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Minutes 2nd Meeting No to NATO Summit 25/03/2018 Brussels

No to war - no to NATO Network Posted on by

2nd preparatory meeting for actions against the NATO summit 2018

March 25th, 2018 Brussels from 11:00 to 17:00 h

Location: Kurdish Institute of Brussels – Rue Bonneels, 16 1210 Brussels.

Present: members from the following initiatives/organizations:
IPB (International Peace Bureau, Germany; Intern. Network No to war – no to NATO, Germany; Vrede vzw, Belgium; Oorlog is geen oplossing NL, Nederland; Movement Chretien pour la Paix (MCP), Belgium; C.S.O., Belgium; P.C.O.F. member du collect Non à l’OTAN, non à la guerre, France; Mouvement de la Paix FranceFrance; Comité Surveillance Otan, Belgium; CNAPD

Belgium; Comitato No Guerra no NATO, Italy; Moe, Belgium; CND, UK; Vredesactie, PVDA, Belgium;

Documents:

 

Video: (Italy) is making a video of some of the interventions during the meeting, not the whole meeting. If you don’t agree to be filmed, please say so

Accommodation: We got the meeting room for free, thanks to the Kurdish Institute. They  have made also some food. Contributions of 4 – 5 euros, for the coffee, food are welcome.

  1. Political introduction and situation in the countries

  • General
  • Afrin – is occupied since last week-end by Turkey. There would be a deal between Russia and Turkey, the question is what the US will do, they were supporting the Kurds in the war against the IS.
  • A lot of potential for international conflict
  • Turkey is a NATO member, NATO supports the air defence of Turkey in this operation
  • The Kurdish community is mobilizing next Tuesday to protest a NATO meeting of ministers of Foreign Affairs. Is also an opportunity for the counter summit in July
  • We should add something on Afrin in the Call of Action
  • John Bolton is the new US national security adviser who openly defends wars against Iran and North-Korea
  • Rapid militarization of European countries. Most of EU-countries are member now of PESCO – its agenda looks very similar to that of the NATO (increased defense spending, 20% of military budgets for military investments. In the European Parliament they have also voted the 2 % -target of GDP for military spending .
  • Report about the NATO
  • Canada and European countries: last year an increase of military budget of 5 %
  • 8 countries will reach the the target of 2 %

 

  • Belgium
  • Replacement of fighter jets: high on the political agenda last days. The military didn’t forward the report that says that current F16s can be longer in service. Rapid replacement isn’t needed. Discussion whether the minister of defense should stay or go …
  • It can become a discussion about the NATO and Europe.
  • It can be a source for extra mobilization in Belgium during the countersummit
  • Belgian movements ask for no replacement of fighterjets
  • This situation can be very important for other countries too: it can put forward the question in other countries
  • Important point at the summit (also connection to US B61-12 in Europe)
  • There is a big network of people who are supporting refugees/migrants. Is also about war in the countries of origin
  • Good opportunity to introduce the No-Nato No War position
  • Maybe time to have members of refugee organizations
  • Trade Union: linking the pensions with the F35 – ‘P65 against the F 35’ à good link for mobilization

 

  • Germany
  • The NATO will build a new headquarter in Germany. Coordination of transport of tanks, aircraft, … to go from US to the eastern border.
  • New government: it has taken 7 months. The European militarization is one of the main points of this government. They also say they will go for the 2 % GDP-rule.
  • Nuclear Weapons: looks like they are anti-nuclear weapons, but they aren’t

 

  • Italy
  • No government, but the two parties who will get the power are really pro-Russia.
  • Peace movements want to start a campaign about B61-12
  • In Italy the NATO is a theme that people don’t/can’t speak about.
  • We are in touch with a family of a victim of Uranium weapons. They ask if we can bring them in contact with other families who are victims. They want to bring everyone together and take action.

