Sixth Nuclear Security Conference Without Russia

Open Letter From US PEACE COUNCIL

P. O. Box 3105, New Haven, Connecticut 06515

Telephone: 203-387-0370; Fax: 203-397-2539; Email: amistad.nai@rcn.com

March 30, 2016

Our Abolitionist Friends:

The Sixth Nuclear Security Conference is taking place. 51 nations are participating.

A glaring absentee is Russia.

Whether one considers this Conference important in the long struggle to abolish nuclear

weapons or not, Russia’s absence must be understood in light of US/NATO troops on her borders in the Ukraine.

The anti-nuclear weapons movement cannot continue to ignore this dangerous situation

as if it had no bearing on the issue. It is obvious there will be no serious discussions involving the two nations with the greatest nuclear weapons arsenal while Russia faces a superior conventional/technologically advanced enemy. Vladimir Putin has stated ‘don’t forget we are a nuclear weapons state’.

The anti-nuclear weapons movement must face this reality. We must come together,

with all our global strength, to demand a just diplomatic, political solution to this crisis.

US/NATO troops must be removed. Ukraine must be restored as a sovereign, non-aligned

Nation, with full recognition of the right of Ukrainians to determine their own destiny, culture and language.

Without such an understanding and campaign, even with the enthusiasm and energy of the ICAN movement, the acceptance by so many nations, the campaign will falter, weaken in face of the cold reality of a crisis that can lead to World War 3.

Yours in peace,

Alfred L. Marder

President

Member of the World Peace Council