Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev |
Two days ago, in one of my posts after returning from the World Nuclear Victims Forum in Hiroshima, I talked about the fact that activists need to master the scientific data about nuclear radiation - including that from nuclear power and nuclear weapons.
During my time in Hiroshima, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to talk with the forum's keynote speaker, Dr. Tilman Ruff, about these issues. When we talked about Reykjavich, Dr. Ruff told me about the key role played by physicians who met with Gorbachev and laid out the science for him. Dr. Ruff has generously compiled the references to that story - which I share here . . . .
Mikhail Gorbachev |
Gorbachev credited International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) with his decision to halt nuclear testing and reach agreements to reduce nuclear arms with the US:
“I admire both your movement and its work … We take into account the activities of your movement in shaping our foreign policy” (M Gorbachev, communication to IPPNW, 2 June 1987)
"I want to thank you for your great contribution to preventing nuclear war. Without it and other effective antinuclear initiatives this [INF] Treaty would probably have been impossible.” (Mikhail Gorbachev 1993)
“Their work commands great respect. For what they say and what they do is prompted by accurate knowledge and a passionate desire to warn humanity about the danger looming over it. In light of their arguments and the strictly scientific data which they possess, there seems to be no room left for politicking. And no serious politician has the right to disregard their conclusions.” (Mikhail Gorbachev, about IPPNW, in his political autobiography, Perestroika, 1987)
"I want to thank you for your great contribution to preventing nuclear war. Without it and other effective antinuclear initiatives this [INF] Treaty would probably have been impossible.” (Mikhail Gorbachev 1993)
“Their work commands great respect. For what they say and what they do is prompted by accurate knowledge and a passionate desire to warn humanity about the danger looming over it. In light of their arguments and the strictly scientific data which they possess, there seems to be no room left for politicking. And no serious politician has the right to disregard their conclusions.” (Mikhail Gorbachev, about IPPNW, in his political autobiography, Perestroika, 1987)
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) |
(And at the 1986 IPPNW World Congress in Cologne – New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange credited New Zealand doctors through IPPNW with having played a significant role in the development of New Zealand’s nuclear free status: “You have made medical reality a part of political reality.”)
The moral of the story: the data about the threat from nuclear weapons and nuclear radiation -- when made known -- can put an end to politics as usual.
Related posts
(See The Lesson of Reykjavik: TALK About Nuclear Disarmament (You Never Know) )
Nuclear radiation is invisible. It needs to be measured and counted to be recognized, and it requires careful scientific method to be understood. Measuring and counting and science are difficult. But . . .
(See GLOBAL HIBAKUSHA: Doing the work to render the invisible visible)
The logic is simple: nuclear power and nuclear weapons result in irreparable harm to human health. Decades of evidence is in. There's no more disagreement. Now it's just a political problem. (And everyone knows: Bill Gates is nothing if not logical.)
(See NO NUKES PHILANTHROPY: How to spend $1 billion wisely)
No comments:
Post a Comment