Nato:n Tallinnan kokouksen alla suomalais-saksalainen rauhanliike aloite

Finnish-German Peace Movement Initiative:

This is The Time, a unique moment for disarmament in Europe -the moment
of truth for Nato

These days the Foreign Ministers of Nato meet in Tallinn to discuss the
future strategic concept of the military alliance. Some weeks ago we
wittnessed the signing of the US - Russian Start II treaty on strategic
arms reduction, a key prerequisition for the NPT review conference in
New York in May. Equally crucial is the US Nuclear Posture review
setting forth renewed policy for the use of nuclear weapons, as well as
the renewed Russian military doctrine in February.

Nato will decide on the strategic concept by the end of 2010. The most
fundamental issue in this process is the role given to nuclear weapons.
The present Nato doctrine dates back to 1999 and determines the purpose
of the nuclear forces as political. Widespread participation by European
allies in planning, peacetime basing, command and control, consultation
and infrastructure arrangements is required to keep up the transatlantic
link between Europe and North America.

Nato maintains considerable sub-strategic forces based in Europe:
Nuclear armed European US Airforce units and 200-300 US nuclear bombs. A
number of UK Trident warheads are assigned to Nato. Also France has an
autonomous nuclear force. The nuclear weapons are deployed in five Nato
member states. National dual-capable aircraft would fly them to assigned
targets in the event of war.

Peace movements in Germany and Finland are in profound opposition
against nuclear or other weapons for mass destruction. Our aim during
the Cold War was European nuclear disarment (END).

The removal of nuclear ballistic and cruise missiles in Europe (INF
treaty1987) was a major precondition for the peaceful dissolution of the
EasternBlock. The path towards nuclear-weapons free Europe was quickly
closed, however. Twenty years have passed, and still there are no
binding treaties on the presidential declarations made by the US and
Soviet Union/Russia on withdrawal of other ?theatre nuclear warheads in
1991-1992.

President Obama declared in Prague April 5 2009 Americas`s commitment to
work towards a world without nuclear weapons. The governments,
parliamentarians and NGOs of Germany and many other European nations
have pressed for withdrawal of nuclear weapons. Public opinion in Europe
is strongly anti-nuclear.

Peace Union of Finland and German Branch of the "International
Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms ( IALANA) demand Nato
foreign ministers acceptance that nuclear weapons serve no legitimate
military purpose in the world of today. As the sole military alliance on
the continent Nato must bear its responsibility and start the process
for an European nuclear disarmament. Abolition of nuclear weapons,
nuclear deterrence and denouncement of nucleararms is the way forward.

Abolition of tactical nuclear weapons from Nato countries in Europe
would be a first step, and have a confidence buildning effect. It would
also invite Russia to takes similar steps on its tactical weapon
arsenals in Europe. As European Union has been very active in supporting
the initiative of a nuclear weapon free zone in the Middle-East, steps
towards nuclear weapons free Europe would supports this process.

The Tallinn meetings will set the political agenda for the future and
not only fot Nato. Its new stratgic concept will quickly see material
consequencies in armaments policies globally. First political impacts
will be experienced in the NPT Conference in May.

For more information contact:

Tarja Cronberg /Peace Unioni of Finland Reiner Braun: IALANA -Germany
+358-(0) 503964000 0049 (0) 172 - 231 74 75