NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #3/NN_1993_3.iso/spool/misc/activism/progress/10305

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From: [e-mail] (Rich Winkel)
Subject: Sane/Freeze Report 1/22/93
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/** sf.lobby: 116.0 **/
** Topic: S/F Washington Report 1-22-93 **
** Written  7:32 am  Jan 22, 1993 by sfnatldc in cdp:sf.lobby **
SANE/FREEZE WASHINGTON REPORT
For The Week Of January 22, 1993

     The Weekly Washington Report is (usually) updated on the
second business day of each week by SANE/FREEZE: Campaign for
Global Security and the SANE/FREEZE Education Fund while Congress
is session. This report is based on the political objectives
adopted by the 1992 SANE/FREEZE: Campaign for Global Security
National Congress.

     Please help us by reporting your lobbying activities to Burt
Glass or Ira Shorr at [phone], by fax at [phone], by
PeaceNet mail message to "sfnatldc," or by written report (form
available from legislative office) to SANE/FREEZE: Campaign for
Global Security, attn.: Weekly Washington Report, 1819 H Street,
NW, Suite 640, Washington, D.C., 20006-3603.

     An edited version of this message can be heard by calling the
SANE/FREEZE Washington Hotline each week at 202-862-9760.

TOP PRIORITY: NUCLEAR TESTING AND POSSIBLE ENERGY NOMINEE

     John Deutch, a former Department of Energy administrator who
is being considered for a high-level post by Energy Secretary-
designate Hazel O'Leary, said last week he supports continued
nuclear weapons testing and opposes redirecting the national labs
toward civilian and commerical projects.

     Deutch may be tapped as Undersecretary of Energy, a post with
wide-ranging responsibilities over the department's entire
operation, or some other position with authority over the weapons
complex as soon as today (Friday) or early next week.

     During a speech to national lab employees, Deutch said
lab researchers should focus on what they know best - the science
of weapons. He also said if he were to head the the Lawrence
Livermore Laboratory, he would only reduce the workforce "a hair."

     His appointment would seemingly conflict with President
Clinton's campaign pledge to support an end to nuclear weapons
testing.

     ACTION: Call your Senators or Representative immediately. Ask
them to actively oppose John Deutch's appointment to any post at
the Department of Energy by calling either their contacts with Mr.
Clinton's transition team or Ms. O'Leary directly. Point out that
Mr. Deutch's positions on nuclear testing and the weapons labs are
in direct conflict with Mr. Clinton's stated positions.

UPDATE: French moratorium

     French President Mitterand said last week that his
country would extend its moratorium on nuclear testing as long the
Russian and U.S. moratoriums were in effect. The French moratorium
officially ended on December 31, 1992.

UPDATE: New Energy Secretary and Nuclear Weapons

     New Energy Secretary Hazel O'Leary said during her recent
confirmation hearings that she supports a multi-lateral test ban:
"I agree with President-elect Clinton's view that the potential
benefits of a multi-lateral test ban, achieved in a step-by-step
manner, will outweigh the risks (of halting testing)." She also
said she supports the intent of last year's moratorium legislation
to "improve the safety of the arsenal while moving toward an end to
testing that should further our non-proliferation goals."

     Regarding the nuclear weapons production complex as a whole,
she said: "With the end of the Cold War, the main tasks of the
nuclear weapons complex will be dismantlement (of) weapons, the
protection of nuclear materials, and the maintenance of the
residual arsenal. The nation no longer needs a far-flung nuclear
weapons production complex. As we consolidate, however, the nation
must be assured that we will retain the capability to produce the
components for these weapons inthe event, for example, we find
certain weapons have deteriorated with age or that we must rebuild
our arsenal."

     She added: "Let me stress that reconfiguration, downsizing and
layoffs must be accompanied by a plan for reusing the skills and
talents of these individuals who helped maintain the safety and
security of our nation during the Cold War."

     (Thanks to the Military Production Network for this report.)

UPDATE: U.S. Arms Transfer to Kuwait, Russian Arms Sales

     The Bush Administration announced on January 6 a new major
arms sale to Kuwait worth $4.5 billion, challenging President
Clinton's campaign assertion to place "limits on the dangerous and
wasteful flow of conventional arms to troubled regions." The
package includes 256 top-of-the-line M1A2 Main Battle Tanks, as
well as M-48, M-60 and M-1 tanks.

     On a sale of this size, Congress has the ability under the
Arms Export Control Act to block the transfer if they pass a
"resolution of disapproval." A two-thirds majority vote will be
necessary to sustain such a resolution.

     ACTION: Write or call your Senators and Representative. Ask
that they oppose this sale of hi-tech weapons to such an unstable
region.

     Victor Glukhikh, the head of the Russian defense industries
committee, said last week that his country plans to exhibit
formerly top-secret military equipment at an upcoming arms fair as
part of a new larger effort to boost Russian arms sales.

     ACTION: Write Mr. Glukhikh care of the Russian embassy in
Washington. Ask that he reconsider the Russian arms sale policy and
instead assist President Clinton in jump-starting the stalled "P-5"
talks between the major supplier countries (UK, US, Russia, France
and China) to curtail arms sales. Write: Embassy of Russia, attn.:
Victor Glukhikh, 1125 16th Street, Washington, DC, 20036.

** End of text from cdp:sf.lobby **