RE: NORTH KOREA NUCLEAR WEAPONS CRISIS

Dear President Bush, President Kim Jong-Il, President Hu Jintao, President Putin, Prime Minister Koizumi, Prime Minister John Howard, Secretaries of State and Foreign Ministers,

The undersigned organisations, representing millions of people, are writing to you to urge that a peaceful solution be reached to the problems posed by the possible existence of nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula.

We believe strongly that talk of military solutions and 'regime change' must be firmly removed from consideration, and a solution arrived at that promotes the well-being and security of all parties on an equal basis, and that contributes to the elimination of tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

It must also be borne in mind that whatever the size and capabilities of the DPRK nuclear arsenal, it in no way remotely compares with the 8-12,000 warheads of the US arsenal, the approximately 22,000 warheads of the Russian arsenal, the roughly 400 warheads held by China and France, the 200-400 held by Israel, the 150-200 held by the UK, nor even with the arsenals held by India and Pakistan. The DPRK has from at least 1956, faced the threat of US nuclear weapons and up to 100 tactical nuclear warheads were stationed south of the DMZ until at least 1991.

The desire of the DPRK to defend itself may be understandable. Nonetheless, a DPRK nuclear capability could lead to the early pursuit of nuclear capabilities by the RoK, Japan and Taiwan, putting the global framework of nuclear nonproliferation in grave jeopardy. Further nuclear proliferation must be prevented. A return to a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula is not at all an empty dream, but a vital necessity.

However it is the strong belief of the undersigned organisations that attempts to use force, sanctions, threats of sanctions, 'regime change', or talk of such measures not only bear no possibility of producing a peaceful and nuclear free Korean Peninsula, but run a real risk of complete catastrophe. Threats of this kind, as the DPRK itself has repeatedly made clear, will induce the DPRK not only to retain and to augment its nuclear arsenal, but may induce it to actually contemplate its use.

Even a conventional war on the Korean Penninsula, which would almost certainly result from military action, would be catastrophic. Some 4 million people are said to have died in the 1950-53 Korean War, while up to 10 million people are unable to visit families because of the border. The existence of a large number of nuclear power plants in the RoK would mean that even a conventional conflict could be catastrophic in its consequences.


The undersigned organisations believe that the only way to solve the proliferation problem is for the US and the other nuclear weapon states to finally make good on their nuclear disarmament commitments under Article VI of the NPT. The double standard regarding their ownership must be eliminated along with the weapons themselves. The ownership of nuclear weapons by the US is in itself the most powerful motivator for a DPRK arsenal, whatever its real capabilities. It is vital, not only that the DPRK uphold and not withdraw from the NPT, but that the US abide by its NPT obligations. The US cannot ask the DPRK to respect the NPT when US plans to develop new nuclear weapons types violate its clear Article VI obligations.


Estimates of DPRK capabilities vary, but it seems reasonable to suggest that if it does not now have at least a rudimentary nuclear arsenal, it soon will have. It is prudent to make the most pessimistic assumptions in assessing the risks of any course of action, and not to assume that DPRK claims are 'bluff'.


Accordingly, we can only conclude that the risk of nuclear weapons actually being used, is such that military options, or options that could eventually lead to military options, should be decisively removed from consideration and be demonstrably taken off the menu of possibilities. In this case even the very contemplation of such options creates a very real risk of a 'pre-preemptive strike'.


We absolutely urge the US administration to desist from the contemplation of military options or of any option that might lead to military action.

We urge the US administration to signal to the DPRK by its own actions, that will encourage the DPRK to enter into real engagement with the RoK, with Japan, with Russia and China, and with the US itself, that will lead to an overall reduction of tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The DPRK has asked the US for a nonaggression pact. We believe this is a reasonable request that would lead to a genuine reduction of tensions in the peninsula.

We are firmly of the belief that this is not merely a realistic option, but that it is the ONLY realistic option.

If the US is serious about discouraging nuclear proliferation worldwide, the single most vital thing it must do is live up to its own obligations under article VI of the NPT, to accomplish the total and unequivocal elimination of its own vast nuclear arsenal.

There is a clear choice:

On the one hand, peace on the Korean Peninsula.

On the other side, a continued increase in tensions, a continued increase in both conventional and nuclear arsenals, and finally a disastrous resort to military action that risks the use of nuclear weapons against Korean, Japanese, or possibly US, cities.

