During the International peace seminar Verdun 25.-26.01.2013 an ICC (International Coordinating Committee – Meeting of our network “No to war – no to NATO” took place in Verdun.

Participants: Reiner Braun, Kristine Karch, Claudia Haydt, Edith (UK), Yves-Jean Gallas, Kees Kalkman, Melanie (France), Dave Webb, Lucas Wirl, Claude (Luxemburg), Pascal (Germnany)

After a welcome a round of introduction takes place.

1. NATO Summit, Wales, September 4/5

Dave gives a short introduction on the ideas of the counter activities. An alternative summit should take place the weekend prior to the nato summit. Locations need to be decided . A demonstration and direct actions are in planning for the week during the summit. A youth camp is being considered.

A general debate starts. CND and the other organizers from UK should invite to an international preparatory meeting in March. The communication for the actions should include clear wordings on non-violence.

In the general debates lines of argumentation for mobilization are being exchanged. Among others:

–        Afghanistan

• Election, increasing of war/conflict

–        Drones (Uk tests drones in Wales)

–        EU Militarization and European leg of NATO

–        Military spending

–        Discussion on alternatives

• Collective security system
• Leave nato

–        UK Parliament vote on war in Syria

–        Nukes

It is decided to have the annual meeting of No to War – No to NATO around the Nato summit. It should be focused on organizational matters. The annual meeting will have elections to the icc. A preparatory is being established (Claire, Lucas, NN Eastern Europe).

It is discussed to have a kick off of the Media Campaign prior to summit in the week before EU Elections 25.5.: peace, austerity and military spending, EU militarization should be main messages. Press conferences in different countries are encouraged.

On Afghanistan Conference

Reiner reports on the preparations of the Afghanistan Conference on April 25-27 and encourages to pressure for evaluation of 12 years of war in different European parliaments. There must be a general debate.  Also he encourages debates about “Where we are with peace in Afghanistan” and “future development in Afghanistan” and the “development of civil society”. An updated program of the conference will be send around soon.

On NPT Conference

Reiner reports on different activities: side events, one day conference 1914-2014: lessons learnt from 100 years WWI. A short discussion on actions to the NPT 2015 takes place. The ideas of protest actions like a day of absence or a symbolic blockade are being discussed.

The Nuclear security summit will take place in the Hague in March. The Dutch colleagues are asked to prepare a statement.

Drones Working meeting

Lucas reports on an international working meeting on drones. I was good attended, an statement was agreed upon by the participants and it was decided to continue working together in a network on drones.

Next Meeting: around NPT PrepCom in New York, end of April

Minute taker: Lucas Wirl

Berlin, March 3 2014