New US military bases in Czech and Poland - Real threat to Europe!

Dear friends,

I am writing to you about a very serious issue that is facing Czech Republic and Europe as a whole. The US government wants to install two new military bases in Europe – one in Poland and one in Czech Republic. These bases are to form part of the so called National Missile Defense System of the USA. It is the successor of a project which originated on the 1980’s during the Reagan era and was known as the “Star wars”. The system should protect USA from an incoming intercontinental ballistic missile. You can find more information about this system on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NMD.

In August 2006, when information about this plan began to surface, we were at the birth of a broad initiative which currently consists of 40 Czech and international organizations opposed to the creation of new bases. Humanists are one of the leaders and more active members in this initiative. Since August 2006, we have organized several demonstrations, we spoke in the media, we held press-conferences. You can take a look at the website of this initiative at http://www.nezakladnam.cz to get an idea about what we have been doing (it is in Czech language, but it can still give you an idea). It seems that this strong opposition led the Americans from holding their effort for a few months while they tried to use the media to persuade the Czechs about the benefits of the US base in Czech. At the same time that began spreading lies about the initiative or its members in the media.

During the following months they changed the strategy. Initially they talked about choosing one location, where they would build one base. They were talking about Hungary, Poland and Czech. Soon after that, the Hungarians told them that they don’t want such a base, so only Czech and Poland remained as possibilities. However, when they realized that there is a strong opposition to the base in Czech (and I think also in Poland), they started talking about dividing the base into two parts and that radar base would be in Czech and interceptor base would be in Poland (interceptors are the rockets used to destroy the incoming rockets). Here in Czech they try to persuade people that “radars are not dangerous”

Although there is a continuous strong opposition to this intention of the USA, the politicians are continuing the discussions with USA. Friday the new government has finally been approved by the Czech parliament (after 7 months without a government) and the same they have been “officially approach” by USA and began the “official” discussions about the base. The plan of the new government appears to be to allow the new base to be installed here in Czech. However, before they say yes they have to launch a new “information campaign”, which will “explain” to the Czech citizens the benefits of the base.

All this time they have not given a single reason as to WHY the base should be here! They only keep repeating the same nonsense – that there are threats (Iran and North Korea) and that the bases would also protect Europe (not true!).

This is a very serious issue which does not only touch the Czechs, but it will touch all of us, Europeans. It is a strategic decision that cannot be made by any national parliament since it will have an effect on the whole Europe. Keep in mind that we are not talking about one base, but we are talking about two new US military bases in Europe – one in Poland and one in Czech. Furthermore, the Americans have also made an agreement with the Italian government to expand their military base in Vicence, Italy. Unfortunately, the European parliament is silent and no discussion is taking place there about any of this!

Here we have organized different actions and demonstrations – the last was now on Monday (January29th) and about 3000 people came! Because it was prohibited from the City council, it was also very popular for all mass media – so there was direct information from the square in 2 national TV channels and in many radio stations. I was also invited as the spokesperson to an important  program of discussions with famous politicians – also national TV. Many articles where published in different newspapers and magazines.We became the real point of reference and also some politicians of different parties from the parliament are calling us and offering help or collaboration.  So we are going to continue with other demonstrations, collection of signatories… Already 2 parties present in the parliament have big problems inside of their parties, because people on the ground don’t agree with the decision of top politicians.

So it is time for us to act. It is time for us to speak up and voice our disagreement about the base to the Czech government and the parliament, to other European governments and parliaments and to the European parliament.

Peace, Force and Joy!
Tami
Prague, Czech Republic