Nuclear Free Scotland 1

June 2010 www.banthebomb.org

Nuclear Free Scotland

Trident and the new Tory Coalition l  Non-Proliferation Treaty Reports l A Nuclear-Free Middle East l   Infant leukaemia and Nuclear Power l  The Oil Crunch  

Obituaries l CND Group Reports

nfs

NO TO TRIDENT REPLACEMENTYES TO A NUCLEAR WEAPONS CONVENTION

Nuclear Free Scotland2

During the election cam-paign Scottish CND successfully campaigned 

to make Trident a major issue alongside the pending cuts in services. We now have to deal with a Tory-led coalition govern-ment that seems determined to go ahead with a new generation of nuclear weapons while cutting public spending by £6 billion this year alone. Those who voted Lib Dem to keep the Tories out and to stop Trident replacement will feel doubly aggrieved, especially in Scotland where the Lib Dems with eleven MPs now provide political cover for the Conservatives with only one.

So what can be done? Our post-election conference on 15th May helped to show the way forward. 

The Coalition Agreement says:‘The Government will be commit-ted to the maintenance of Brit-ain’s nuclear deterrent, and have agreed that the renewal of Trident

should be scrutinised to ensure value for money. Liberal Demo-crats will continue to make the case for alternatives.’

Let us leave aside for the mean-time just what ‘value for money’ means in the context of a weapon of indiscriminate mass slaugh-ter. If the cost of procuring the new system has doubled over the 2006 estimates of £15-20 billion, as US Trident estimates now suggest (see John Ainslie’s presentation to the Post Election conference at www.banthebomb.org), would that not be cause for revisiting the issue on grounds of sheer affordability? Would that not encourage Lib Dem members of the government to ‘make the case for alternatives’, the most attrac-tive of which is no replacement.

Strategic Defence ReviewBut the best way of ensuring that the rising costs of Trident are con-

sidered in the context of all de-fence spending is to have Trident included in the Strategic Defence Review. The idea of leaving out the most expensive, dangerous and useless item in the MoD’s wish list is ludicrous. And the best way to get proper ‘scrutiny’ of all the costs is to ensure that the Initial Gate decision (probably due in July) - which will herald a significant increase in spend-ing on detailed design work - is fully debated in parliament. This means postponing the Initial Gate until after the summer recess. Any government committed to ‘open-ness’ and ‘transparency’ would in-sist on this. We need to  lobby Lib Dem MPs and MSPs in Scotland to use their influence in the new coalition to  do this. An Early Day Motion(EDM 110) including both of these demands is now avail-able for signing at Westminster. Please ask your MP to sign it.

Non-Proliferation TreatyThe pressure to re-think Trident now comes not just from domestic public opinion, but from the inter-national community. The outcome of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference which ended on 28th May represents considerable progress. The final document is, of course, a com-promise. But the commitment to pursue the goal of a Nuclear-Free Middle East and to support practical steps and a timetable to make it happen is a consider-able breakthrough. It creatively deals with the security concerns, real or imagined, of Iran, Israel and other states in the region. It is the first time a US president has broken ranks with Israel in a major international conference and could be another sign of de-teriorating relationships between the Obama administration and the  Netanyahu Government in Israel. The Obama administration simply could not afford to let this Review 

Trident and the new Coalition Government

Nick Clegg and David Cameron announce the new coalition government

Nuclear Free Scotland 3

conference, like its predecessor, end in disarray. His ‘vision’ of a nuclear free world would be seen as utterly without substance.

Other wording in the deal obliges the P5 nuclear weapons states to ’accelerate concrete progress’ towards reducing their nuclear weapons stockpiles, to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in their miltary doctrines and to report progress in four years. This falls well short of the demand by a growing number of countries and virtually all the Non-Governmental Organisations at the conference to begin a comprehensive pro-cess towards a Nuclear Weapons Convention with a clear timetable and road map.

From the outstart, however, it was clear that this would be vigorously opposed by the US, UK, France and Russia. On the positive side the conference did reflect the rap-id growth in support for a Nuclear Weapons Convention in recent years. This is an idea whose time has come and in the next few years it could become irresistable. 

And the battle now begins to ensure that those modest steps that have been agreed  are implemented.

What are the implications of all this for the new UK government? There is no way that the replace-ment of Trident - a new generation of nuclear weapons - is consistent with the Review Con-ference’s commit-ment to ‘accelerate concrete progress’ towards nuclear disarmament. Quite the contrary. It would bind us into possession of these 

weapons for up to fifty years.

And we must challenge the government’s pathetic arguments against a Nuclear Weapons Convention (NWC). The British ambassador for Multilateral Arms Control and Disarmament, John Duncan, dismisses the demand for a new treaty banning nuclear weapons by posing it as an al-ternative to (and in conflict with) the existing NPT. He describes it as ‘premature and potentially counterproductive’ and goes on to 

say there are ‘no easy solutions or quick fixes’. He echoes the US position that the world needs a ‘step by step’ approach such as the new START treaty signed with Russia. 