 

  • The Netherlands
  • We have a new minister of foreign affairs because the last one lied about his meeting with Putin.
  • There has been a referendum about the new framework of the Security and Intelligent Services. (last Wednesday)

 

  • France
  • Last week there were large demonstrations about the critical social situation in the country.
  • Macron said that the 2 % of the GDP is no problem, so the money is there but for the wrong things.
  • Huge campaign against the nuclear war: 14 October there will be an action/ meeting at all sites where the nuclear weapons are prepared or build
  • Concentrate on the questions of safety and the possibility that France will share their nuclear umbrella with other European countries

 

  1. Counter-summit (conclusions out of the discussion)

  • Generally
  • Working group: everyone who wants to join in has to send an e-mail to Reiner:
  • Point of F35 and solidarity: in different lectures
  • Aim of the workshops is exchange, collaboration and discussion, also strategy of the peace movements. Will be added
  • We have to look how we can bring the topic of psychological warfare in the program (fake news, …)
  • Remark: maybe too much themes, more time for discussion, discussion what we will do
  • One goal of the conference should be the preparation of a tribunal “70 years of NATO” in 2019, and actions against the NATO summit in 2019 (in Strasbourg)

 

  • Start
  • Music: Ludo will contact somebody with anti-war songs
  • Background: a ppt or video that give a positive impression, about peace movement in action

 

  • ‘Give the victims of NATO a face’
  • Introduction: video of Pandora TV – video of Libya (5 minutes)

 

  • Speakers: send the names until Wednesday
  • No one of the US: there will be a delegation of 8-12 people
  • Possible countries: Russia (2), Balkan
  • If the organization can’t cover the cost, we can take car for the cost (low cost), Vrede vzw can help with searching for cheap accommodation
  • Look for differences in the list with speakers (not only men and white people)

 

  • Workshop: analyses, strategies and actions
  • The coordinator has to organize his workshop
  • Send the title, short description and the names
  • New work shop: actions (led by Collective Atom)
  • Arm export: ENAT – Wendela de Vries à Jan ask if it’s possible
  • The following workshops are agreed:
    • NATO strategy and abolition, including disarmament, nuclear weapons free world, (Ludo)
    • Europe of Peace, (Judith Benda and Claudia Haydt)
    • women and war (Kristine)
    • Drones and automatization of weapons (Dave Webb)
    • Arms export (ENAAT)
    • Military basis (Michael Youlton and Reiner)
    • Nuclear weapons (Italy)
    • Actions (led by Collective No OTAN, France)

 

  • Final session
  • Discussion about the future
  • How can we also work between the summits?
  • French discussion partner

 

  1. Finances

  • We will get funds from the European Left
  • Ludo: maybe funds for transport and accommodation of some of the speakers (result probably in May)

 

  1. Demonstration

  • Platform Trump not Welcome
  • Title: Make Peace Great Again
  • We do a little bit like last time, but the peace movement will this time have the lead of the demonstration. The peace issue will also be more on the forefront in the call.
  • Search for a budget
  • Interconnection between all the areas (woman, refugees, antiracism, climate change, trade unions, …)
  • We have to think how we can be very visible: creative pictures and activities, flags, musicians
  • Make a big map with countries that signed the Ban Treaty for example
  • Themes: fighterjets, 1 year after the ban treaty
  • Remark: worried that the attention will go to Trump and not to NATO à our task to make position against NATO more clear and visible
  • Disadvantage: summer holidays

 

  1. Other activities in Brussels

  • Direct actions
  • Probably Agir pour la Paix, but they will do it autonomous.
  • Ludo will ask for an update

 

  • 11th July (during NATO summit)
  • Good pictures, NATO as an octopus with all the tentacles (existed, ask if we can lend it)

 

  • Meeting place on Saturday
  • for the people that will stay in Brussels. Where we can come together.

