[fse-esf] Declaration of the International Conferenceagainst the Militarization of Europe

[Hannelore Tölke]

Dear friends,

 on 5th of May in Prague took place an International Conference against
Militarization of Europe. Find Final Declaration below. Please sign the
declaration at the website http://www.prague-declaration.org.

Best wishes
Hannelore Tölke


PRAGUE DECLARATION



Made by participants in the International Conference against the
Militarization of Europe



PEACE DOESN'T NEED NEW MISSILES -

We say no to the US missile defense system in Europe



Faced with new US military plans to begin official negotiations with the
Czech and Polish governments on May 10th, the signatories of this paper
declare:



We voice our protest against the plans of the Bush administration to install
a "national missile defense system" for the US on the territory of the Czech
Republic and Poland. Most people in the Czech Republic and Poland, as well
as in the rest of Europe, reject plans to host this system. We reject the
official reasons given for the NMD project as mere pretexts.



The realisation of the US plan will not lead to enhanced security. On the
contrary - it will lead to new dangers and insecurities.



Although it is described as 'defensive', in reality it will allow the United
States to attack other countries without fear of retaliation. It will also
put 'host' countries on the front line in future US wars.



The governments of Poland and the Czech Republic recklessly risk unleashing
a new arms race, jeopardising the present framework of international
agreements on nuclear non-proliferation and conventional arms control
throughout the world, but especially in Europe.



What we really need is disarmament as a precondition to peace and genuine
human security.

To face the impending ecological crisis we need international cooperation
and trust, not confrontation.



Peace initiatives, democratic and emancipatory political forces, women's and
environmentalist movements, trade unions and faith activists must come
together in their resistance to this attempt to play one European country
off against the other. We see our protest as part of a global movement
against all foreign military bases and other infrastructure used for wars of
aggression. It is a contribution to building peace in Europe and the world,
and to empowering local communities to act together and protect their rights
and guarantee their public role.



European Union and Nato states must not participate in this new military
adventure of the Bush administration. Peace remains our foremost task.



We demand of those responsible in the European Union, especially President
Klaus and President Kaczynski, to listen to the will of the people of the
European Union. We demand that they act democratically and hold binding
referendums on the deployment of NMD components in their countries.



We emphatically reject the attempt to legitimise the US plans through the
back-door of NATO and EU decision-making. Across a wide range of
nationalities and walks of life, we call on you: Together let us do
everything to prevent Europe from becoming the stage for a new arms race and
a new politics of confrontation.



We call on all people to take part in demonstrations and to speak with and
write to their elected representatives, members of government and heads of
state, to tell them that they do not want a new politics of confrontation
and that this will be remembered at the polls.



The participants of the International Conference against the Militarization
of Europe





Prague, 5 May 2007



 Best wishes