The reality is that a nuclear weapons convention (NWC) would complement, not be in competition with, the NPT and would provide the framework for implementing the crucial Article VI of the treaty which obliges the nuclear weapons states to under-take disarmament. A NWC would prohibit the development, testing, production, stockpiling, transfer, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons. 

A series of piecemeal steps are, of course, welcome but this has happened before. Unless there is agreement for a comprehensive framework involving all countries with nuclear weapons with a clear and realistic timetable, the great danger is that the step by step ap-proach will lose momentum, the ultimate goal of nuclear disarma-ment will be lost sight of, and the whole process could be blown off course by a future change in the US presidency.

We also need to challenge the attempts to present anti-Trident campaigners as ‘naive unilateral-ists’ as opposed to the govern-ment which favours ‘sensible’ 

Japanese delegates to the NPT demonstrating in New York on 2nd May

CND delegates to NPT Conference

Nuclear Free Scotland4

multilateral disarmament. There are no multilateral nuclear disar-mament talks taking place at this time and the UK government is not calling for them. It is a recipe for doing nothing while investing billions in facilities to build new weapons. And the agreed final NPT document contradicts this false dichotomy by calling for states to reduce and ultimately eliminate ‘all types of deployed and non-deployed nuclear weap-ons, including through unilateral, bilateral, regional and multilateral measures’(my emphasis). Our demand for the British govern-ment to cancel the replacement of Trident is more relevant now than ever and would be hugely supported by the overwhelming majority of nations.

The new political situation pres-ents new challenges but also new opportunities. The Labour lead-ership elections will be a crucial time to ensure that Trident fea-tures in the debate about future policy. The economic argument remains the best one for winning support from ordinary people and plays well on the streets. We need to consider working more closely with public sector unions to show how spending on Trident comes directly at the expense of basic local services. There is much still to do.

Alan Mackinnon

I attended the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Confer-ence for its first week in May as a delegate from Scottish CND. The conference took place at a time of growing optimism. Two days be-fore the conference opened there was a huge international peace conference attended by over 1,000 delegates. At a packed meeting in Riverside Church on Saturday 1st May, UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon called on the world’s nuclear powers to ‘disarm now’.  As if to reinforce this message, the following day a demonstration of 15,000 marched from Times Square to the United Nations building to demand a nuclear weapons-free world. Delegates from Non-Government Organisations included 1600 from Japan carrying a petition demanding a Nuclear Weapons Convention with seven mil-lion signatures. Over 200 NGO delegates attended from France. British CND handed in a petition with 40,000 signatures saying no to Trident replacement and yes to a nuclear weapons convention. 

I was an invited speaker at four meetings, on subjects as var-ied as Iraq, Afghanistan, British nuclear weapons and Scotland’s experience in building a broadly based peace movement. I also attended, listened and learned at many other meetings.

The final document (see page 7 for a summary) marked a break-through for the crucial proposal for a Middle East free from weap-ons of mass destruction and to a lesser extent for the call for concrete steps at reducing the nuclear arsenals of the nuclear weapons states. 

What can we do to help this process in Scotland? We can 

l  Antarctica. 1961l Latin America & the Carribean1967 -signed and ratified by all 33 countries in regionl Africa. 1996 - covers entire conti-nent and neighbouring island statesl Central Asia. 2006 - includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistanl South Pacific. 1985 - includes Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and many island statesl South East Asia. 1995 - includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Phil-lipines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia.

Existing Nuclear Free Zones

Weapons already banned by international statute

Biological Weapons Conventionsigned 1972, entered into force 1975bans the production, acquisition, stockpiling, transfer and use of bio-logical and toxin weapons. 162 states signed.

Chemical Weapons Conventiondrafted 1992, in force 1997. 190 states signed. 4 countries still have stockpiles but have to destroy them by April 2012.

Mine Ban Treaty (Ottowa Treaty)1999. 156 countries ratifiedUS, Russia and China have refused to join but US now reported to be about to sign.

Convention on Cluster MunitionsAdopted in 2008, enters into force Aug 2010. 106 states signed and 31 rati-fied. Not signed by US, Russia, India, China, Israel, Pakistan, and Brazil. UK changed its position at the last moment and signed it and has with-drawn all cluster munitions. President Obama apparently supports it.

encourage MPs and MSPs to support a Nuclear Weapons Con-vention and call on the Scottish parliament to pass a resolution to that effect. And we need to win wider public recognition that such a  global ban on nuclear weapons is necessary and achievable.

