line
Buses: 184, W3
www.alexandrapalace.com

Plenary sessions, seminar sessions and cultural events will be taking place here.

BLOOMSBURY (Central London)

Bloomsbury is an area of central London close to Kings Cross, Euston and Russell Square. We are using several venues in this area, all of which are within a 5-10min walking distance from each other.

NATFHE
27 Britannia Street
London WC1X 9JN
020 7833 8440
Tube: Kings Cross

Birkbeck, University of London Malet Street WC1E 7HX
020 7631 6271
Tube: Russell Square/ Goodge Street

University of London Union
Malet Street
WC1E 7HY
020 7664 2021
Tube: Russell Square/ Goodge Street

Venues will be open at the following times:

Friday 15th: 9.00 - 21.00
Saturday 16th: 9.00 - 21.00
Sunday 17th: 9.00 - 12.00

And after the ESF...: Upcoming antimilitarist actions

Europe in Bad Constitution

European Day of Action
Oct 29th
On October 29th 2004 the draft for the EU constitution is intended for signing by the heads of state of the EU member state
In order to prevent this constitution treaty from being passed, we support a Big Public Campaign that aims at informing and warning the public about the contents of this draft constitution.
www.dfg-vk.de

Prisoners for Peace Day

1st of December
Focus on total objectors in Finland
wri-irg.org

G8 Summit 6-8th of July 2005 in Gleneagles, Scotland.

A network of groups and individuals is emerging against the Summit, and forms a lasting movement against capitalism.
www.antig8.info

For the ESF, WRI outreaches far beyond its London office

With the invaluable help of volunteers coming from different parts of Europe it has been possible to implement WRI's participation at the European Social Forum as agreed by its Council in Macedonia last June.The office used its net to invite people to come and as a result we have had Ima from Germany and Pedro from Spain to stay in London and work with us for almost a month. They have taken on different tasks and have been able to put together our special tabloid issue of the Broken Rifle. We welcome these initiatives which help us to spread our principles and actions and, at the same time, move beyond the normal circle of our working place. We have also had Yolanda Bascon's help in translating our tabloid into Spanish.Thanks to the three of them and also the anonymous friends who generously give them hospitality. New initiatives welcome!

Roberta Bacic

War Resisters' International: an international movement against war

War Resisters' International was founded in 1921 under the name "Paco". It was and is based on the WRI declaration:

"War is a crime against humanity. I am therefore determined not to support any kind of war, and to strive for the removal of all causes of war"

War Resisters' International exists to promote nonviolent action against the causes of war, and to support and connect people around the world who refuse to take part in war or the preparation of war. On this basis, WRI works for a world without war.

Nonviolence

WRI embraces nonviolence. For some, nonviolence is a way of life. For all of us, it is a form of action that affirms life, speaks out against oppression, and acknowledges the value of each person.

Nonviolence can combine active resistance, including civil disobedience, with dialogue; it can combine non-cooperation - withdrawal of support from a system of oppression - with constructive work to build alternatives.

As a way of engaging in conflict, sometimes nonviolences attempts to bring reconciliation with it: strengthening the social fabric, empowering those at the bottom of society, and including people from different sides in seeking a solution.

No to war

WRI will never endorse any kind of war, whether it is waged by a state, by a "liberation army", or under the auspices of the United Nations, even if it is called a "humanitarian military intervention". Wars, however noble the rhetoric, invariably are used to serve some power-political or economic interest. We know where war leads - to suffering and destruction, to rape and organised crime, to betrayal of values and to new structures of domination.

Get involved! Support COs in prison: co-alerts

In many countries, prison is still the fate of conscientious objectors. Thousands of COs are still in prison [radical] in South Korea, Israel, Finland, and many other countries. Despite many countries having introduced laws on conscientious objection, many COs still face imprisonment, either because they don't fit into the authorities' criteria, or they refuse to perform any alternative service. War Resisters' International supports conscientious objectors who are imprisoned because of their conscientious objection, or face repression by the state or state-like entities.

CO-alerts, sent out by email as soon as the WRI office receives information on the imprisonment or trial of a conscientious objector, are a powerful tool to mobilise support and protest.

CO-alerts are available by email (subscribe at http://lists.wri-irg.org/sympa/co-alert) or on the internet at http://wri-irg.org/news/alerts.

The WRI office also needs more information on imprisoned conscientious objectors from all over the world.

Get in touch with us at:
War Resisters' International, 5 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DX, Britain; tel +44-20-7278 4040; fax: +44-20-7278 0444; email concodoc@wri-irg.org ; http://wri-irg.org/news/alerts

The broken rifle

The symbol we use, two arms breaking a rifle, was probably used for the first time by the Dutch antimilitarist newspaper Down with Weapons around 1909.

In 1919 Ernst Friedrich, founder of the Berlin Anti-War Museum, met Bart de Ligt - leader of the Dutch Pacifist movement at the time, and was so fascinated by the symbol - which meant anarchy and liberty to him - that he resolved to develop a metal badge of it, he also made flags with the broken rifle and the rising sun. WRI has used the symbol since 1932.

Roberta Bacic