Defence white paper: Good and bad nuclear weapons!

[Nancy Atkin (MAPW)]

Dear all,

Following today’s Anti-Nuclear phone hook-up I searched for nuclear weapons (now known as WMD) in the Defence White Paper released on Saturday.

 

Here is a preview of tomorrow’s ICAN News item, plus a bit more:

 

Good and bad nuclear weapons:  Defence White Paper

Australia’s Defence White Paper was released on 2 May, following on the heels of the Community Consultation report two weeks ago. ICAN’s submission to the Consultation focused on the need to eliminate nuclear weapons; and to dissociate our defence from the US nuclear umbrella.

 

While stating that “Australia will continue to lead and participate in efforts to promote disarmament and counter-proliferation”, the 138-page White Paper disappointingly devotes only one paragraph each to disarmament and the need to support nuclear non-proliferation.

 

The paper promulgates the myth that US nuclear weapons help protect Australians from Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, and those which Iran, Islamists, or other “non-state actors” may obtain. Interestingly, the expansion of nuclear power is seen as a possible cause of proliferation.

 

Read the reports: www.defence.gov.au/whitepaper/
MAPW’s critique of the process: www.mapw.org.au  

 

ADDITIONAL NOTES

(The consultation process was a SCANDAL)

 

Also of interest: the White paper does look at climate change and at the need for Australia to help with mitigation (this part is better than expected).

 

As Dave Sweeney mentioned in today’s phone link-up, the report says we will spend huge amounts of money on our military.

 

This is in a context where funds for diplomacy are being cut – as you can see from the scant attention paid to nuclear abolition measures – there is just a paragraph inserted mentioning Australia’s leading role in the International Commission on Nuclear Non Proliferation And Disarmament; and one saying we should be involved in non proliferation measures. .

 

 

 

Nancy Atkin
Executive Officer
Medical Association for Prevention of War (Australia)
(Monday – Thursday)

Phone: +61 (3) 8344 1637
Mob: 0431 475 465
Fax: +61 (3) 8344 1638
www.mapw.org.au

..............................
Email: nancy...@mapw.org.au
National Office: Level 2, 161 Barry Street, Carlton
Mail: PO Box 1379, Carlton,  3053