Alan Mackinnon

Scottish Voices at the NPT - 1

Nuclear Free Scotland 5

Fri 18 JuneNuclear Free Local Authorities Scotand Seminar - Radioactive Waste PolicyCouncil Chamber, Livingston Civic centre Speakers Prof Brian Clark, Ian Fairlie, Pete Roche - 1pm - 3pm (contact Cathy Birrell on 0141 287 7872 or cathy.birrell@ced.glasgow.gov.uk)

JulyPossible date for Trident Replacement Initial Gate decision

July 30 - Aug 29Footprints for Peace Walk - starting from Gretna and including Glasgow Edinburgh and Stirling through routes travelled by nuclear war-head convoys - walk for 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week or whole journey. Contact scotlandspeacewalk@yahoo.co.uk or 0131 229 0993website: footprintsforpeace.net

Fri 6 August Hiroshima anniversary events across Scotland. Contact your local group to find details (see page 13).

Tues 21 SeptemberInternational Peace Day Conference on a Nuclear Weapons ConventionScottish Parliament, 6pm – 9 pmInternational speaker and MSPs taking part.  hosted by the Cross Party Group on Nuclear Disarmament and Scotland’s for Peace.

Diary for 2010Having attended three PrepComs in the lead up to this year’s NPT Review I knew that there were many hopes invested in the 2010 gathering. These mainly centred around hopes that a Nuclear Weapons Convention would gather political steam and see the Nuclear Weapons States start to come in behind this important step towards achieving a nuclear weapons free world. As a contribution to this aim I was hon-oured to present a statement from First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, outlining the Scottish Gov-ernment’s support for a NWC to the President of the NPT, Philippines Ambassador, Libre Cabactulan.

The NPT President granted me an hour-long meet-ing outlining his hopes for the establishment of a functioning Nuclear Weapons Convention out of NPT 2010 and sending his thanks to our First Minister for the support of the Scottish Government towards this aim.

I was also invited to chair a Model Nuclear Weapons Convention at which 40 German university politics students took on the roles of vari-ous nations ne-gotiating from the standpoints which those countries typically adopt at the NPT. The stu-dents were very well informed and advised by NGO experts in the field 

and provided a fascinating insight into the negotiat-ing process between countries with often conflicting agendas.

I believe that there is a great deal of goodwill towards a Nuclear Weapons Convention, the removal of US tactical nuclear weapons from Europe and the growth of the doctrine of Nuclear Weapons Free Zones around the world; I am very pleased to have attended NPT 2010 in my capacity as an MSP and that Scot-land has made its own contribution at this Review.

Bill Kidd MSP

Scottish Voices at the NPT - 2

Nuclear Free Scotland6

The Government is appar-ently committed to build new nuclear reactors, but a 

recent powerful study has indicat-ed a serious health problem with nuclear reactors. This is a pos-sible show-stopper to the Govern-ment’s nuclear proposals.

In 2008, a major 4-year health study found large increases in infant cancers near all German nuclear power stations. The study had been expected to show no such health problems, instead it revealed the opposite. The study (called KiKK, the German acro-nym for child leukemias near nu-clear reactors) reported a 120% increase in leukemias and a 60% increase in embryonal cancers among children living near Ger-man nuclear power stations. The report sparked off a major furore in Germany, but has been little noticed here. KiKK is significant for the UK because the radionu-clide emissions from UK reactors (both existing and proposed) are practically the same as those from German reactors.

Scientifically speaking, the KiKK study commands attention. The study is statistically very strong and its findings significant. Its au-thority is impressive:  it was com-missioned by the German Gov-ernment which confirmed its findings. 

The findings were a shock for the German nuclear industry. KiKK’s findings are partly the reason why Germany is not building new reactors, with the result that German nuclear operators (E.ON and RWE) are now proposing them not in Germany, but in the UK with our Government’s strong 

encouragement. Shouldn’t we be more concerned about this?

We are unsure of the reasons or mechanisms for the can-cer increases near NPPs, and Government-sponsored studies in several European countries are searching for an explanation. Here in the UK, at least three studies are underway, but their results are not expected until later in 2010.

Some independent scientists think that high radiation doses to the embryos and fetuses of preg-nant women near the reactors may have caused the increased cancers among their subsequent babies. This is because embryos and fetuses are extremely radio-sensitive. 

In the UK, the Chairman of the Government’s COMARE (Com-mittee on the Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment) initially denied the KiKK find-ings. However this was officially withdrawn following criticisms and at present COMARE has “no policy” on the  KiKK report.  For al-

most two years COMARE largely ignored the KiKK findings, but finally the Department of Health instructed COMARE to look into the KiKK study. Reluctantly, CO-MARE set up a subcommittee to do this: its report is not expected until late in 2010.

