The Indian Scientists Against Nuclear Weapons (ISANW) was formed immediately after Pokhran II nuclear tests conducted by India in May 1998, as a spontaneous reaction to the changed nuclear scenario in the country. It aims to be a united informed body of scientists to work against the proliferation of nuclear armaments in the country.

1. Articles of interest

• A People's Movement Landmark
  A Report by Praful Bidwai
  http://www.isanw.org/news/10/bidwai.html

2. Thanks to Volunteers for the National Convention

Apart from the overall support in terms of participation in the meeting, the Slides and the Posters were on show at NC in Delhi. Two booklets, "The Tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki" and "Facts about Nuclear Weapons" (2nd reprint) were on sale at the NC. Priced at Rs. 10 and Rs. 5 respectively these are available with Shankar, Indu and me. Please contact us if you are interested in buying.

There is proposal to have the National Coordination Committee's first meeting in Chennai sometime in January. We will keep you updated on further developments. Enclosed after the NC report you will find some views expressed after NC regarding further action.

Best Regards,
M. V. N. Murthy
Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai.

3. National Convention for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace

As the culmination of two and a half years of grassroots campaigns and mobilization throughout India in protest against the Pokhran-II nuclear weapon tests by India, and consequent to the Pakistani tests soon after, a National Convention for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace was held in Delhi on November 11-13, 2000. The climax of the 3-day Convention was the launching of a National Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace committed to seek and campaign for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons worldwide. The Convention was sponsored by more than 110 organisations and was attended by over 600 delegates from India and abroad, including 50 peace activists from Pakistan. All regions of India were represented. Delegates included grassroots activists, eminent scholars and intellectuals, scientists and doctors, trade unionists and kisan sabha activists, writers and artistes. Besides the 50-strong delegation from Pakistan, there were over 30 delegates from Australia, Bangladesh, Britain, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and USA. Among the major international peace organisations that were represented were the Japan Council Against A & H Bombs (Gensuikyo); Japan Congress Against A & H Bombs (Gensuiken); Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND, Britain); Abolition 2000 (USA); Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, New Zealand; and the Pakistan Peace Coalition.

The newly established Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace gives to India's hitherto heterogeneous peace movement an all-India organizational platform for the first time. This is expected to raise the profile of the nuclear disarmament campaign and give a big boost to its ability to exert pressure on national strategic thinking. The Convention elected a 38-member National Co-ordination Committee. The Convention adopted an Interim Charter for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace calling for a rollback of India and Pakistan's nuclear weapons programmes, cessation of all weapons testing and acquisition of fissile materials, and concrete steps towards global nuclear disarmament. It also adopted a Action Plan for the next one year. A Resolution calling for a concerted campaign against the USA's planned National Missile Defence and Theatre Missile Defence systems which most delegates, including the international activists, proclaimed to be the major future threat to world peace, was unanimously adopted. The Interim Charter, Action Plan and the text of the Resolution against the NMD/TMD are presented below.

INTERIM CHARTER FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT AND PEACE

This National Convention for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace resolutely opposes nuclear weapons in India, South Asia and globally. Nuclear weapons are evil and immoral. They divert resources from real needs, promote insecurity, are genocidal, undermine democracy, endanger the environment and future generations. This Convention unequivocally condemns India's entry into the Nuclear Weapons Club in 1998 which represents a betrayal of its own past positions. This Convention resolves to bring together largest members of groups, organizations and individuals on a common platform with the following Agenda. To carry forward this Agenda we constitute ourselves into a National Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace.

India: To halt and roll back India's nuclear weapons-related preparations and activity we demand the following measures to be implemented immediately: No assembly of nuclear weapons, no induction and deployment of nuclear weapons. No acquisition and development of nuclear weapon-specific delivery systems. Advanced research into nuclear weapons to be halted. No to explosive testing, sub-critical tests, or production or acquisition of weapons-usable fissile material tritium. Complete transparency and independent monitoring of governmental activity in this regard and full public accountability on nuclear development and energy matters; Proper compensation and reparation to all victims and their families for damages to health and local environment by activities related to all aspects (from uranium mining to reactor operation to waste disposal) of the nuclear fuel cycle. Priority must be given to remedial measures for all environmental damage.

Other Nuclear Capable and Nuclear Weapons States

We demand similar immediate measures of nuclear restraint and roll back from Pakistan. Given the tensions and potential for war in West Asia, we demand complete dismantling of Israel's nuclear weapons regime.

All the N-5 or Nuclear Weapons States (USA, Russia, Britain, France and China,) must immediately de-alert their nuclear weapons systems, make a pledge of No First Use and stop all research into advanced nuclear weapons. No to all efforts to construct an anti-ballistic missile system or missile shield.

