MERSEYSIDE CND

It came as no surprise to hear the announcement on the World Service during last night that Congress has voted in the $400,000 million Defence budget. This is the biggest in the history of the USA. Requested by George Bush it is in his words needed to continue the fight against terrorism. As yet we've heard almost no voices raised in opposition, even from Democratic contenders for the presidency, to this drive to develop a vast new arsenal of weapons of mass destruction for use anywhere in the world including space. These include the new so-called 'low yield' nuclear weapons designed for the battlefield, pre-emptive deployment not ruled out, against whichever regime Bush and the right-wing coterie driving him consider a threat to 'American Interests'. So an enemy of the USA no longer has to have nuclear weapons. Any supposed threat might be met with a nuclear response. Deterrence, that old 'MAD' policy of 'mutually assured destruction' is dead and buried. (Not that we approved of that then but somehow it now looks a whole lot safer). US global invincibility is the 'New World Order'.

To make matters worse our government is giving Bush almost unqualified support, our media for the most part turns a blind eye and UK firms are falling over themselves to get their hands on some of that budget. So a subsidiary of Westinghouse which BNFL acquired in 1999 is lobbying the US government hard to win a contract to make parts for the new 'low yield' nuclear weapons. Thus there will be direct British involvement in the production of weapons which will kill and maim thousands and leave a poisonous radioactive legacy. After the heartening demonstrations in Liverpool and London last week - it felt good to be part of a large crowd prepared to say 'this should not be happening. We want a different kind of world' - it's hard nonetheless back home again in the real world to stay upbeat. We must think clearly to find a sane path through the next dangerous years. So after a well earned Christmas break - bring your ideas to our AGM on Saturday Jan. 17th - 2pm

Now More Than Ever, We Need You!