Have the German findings been supported by other studies? Yes. In 1999, a French study listed 50 studies. This was followed in 2008 by a literature review of 26 multi-site studies of childhood cancer near nuclear facilities throughout the world.  Most of these found cancer increases. In other words, over 60 studies have examined this matter and over 70% of them revealed pronounced cancer in-creases. Most independent scien-tists consider this evidence to be convincing, if not overwhelming, evidence of an association be-tween NPPs and infant cancers, but unfortunately most nuclear scientists remain in denial.

In November 2009, the Govern-ment initiated a Consultation on its proposals to “justify” radiation exposures from proposed new nuclear power stations. (This is a legal obligation forced on the Government under a little-known EC Directive.) Clearly, evidence of infant cancers near UK nuclear power stations is extremely rel-evant here. But the Government is turning a blind eye to the KiKK evidence.

The powerful evidence of increased child cancers near nuclear facilities raises difficult questions. Should pregnant women be advised to move away from existing nuclear power stations? Should local residents be advised not to eat 

fruit or vegetables from their gar-dens? Most important, shouldn’t the UK Government be rethinking its nuclear policies.

Dr Ian Fairlie

Infant Leukemias Near Nuclear Power Stations

Nuclear Free Scotland 7

NPT Review Conference May 2010Main Points of Final Document

l Nuclear Weapons states to reduce and ultimately eliminate all types of deployed and non-deployed nuclear weapons, including through unilateral, bilateral, regional and multilateral measuresl US and Russia to seek ratification and entry into force of new START treatyl Conference on Disarmament to establish subsidiary body to make progress on nuclear disarmament and to ensure that non-nuclear weapons states receive security assurancesl All nuclear weapons states - including those not party to the treaty - to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty l All states encouraged to ratify and bring into force the Additional Protocol of the IAEA as soon as possiblel Supports the creation of a weapons-of-mass-destruction-free zone in the Middle East, calls for Israel’s accession to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and placing all its nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards and endorses the convening of a conference in 2012 attended by all Middle Eastern states to achieve that goal facili-tated by Secretary General, Russia and United Statesl Urges North Korea to fulfil commitments under the 6-party talks, including the abandonment of all nuclear weapons and return to the Treaty and adherence to IAEA safeguards

225The total number of warheads that the British Government has now admitted to possessing. Previously it admitted to no more than 160. They comprise:

Deployed on submarines 3 x 48 144Spares operationally available 16Spares not operationally available 65Total warheads 225

John Ainslie comments:‘I suspect the spare warheads are at Coulport with Neutron Generator, Gas Transfer System and Arming Fuzing & Firing System removed.  This is the US practice for inactive/reserve warheads.  Coulport should be able to remove and replace all of these Limited Life Components. There is a question mark over whether they ever dismantled the 40 warheads removed from the operational stockpile in December 2006.’

UK Warheads

More than 4,000 towns and cities in 143 countries have now signed up to Mayors for Peace making it the world’s fastest growing peace organisation and now enjoying the support of a majority of the world’s population. A key part of the movement is the 20:20 Vi-sion campaign calling for global nuclear disarmament within 10 years. On 21st September 2009 Scotland's for Peace launched an effort to increase the number of Scottish council provosts who are Mayors for Peace. This campaign has led to another eight provosts signing up to join the original three of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Shetland Islands. and we hope that there will be a few more by 

this September! There are thirty two Scottish local authorities so we are well on the way to a majority supporting the campaign  for global disarmament by 2020. If your local authority is not listed below, please contact your coun-cil's provost or convenor and tell them that you want them to join. 

The Scottish local authorities that are now part of this campaign are:Dundee, East Dumbarton, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow, Perth and Kinross, Shetland, South Ayr-shire, Midlothian.

If you live in one of these areas, please write to ask if they will also sign up to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons supporting a Nuclear Weapons Convention.

Janet Fenton

4,000 Mayors for Peace

George Regan of Dundee City Council and Sean Morris attended the NPT conference representing Nuclear Free Local Authorities

Nuclear Free Scotland8

When the oil platform Deepwater Horizon exploded and sank to 

the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, oil once again wound up at the top of the media’s news agenda. Of course, the pressure to supply oil demanded by the Military and the effects of oil use on our planet are clearly evidenced by these events.

The US army is believed to be the biggest single user of petrol in the world. Over the last decade, the Bush Administration pushed for continuation of oil production. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have dramatically increasing this na-tion's fuel use.  Peak oil theories have been acknowledged under Obama and the US 2009 Na-tional Defence Authorisation Act requires the military to take into account “the fully burdened cost of fuel”. Military planners, from inception to battlefield operations, are now expected to make deci-sions taking fuel efficiency into account.

This year, the reality of the en-ergy crisis has been come to the forefront in a Joint Operat-ing Environment report from the US Joint Forces Command. This 

report should be placed within the context of the price of petrol in Britain reaching a record level and the cost of crude predicted to soon top $100 a barrel.