We demand the rapid, systematic and continuous reduction by the N-5 of their nuclear weapons down to zero level through unilateral, bilateral and multilateral commitments and pacts.

We demand that the Indian Government go back to being among the pacesetters in matters of global nuclear disarmament.

We want a nuclear weapons free world and we support all genuine efforts in pursuit of this goal. In this effort we commit ourselves to the global nuclear disarmament movement and will strive to strengthen international solidarity in this endeavour.

ACTION PLAN

The Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace has undertaken to implement over the coming year ending 31 December 2001, the following programme:

1. Establish a central "clearing house" of information to help individuals and groups wanting to get necessary materials (videos, printed matter, experts, etc.) to generate popular awareness about nuclear weapons and lack of safety and transparency in the nuclear power sector.
2. Co-ordinate ongoing efforts towards regional and then national conventions of anti-nuclear weapon activists. Such regional meetings in the North, South, East, West and Central India to be convened over the next 6 months. There will be separate national conventions for trade unions, scientists, doctors, journalists, artists, lawyers, musicians etc.
3. Will press for institutionalization of "Nuclear Disarmament and Peace Week" from August 4-11 every year in as many schools and colleges as possible.
4. Will actively engage in dialogue at an official level with all political parties and mass organizations as well as with professional associations of all kinds, including industry, religious bodies etc.
5. Undertakes to support organizations in Jharkhand fighting the cause of victims of nuclear radiation in whatever way possible to highlight their plight including official dialogue with the new State government of Jharkhand.
6. Will support the efforts of concerned people in Rajasthan regarding secretive government nuclear-related activity including possible dumping of radioactive wastes in their areas.
7. Help to set-up within one year a national federation of radiation victims.
8. Liase with the Pakistan Peace Coalition (PPC) to bring out within a few months a report on joint Indo-Pakistan civil society initiatives that should be carried out to highlight the dangers posed by nuclearisation of South Asia.
9. Work with the PPC to identify 10 schools and 10 colleges in India and Pakistan respectively, which will be termed as 'sister schools' and 'sister colleges'.
10. Work fraternally with all other genuine nuclear disarmament groups and individuals globally as well as establishing links of mutual support with the Indian and South Asian Diaspora in Europe, North America and elsewhere.

Resolution on Nuclear Missile Defence and Theatre Missile Defence of the USA

This National Convention for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace condemns unequivocally the proposal of the US Government to deploy so-called National Missile Defence (NMD) and Theatre Missile Defence (TMD) systems. While this programme may be currently on hold under the Clinton administration, it is more than likely that the next administration under the pressure of defence contractors will actually deploy Nuclear Missile Defence and Theatre Missile Defence systems.

The promotion of the Nuclear Missile Defence and the Theatre Missile Defence in the US political arena has all the hallmarks of the manner in which the US nuclear programme has been expanded, refined and sharpened. Fraudulent test (or improperly designed ones) are used to argue that the technology for this exists and can be developed and deployed. International treaties like the Anti Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty are sought to be circumvented or undermined or rejected. New bogus threats, like the danger of nuclear weapons in the hands of so-called 'rogue states' are created to justify the programmes. Objective opinion concurs that even against 'nuclear' terrorist threats, NMD and TMD make little sense.

The very discussion of the proposals for the NMD and the TMD in the US have evoked strong reactions from other Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) and any pursuit of these programmes will only harden the nuclear doctrine, strategies and postures of the other NWS. The pursuit of the NMD and the TMD will be a serious blow to the cause of global nuclear disarmament. This conference considers it a crucial task of the global anti-nuclear weapons movement to mobilize vigorously against these programmes. This conference calls on the Government of India to resolutely and forcefully record the opposition of the Indian people to the NMD and the TMD in all international fora.

13/11/2000
New Delhi
Organising Committee,
National Convention for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace,
C/o Delhi Science Forum, B- 1, Second Floor, LSC, J- Block, Saket, New Delhi 110017

Tel: +91-11-962-4323; +91-11-652-4324; Telefax: +91-11-686-2716
E-mail: natcon2000@fnmail.com

4. Life after National Convention:

• Dear Friends,

  1)What better proof of life after the convention than the very businesslike proposals from Sukla Sen!

  The proposals will be put before the Movement Against Nuclear Weapons (MANW)in Chennai but, even before that, may I state my opinion that these merit positive consideration.

  It will, of course, for the NCC to consider and accept the proposals at its very first session.

  2)I had a couple of days ago sent to many of you (my apologies to those inadvertently left out)another proposal from the MANW -- for holding the first meeting of the NCC in Chennai. Envisaged is a two-day prograamme, with one day for the NCC meting and another for a regional convention (with he participation of NCC members) and a public meeting/rally. The MANW will be glad and proud to host the prgramme.

  The MANW requests an early and positive resonse from yiu all to this proposal so that it can go ahead with the preparations.

