Dear Friends,
Below is a petition which we are using here. You may wish to use it, or
something similar.
As we receive signed forms, we will forward them to the addressees (the
Presidents, etc) by fax or email.
Ron Gray
_____________________________________
Australian Peace Committee (SA Branch)Inc.
11 South Tce, Adelaide SA 5000 Australia
Ph: (+61-8) 82127138 Fax: (+61-8) 83642291
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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TAKE NUCLEAR WEAPONS OFF ALERT
TO AVOID POSSIBLE Y2K NUCLEAR CATASTROPHE
The danger that a Y2K-related computer malfunction could trigger an
accidental global nuclear war has impelled more than 170 international
Environmental, Peace, Antinuclear, Trade-Union, Church groups and
Politicians to write to Presidents Yeltsin and Clinton, demanding that
strategic nuclear weapons be taken off their current hairtrigger launch
status over the Y2K period.
Y2K problems are likely to affect the computer systems that coordinate
strategic nuclear weapons systems. Many respected experts are warning that
due to Y2K problems these systems, both in the US and Russia, pose an
unacceptable risk of accidental nuclear war.
The concerned individuals below join the above organisations in the call to
Presidents Yeltsin and Clinton:
Dear Presidents Yeltsin and Clinton, Defence Ministers, Defence
Secretaries, Heads of State and UN Missions,
We are writing to convey our extreme concern over the possibility that Year
2000 (Y2K)-related computer failures in nuclear weapons systems may lead to
an unacceptable risk of nuclear war by accident or miscalculation.
There should therefore be a 'safety first ' approach to Y2K and nuclear
arsenals. The only responsible solution is for them all to be taken off
alert status, with the decoupling of nuclear warheads from delivery
vehicles.
The immediate stakes are so high, and the potential for global catastrophe
so clear, that mutually verified de-alerting in the face of the Y2K computer
problem must take precedence over all other considerations of politics and
national security.
We therefore strongly urge that you remove all strategic and tactical
nuclear weapons from 'hair trigger' alert, and place them in a status in
which at least hours and preferably days would be required to launch them.
NAME (printed) ADDRESS SIGNATURE
(space here for 10 signatories)
Return signed forms urgently to:
Australian Peace Committee (SA)Inc.
11 South Terrace Adelaide SA 5000 Australia
- at latest before the end of October 1999
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