The choice is clear. We urge you to choose peace.

Signed

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

Tadatoshi Akiba, Mayor of Hiroshima, President, Mayors for Peace, (547Cities in 107 countries), Hiroshima, Japan,

John Loretz, Program Director,Dr Mary Wynne-Ashford, Past President, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), Cambridge MA, USA,

Dr Hermann Spanjaard, Vice President, IPPNW-Europe, Utrecht, Neth,

Regina Hagen, International Network of Scientists and Engineers Against Proliferation (INESAP), Darmstadt, Germany,

Ricardo Navarro, Chair, Friends of the Earth International (FOEI), El Salvador,

Pol D' Huyvetter, For Mother Earth International, Ghent, Belgium,

Peer de Rijk, World Information Service on Energy (WISE) Amsterdam,

Colin Archer, Secretary-General, Victor de La Barera, International Peace Bureau (IPB), Geneva,

Cora Weiss, President, Hague Appeal for Peace, (HAP), Hague, Neth,

Rhianna Tyson, Project Associate, Reaching Critical Will, Womens International League for Peace and Freedom, (WILPF), United Nations, NY, USA,

Silvi Sterr, International Secretary, Womens International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), Geneva,

Yumi Kikuchi, Founder Global Peace Campaign, Japan,

Steve Leeper, Global Peacemakers Association, Hiroshima, Japan,

Bahig Nassar, Coordinator, Arab Coordination Center of NGOs, Egypt,
Vijay Mehta - World Disarmament Campaign, LOND, UK,

Ehile Manasseh, International Centre for Regional and Ethnic Conflict Resolution (ICRECR) Nigeria,

Charles Merceica, President, International Association of Educators for Peace, Huntsville, Ala, USA,

Carol Rosin, President, Institute for Cooperation in Space, Calif USA/Vancouver Canada,

Karen Talbot, International Council for Peace and Justice, San Francisco, Calif,

Wilbert Van Der Zeijden, Transnational Institute, Amsterdam, Neth,

Joan Russow, Global Compliance Project, BC, Canada,

Lorraine Krofchock, Grandmothers for Peace International, Elk Grove Calif,

UNITED STATES ORGANISATIONS

Sandy Silver, Damien de Lu, Co-Presidents, WILPF-USA, Philadelphia,
Martin Butcher, Director of Security Programs, Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) Washington DC USA ,

Robert M. Gould MD, President, Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) San Francisco, Calif, USA,

Peter Wilk, PSR-Maine, Portland Maine,

Alice Slater, Global Resource and Action Centre for the Environment (GRACE) NY, USA,
Marylia Kelley Tri-Valley CAREs (Communities Against a Radioactive Environment), Livermore, Ca,

Carol S. Wolman, MD, Mendocino Peace Action Group, Calif, USA

Bruce Gagnon, Coordinator, Global Network Against Nuclear Power and Weapons in Space (Globenet), Maine, USA,

Ellen Thomas, Proposition-1 Committee, Washington DC,

Bill Smirnow, Nuclear Free New York, Huntington, New York, USA,
Pamela Meidell, Atomic Mirror, Port Hueneme, Calif,

Mary Olson, NIRS, North Carolina,

Wenona Hauter, Public Citizen,

Kalynda, Shundahai Network, Las Vegas, Nevada,

Harvey Wasserman, Citizens Protecting Ohio, Bexley, Ohio,

Jack Cohen-Joppa, Nuclear Resister,

Leslie Kagan, United for Peace and Justice, (600 US Organisations) NY,

Alfred L. Marder, President, US Peace Council, New Haven, Conn, USA,

Alfred L. Marder, City of New Haven Peace Commission, New Haven, USA,

James Boland, Peace Resource Centre, Wilmington College, Ohio,

David Hartsough, Peaceworkers, San Francisco, Calif,

Kevin Martin, Executive Director, Peace Action, Silver Spring MD,

Bill Towe, North Carolina Peace Action,

Bill Towe, North Carolina Peace Action Education Fund,

Jenna Foran, Earth Action, Amherst, MA,

Gar Smith, The Edge, Berkley, Ca,

Women In Black, Colville, Wa,

Leuren Moret, Scientists for Indigenous People, Berkley, Calif,

Sandra Lindberg, No New Nukes, Bloomington, Il,

Ethel Tobach, President, Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict, and Violence, US Psychological Association,

