Dear Friends:
It is an honor to share the following report on the contribution of GSI and its programs during the last six months. I believe that GSI’s founder Senator Alan Cranston would be very proud of these accomplishments. First, however, is a report on several recent highlights.
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Jonathan Granoff greeting His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI |
On Wednesday, November 23, 2005, I had the privilege of meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter’s Square, Rome, after his weekly general audience. He had invited a delegation of Nobel Peace Laureates to meet him after his public address. I was there representing the Nobel Peace Laureate organization the International Peace Bureau (IPB).
Since his speech reminded all in attendance of the blessings of the joy of God’s unconditional love, it was an exceptionally propitious time to share our concerns with him. In speaking with the Pope, I said that our shared reverence for the sacredness of life is affronted by the continued threat of and reliance upon nuclear weapons. I emphasized the urgency of their universal abolition and the need for all humanity to work together to achieve this collective goal.
His quiet, strong presence made our brief and intense moment all the more meaningful. His response to my plea continues to resonate in my heart. The Pope said that we must work together for the elimination of nuclear weapons.
Pope Benedict XVI, in his message for the Celebration of World Day of Peace, January 1, 2006, titled In Truth, In Peace, has fully articulated his leadership in the issue by stating in relevant portion:
“What can be said, too, about those governments which count on nuclear arms as a means of ensuring the security of their countries? Along with countless persons of good will, one can state that this point of view is not only baneful but also completely fallacious. In a nuclear war there would be no victors, only victims. The truth of peace requires that all —whether those governments which openly or secretly possess nuclear arms, or those planning to acquire them— agree to change their course by clear and firm decisions, and strive for a progressive and concerted nuclear disarmament. The resources which would be saved could then be employed in projects of development capable of benefiting all their people, especially the poor.”
To have such a powerful voice expressing a call of conscience is cause for a hopeful new year. We want to build on this message.
During my visit, I presented a package of important materials to His Holiness, including the following:
» GSI Personal Letter
» BYU Law Review Article on Nuclear Weapons
» Senator Roche’s speech to U.S. Catholic Bishops
» Senator Roche’s latest book Beyond Hiroshima
Relevant links:
In Truth, In Peace, Message for World Day of Peace by Pope Benedict XVI
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President Lech Walesa, Mr. Granoff,
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It is a great pleasure to announce that Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala, former UN Under Secretary General for Disarmament Affairs, has joined the GSI Advisory Board. He is the nominee of Sri Lanka to the position of Secretary General of the United Nations.
As head of the IPB delegation to the Nobel Peace Laurates Summit, he gave a keynote address. Ambassador Dhanapala is one of the world’s leaders in addressing security issues and his joining GSI is a great honor. Click here to read his full biography.
The theme of this years Summit was Emergency Africa. I was privileged to address the opening session with a tribute to Sir Joseph Rotblat, a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and former GSI Advisory Board Member. Our respective presentations can be found here:
A report on the Summit will be forthcoming soon, but in the meantime, it is worth noting that the Nobel Peace Laureates stated in their Final Statement:
“We reiterate our insistence that the existence of nuclear weapons is morally unacceptable and condemn military doctrines allowing their use. We demand progress by nuclear weapons states in fulfilling their disarmament obligations under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. The corrosion of the nonproliferation regime is a danger to world peace.”
A full transcript of the Final Statement can be found here.
Such clear, unambiguous advocacy for the elimination of nuclear weapons from persons of such stature cannot be long ignored. GSI and its programs – the Middle Powers Initiative, the Parliamentary Network for Nuclear Disarmament, and the Bipartisan Security Group – will continue to work advancing practical programs and governmental policies that can lead to a world without this unacceptable risk.
On behalf of so many who work on these programs, we ask our supporters to accept our deep gratitude in allowing us to serve this noble cause. Your help enables us to respond to a call of responsibility and we thank you.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Granoff
President
CONTENTS
Enclosed you will find the following (click to jump to each section):
2005 has been an exceptionally demanding year for those who value honesty in government, respect for the rule of law, and peace. The advances in Russia’s nuclear arsenal, Chinese investments in new nuclear weapons, U.S. policies calling for new warhead designs and lowered threshholds for use, and the continued policies of launch on warning, among other issues, are extremely troubling. Additionally, since the failure of the 2005 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference in May to produce a consensus document, multilateral progress has been halted.
