Number 102: 4th October 2002

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Nice: make it a positive No No on the 19th
As the Republic goes to the polls again on 19th October in the second 'neverendum' on the Nice Treaty, the Editor of this newssheet wishes to unequivocally support a 'no' vote [see editorial in e-mail and web editions]. Points to take note of include (with source):

"The Irish Government has been accused of betraying the United Nations, through its continued membership of the NATO-influenced European Rapid Reaction Force (ERRF) as envisaged under the Nice Treaty....One of the main difficulties with the ERRF is its departure from the authority of the UN and the closeness of its link with NATO." (Afri)

"In a series of referendums, more and more power has been transferred from the Irish people to a EU elite in Brussels. A 'Common Market' is being transformed, Treaty-by-Treaty, into a European Federal Super State, a European Empire. Neither can the Irish people be in any doubt about the objective, because the EU elite is open and honest about their objective. The EU Commission President Romano Prodi told the EU Parliament on 13/2/01: "Are we clear that we want to build something that can aspire to be a world power?" (Roger Cole, chair, PANA/Peace And Neutrality Alliance).

"Not one iota of this treaty has been changed as a consequence of Ireland's last NO vote. Instead, the Government has sought to fool people into thinking that a declaration in Seville deals with the 'neutrality problem'. They have also tried to steer debate away from the contents of the treaty itself and to frighten people into voting YES on this occasion. All of this is fundamentally undemocratic......We would like a more democratic, more accountable EU, where enlargement - which we strongly favour - takes place on a basis that is much fairer to the candidate countries.....The Greens believe that Nice is creating a militarised, less democratic Europe, a Europe that will completely surrender to the forces of globalisation." (Green Party).

Don’t Attaq Irack
The Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) organised the small but useful demo in Dublin the same day as a few hundred thousand people gathered in London. IAWM has people active in many different locations around the country; some of those contacts and other information are on the website at http://irishantiwar.org The general phone contacts are: Aoife Ní Fhearghail 087 - 7955013, Richard Boyd Barrett 087 6329511, Colin Coulter 01 8746012, and Sandeep Vaidya 087 2225742 (these are all Southern numbers but the North is included on the website).

IAWM is organising a Shannon national demonstration on Saturday 12th October at 2 pm on the theme 'Warplanes out of Shannon'. Details from the above or info@irishantiwar.org (buses and groups going from different locations around the country).

Meanwhile others have been active at Shannon. On 4th September Eoin Dubsky painted peace slogans and signs on a US Air Force 'Hercules' KC-130 at Shannon Airport; he was bailed but not allowed to go within 5 miles of Shannon Airport; his case comes up again on 17 October at Shannon District Court. See www.refuelingpeace.org (note one 'l' in 'refueling') for info on US use of Shannon and monitoring work there.

In a separate case, Eoin Dubsky was allowed in the High Court to apply for an injunction on Ireland's offer of overflight and refuelling for US warplanes and military flights relevant to the attacks in Afghanistan; the argument is that these are unconstitutional. See http://lists.redbrick.dcu.ie/pipermail/justice/2002-September for details.

In Dublin the NGO Peace Alliance continues with a weekly vigil on Tuesday at 5.30pm, usually at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Iveagh House, St Stephen's Green, but occasionally at the Dáil. Contact NGO Peace Alliance at ngopa@eircom.net (or through the 30 member groups).

In Belfast, the Justice Not Terror Coalition has a weekly vigil at the start of Royal Avenue (Tesco's) from 12 noon to 1.00pm on Thursdays. You can contact JNTC c/o INNATE or 0771 511 0517 mobile, e-mail jntc@post.com and group website http://groups.yahoo.com/group/justice-not-terror

In Cork, the Cork Peace Alliance can be contacted at corkpeacealliance@yahoo.com or phone 021 - 428 2234, or contact c/o CAZ Centre, 4 Knapp's Square, Cork

This is only a very partial round up of what is happening around the country - please send in details for listing. Opinion polls of voters in the Republic show strong opposition to military action against Iraq.

AI-NI moving...
Amnesty International in Northern Ireland has moved its office to improved premises including disabled access. It's now at 397 Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 3GP, phone 028 9064 3000, fax 9069 0989, and e-mail patrick.corrigan@amnesty.org.uk and web www.amnesty.org.uk Their annual conference takes place on Friday and Saturday, 18th and 19th October at the Holiday Express Inn, University Street, Belfast, on the theme 'Human rights under threat' (anyone interested can attend); speakers include Kate Allen, Sean Love, 'Sarah' (a refugee from Sierra Leone), Robbie McVeigh, Ismeal Al-Hinti, Ronit Lentin and Brice Dickson.