Bob Kinsey, Peace and Justice Task Force, Rocky Mountain Conference, United Church of Christ, Boulder Colo,

Ned Stove, Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) Washington,

Sheldon Nedile, Planetary Activation Organisation, Maui, Hawaii,

Bill Pfieffer, Sacred Earth Network, Amherst, Ma,

Andrew Hund, Coordinator, Alaska/Arctic Environmental Defence, Anchorage, Alaska,

Bruce A. Drew, Prairie Island Coalition, Minn,

North American Water Office, Lake Elmo, Minn,

CANADIAN ORGANISATIONS

Joanna Santa Barbara, Past President, Physicians for Global Survival (PGS),

Alan F. Philips, Hamilton Chapter PGS, Hamilton, Canada,

Rene Silva, Canadian Committee to Combat Crimes Against Humanity, Montreal, Quebec,

Kira Van Deusen, Foundation for Siberian Culture and Native Exchange, Vancouver, BC,

Jennifer Alan Simons, Simons Foundation, Vancouver BC,

David Morgan, Veterans Against Nuclear Arms, (VANA), Vancouver BC,

Libby Davies, MP Vancouver-East, Hs of Commons, Ottawa, Canada,

UK ORGANISATIONS

Carol Naughton, Chair, CND, Lond,

Jenny Maxwell, West Midlands CND,Birmingham UK,

Jacqui Darbyshire, Greater Mancester and District CND,

Anna Cheetham, Co-Chair, Leicester CND,

Reuben Ralph, Woking CND, Woking Surrey,

Patricia Pulham, Coordinator, Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CCND), London, UK,

Janet Laycock/Barbara Hardcastle, Wallasey CND, UK,

Anni Rainbow/Lindis Percy, Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases (CAAB), Yorks, UK,

Angie Zelter, Reforest the Earth, Cromer, Norfolk, UK,

Di Mc Donald, Nuclear Information Service, Southampton, UK,
Claire Poyner, Abolition2000 UK, Lond, UK,

Elizabeth Compton, Fellowship of Reconciliation England, Kettering, UK,

Dave Parry, Fellowship of Reconciliation Scotland,

Frank Cook MP, House of Commons Lond, Fmr Chair, NATO Parliamentary Assembly,

David Chaytor MP, Member for Bury North, Hs of Commons, London,

Dr Caroline Lucas, MEP Greens, SE England,

RUSSIAN/CIS ORGANISATIONS

Prof. Alexey Yablokov, President, Center for Russian Environmental Policy, Moscow, Russia,

Vladimir Slivyak, ECODEFENSE, Moscow,

Dr Vyasheslav Sharov, Hanford/Chelyabinsk, Chelyabinsk, Russia,

Sergey Kolesnikov MP, Duma Member, Vice Pres, IPPNW-Russia,

Ilya Trombitsky, BIOTICA Ecological Society, Moldova,

Pavlo Khazan, Friends of the Earth Ukraine,


Eloi Glorieux MP, Greens, Belgium,

ROMANIAN ORGANISATIONS

Sibenii Pacifisti, Sibiu,

Holocaust Compact Information Centre, Sibiu, Romania,

Casa Europeii, Sibiu, Romania,

Grandmothers for Peace Romania,

NETHERLANDS ORGANISATIONS

Harry Van Bommell, MP, Netherlands,

Ak Malten, Global Anti-Nuclear Alliance, Hague,
Karel Koster Project on European Nuclear Nonproliferation (PENN)

Martin Brock, Campagne Tegen Wapenhandel, Amst,

FRENCH ORGANISATIONS

Jean-Marie Matagne, President, Action des Citoyens pour le Desarmement Nucleaire, (ACDN), Fr,

Dominique Lalanne, Stop Essais/Abolish Nuclear Weapons,

Paul Lannoye MEP, Greens, France/Brussells,

Michele di Paolantonio MD, IPPNW Italy,

Jordi Armadans, Fundacio per la Pau, Sp,

GERMAN ORGANISATIONS

Eva Quistorp, Women for Peace,

Eva Quistorp, International Peace Bureau (IPB) Germany,

Bernd Frieboese, BARSEBAEKSOFFENSIV Germany,

Regina Hagen, Darmstadter Friedensforum, Darmstadt, Germany,

Wolfgang Hertle, Archiv Aktiv,

Roland Blach, Non-Violent Action to Abolish Nukes, Kornwesthiem,

Roland Blach, German Peace Society Baden-Wurtemburg, Stuttgart,

Kai Uwe-Dosch, Deutsche Friedensgesselschaft Vereinigte Kriegsdienstgegen Innen, Hamm,

NORWEGIAN ORGANISATIONS

Bent Natvig, Norwegian Pugwash Committee, Oslo,

Stine Rodmyr, Nei Til Atomvapen, Oslo, Norway,

Bjorn Hildt, IPPNW Norway, Trondhiem, Norway.

