Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace
Founded 1972 “Human Race Not Arms Race”
PO Box 363 Geneseo NY 14454
<www.gvcp.org>
585-624-3673
April 30, 2008
Dear GVCP Member:
NEXT GVCP MEETING: Saturday, May 10, 2:00 PM at 2290 Anderson Road, Linwood. *Note 2:00 PM meeting time*Note location*Note 2:00 PM meeting time*
(This is a change in time and place—Omega Restaurant was booked on May 10th.)
[Anderson Rd. runs west off Route 36, one road south of Route 20. 2290 is 1.7 miles west of Route 36. Mailbox on right, driveway on left.]
WEEKLY SATURDAY MORNING VIGILS FOR PEACE! 10:30–11:30 AM in Honeoye, Richmond Memorial Park, Route 20A. [Judi Taylor 585-229-4963 <jsalsburg@monroecc.edu>]
THIS MONTH’S LETTER: SUPPORT BAN ON CLUSTER BOMBS. Cluster bombs are built to explode above the ground and release thousands of small bomblets primed to detonate on impact. Results show that 10% to 40% of the bomblets fail to go off on impact. Later, they can explode, killing and maiming civilians. The world community is calling for a ban on cluster bombs. Eighty-two countries plan to attend the final round of talks in Dublin, Ireland, aimed at hammering out the details of a treaty banning the use and export of all or most cluster bombs. The U.S. government won't be there. [FCNL]
In New Zealand, where negotiations to ban cluster bombs were conducted recently, U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Janine Burns said, “The United States shares in the humanitarian concerns that have been raised about cluster munitions, but is opposed to any ban on them because of their demonstrated military utility." (In other words, killing civilians is OK as long as we kill other people as well.)
We need to show the world that millions of people in this country support protecting civilians from the indiscriminate effects of cluster bombs. We need to increase the number of cosponsors of legislation that would ban these indiscriminate weapons from the U.S. arsenal. S. 594: The Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act of 2007, would limit the use, sale, and transfer of cluster munitions. Nineteen Senators have cosponsored this bill. Senators Clinton, Schumer—and McCain and Obama—have not co-sponsored S. 594.
WRITE to Senators Clinton & Schumer, Federal Bldg 100 State St. Rochester, NY 14614 Urge them to support S.594. Please do this now—the Dublin meeting is in mid-May.
If you have an extra moment, write to Janine Burns, U.S. Embassy P.O. Box 1190, Wellington, New Zealand <burnsj@state.gov>. Ask Ms. Burns if she truly agrees with the U.S. government’s opposition to the ban of these barbaric weapons.
Peace,
GVCP is proud to be affiliated with Peace Action New York State