MAPW hits the headlines . . .Age, SMH, PM
Nancy Atkin (MAPW)
Dear all,
Several big items in the news:
1.
Tilman Ruff is part of a “gang of 6” including
Malcolm Fraser, Peter Gration, Barry Jones, and Gus Nossal calling for
abolition of nuclear weapons through a nuclear weapons convention. Following
similar groupings of diverse and prominent public figures, in the USA and Japan, the group had
a very prominent op ed in today’s Age and SMH (you will recognise Tilman’s
fine turn of phrase); and an article in the SMH commenting on it. An important
initiative, and successful in getting prominence for these issues! See all the
links at the bottom.
2.
ABC’s PM were interviewing our student member
Priyal Rama Asary today, following up a story from the Red Cross, on doctors
complicit with CIA torture. Priyal has written, with Prof Raina MacIntyre, a
paper on this topic, looking at the Steve Biko case, at doctors under Nazism,
and at medical professionals in Australia’s
refugee detention centres. Priyal will be the guest speaker at Victoria’s May
12 meeting. Assuming the PM item is run tonight, you can listen live, or later
on the web.
Red Cross report:. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102851813
3.
Indonesia’s planned nuclear reactors
were the topic at the last Vic branch meeting, with speaker Richard Tanter; and
we have been considering a proposal from Richard for a tour later in the year
of speakers from Indonesia. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
now says they are shelved for the foreseeable future and Indon will be looking
at environmentally friendly power sources. www.theage.com.au/world/indonesia-goes-cold-on-nuclear-power-20090405-9t8z.html
4.
Palm Sunday pics:
Melbourne’s annual Palm Sunday peace rally was chaired
by ICAN Outreach Coordinator Jessica Morrison and
addressed by ICAN Board Member Dr Ruth Mitchell. In Sydney, ICAN Board
member Dr Sue Wareham spoke to the Paramatta peace rally;
and our Tas team also organised a vigil. This blog and photo gallery of Palm
Sunday in Melbourne include pictures of MAPW and ICAN
people, and highlight the beautiful ICAN banners painted by young people last
year:
http://www.icanw.org/news/palm-sunday-peace-rallies-2009.
http://melbourneprotests.wordpress.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/takver/sets/72157616293583453/show/
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
Subject: [IPPNWBOARD] Australian gang of 6
Fyi – hope these are useful eg to encourage ‘gangs’ elsewhere.
Regards Tilman
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/imagine-theres-no-bomb-20090407-9zj0.html
http://www.smh.com.au/national/fraser-backs-rudd-on-nuclear-weapons-20090407-9zlc.html
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