  Thanks and warm fraternal regards.

  J. Sri Raman
  Convenor-JANW & MANW

  ---

• Dear Friends,

  The National convention is over with resounding success.

  Now, I'm presenting here a couple of suggestions, as the representing delegate to the convention from the EKTA (Committe for Communal Amity), Mumbai - which is one of the sponsoring organisations and did consistently play an active and important role in Mumbai in organising agit-prop actions in collaboration with other like-minded organisations and individuals.

  1. Flow of Information regarding the outcome of the Convention : The Interim Charter, the Resolution in lieu of a finalised Charter, the resolution against NMD and SMD launched by the USA, the list of the members (and their addresses) of the Secretariat and the NCP, the agreed Action Plan be circulated to the delegates - at least through e-mail.
  2. A time- frame be fixed for finalising the Charter. Preferably by end-Jan. For this only the amendments received during the Convention be considered. In this case, there could be 3 options : (i) outight acceptance (may be with minor linguistic modifications), (ii) outright rejection and (iii) striking a compromise. At least in case of the third, as far as possible, the proposer of the amendment be involved in the process. While circulating the Final Charter to the delegates, a brief note explaining the actions taken on the proposed amendments be incorporated.
  3. Beside the Secretariat and the NCC, there should also be National Council - where all the (lowest level) costituent/sponsoring/supporting organisatios be represented by one member each - who will pay a nominal (minimum) subscription - may be Rs. 200.00 a year. Or any other suitable method so that composition of the Coalition is clearly defined. The members of the NCC will automatically be the members of the National Council. There should also be a General Council constituted of all individuals accepting the Charter and paying an annual subscription (may be Rs.100.00). The individual members may or may not represent any organisation. These memberers are to be entitled to receive from and transmit information to the common pool. This will not only confer a sense of belonging to the constituents of the Coalition, this will also provide an urge to enlist and expand.
  4. The logo of the convention - the crane in blue and white, be adopted for the coalition, as proposed by (Ramachandran) Shankar.

  Hope, the abve suggestions will be duly taken note of.

  In solidarity,
  Sukla Sen

  ---

• Dear Achin,

  Congratulations on the remarkable success of he National Convention, which no media blackout can belie or belittle. And thanks a lot for helping us contribute to the success in however modest a manner. Please convey my personal thanks to Pamela for the clippings and everything else.

  Let's go forward to make the NCC a bulwark against nuclear militarism.

  Warm regards.

  J. Sri Raman

  ---

• Dear Sri Raman,

  There is certainly no call to thank me. We have all been a part of a tremendous collective effort and yes we must go ahead to further successes. The NCC should meet before Dec. end and systematically go ahead to carry out the action plan. Probably a meeting can take place in Bangalore since they have already suggestedtheir willingness to host the meeting. I should also be coming for a few days to Chennai in December and will of course let you know as soon as plans are confirmed.

  Best
  Achin

  ---

• Dear Friends,

  Congratulations, once again, to all of you on the remarkable success of the National Convention for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace.

  You will be glad to learn that the Movement Against Nuclear Weapons (Chennai)--including the Journalists Against Nuclear Weapons (JANW), the Indian Scientists Against Nuclear Weapons (ISANW), the Tamil Nadu Science Forum (TNSF), the Tamilnadu chapter of the All-India Peace and Solidarity Organisation (AIPSO), the Physicians For Peace (PFP), all represented at the NC, besdes several other bodies--discussed the convention and its outcome and took the following decisions:

  1)Welcoming the formation of the Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace and its National Coordnation Committee, the MANW decided to seek the honour of hosting the first session of the NCC in Chennai.

  2)The MANW also decided to hold a regional convention (for Tamilnadu), one in the series that the NC envisaged, immediately after the first NCC session.

  3)The MANW further resolved to carry the message of the NC to the public by all available means.

  The MANW hopes that the proposal will meet with approval from all of you.

  Subject to your approval, the MANW would like to hold in Chennai a two-day programme including the first NCC session in January 2001, preferably on January 19 and 20, 2001.

  The programme, as envisaged now, is as follows: (a) Day One: The first session of the NCC and (b) Day Two: The regional convention and a public meeting/rally in the evening.

  The MANW will take the responsibility for the lodging and boarding of the delegates and their programme-related transport in Chennai.

  The MANW hopes that the Interim Charter adopted at the NC will be made available to it soon in order to expedite its translation and circulation in the region.

  A positive response from you at your earliest convenience will be greatly appreciated.

  I request you all to forward this communication to other members of the NCC, whose e-mail addresses I do not have.

  With warm fraternal gretings,

  J. Sri Raman
  Convenor-JANW
  Convenor-MANW

Indian Scientists Against Nuclear Weapons
isanw@arbornet.org.
http://www.isanw.org/