Hallgeir H. Langeland MP,

Barbara Bradefors, Chair, Swedish Peace Committee, Stockholm,

Finn and Tove Eckmann, Liason Committee for Peace and Security,

Jean-Luc Riond, IPPNW-Switzerland, Basel, Switz,

INDIAN ORGANISATIONS

Dr. Balkrishna Kurvey, President, Indian Institute for Peace, Disarmament & Environmental Protection, Nagpur, India,

Admiral Ramdas, LARA, Maharashtra, India,

Harsh Kapoor, South Asians Against Nukes,

Indu Prakash Singh, Action Aid India, New Delhi,

J. Sri Raman, Movement Against Nuclear Weapons (MANW), Chennai, India,

Sukla Sen, EKTA, (Committee for Communal Amity) Mumbai (Bombay)

Neingulo Krome, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, Kohima, Nagaland,

Pascal Alan Nazereth, Sarvodaya International Trust, Bangalore,

Dr Vikram Vyas, Ajit Foundation, Jaipur

Dr George Thomas, Physicians for Peace, Chennai, TN,

PAKISTANI ORGANISATIONS

Syed Fahad Ahmad Burney, Ms Shaheen Burney, Vice-Chairs, Ansar Burney Trust, Karachi, Pakistan

Prof. M. Ismail, Chair, RISE, Peshawar,

A.H.Nayyar, Francisco d'Sa, Citizens Peace Committee, Rawalpindi/Islamabad,

BANGLADESHI ORGANISATIONS

MV Faruque, Youth Approach to Development and Cooperation (YADC), Dhaka, Bangladesh,

Ameer H. Chowdhury, Institute for Environment and Development Studies Dhaka,

NEPALI ORGANISATIONS

Chauyen Lai Shrestha, President, Youth Alliance for Development (YADC), Nepal,

Chauyen lai Shrestha, Secy-General, International Youth Cooperation Council-Nepal,

Chauyen Lai Shrestha, Director, Association of World Citizens-Nepal,

Irene Xavier, President, Friends of Women, Selangor, Malaysia,

PHILIPINO ORGANISATIONS

Corazon Valdes-Fabros, No Nukes Asia,

Corazon Valdes-Fabros, Nuclear-Free Phillipines Coalition, Quezon City, Phillipines,

Corazon Valdes-Fabros, Convenor, Gathering for Peace, Quezon City, Phillipines,

Sonny Melencio, Vice-Chair, Bukluran ng Manggawang Pilipino, Quezon City,

Maria Finesa A. Cosico, AGHAM,

Herbert Docena, Focus on the Global South,

John Witeck, Phillipine Workers Support Committee, Honululu,


Chenong Wooksik, Civil Network for a Peaceful Korea (CNPK) Seoul, South Korea,

Yeonji Kim, Friends of the Earth Korea,

Kenjiro Yokoro, Secy General, JPPNW, Hiroshima, Japan,

Prof Mitei Murata, (fmr Ambassador), Tokai Gakuen University, Japan,

Motarilavoa Hilda Lini, Pacific Concerns Resource Centre, Suva, Fiji,

LATIN-AMERICAN ORGANISATIONS

Senator Roberto Saturnino, Brasilia, Brasil,

Luis Guttierez, Latin-American Circle for International Studies (LACIS), Mexico City, Mexico,

Mexico Por la Paz,

Julio Grace de Haro, APDH Bariloche, Rio Negro, Patagonia, Argentina,

Dr Charles E. Brempong-Yeboah MP, State House, Accra, Ghana,

Maria Donata Watodonha, MP, Tanzanian National Assembly, Dodoma, Tanzania,
Nnimmo Bassey, Friends of the Earth Nigeria/Environmental Rights Action (ERA) Benin City, Nigeria,

