Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace

P.O. Box 363 Geneseo, NY 14454

FAX: 716-243-4002 e-mail: <PeaceHank@aol.com>

Web Site: <www.gvcp.org>

April 1, 2000

Dear GVCP Member:

SAVE THE DATES: CALL TO ACTION ON IMF AND WORLD BANK, WASHINGTON, DC, APRIL 16^th. Metro Justice is organizing a bus for Rochester-area activists to attend this major demonstration. Call Metro Justice (716-325-2560) to reserve a seat. For more national information: <www.A16.org>.

MAY 7^th DAY FOR MUMIA MOBILIZATION RALLY AT THE THEATER AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NYC, 2:00 PM. MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES. More information: 212-633-6646; <www.mumia2000.org>; <iacenter@iacenter.org>.

At a high school graduation ceremony in Spring, 2000, GVCP will present its first Peacemaker Award to a graduating senior who has shown interest, knowledge, hope, and involvement concerning peaceful, fair, and fulfilling relations among the people of the community and the world. The Peacemaker Award includes $200.00 for the recipient. At our March meeting, we decided to begin this program at ten schools. These schools were chosen because at least one member has a connection with the school and/or its guidance office. The ten schools are: Avon, Bloomfield, Dansville, Geneseo, Livonia, Mt. Morris, Perry, Warsaw, Wayland-Cohocton, and York. We have sent flyers and applications to senior class guidance counselors at each school. Applications are due by May 15^th. GVCP members can help by urging qualified seniors in these schools to apply for the award. If you have a close connection with a school that is not on the list, please discuss this with Susan Bailey [716-243-1077]. Thanks to Tom Taylor for suggesting this great program, and to Tom and Susan Bailey for following through on the administrative details.

THIS MONTH’S LETTERS: NUCLEAR WEAPONS NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY REVIEW CONFERENCE: The Nuclear Weapons Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) entered into force in 1970, and was extended indefinitely in 1995. NPT member states agree (1) to endeavor to prevent any new nuclear weapons states and (2) to pursue measures to end the nuclear arms race and to achieve nuclear disarmament. Major Review Conferences to evaluate NPT implementation are held every five years. The next Review Conference will be April 24th-May 19th at the UN in New York. This will give member states an opportunity to discuss substantive issues related to the NPT.

WRITE to President Clinton. Urge him to provide energy and leadership at the Review Conference by taking the following steps: 1) Work with Congress to change current U.S. law to allow the U.S. to reduce its nuclear arsenal to START II levels immediately and unilaterally, without waiting for ratification by the Russian Duma. 2) Stop production of the Trident D-5 ballistic missile. 3) Work to promptly remove U.S., Russian, and Chinese nuclear weapons from "launch-on-warning" status. 4) Initiate START III negotiations for further reductions in U.S. and Russian arsenals. 5) Initiate negotiations with all nuclear powers to abolish and prohibit nuclear weapons within an accelerated, limited time frame. [President Bill Clinton, The White House, Washington, DC 20500. White House Comment Desk: 202-456-1111. Email: <president@whitehouse.gov>. [This information adapted from Friends Committee on National Legislation website: <www.fcnl.org>.]

LORI BERENSON--IMPRISONED FOR 52 MONTHS! HOW MUCH LONGER CAN SHE SURVIVE? The key player is President Clinton. He must use his authority to help Lori. Please write to Pres. Bill Clinton, The White House, Washington, DC 20500, calling for pressure on Peru to immediately release Lori Berenson. There is more information about Lori at <www.freelori.org>.