Presently, there is no formal multilateral ongoing forum functioning to address adequately nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament. The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, the Conference on Disarmament, and even the First Committee of the General Assembly, are locked in institutional and procedural deadlock. This has occurred because a small group of states does not want progress. Several do not want to be held to account for their failure to substantively and sincerely work on disarmament, others because they feel discriminated against, and others because they are gaming the system. The stakes are simply too high to allow such irresponsible behavior to hold humanity’s survival in the balance. Although our efforts are humble, as members of civil society, we simply cannot just sit back and watch disaster manifest.
In the report below, please note the response to this crisis of the Middle Powers Initiative in creating and convening the “Article VI Forum” and the ongoing outreach of the Parliamentary Network for Nuclear Disarmament.
Much of our work is quiet and its contribution remains unnoticed, except by those whose decisions make a difference. For example, the brief on the Bunker Buster promoted by the Bipartisan Security Group (BSG) helped educate significant members of the U.S. Congress on the issue and contributed to defeating funding these new weapons. It is our hope that by identifying issues based on serious analysis and not merely the crisis de jour of the mass media we perform a valuable service. BSG has in this regard identified the weaponization of space as crucial and will be working vigorously to educate the U.S. Congress on the subject.
MPI Events
October 3, 2005 — United Nations, NY — MPI Article VI Forum
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Amb. de Alba, Under-Secretary General Abe, Hon. Roche, Amb. Young-jin, and Amb. Meyer |
MPI hosted an event at the UN to officially launch the Article VI Forum. Introductory remarks were offered by Nobuyasu Abe, Under-Secretary-General, U.N. Department of Disarmament Affairs and H.E. Choi Young-jin, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations and Chairman of the Disarmament and International Security (First) Committee.
Keynote speakers of the event were Ambassador Paul Meyer of Canada on the topic of “Near Term Political Strategies for Reviving Multilateral Action”; Ambassador Dato’ Hamidon Ali of Malaysia on the “The Legal Elements to Support a Nuclear Weapons-Free World” and Ambassador Luis Alfonso De Alba of Mexico on “Taking Forward the Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Agenda.”
The event was chaired by Sen. Douglas Roche and closing remarks were offered by Jonathan Granoff.
The Article VI Forum will convene its second session on March 2-3, 2006, to continue its work on the legal, technical, and political requirements for a nuclear weapons-free world. The political discussion will be held at the Netherlands Institute of International Relations, Clingendael, The Hague. The full meeting will host ambassadors and senior representatives from 28 middle powers governments. To assist on the technical aspects of the conference, MPI is pleased to announce the participation of the International Panel on Fissile Materials, headed by eminent nuclear physicists Professors Jose Goldemberg and Frank von Hippel. The highly respected speakers addressing the Forum include Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala, Former UN Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, Honorable Ruud Lubbers, Former Prime Minister of The Netherlands, and Right Honorable Kim Campbell, Former Prime Minister of Canada.
We believe there must be progress and that middle power countries, working in a non-adversarial environment, focusing on goals for which they already have strong consensus, can and must build a framework to repair the regime and, indeed, make actual progress on the nonproliferation/disarmament process. We are focused on the imperative of ensuring the success of the 2010 NPT Review Process. Our principle faith in the rule of law, multilateral cooperation, and the call of necessity, leads us to confidence that disaster is not inevitable and success still possible.
PNND Events
Comprehensive 2005 Report by the Parliamentary Network for Nuclear Disarmament (PNND)
Below is a link to a comprehensive programmatic report from PNND about its many important events from 2005.
November 7, 2005 — Santiago, Chile — General Conference of OPANAL
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL) was established by the Treaty of Tlatelolco – the first regional nuclear weapons free zone (NWFZ) – in order to implement the treaty, encourage the establishment of other NWFZs and to advance global nuclear disarmament. The 33 governments which are parties to the treaty meet every two years to consider these issues.
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Luis Winter, Chilean Secretary for Foreign Affairs, with Alyn Ware at OPANAL General Conference |
PNND Coordinator Alyn Ware gave a keynote presentation on the role of civil society in the promotion of NWFZs. Mr. Ware commended the governments in the region for establishing the regional NWFZ saying that:
“There are many pessimists who will argue that nuclear disarmament is not possible – that nuclear weapons are required for security as a final deterrent and that those states with a nuclear capability will thus not willingly give them up. The example of Latin America and the Caribbean demolishes that argument. Countries in this region have managed to establish national and regional security and solve disputes without recourse to nuclear deterrence. In addition, two countries in the region that were developing nuclear weapons capabilities, have abandoned such programs and joined the treaty.” (excerpt from Mr. Ware’s speech found here)
The Conference adopted a final declaration with a program of action. This included a call on the United Nations General Assembly to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on the “Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons” to consider actions that States should undertake to fulfill nuclear disarmament obligations arising from the NPT and the ICJ Opinion.