Mediation Northern Ireland launch
'Mediation Northern Ireland', the new name for what has been the Mediation Network Northern Ireland, is being launched on Tuesday 29th October along with the new corporate plan. It is seen that there are twin tasks which should be addressed; the management of disputes, and the promotion of good relations between individuals, groups and communities. 

While continuing to be identified with training, learning and the practice of mediation, MNI also wishes to affirm wider methods of conflict intervention such as conciliation and negotiation which it has also been involved in. During the period of the new corporate plan particular focus will be given to work with neighbourhoods and communities, policing, local government, integrated education, the churches, and the public sector. Some peacebuilding work abroad will also be continued and it looks forward to working with others at home who offer creative approaches to better relations. MNI, 10 Upper Crescent, Belfast BT7 1NT, ph 028 - 9043 8614, e-mail info@mediation-network.org.uk and web www.mediation-network.org.uk

Peace and Reconciliation Group (PRG), Derry
Michael Doherty is the new co-ordinator of PRG as it comes into its 25th anniversary year. He has outlined how he sees the challenges ahead; there is an opportunity to develop the necessary skills at local community level, and the infrastructure and networks needed to sustain good community relations work, and to create the political will to provide the needed financial support and develop new models of working to enhance the peace process.

At the moment two open workshops are being offered. There will be a two-day Introduction to Conflict Resolution and Mediation Skills in the PRG training rooms on 28th and 29th November, and a one-day Introduction to Community Relations workshop on 5th November. Places are limited; phone 028 - 71 36 9206 to enquire or book. PRG, 18/20 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6PW.

Ireland’s transition to renewable energy
A major conference is to be held at the Tipperary Institute, Thurles, Co Tipperary from 30th October - 2nd November 2002. It is organised jointly by Feasta (the Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability), the Tipperary Institute, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland with support from others. 

Speakers include Daniel Plesch, Colin Campbell, David Frowd, John McMullan, Ian Hore-Lacy, Dave Elliott, Malcolm Slesser, Olav Hohmeyer, David Fleming, Nuala Ahern, Andrew Gouldson, Owen Wilson, Declan Flanagan, Jackie Carpenter, Bernard Rice, Folke Gunther, Tom Woolley, Charlie Pinney, Werner Zittel, Michael Doran, Richard Douthwaite,and a workshop with Tommy Cooke, Stanley McWilliams and Seamus Hoyne (Phew - Ed). 

Two major studies have been commissioned for the conference; one by Larry Staudt and David Crane models energy and material flows in the Irish economy to predict the effects of the switch to renewables; the other, by Kevin Healion assesses the total potential of all sources of renewable energy likely to be available In Ireland in the next 20 years. Booking is being handled by the Courthouse Centre, Tinahely, Co Wicklow, ph. 0402 - 38529 or check the Feasta website. Feasta, 159 Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 2. Ph. 01 - 4912773, fax 4912203, web www.feasta.org

West Papua Forum
West Papua has been occupied by the Indonesian military since 1963. Over 10% of the population have since been killed. The campaign for human rights, including the right to self-determination continues. You can join West Papua Action for 10 Euro or 5 Euro students/unwaged. Regular forum meetings to which all are welcome are now being organised; the next is at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 6th November at Belvedere College, Dublin. West Papua Action, 134 Phibsborough Road, Dublin 7. Ph. 01 - 882 7563 / 882 7581, fax 882 7576, mobile 087 - 2969 742, e-mail wpaction@iol.ie and web http://westpapuaaction.buz.org (See also NN96)

PBI-UK Co-ordinator post (for one year)
Peace Brigades International UK section is looking for a full time co-ordinator for a one year contract (while the existing coordinator joins a PBI field project) to manage the main office located in London; the job includes fundraising, volunteer management and office administration. Closing date is 20th October. PBI-UK, 1b Waterlow Road, London N19 5NJ, ph 020 - 7281 - 5370, e-mail pbiuk@gn.apc.org

Grassroots Gathering Belfast
Workshops at the Grassroots Gathering in Belfast from 26th-27th October (see NN102) are expected to include ones on Sellafield, nonviolent tactics/direct action against the war, sectarianism and grassroots organising, the EU Superstate and Irish presidency, Indymedia, students and neoliberalism etc., plus various stalls. Contact, by email GGcontact@yahoogroups.com or info at http://grassrootsgathering.freeservers.com By post c/o PO Box 505, Belfast BT12 6BQ, or c/o PO Box 1528, Dublin 8, or c/o PO Box 31, Sorting Office, Cork.

Next INNATE Belfast meeting; 
8pm Mon 21st October at 7 University Avenue.

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