Within the UK, fuel supplies are the responsibility of a  Dorset-based Defence Fuels Group (DFG). DFG has about 200 personnel and  provides support for the military's vehicles, planes and ships on the front line.  Annu-ally, the DFG supplies 660 million litres of aviation fuel, 265 million litres of marine diesel, 40 million litres of road diesel and five mil-lion litres of petrol, plus oils and lubricants. This totals nearly one billion litres of fuel and lubricants each year. All fuel transactions are in US dollars and the average spend by the DFG is the equiva-lent of around £700m per year.

The DFG is also responsible for policy, procedures and regula-tions, and it is the Ministry of Defence (MOD) licensing author-ity for fuel installations. There are scientists appointed to travel the globe, setting and monitoring the specifications of fuel, lubricants and gases in use by the MOD. The DFG also has a significant role in the operation of the former 

Naval Oil Fuel Depots and man-agement of a 35,000-tonne ocean tanker for resupply of Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) or permanent joint overseas bases.

The DFG has a key role within national contingency planning and works with the Oil and Pipelines Agency (OPA), a non-departmen-tal public body. The OPA is re-sponsible for management of the Government Pipeline and Stor-age System (GPSS), a strategic defence asset, which is 2,500km of pipeline and 46 other facilities across the United Kingdom, pro-viding aviation fuel to MOD sites.

The MOD's fuels requirements are pre-planned two years ahead but it is anticipated that the sys-tem has sufficient flexibility to al-low for a surge in demand arising from specific military activity. 

In the late 19th century, oil pro-duction began centred in the United States, Mexico, Romania and the Russian empire. This continued until after the Sec-ond World War, with the US still providing half of the world’s oil in 1955.  In recent years, there has been movement southwards, to the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and South America. Cur-rently, the US accounts for only 9.6 per cent of output; the Middle East for 30.1 per cent; Africa for 12.5 per cent and Latin America for 12.4 per cent. In conclusion, 

The Oil CrunchThe peace movement and Peak Oil

Nuclear Free Scotland 9

the countries outwith the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) now supply approximately three-quarters of the world’s oil. There is increased risks of oil shortages. The US mili-tary has given warnings that surplus oil production capacity could disappear within two years and there could be serious shortages by 2015. 

What is the military response to the threat of a future reduction in fuel supplies? The focus appears to address oil dependency 

and maintain access to oil supplies as part of for-eign policy. The Defence Fuel Group (DFG) is now working with QinetiQ to produce a 'technology road map' which is designed to secure the sustainability and availability of fuel supplies for defence. The road map looks at how petroleum-based fuels can be replaced by sustainable options such as synthetic or bio fuels. National and multi-national legislation 

and protocols on climate change and CO2 emis-sions are being considered. This includes the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (formerly known as the Carbon Reduction Commitment), the UK's manda-tory climate change and energy saving scheme. The scheme started in April 2010 and is administered by the Environment Agency.  It is central to the UK’s strategy for improving energy efficiency and reduc-ing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, as set out in the Climate Change Act 2008.

It is suggested that DFG balances legislation against current and enduring military requirements, equip-ment that will go out of commission and new equip-ment such as ships that might have to be fuelled for another 50 years.  In the case of the proposed 

new aircraft carriers, they have utilised advanced technology, but a combination of gas turbines and diesel engines are used on board these vessels. Their engines alongside the aircraft deployed will continue to consume fuel at an alarming rate. These carriers are expected to enter service  between 2016 and 2018, just in time for the first predicted major oil shock. We can expect the carriers to be in service for around 25 to 30 years, by which time the oil reserves will have been depleted even further and become an even greater cause for concern. 

There are a number of defence companies target-ing investment to reduce oil dependence. QinetiQ have recently flown Zephyr, their solar powered, high altitude, long endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.  This will soon be available for deployment in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  In 2008, Boeing test flew a light aircraft that utilised hydrogen fuel cells, and this could soon be the primary trainer configu-ration of the future. This year,  the Defence Estates were awarded the Carbon Trust Standard for efforts towards managing its carbon footprint. Defence Estates has a target of reducing carbon emissions from its estate by 30% by 2020.

The UK Coalition Government must recognise the energy crisis we face and prioritise energy efficien-cy and climate change issues as part of the forth-coming Defence Review. The peace movement and environmentalists can continue to push for energy conservation and heavily investing in renewable en-ergy sources. Economic growth based on oil supply growth will never return. We must create self-reliant, ecologically healthy communities, ones that are durable and flexible so as to reasonably withstand difficult outside forces, such as lack of sufficient oil or, the crippling post-peak oil prices. Only if we successfully do so can we avoid the most dire con-sequences from the severe deficits to come. Our UK Government has to stop the Military sustaining destruction of our environment and become more concerned with collective survival, climate change, and world hunger.

