|
January 8, 2007 A message from GSI President Jonathan Granoff Dear Friends,
On September 26, 2006, BSG Chairman Ambassador Thomas Graham and GSI Advisory Board member Frank von Hippel and I testified at hearings at the US Congress titled, “Weapons of Mass Destruction: Current Nuclear Proliferation Challenges”. Also testifying were representatives of the Department of Energy, the Department of State, the Heritage Foundation, the Government Accountability Office and others. Congressman Christopher Shays (R- CT), Chairman on Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International relations, stated that the testimonies, which had begun at 1 PM and ended at 8 PM, “were some of the most substantive, interesting, demanding, and valuable in his decades in Congress.” We urge your thorough review of these substantive presentations. Nothing could be more important than a robust public debate of how to address challenges posed by nuclear weapons. We believe that the positions that our experts propounded at the hearings are coherent and effective, and stand in stark contrast to the incoherent policies that have bred instability and insecurity in our world. Below are several examples neglected by the mainstream media.
During recent UN deliberations, (see First Committee Monitoring, below) the US joined the rest of the world in the condemning North Korea for testing nuclear weapons. Yet, the US alone joined North Korea in voting against a universal legally verifiable ban on nuclear testing. “Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty” vote on October 11, 2006, see: A/C.1/61/L.48/Rev.1 When a resolution was proposed to make Central Asia a nuclear weapon free zone, only three countries- the US, the UK and France- voted “no.” “Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia” vote on October 11, 2006, see: A/C.1/61/L.54/Rev.1. Lead Sponsors: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The US stood alone in voting against resolution to prevent weaponization and an arms race in space. A/C.1/61/L.10/Rev.1; Voting Result. The UN General Assembly Committee on International Security debated and voted on 55 draft resolutions dealing with weapons of mass destruction, small arms, landmines, missiles and weapons in space. Of those, the US cast the sole negative vote 12 times; in eight other votes, it was in a minority of fewer than four.
The US, however, is certainly not in the minority with respect to supporting nonproliferation. But it, like some other states, inadequately addresses a core contradiction: nuclear weapon states want to keep their nuclear weapons indefinitely and, at the same time, condemn others who would attempt to acquire them. This contradiction drives the incoherence that is at the root of global insecurity. To move toward stability, it is necessary to establish policy guidelines that advance cooperative security based on the rule of law. We must build the infrastructure for peace. Nuclear disarmament is a compass point that gives coherence to proposals that reduce threats, advance nonproliferation, diminish no country’s security and strengthen the rule of law. There are a series of moderate steps which could immediately make us safer:
These are policies with nearly universal consensus. Their realization requires increased political will at the highest levels of state, particularly those states which are already supportive. It is our hope that civil society and the governments of the world will push vigorously in the coming year and bring these threat-reducing steps into practice. Inspiration in this regard can be found in the Rome Declaration, a powerful statement from the recent Nobel Summit. (Appended here.) The GSI team, through its programs the Middle Powers Initiative (MPI), the Bipartisan Security Group (BSG), and the Parliamentary Network for Nuclear Disarmament (PNND) brings coherent, practical proposals to forums that matter. Whether it is the convening capacity of MPI to bring over twenty countries to work together on strengthening the NPT through the Article VI Forum, or BSG’s working effectively with Congressional offices to help advance hearings in the US Congress, to expanding the network of over 500 concerned Members of Parliaments in over 70 countries through PNND, to GSI leadership working with world leaders like Nobel Peace Laureates and Laureate organizations such as the International Peace Bureau, we consistently work to bring clarity and purpose through viable policies which can bring hope where there was only fear, purpose where there was confusion, and security where there was instability.