NEW ZEALAND ORGANISATIONS

Commander Robert D. Green, Disarmament and Security Centre, Christchurch, Aotearoa/NZ,

Briar Maaroufi, Nelson Peace Group, Nelson, New Zealand,

Larry Ross, Secy/Founder, New Zealand Nuclear-free Peacemaking Association, Christchurch, NZ,
Robert E. White, Director, Centre for Peace Studies, Auckland University,

Desmond Brough, Chair, National Consultative Committee on Peace and Disarmament, (NCCPD),

Desmond Brough, Chair, Peace Council Aotearoa/NZ,

Hon Matt Robson MP, New Zealand Parliament, Deputy Leader of the Progressive Party, Former Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control

AUSTRALIAN ORGANISATIONS
Senator Natasha Stott-Despoja, Australian Democrats, SA,

Senator Lyn Alison, Australian Democrats, Vic,

Senator Kerry Nettle, Greens, NSW,

Kelly Hoare MHR, ALP Member for Charlton, NSW,

Harry Jenkins MP, Federal Member for Scullin, Australia

Harry Quick MHR, Member for Franklin, Tas,

Jill Hall MHR, Member for Shortland NSW,

Jann Mc Farlane MHR, Member for Stirling, W.A.,

Martin Ferguson MHR, Member for Batman,

Sandra Kanck MLC, State Parliamentary Leader, Australian Democrats, SA,

Christine Sharp, MLC, Greens, Legislative Council W.A.,

Giz Watson MLC, Greens, Legislative Council, W.A.,

Dee Margetts MLC, Greens, Legislative Council, W.A.,

Kerrie Tucker MLC Greens, ACT Legislative Assembly,

Ian Cohen MLC Greens, NSW Legislative Council,

Lee Rhiannon MLC Greens, NSW Legislative Council,

Clover Moore MLC, NSW Legislative Council,

Ian Gilfillan MLC, Democrats, SA,

John Rolls, Australian Democrats S..A.,

Deb Foskey, International Secy, Australian Greens,

Irene Gale, Australian Peace Committee, Adelaide,

Sue Gilbey, Secy, Australian Peace Committee South Australia,

Pauline Mitchell, Campaign for International Cooperation and Disarmament (CICD) Melb,

Rita Warleigh, International Volunteers for Peace (IVP) Sydney, Aust

Angela Drury, People for Nuclear Disarmament (PND) NSW, Surry Hills, NSW,

Jo Vallentine, People for Nuclear Disarmament (PND)-W.A.,

Judy Blyth, Anti-Nuclear Alliance of W.A., (ANAWA),

Annemarie Hildinger, Community Antinuclear Network of W.A., (CANNWA), Maylands, W.A.,

Dave Sweeney, National Nuclear Campaigner, Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) Carlton, Vic,

John Seed, Rainforest Information Centre, Lismore NSW,

Kirsten Blair, Environment Centre of the Northern Territory (ECNT) Darwin NT,

Peter Murphy, SEARCH Foundation, Broadway, NSW,

Iggy Kim, Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific (ASAP), Chippendale, NSW,

Kel Dummett, Global Justice Inc, RMIT Melb,

Ben Leeman, Borderlands Cooperative, Melb, Vic,

Dr Mike Donaldson, State Secy, National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) NSW,

Barbara Meyer, Secy, Canberra Program for Peace, ACT, Aust,

Joan Shears, Rally for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament, Brisb,

Giji Gya, Medical Association for the Prevention of War (MAPW) Melb Vic,

Margaret Hinchey, Convenor, Catholics in Coalition for Justice and Peace (CCJP),

Peter Faulkner, Catholic Earthcare Commission, Adelaide, SA,

David Carter, Minister, Clayton-Wesley Uniting Church, Beulah Pk SA,

John Queripel, Wauchope and District Uniting Church, NSW,

Rosemary Carter, Minister, Marion-Warrhdale Congregation, Beulah Pk SA,

Michael and June Hillier, Ministers, Whyalla Anglican Church, SA,
Anne Lane, President, Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes, NSW,

Mary Porter AM, Volunteering in ACT, Belconnen, ACT,

Dr Patricia Meckelburg, Social Change and Social Equity Centre, Murdoch University, Perth, W.A.,

Bea Bliele, UNE Community for Peace and Freedom, UNE, Armidale, NSW,

John Hallam, Nuclear Weapons Campaigner, Friends of the Earth Australia, Sydney,