Martha Wardrop

‘The UK Coalition Government must recog-nise the energy crisis we face and prioritise energy efficiency and climate change issues as part of the forthcoming Defence Review’

Nuclear Free Scotland10

Obituary: Billy Wolfe

Obituary: Ronnie Clydesdale

Ron Clydesdale and Elaine Knox at the Scottish CND 50th Anniversary 

Celebration in Glasgow City Chambers

With the death of Billy Wolfe, Scottish CND has lost one of its very faithful and long-standing supporters who played a signifi-cant role in the anti-nuclear move-ment in Scotland.

I first met Billy in 1962 when he became involved in the project to set up Rowen Engineer-ing Company, the ‘Factory for Peace’, which my late husband, Tom McAlpine, had started.  Billy joined the working group which included others active in CND and the Committee of 100.  Billy was always interested in both the peace movement and wider issues of co-operative action and non-violence.

The importance of Billy’s role came from his senior position in the SNP, first as a prominent by-election candidate, then as Senior Vice-Chair and finally as Chair in 1969.  The SNP (a very small party then) had participated in the campaign against the Holy Loch Polaris base in the early 1960s.  One would have expected it to position itself against nuclear weapons in the late 60s and 70s which it did but there were some voices who thought that opposi-

tion to nuclear bases would make independence harder to achieve and there were divisions over NATO membership and taking a stand in opposition to the Vietnam war.  Billy always used his influ-ence to strengthen the SNP’s radical position on these issues and to encourage others with a similar outlook.  This laid a firm foundation for the SNP’s current position on disarmament issues.

In the later period of his life, Billy became more actively involved in CND as a participant in dem-onstrations and, of course, as a valued member of SCND’s executive from 1999 until he stood down for health reasons in 2006.  His politics and his per-sonal ethical values were closely integrated.  He believed a more egalitarian, participative, creative and less violent society was pos-sible and that Scotland could set an example.  That generosity and optimism were at the centre of his personality and all of us who knew him were enriched by it.

Isobel Lindsay

We were a mixed bunch on the committee of Glasgow CND in the seventies - which is as it should be, for hatred of the Hiroshima bomb and its successors is a universal emotion. Nevertheless, I can remember the pleased antici-pation when the word came that Ronald was going to join, freer to do so now that he was leaving a prestigious post in industry to be self employed.

Nor were we disappointed. Ron-ald arrived, tall, debonair and fully committed, despite the demands of setting up his business. Ron-ald’s manner was deceptive: soft-spoken, even reserved, he was steel below the surface. His 

resolve to work for CND never fal-tered and he took on many tasks and became secretary.

Like everyone else, Ronald had a private life and his joys and sorrows. His business involved unsocial and long hours of work. He might not be conspicuous on demonstrations, as that was not his way, but equally he might be kept well in mind by the marchers, if only because their picnics had come from his kitchens.

Ronald’s self-effacing demean-our co-existed with many a laugh and, of course, a welcome to the ‘Chip’. Call it charm, but it was more. It was the sign of a man of peace.

Ronald had two major passions in his public life, the restaurant and CND. The reader may judge his ultimate core value from the one floral tribute admitted at his funeral, a wreath in the shape of a CND badge, the now instantly recognised peace symbol which he played his part in sending round the world.

Keith BoveyBilly Wolfe

Nuclear Free Scotland 11

CND Group ReportsEdinburgh CNDAs well as our regular monthly meeting, Edinburgh CND runs regular stalls at Peace events and a vigil on the second saturday of the month. In the last months of 2009 we held 2 successful events. A well-attended public meeting with Bruce Kent and an  AGM meeting on the theme of Nuclear Weapons and Climate Change.

Many of our activities are run jointly with other Peace Groups, for example the large Stop the War dem-onstration held when the NATO ministers met in Edinburgh. More recently we have helped build the Cut Trident, Not Jobs demo, the Edinburgh MayDay demo and a Peace and Justice Election Hustings. We also partake in activities at Aldermaston and Faslane, the next Faslane event being on June 5th.Every year we hold a Hiroshima event on August 6th and partake in the Edinburgh World Justice Festival, which this year will be held in October. For further details of these events, and our regular meetings, please see the web site. New people always wel-come, whether for a one off or more permanently.

Glasgow West CNDGlasgow West CND has been busy for the past few months. We have met on a monthly basis in a lo-cal pub and held a series of successful events. Our street stall has been held on at least a monthly basis with leafletting for major events such as the Cut Trident Not Jobs march and rally on 13th March. We also leafletted, collected signatures for the petition and encouraged people to send postcards to their MPs prior to the general election. We held a success-ful social event attended by 60 people with readings 

Helensburgh CND at the North Gate at Faslane

and traditional music on 9th April and raised £240 for our funds. On Tuesday 27th April we held a Hustings meeting for candidates for the Glasgow North constituency. Around sixty people attended and 4 candidates spoke.

