Threat of Nuclear War in Our Region-FOE Sydney Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Threat of Nuclear War in our Region Friends of the Earth Australia (FoEA) joined calls today from around the world for the governments of India and Pakistan to show restraint and come to the peace table to resolve the current crisis before the conflict escalates any further. Nuclear disarmament experts for Friends of the Earth Australia said today, "The current climate along the Kashmir border is leading us dangerously close to a nuclear war in the region. Australia must play a role in de-escalating this conflict." FoEA says that although it is difficult to get real figures of the numbers of nuclear weapons held in the arsenals of India and Pakistan, reliable sources estimate the median numbers as: - India: approximately 65 nuclear weapons (median estimates only) - Pakistan: approximately 24-48 nuclear weapons (median estimates only) "It is extremely hard to find exact figures as both India and Pakistan stand outside international agreements on nuclear weapons non-proliferation," stated John Hallam, spokesperson for FoEA. "However what we do know is that they both have these ultimate weapons of mass destruction, that there is an increasing likelihood of all out war between these nations and therefore we are at grave risk of seeing a nuclear war in our region." Signs that this conflict is building towards a serious war include: -over a million Indian and Pakistan troops amassed along the Kashmir border; -India moved five warships into the area overnight; -nuclear capable missiles are reported to have been moved into the -area; -yesterday Indian Prime Minister Mr Vajpayee addressed troops and told them "to be ready for sacrifice...It's time to fight a decisive battle"; -The Pakistan government responded by saying they would use "full force" if India was to strike; -UK Foreign Minister Jack Straw has ordered UK diplomatic staff and their families to leave Pakistan. "We have all heard the rhetoric of the threat of nuclear war ending with the end of the Cold War, but with hundreds of nuclear weapons in this region alone, the potential for nuclear war is still very real," said Dimity Hawkins. "Friends of the Earth Australia has been actively working against nuclear war and nuclear proliferation for over 25 years - this current crisis has brought us to the brink in ways not seen for a generation." Friends of the Earth Australia calls on Prime Minister John Howard and the Federal government to use all diplomatic links at their disposal to try to assist in de-escalating this situation between Australia's regional nuclear neighbours. "We must use our ties with the Indian and Pakistan governments and those of the other nuclear weapons states to stress that nuclear force can never be permitted to be used in conflict." stated Friends of the Earth Australia. "The abolition of nuclear weapons and on going international monitoring of nuclear materials is the only safe way of ensuring the nightmare of a nuclear war never becomes a reality." For further comment please call: Friends of the Earth Australia National Spokespersons on Nuclear Weapons Issues in Sydney: John Hallam (02) 9567-7533 h(02)9810-2598 in Adelaide: Dimity Hawkins: (08) 8298 5326 or mobile 0425 786 301 or the Friends of the Earth Australia Spokesperson on Nuclear Issues: in Melbourne: Bruce Thompson: (03) 9419 8700 or mobile 0417-318-368 INDIA-PAKISTAN NUCLEAR CRISIS PEACE VIGIL 12 NOON INDIAN CONSULATE 25 BLIGH STREET PROCEEDING TO PAKISTANI CONSULATE 49 YORK STREET You may wish to wear black or bring candles. Organised by Friends of the Earth, People for Nuclear Disarmament, Australian Anti-bases Campaign Committee and NUS Contact: Friends of the Earth 9567-7533, PND 9319-4296, ABCC 9212-0800 ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytas-05.23.02-15:29:33-24153