STOP PRESS: Scottish CND welcomes the First Minister’s move to hold a second independence referendum: see https://scottishcnd.org

Nuclear Ban Treaty Discussions start this month http://nuclearban.org.

CND has been urging the government to play a constructive role in the negotiations. Last week representatives were joined by MPs to hand in 2,000 postcards to Boris Johnson and MPs from all parties expressed support for the initiative at our lobby event in parliament.
If you haven’t yet contacted your MP asking them to urge the government to attend these talks you can do so through the CND website http://www.cnduk.org. We know from past experience that campaigns like this really work. In 2014 the UK government was set to boycott a conference on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons in Vienna, but the groundswell of opinion in parliament and across society meant that a representative did attend.
You may also wish to add your name to a petition urging the UK government to attend the talks, if you haven’t done so already: http://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/175096

Scottish CND https://scottishcnd.org are working very hard to raise awareness of the Global Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty discussions and are asking us to raise awareness of these negotiations in press and public meetings.
There is also a working group, meeting at the SCND offices, and the minutes of the last meeting are below. All welcome to join.
Here is a message from one member of that group:

It’s only a couple of weeks till the ban treaty negotiations start, and we just had another positive and energetic meeting at the SCND office about what we can be doing in the next wee while. Please have a look at the minutes for our ideas and plans and feel free to share them with others.

There will be another meeting at 10.00am on Monday 20th March for those who can make it, or can join via facebook (let us know beforehand if you want to do that). We are aware that this is not good time for people with jobs but it was a time we could all make – its not a representative’s meeting, its a working group so we are happy to hear from anyone that can help out. If you have suggestions or questions please get in touch even if you can’t make a meet up……… Leaflets, briefings and cards from us- email or phone!

We can also supply a draft letter for MPs etc: e-mail edinburghcnd@yahoo.com or look at the Reaching Critical Will website: http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org.
Reaching Critical Will also has a New publication—Banning nuclear weapons: principles and elements for a legally binding instrument.

+++++ The March 2017 edition of CND’s Campaign magazine is also available. Spring is most certainly here and we have been very busy, promoting our NHS not Trident campaign, commemorating the Fukushima disaster and preparing for the global nuclear ban negotiations. Catch up with all our news in the magazine, and read about why Trident doesn’t keep us safe:http://cnduk.org/cnd-media/campaign-magazine

p.s.Drones Campaign News March is at:https://www.dronecampaignnetwork@riseup.net

Minutes of the Global Nuclear Weapons Ban working Group:

Noted that Earth Hour, an annual global celebration where people switch off their lights for one hour to show they care about the future of our planet, falls on March 25th, with potential to make links to global nuclear disarmament. Social media opportunity!

Getting reps to the June/July session.
It is important that we do what we can to ensure the widest possible representation from Scotland at the main conference in Jue and July. One member has secured personal funding outside SCND and will attend both March and June/July meetings through WILPF’s accreditation. Arthur will seek exec approval for SCND to issue a special appeal fund to raise up to £5K so that SCND can have four additional accredited campaigners there under SCND’s registration for the June/July sessions of the conference. We will advise and encourage other organisations to register and support attendees as well. At this point, we are aware that MEDACT and CAAT are each sending representatives from Scotland, Bill Kidd MSP will attend in his role with PNND. We will ask ther MSPs (especially CPG members) to consider self-funding and attending in July (recess)
The possibility of finding accommodation through social and peace networks as well as budget travel costs must be explored. Flavia will research travel and accommodation options and likely costs.
It is very important that all potential participants are aware of the level and the nature of the work required in New York as well as the expectation in writing, reporting and speaking at meetings that will need to be undertaken afterwards.
The four will be expected to take on different areas of responsibility and work as a team both at the Conference and as campaigners after they return.
Janet will draft a role descriptor and an outline of the skill/experience for each of the four attenders which will include a staff member (Flavia was suggested and would be happpy to go). There should be team meetings and other preparations for the group of attendees.

Visit of Hibakusha 28th to 30th March
This will be a good opportunity to spread information about the negotiations. Ellen, Flavia and David will work on a joint press release on morning of 20th March. David will send a note to media planners. Flavia will send info about the visit to SCND contacts.

Public Meeting (s) in May
These meetings should be social events with input on the ban from prominent people and fundraising. They should be scheduled for after the May council elections. We will work on this at the next meeting.
Materials.

New A7 cards are on order (funded by Northern Friends Peace Board). There will also be cards and a banner on a new common design (Flavia). There might also be scope for a large disc image for stunts and the TP Nessie might also be allowed an outing. It would also be good to have banners for the Scottish attendees use at the Women’s March on 18th June in New York (to highlight Scottish attendance at the UN) – though they could be made on the spot!

Everyone was encouraged to utilise the images and messages available from the international campaign and to post and repost on social media.

Next Meeting: 20th March at 10 a.m. In the SCND office.

STOP PRESS: The theatre production ‘Faslane’ which will be at the Summerhall on the 10th and 11th April. More details to follow.

And two more things: 1. The monthly vigil of the Scottish Peace Network will take place on Thursday, March 23, from 5-6pm at the Dewar’s statue on Buchanan Street in Glasgow city centre.
2. If you are in Australia: This years Walkatjurra Dates are now set for the 4th of August leaving Fremantle and returning on the 3rd of September. They are hoping for a really good turn out this year ad hopefully it will be a celebration of a Ban on uranium mining. If Labor have not done it by then they need lots of people to come and demand that they keep their promises..