Future plans include a leafletting presence and possible stall at the West End Festival on 13th June, a Hiroshima Day event on the evening of Friday 6th August at Kelvingrove Park at which we hope to welcome the walkers from the Footprints for Peace march, a meeting at Glasgow Univer-sity at the start of the new term and another social event in October. 

Helensburgh CNDSome members of Helensburgh CND joined the 46 people who went to Aldermaston from Scotland to be part of the Big Blockade organised by Tri-dent Ploughshares on February 15th. We kept the Scottish gate closed all day and five of the Scottish group were arrested and will have a trial on July 1st.

In March we had a public meeting about the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Even though our speaker had to call off due to a broken down train we were able to go ahead with an impromptu talk by Brian Larkin and input from a Japanese visitor who had attend-ed the NPT last time.

Helensburgh members provided the usual “tea and toilets” for the European Day of Action on 3rd April as well as being involved in the blockade of Faslane the following Tuesday.

On 20th April over 100 people attended our elec-tion hustings which was expertly chaired by Ruth Wishart. We asked the first two questions about Trident and then threw the meeting open to other issues. All the five main parties candidates attend-

Glasgow West CND at the regular stall in Byres Road

Nuclear Free Scotland12

CND Group Reports(continued from page 11)

ed and it was very enlightening to hear their views about Trident and Trident Replacement. On May 3rd - the first day of the NPT Review Conference in New York - we had an exhibition and bookstall on Helensburgh seafront. We have a busy summer planned with taking our stall out to Helensburgh seafront as well as keeping up the Weekly Vigil at Faslane which is now in its third year - join us at the North Gate from 4-5pm any Wednesday. Ring 01436 671845 for a lift from Helensburgh station.

To commemorate Hiroshima and Nagasaki Days this year we are holding a ceremony at the Cherry Trees outside Victoria Halls in Helensburgh on August 6th at 8.30pm and will be floating candles at 9pm on August 9th in Loch Long near to Coulport with Footprints For Peace.

Aberdeen CNDIn December our group held a Song and Poetry for Peace evening which, despite the appalling weath-er, attracted over 20 people. All the contributions were excellent and everyone said they enjoyed the event. In February three persons from Aberdeen travelled with the Scottish group to Aldermaston to particiapte in the Blockade and survived to report to the group.

At our March meeting we hosted Alan Mackinnon, the Chair of Scottish CND. Alan gave an update on the campaign against Trident and prospects for moving forward and also reported on preparations for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.  A lively discussion ensued and the meeting expressed their appreciation with a hearty round of applause.In the same month we also filled a minibus and travelled down to the Cut Trident not jobs march and rally in Edinburgh. As the General Election campaign developed the group decided to hold an election hustings on the theme of Nuclear Weapons and Defence Policy. Representatives from all the main parties plus the Greens and SSP attended. The contributions both from the platform and audience were excellent and our thanks go to the Quakers for allowing AbCND to use their rooms.  In addition to our monthly meeting and stall our fu-ture plans include a fund raising pub quiz, a revamp of our website and the production of a newsletter. 

Nuclear Free Scotland 13

Aberdeen      Sinde Astraea 07879046779        sindeastraea@yahoo.co.uk Ayrshire       Arthur West Tel: 01294 218215         arthurwest@btconnect.comBlairgowrie      Kristen Barrett Tel: 01250 872634Clydebank      Tommy Morrison Tel: 07986 706290Clydesdale Peace Group Janet Fenton Tel: 01899 229474        janetscotlands4peace@yahoo.co.ukDundee      Edith Constable Tel: 01382 452 547        edith.constable@ukwired.co.ukEdinburgh      Eileen Cook Tel: 0131 669 6396         edinburghcnd@yahoo.com  Fort William     Anne Rowan Tel: 01397 772625 Glasgow West    Alan Mackinnon Tel: 0141 339 1102          alan.mackinnon2@ntlworld.comGlasgow South     Bill Ramsay Tel: 0141 422 1406        william993@btinternet.comGlasgow University  Mike McGarry         mike77mc@googlemail.com Strathclyde University  Adam Beese        Adrock_1976@yahoo.co.ukHelensburgh    Jane Tallents Tel: 01436671845          tp2000@gn.apc.org  Highland CND    John Jappy Tel: 01997 433418Hamilton      Billy/Louise Moncrieff:01698 820 898Renfrewshire    Duncan MacIntosh: 0141 887 2097        duncan1980@btinternet.comRutherglen      Susan Martin Tel: 0141 647 4776Stirling      David McKenzie Tel: 01259753815         davidmc@enterprise.netTweedale      Lesley Morrison Tel: 01721 721703        lesley@ljmorrison.fsnet.co.ukUllapool      Jean Urquhart Tel: 01854 612103          jean@theceilidhplace.comLabour CND     Jim Taggart Tel: 01436842242        jimtaggart@smartmail.co.ukSNP CND      Bill Ramsay Tel: 0141 422 1406        enquiries@snpcnd.org        www.snpcnd.org

Scottish CND Local Groups & Contacts

Nuclear Free Scotland14

Security Without Nuclear Deterrenceby Commander Robert Green

My first response to this book was, I didn't like the title, because it implied that there is a logical connection between security and the Bomb. Of course, I was completely wrong. The title is specifically addressed to those who buy into the demonology of deterrence -  and it demolishes their fantasies beautifully. 