September 1, 2005 — Republic of Korea – Alyn Ware addresses National Assembly on PNND, the Six Party Talks, and Nuclear Free Zones
PNND global coordinator Alyn Ware addressed a cross-party meeting in the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea on the topics of the Six Party talks, a North East Asian NWFZ and parliamentary initiatives for global nuclear disarmament. Mr. Ware noted the role that parliamentarians had played in the establishment of NWFZs in other regions, and how parliamentarians internationally could support the achievement of a nuclear weapons free North East Asia. While each nuclear weapon free region has its own peculiarities, the innovative solutions used to overcome negotiating difficulties in the establishment of the current NWFZs could be instructive for negotiations in North East Asia.
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Following Mr. Ware’s visit to the ROK:
(a) a Korean section of PNND was established comprising 18 parliamentarians from the government URI Party, opposition Grand National and Democratic Labour Parties,
(b) PNND Korea members endorsed the joint mayors and parliamentarians statement on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and
(c) Representative Mi-Kyung Lee, who hosted the National Assembly meeting on September 1, drafted an article on the Six-Party process and the role of parliamentarians to support the achievement of a nuclear weapons free Korea.
GSI Events
October 17, 2005 — United Nations, NY —”Moving Forward on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation”
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Amb. de Alba, Jonathan Granoff, and Amb. Borsiin-Bonnier |
GSI hosted a panel event at the United Nations on the topic of “Moving Forward on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation,” featuring guest speakers Ambassador Elisabet Borsiin-Bonnier of Sweden, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations Offices and Other International Organizations, Geneva; and Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba, Permanent Representative of Mexico and Chairman of the First Committee.
October 11, 2005 — United Nations, NY —”Space Security: Core Issues and Questions”
GSI hosted a panel at the United Nations in cooperation with The Space Security Index featuring Philip Coyle, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense; Ambassador Peggy Mason, former Canadian Ambassador for Disarmament; Dr. Lucy Stojak, Institute of Air and Space Law, McGill University; Detlev Wolter, Vice-Chair of the UN First Committee and Political Counselor, Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN; the panel was co-Chaired by Ambassador Graham, Chair of BSG and Chairman of the Cypress Fund for Peace and Security along with Mr. Granoff.
BSG Events
December 13, 2005 — Washington, DC — Security & Proliferation Implications of Space Weaponization
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(Left to right) Mr. Krepon, Amb. Graham, Amb. Grey, Ms. Spaulding, Mr. Granoff & Hon. Markey
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The Bipartisan Security Group in cooperation with the Henry L. Stimson Center and the Bipartisan Task Force on Non-Proliferation of the U.S. House of Representatives hosted an event in Congress to discuss the security implications of space weaponization. Keynote panelists included Ambassador Thomas Graham and Michael Krepon, President emeritus of the Stimson Center.
The event was co-chaired by BSG expert Suzanne Spaulding, GSI President Jonathan Granoff, and Congressman Ed Markey and Christopher Shays, Co-Chairs of the Task Force. Rep. Shays gave opening remarks and Rep. Markey, in his closing remarks, said that he hoped that BSG could continue and present “1,000 such high quality programs.” He emphasized the need for a robust public debate on the subject of space weaponization and urged our further work in educating Congress.
Amb. Graham’s and Mr. Krepon’s speeches were based upon their respective materials found below:
» Stimson Brief on Space Security or Space Weapons?
» Ambassador Graham’s latest article in Arms Control Today
» Jonathan Granoff & Dr. Craig Eisendrath on Vision 2020
» View U.S. Space Command’s Vision for 2020
» Report of event by Voice of America (includes audio)
October 6, 2005 — Washington, DC— BSG event with MPI Chairman on “An Insider’s Perspective on the 2005 NPT Review Conference”
BSG hosted MPI Chairman Douglas Roche on Capitol Hill for an afternoon briefing for staffers, NGO representatives, and other experts on the lackluster outcome of the NPT Review Conference at the UN in May.
A full MPI report on the Review Conference can be found here.
