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17 October 2007
From: Bruce Gagnon
On the
19th Bruce participated in a pre-conference meeting with the press and
shared materials on the U.S. space program with reporters. On the 20th three
bus loads of activists were driven about an hour outside of Prague to the
town of Breznice. Activists came from all over Europe, including a large
delegation from Italy where citizens are resisting U.S. base expansion in
Vincenza.Several hundred people gathered to hear speakers and participate in
workshops.
Bruce and two Czech counterparts did a work shop on "The USA
anti-rocket shield? Why?" Critics believe the ultimate target is Russia, but
Europeans will suffer the brunt of such a conflict. A recently created Czech
League of Mayors has been formed to oppose the rador after many of the local
towns passed overwhelmingly referendums against the radar.
The mayors
energetically oppose the base and are affiliated with Hiroshima based Mayors
for peace. Indeed, a video from Tadatoshi Akiba, the Mayor of Hiroshima, was
shown in which he pledged his support. Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, also
sent a letter expressing his support. Bruce attended the conference as part of
the new No Bases Initiative. He was heartened by the determination of the
Czechs, and so many Europeans -- and especially the young -- to keep space for
peaceful uses.
On October 17 Bruce Gagnon flew to the Czech
Republic, and on the 18th met with leaders of the campaign opposing a
proposed U.S. radar facility there. Polls show 70% of Czech people oppose
the new base. Bruce and the Czech leaders shared information on the U.S.
space program and on the efforts to resist it in the Czech Republic.