 

  1. Actions in NATO countries on Wednesday 11th July

  • In each country one action would be great
  • Take contact also with the countries that aren’t at the meeting or in our network: use the action call
  • 15 May: list of actions à contact who we miss
  • Actions on the website (send the announcement to Kristine)

 

  1. Actions/activities before and after the NATO summit

  • Proposals
  • How to come to a statement on the far right (task from the last meeting)
  • Common international/European action strategy plan/network during and after the NATO Summit: to tackle the decision makers. I think that there already was a proposal from the Italian side on nuclear. Only together we can make a difference (proposal: Ria)
  • campaign against B16-12 / nuclear weapons (proposal: Comitato No Guerra No NATO, Italy).
  • Against Europe of Defense (proposal: French Collective “No to NATO, no to war”).
  • For the signature and ratification of the Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty (United Nations 7 July 2017). Actions against the provision of nuclear weapons from one country to another country (United States, France) (proposal: French Collective “no à l’OTAN, no à la guerre”).
  • For Euro-Mediterranean actions, particularly with the Maghreb and Middle East countries (proposal: French Collective “no à l’OTAN, no à la guerre “).
  • International meeting against foreign military bases (proposal: Campaign Stop Air Base Ramstein) and for the closure of all foreign US military bases, NATO, French, … (proposal: French Collective “no à l’OTAN, no à la guerre “).
  • For Euro-Mediterranean actions, particularly with the Maghreb and Middle East countries (proposal: French Collective “no à l’OTAN, no à la guerre “).

 

  • Conclusions
  • Create a network against the modernization of the nuclear bombs (B61-12)/European Bomb
  • Meeting 7 th July: 9 am
  • Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, France, Germany (maybe Turkey) and UK
  • Discuss about what we can do together
  • Ludo will look for a place to meet
  • Euro- Mediterranean actions
  • Papers will be translating in English and put on the website
  • Belgium – maybe a co-operation with Palestina Solidariteit vzw, Belgisch Comité voor de steun aan de Sahraoui
  • to be on the agenda of the next annual meeting of the network No to war – no to NATO, maybe a theme for the next counter-summit
  • Call about the new tensions
  • We’re aware of the tensions, analyses them
  • Important not to overreact, it could people made afraid and then we go with the Trump propaganda
  • References to the quotes of Bolten and the Doomsday clock
  • Reiner and Kate: make it together

 

  1. Mobilization

  • Newspaper
  • Adds in it
  • 3 languages
  • Graphics, short statements
  • Reiner will make a concept over Easter – do suggestions

 

  • Logo
  • Judith: nein zur NATO – with a dove
  • In English no to NATO

 

  • Poster
  • Like last year (red poster with people that destroy a NATO War plane)
  • Also in three languages
  • Responsible: Vrede vzw

 

  • Leaflet
  • Make a same front, but at the back everyone can use it for its own messages
  • Responsible: Vrede vzw

 

  • Videos 30 seconds
  • Prominent people (like Noam Chomsky)
  • The frist video should be with Ludo
  • Answer to the same question: Why it is important to demonstrate against NATO?
  • At the end the same image
  • Someone has to coordinate it: Judith (meanwhile she confirmed this)
  • Always put on the FB-page of NO to NATO, after we share it to our own pages

 

  • Social media
  • Responsible: Judith
  • Facebook: page and event
  • Twitter account

 

  • Website
  • Responsible: Kristine

 

  • FAQ/Q&A
  • Responsible: Ria – if you want to help her, you can contact Ria)

 

  • Factsheets
  • Factsheets about every theme of the call
  • Military spending: Ludo (put the fear for Russia in a correct perspective)
  • NATO and Africa? : mouvement de la paix?
  • NATO and Russia, Gerhard Crohn, Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, Reiner will ask him
  • CND has factsheets: maybe update some of them
  • Send the factsheets to Kristine

 

Next meeting if needed: 3th June

Download: Report No-to -NATO meeting-25.03.2018-final.pdf

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