There can be few activists on the anti-nuclear front who have had the depth of experience with the military machine that Bob Green has. A former operator of nuclear weapons, he chronicles the history of nuclear deterrence with great detail and accuracy. He was involved in the Falklands War, and it was his experiences of that which opened his eyes to the lunacy of official doctrines of deterrence.

After a French supplied Excet disabled HMS Sheffield, the President of France Mitterand, re-ceived a phone call from Thatcher threatening to carry out a nuclear strike against Argentina unless he informed her of the secret codes to enable the British to jam the missile’s acquisition system. He was so convinced of her serious-ness, he complied. Such insight and accounts make this book invaluable. For example. did you know that at one time, Israel targeted Moscow with its nuclear weapons? I certainly didn’t!

Likewise, he is illuminating on the Reykavik Summit in 1986, when Gorbachev  convinced Reagan of the need for a world-wide elimina-tion of nuclear weapons, and presented a detailed step by 

step plan to do so by 2000 (I still have a bundle of the old Soviet posters). Reagan was so im-pressed, that he agreed - till his advisors got  a grip on him.

Each chapter is carefully docu-mented, as he traces the spread of nuclear weapons in the post-war years. He is particularly good on the history of the Israeli development of the Bomb, with all ts subterfuge and international complications. For me, one of  the most disturbing and alarming accounts is that of the Pakistan-Indian nuclear conflict. He shows just how unstable and dangerous the situation is between these states (and Kashmir), and how it threatens the rest of the world.

He is very good on the moral/legal arguments, and gives a brief but accurate account of the Gree-nock Trial of the Trident Three. He also provides a cogent critique of the subsequent Lord Advo-cate’s Review, and all  its rami-fications. He is heavily involved in the World Court Project, and describes in detail its process and verdict, and possible future ac-tions. He meticulously places this in its political and legal context.  He also makes some practical and realistic assessment of pos-sible future tactics in the cause of creating a nuclear-free world. 

Rob Green is factual, accurate,  and engaging. The book is also a gripping read. In fact, it is unput-downable. Considering the nature of his topic - global mass suicide - it is fundamentally an optimistic account, because of his clear vi-sion of a way forward for human-ity.

This book is bang up to date; scholarly, accurate and engaging. It must replace all such previous narratives. It deserves a special place in the library of peace activ-ists everywhere. It  is a book I will certainly buy.

Brian Quail

Security Without Nuclear Deterrenceby Commander Rob Green£17.99 available from CND online shop at cnduk.org

Guide to pictures on pages 12/13Clockwise from top left:Speakers at the SCND Post Election Conference in May, Kate Hudson speak-ing at Cut Trident Not Jobs Rally, David Hayman & Lesley Riddoch at the Rally,Penny Stone leading the final song, US peace activists at the front of the demo in New York, Mike Kirby of UNISON, First Minister Alex Salmond addressing the rally, and CND delegates demonstrating in New York on 2nd May

Debunking Deterrence

Commander Rob Green and Rebecca Johnston at the book

launch in the UN Bookshop

Nuclear Free Scotland 15

I would like to join Scottish CNDMembership rates: Adult £24 o Youth £10 o Household £36 o Low waged £16 o  Unwaged £10 o Student £10 o Pensioner £10 o (Please tick )

Name            Address

Postcode

Tel            E-mail

Help us keep our costs down by paying with the Standing Order below

STANDING ORDERPlease pay from the account below £     (insert amount) once every year starting on       (date*) until further notice to cover my annual membership fee and a regular donation to Scottish CND. *Please make this date at least one month from now.Name of bankAddress of bankPostcodeAccount No   Sort CodeAccount nameSignature(Bank: Pay to Scottish CND, Ac No 00970363, Code 80-07-67)

Alternatively, I enclose a cheque of £     for my annual membership fee / as a donation to Scottish CND (delete as appropriate). Make cheques out to Scottish CND and return this form to:  Scottish CND, 15 Barrland St. Glasgow G41 1QH. Tel: 0141 423 1222. You can also join Scottish online at www.banthebomb.org

Change of AddressIf you are moving home please let us know your new address:

Name

Old address

New address & postcode

Nuclear Free Scotland16

Peace Walkers arriving at the Riverside Church in New York