The Congress will be deciding in the coming days how much money to give to the Pentagon in 2002 for Star Wars Research and Development.  George W. Bush is requesting $8.3 billion in FY 2002 for the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO).

"If given enough time and money the Pentagon and their aerospace corporation allies will be able to develop some space weapons' technologies that will be deployable and will serve to create a new arms race in space," said Bruce Gagnon, Coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space.

"It is really a moral and ethical question.  Should we be moving the already insane and expensive global arms race into space or should the U.S. be doing everything it can now, before it is too late, to create international agreements to keep space for peace?" Gagnon asked.  "How can Congress justify more money for Star Wars when cuts in social programs continue, unemployment is growing, and our environment cries out for attention?"

The Global Network, made up of 156 affiliate groups worldwide, is calling on peace activists in the U.S. to immediately put pressure on the U.S. Congress to deny Bush's funding request for space warfare programs.  People are urged to use a special website set up for that purpose: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/index.html

On October 13 the Global Network is coordinating an "International Day of Protest to Stop the Militarization of Space" that has now been endorsed by over 200 groups around the world.  Local actions are planned so far in over 85 locations, at U.S. military bases, aerospace corporation facilities, federal buildings, and U.S. Embassies.