Under the leadership of Chairman Douglas Roche, O.C., the effectiveness and scope of the Middle Powers Initiative has been extraordinary. We urge your attention to the MPI website, as well as Senator Roche’s own website, https://www.douglasroche.ca/. I also urge you to review the project reports of the Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament, which, under Alyn Ware’s leadership, has grown extensively in the past year. I hope the following report on some of the highlights of GSI’s recent activities is useful and inspiring. More information on GSI’s activities, including links to briefing papers, publications, speeches and other reports, can be found in recent newsletters. We are well aware of the responsibility of our mission, we pray for increased strength, intelligence and wisdom. We join with the hearts of so many around the world: May peace prevail on earth! Sincerely, Jonathan Granoff,
Global Security Institute (GSI) Events
Middle Powers Initiative (MPI) Events
September 28-29, 2006 – Ottawa, Canada – Third Meeting of the Article VI Forum
The Ottawa consultation centered on the premise that the next Review Conference in 2010 of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the central instrument that is supposed to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons, not repeat the failure of the 2005 Review. A central focus for the consultation was five technical issues, identified at earlier consultations of the Article VI Forum, which are key to any progress in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation: the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT); the Fissile Materials Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT); de-alerting and reduction of US/Russian nuclear dangers; negative security assurances; and verification. Diplomatic and academic experts gave their views on each of these five issues, both the technical dimensions of the issue and the political potential of moving these issues forward in the disarmament and non-proliferation fields. >> Interim Report The final report of the Ottawa consultation will be available on the MPI website in the coming weeks. The fourth meeting of the Article VI Forum, entitled, “Forging a New Consensus for the NPT,” will take place March 29-30, in Vienna, Austria, one month before the first Preparatory Committee meeting for the NPT Review Conference 2010. September 26, 2006 – Washington, DC – Congressional Hearing Testimony
The Subcommittee is chaired by Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT). Dr. Hans Blix, who led the UN efforts that successfully disarmed Iraq, along with several other experts including Henry Sokolski, Dr. Frank von Hippel, Advisory Board member of GSI, and leading representatives of the Administration, also testified. >> Subcommittee Official Report A webcast of the hearing is forthcoming. Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND) Events
Here you can find a comprehensive update from PNND, which includes invitations to endorse parliamentary letters on North Korea and nuclear testing and the India-US nuclear technology deal, an invitation to endorse the International Appeal on the Operational Status of Nuclear Weapons and many more recent activities from PNND. November 17-19, 2006 – Rome, Italy- Nobel Laureates Summit
With the focus of this year’s summit on nuclear weapons disarmament and nonproliferation, the Laureates issued This Summit marked the fourth consecutive year that members of the Global Security Institute (GSI) participated in the events. As a representative of the International Peace Bureau, Mr. Granoff provided opening remarks, chaired the closing press conference, and worked extensively on the drafting of the Summit’s documents. Hon. Douglas Roche, Chair of the Middle Powers Initiative, representing the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs and Amb. Jayantha Dhanapala, representative of the WMD Commission, also addressed the Summit. >> Download the Rome Declaration A full report of the conference will be forthcoming on our website. Relevant links: Global Security Institute (GSI) Events October 11, 2006 – United Nations, NY – Panel Discussion, “United Nations and Security”
The hearing was held in Conference Room 8 of the United Nations, and was moderated by Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute. Panelists included Paul Kennedy, Professor of History at Yale University and author of The Parliament of Man: The United Nations and the Quest for World Government, James Gustave Speth, Dean of Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and former Administrator of the United Nations Development Program, Cora Weiss, President of the Hague Appeal for Peace, and Douglas Roche, O.C., Chairman of the Middle Powers Initiative, former Canadian Senator, and Ambassador for Disarmament. Opening remarks were delivered by Hannelore Hoppe, Director of the UN Department for Disarmament Affairs. September 20-22, 2006 – New York, NY – Clinton Global Initiative At the working group addressing religious and ethnic issues, Mr. Granoff shared a proposal to create a Nonviolent Conflict Prevention Center, a project that Mr. Granoff has been working on advancing for many years. September 9, 2006 – Berlin, Germany – Dropping Knowledge