September 11, 2005 — The Hague, the Netherlands – Seminar on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
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Ambassador Grey, Director of BSG, spoke at a seminar on “Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation” organized by the Christian Democratic Party (CDA) in the Netherlands. In attendance were former prominent CDA politicians, NGO experts, and other concerned citizens.
DPE Events
November 15, 2005 — New York, NY — Symposium on Bio-security and UN Security Council Resolution 1540
Professor Barry Kellman, BSG member and Director of the International Consortium for Law And Strategic Security, convened a conference on Bio-security in New York City. The symposium was entitled “Assisting States to Effectively Fulfill UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR)1540’s Legal Requirements.” Mr. Granoff spoke on the topic of the 2006 Biological Weapons Convention and UNSCR 1540, which compels all nations of the world to institute criminal prohibitions against individuals regarding weapons of mass destruction.
November 7-9, 2005 — Amsterdam, the Netherlands — The Earth Charter Summit
Jonathan Granoff gave two formal presentations at the Earth Charter Summit in the Netherlands on the topics of “Human Rights, Human Responsibilities, and International Law” and “Multilateral Imperatives for Environmental and State Security.” GSI Advisor Jane Goodall gave an outstanding keynote presentation in which she addressed the relationships between nuclear weapons and environmental responsibility for a sustainable future. Click here to read the Earth Charter.
November 2, 2005— Philadelphia, PA — Model UN Conference
Jonathan Granoff was the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony of the 39th Annual University of Pennsylvania Model UN Conference in Philadelphia. It is the second largest conference of its kind in the U.S., which is held annually around the country.
Over 500 college students were in attendance for Mr. Granoff’s address on the topic of International Law, Nuclear Weapons, and the United Nations.
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October 28-29, 2005 — Quinnipiac University, CT — Albert Schweitzer Institute “Reverence for Life” Conference
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GSI Advisory Board Member Jane Goodall with Jonathan Granoff |
Jonathan Granoff and Dr. Goodall gave major presentations as panelists at a recent Albert Schweitzer Institute conference. The theme of the conference was Reverence for Life Revisited: Albert Schweitzer’s Relevance Today. They emphasized the insights of Dr. Albert Schweitzer in grounding work for a sustainable future, whether addressing the environment or security, in the moral imperative of the universal value of reverence for life.
October 29, 2005 — MPI Chair Honored by Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
On October 29, 2005, Senator Roche was honored by the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation with its Lifetime Achievement Award. For further information, please click here or see the event press release.
2005 Alan Cranston Peace Award Available on Pierce Brosnan’s website
Our friend and supporter Pierce Brosnan has posted the event proceedings from the Alan Cranston Peace Award on his website. The video stream of the event can be found by clicking here.
GSI Welcomes 2 New Staff Members
We are proud to announce the arrival of two new members to the GSI team.
Jim Wurst is a new Program Director focusing on MPI and improving media outreach. He is currently President of the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) and has been a reporter for the UN Wire and the Inter Press Service, focusing on international security issues. He has a long-standing relationship with MPI, serving as its United Nations representative for several years after its founding and playing a major role in several of MPI’s strategy consultations, including those at The Carter Center.
John Koogler is a new Administrative Director. He is a graduate of Bowdoin College with a B.A. in Philosophy and Economics, and received his M.S. in International Affairs from Georgia Tech. He has field experience in humanitarian work, having worked in Africa and managed emergency relief programs in Bosnia during the Balkans conflict (1993). Most recently he worked at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia where he helped establish the Center’s ongoing Nepal project in their Conflict Resolution Program.
New Books Available from MPI and BSG Chairs
Senator Cranston worked closely with Ambassador Thomas Graham, Jr., current Chairman of BSG, and Hon. Douglas Roche, O.C., Chairman of MPI. Not only are their advocacy skills outstanding, but their scholarship gains them enormous respect and leverages their influence.
Both Ambassador Graham and Sen. Roche have recently written outstanding books. For further information about them, please visit:
![[text]](/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pubs_beyondhiroshima6.gif)
Beyond Hiroshima
by Douglas Roche
“[Douglas Roche] builds up a political, moral and religious case, drawing on his thirty years’ experience working on nuclear issues as a parliamentarian, diplomat and educator.”
![[text]](/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/photo_commonsense-sm2.gif)
Common Sense on Weapons of Mass Destruction
by Ambassador Thomas Graham, Jr.
“Thomas Graham Jr. has cut right down to the essentials about mankind’s most dangerous weapons. The general public will be encouraged to demand better policies.”
– by Hans Blix, Chairman of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission
