Dear RN list, Aug. 6 While some of the "noises" about the Y2K danger are reassuring, I suspect that most of us are only too happy to be reassured (just as most computer programers and those who hired them were only too happy not to worry about the problem in the first place). One thing is certain. Even if there were no threat of Y2K malfunctions, the world would be a better place if nuclear weapons were de-alerted (and if all states were working to phase out the entire nuclear industry). So, I will be writing to Clinton and Yeltsin and also to Canadian government representatives to say that I expect them to take the Y2K threat seriously. I urge all of you to do the same. To make this a bit easier for you, here are the e-mail addresses of Clinton and Yeltsin. all the best, Jan. PS Mailing letters is even better, especially if you put something on the outside of the envelope toindicate what your concern is, so the government knows that everyoe who saw that letter knows that citizens care... United States of America, President William Clinton <•••@••.•••> President Clinton, The White House, Washington, DC, USA (I don't have a zip code.) Russia, President Boris Yeltsin <•••@••.•••> (I don't have a mialing adddress.) ************************************************************ Date: Fri, 6 Aug 1999 00:22:15 +0000 From: Paul Swann <•••@••.•••> Subject: BASIC Hiroshima Day press release HIROSHIMA DAY PRESS RELEASE: AUGUST 6th 1999 WORLD SAYS TAKE NUCLEAR WEAPONS OFF ALERT TO AVOID Y2K GLOBAL CATASTROPHE In commemoration of the bombing of Hiroshima, over 250 peace, environment and church groups, trade unions, parliamentarians and Congressmen from the US, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe, Japan and elsewhere have written a letter to Presidents Clinton and Yeltsin, asking them to take strategic and tactical nuclear missiles off hair-trigger alert over the Y2K rollover period, in view of concerns that Y2K-related computer errors may create an unacceptable risk of accidental nuclear war. This letter is also being sent to the UK, France, China and the UN and its signatories include Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Senator Meg Lees, (South Australia), Leader of the Australian Democrats, anti-nuclear campaigner Maj-Britt Theorin MEP and representatives of Friends of the Earth, CND and the World Court Project. If Y2K breakdowns produce inaccurate early-warning data, or if communications and command channels are compromised, the combination of hair-trigger force postures and Y2K failures could be disastrous. There should therefore be a 'safety first' approach to Y2K and nuclear arsenals. Because none of the nuclear weapons states can guarantee that their nuclear-related computer systems are Y2K compliant, the only responsible solution is for them all to stand down nuclear operations. This approach should include taking nuclear weapons off alert status and decoupling nuclear warheads from delivery vehicles. Nuclear weapon states must work together to enhance trust, transparency and security by exchanging personnel and information and verifying each other's activities over the 'rollover' period. In August 1996, the Canberra Commission noted that terminating nuclear alert status would: (a) reduce dramatically the chances of accidental or unauthorised nuclear missile launch, (b) help set the stage for intensified cooperation on a more far-reaching disarmament agenda and (c) have a very positive influence on the political climate between nuclear weapon states. In view of the dismal current relations between the US and Russia and China, the last two points are particularly salient. 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 political considerations. Call Tom McDonald on +44 (0)171 407 2977 for more information British-American Security Information Council UK: Carrara House, 20 Embankment Place, London WC2N 6NN Tel: +44 (0)171 407 2977 / Fax: +44 (0)171 407 2988 / Email: •••@••.••• USA: 1900 L Street NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: +1 202 785 1266 / Fax: +1 202 387 62 98 / Email: •••@••.••• Website: http://www.basicint.org