Mr. Granoff had the honor to join approximately 100 other extraordinary people in Berlin, Germany, in a historical event entitled, “Dropping Knowledge.” This forum, participatory of 112 participants from all over the world, was part of Dropping Knowledge’s ongoing global discussion on 100 of the most challenging questions facing humanity. Participants included film director Wim Wenders, Actor Willem Dafoe, GSI Board Advisor Hafsat Abiola, Professor Cornell West, human rights activists Harry Wu and Biannca Jagger, and internet computer experts Bill Joy and John Gage. Representatives of the World Wisdom Council, of which Mr. Granoff is a member, also participated. Middle Powers Initiative (MPI) Events October 12, 2006 – United Nations, NY – Panel discussion, “Revitalizing Nuclear Disarmament Norms”
The Hon. Douglas Roche, O.C., the Chairman of the Middle Powers Initiative, opened the session stating that “disarmament norms” are based in certain principles encapsulated in what is written in a treaty as well as the treaty’s intent. While the people in the people listening to the panel would know what is meant by “disarmament norms,” the general public might react with puzzled looks. He added, “Yet, instinctively, they know what disarmament norms are even as powerful voices in society would like the world to think there are no such things.” This, he noted, shows the strength of human decency. October, 2006 – United Nations, NY – MPI reporting in The First Committee Monitor The First Committee is one of six committees that comprise the entire General Assembly. Sometimes regarded as a sort of global opinion poll on the most crucial matters facing humanity, the First Committee meets every year in October for a 4-5 weeks session, to debate and vote ofn dozens of resolutions affecting global security. All 192 member states of the UN can attend. June 12-13, 2006 – Ottawa, Canada – High-level delegation sent to Canadian capital Members of the delegation were received by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Foreign Minister, the National Defence Minister and were presented a MPI Briefing Paper prepared especially for the government of Canada. In addition, the delegation formally testified before the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee. >> Read the event report GSI and program staff and board members have been featured in the media several times in recent months.
In addition, Mr. Granoff published the following articles:
>> Radio Interviews available here >> Check out more video resources >> Read more about GSI experts in the news New York Office Opening Reception
On October 11th, the Global Security hosted a reception to launch the official opening of its New York office. A capacity crowd of over 200 people attended the open house at the new GSI offices in New York. Located just three blocks from the United Nations, the office is the New York home for GSI and the headquarters for the Middle Powers Initiative. UN Under-Secretary General for Disarmament Affairs, Nobuaki Tanaka, was the guest of honor. We hosted UN-based diplomats, UN staff and a broad cross-section of New York-based NGOs and civic leaders. It is our intention to begin a series of formal and informal sessions and seminars in our large and magnificently appointed conference room. We are sharing the space with the Lawyers’ Committee on Nuclear Policy and Global Action to Prevent War.
Rhianna Tyson joined the GSI team as the new Program Officer in their New York office. Before coming to GSI, Rhianna was the Project Manager of the Reaching Critical Will project of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, United Nations Office, where she coordinated civil society efforts at disarmament fora of the United Nations. Her writings have been published in Disarmament Forum, the quarterly publication of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), The IAEA Bulletin, the flagship publication of the International Atomic Energy Agency and others. Previously, Rhianna was an intern with the Arms Control Association in Washington, D.C., and with the Society for International Development in Rome. Rhianna holds an MSc with distinction in Global Politics from the London School of Economics, and a B.A. in Gender and International Relations from Hampshire College, Amherst, Massachusetts.
Adam Nester is the Assistant to the President of the Global Security Institute. Adam holds an M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University’s Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, and a B.S. in Psychology from Saint Joseph’s University. Adam has previously worked as a Program Officer for the Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy and a researcher for the 2006 George Mason University Stakeholder Survey of the International Criminal Court. Adam has given presentations at American University and George Mason University on international justice mechanisms, victims, reconciliation and trauma healing issues in connection with his prior work. Sally Lilienthal (1919-2006) Memorial Sally Lilienthal, a leading light for disarmament, peace and justice, passed away on October 24, 2006. As the founder of the Ploughshares Fund and through the strength of her character as an individual, Sally was a powerful force for more than 30 years. She was a close friend of GSI Founder Senator Alan Cranston. She was born Sally Ann Lowengart born in Portland, Oregon, in 1919. She moved with her family to San Francisco when she was 12. Sally graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1940. During World War II, Sally worked in the Office of War Information. A sculptor, she collected art and served on the San Francisco Arts Commission and on the board of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art during the 1960s and 70s. Sally founded the Ploughshares Fund in October 1981. “The possibility of a nuclear war was the very worst problem in the world,” she told The San Francisco Chronicle, “I thought that if a lot of people felt the same way I did but didn’t know what to do about it, we might get together and search for new ways to get rid of the nuclear weapons that were threatening us all.” The Fund is now one of the largest foundations in the world dedicated to nuclear disarmament, having given out nearly $50 million since its inception. Besides the Ploughshares Fund, Sally worked for the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund and Amnesty International. Sally is survived by her five children, two step-daughters and 11 grandchildren. Her husband, Philip Lilienthal, died in 1984. May God’s Blessing of Eternal Peace and Perfection Embrace Sally Lilienthal lived an exemplary life. Dedication, not just to the sentiment of peace, but to its actualization expresses her legacy. For some, aspiration is sufficient. For Sally, realization was required. But, not only did she strive for peace but over many years through extremely hard work, she created institutional situations wherein others could join in this service and therein lies the great example. She pursued a method that let her express the heart’s greatest longing, to express our intrinsic humanity, and sought ways to enable others to also realize their highest calling. Way before others even thought of the global threats we face, she was organizing to address the dilemmas. Way before others realized the need for collective action, she was organizing to fund collective action. Way before others realized the integration of issues, she was identifying principled themes. Not only did she criticize the failure of pursuing peace by pursuing war, but she advanced numerous programs that actually work. When her close friend Senator Alan Cranston passed many of us pondered how we could honor his legacy, and let there be no doubt, honoring the legacy of wise and good elders is a weighty responsibility. We learned, as others before us have learned, that a perfect way of keeping their presence close is to follow their example. May the mystery that creates us and to which we return, inadequately described by any human tongue, bless us with the courage, wisdom and spirit to pursue and realize peace for and amongst ourselves, inside ourselves, and from that beautiful place in the heart, to act with political effectiveness to make that peace realized in the world. That was Sally Lilienthal’s example for many of us and yet, in our mourning, we know she was so much more. For those for whom she was a mentor, a friend, an elder, a sister, a guide, an inspiration, may God provide comfort and continued guidance and the sure knowledge that amongst those who are blessed in eternal perfection and bliss, therein, amongst the good ones, one will find Sally Lilienthal. May God bless her fully forever. –by Jonathan Granoff, President, Global Security Institute The Rome Declaration We, Nobel Peace Laureates and Laureate Organizations, gathered in Rome, We oppose the proliferation of nuclear weapons to any state. We are faced The failure to address the nuclear threat and to strengthen existing treaty Nuclear weapons are more of a problem than any problem they seek to As Nobel Peace Prize Laureates we commit to work collectively to achieve We have heard the impassioned warning from the Mayor of Hiroshima and In past years we have set forth practical steps to bring us to such a better world, and we reiterate the need for such policies as a entry into force of the We issue a serious warning that without such efforts the Nuclear Test Ban The current situation is more dangerous than during the Cold War. We are Given the critical nature of the situation, we pledge to challenge, persuade As Nobel Peace Laureates, conscience requires us to raise our voices, The 7th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates took place in Rome from Guests of honour were: Mayor of Hiroshima and President of the World’s Mayors for Peace Tadatoshi Akiba, Nobel Laureate for Medicine Rita Levi Montalcini, Man of
|
Led by Rt. Hon, Kim Campbell, former Prime Minister of Canada and GSI Advisory Board member, MPI successfully sent its fifth high-level delegation to the government of Canada since 1998. The delegation also included MPI Chairman Hon. Douglas Roche, O.C., Bipartisan Security Group Chairman Ambassador Thomas Graham, and Global Security Institute President Jonathan Granoff. This was the second time Prime Minister Campbell led an MPI delegation to Ottawa. 
Jonathan Granoff is the President of the Global Security Institute, a representative to United Nations of the World Summits of Nobel Peace Laureates, a former Adjunct Professor of International Law at Widener University School of Law, and Senior Advisor to the Committee on National Security American Bar Association International Law Section.
