International Grassroots Summit

International Grassroots Summit on
Military Base Cleanup, from October 25 to 29, 1999, at Trinity College in
Washington, DC.

------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
Date sent:      Fri, 30 Jul 1999 14:31:07 -0700 (PDT)
To:             tissino@tin.it
From:           Miriam Pemberton <ncecd@igc.org>
Subject:        International conference on U.S. base cleanup

Dear friend:

You are invited to participate in the International Grassroots Summit on
Military Base Cleanup, from October 25 to 29, 1999, at Trinity College in
Washington, DC. The summit is sponsored by: Arc Ecology; Asia Pacific
Center for Justice and Peace; Committee for the Rescue and Development
of
Vieques (Puerto Rico); Fellowship of Reconciliation; Institute for Police
Studies Peace and Security Program; and the People's Task Force for
Bases
Cleanup (Philippines).

A hard copy of this invitation will be coming to you by regular mail in
the next couple weeks. You may register for participation in the summit
either by regular mail or by e-mail.

A list of people receiving this invitation can be found at the end of this
message.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The 1999 International Grassroots Summit on Military Base Cleanup is
designed to help grassroots community and nationally-based activists cope
with the problems associated with overseas military activities and advance
the cause of U.S. responsibility for base cleanup. The program will allow
activists and advance the cause of U.S. responsibility for base cleanup.
The program will allow activists from host nations to exchange
information, to network, and to craft a common agenda which they will then
present to the media, to Congres and to the United Nations. Activists
attending the Summit will leave better able to advance their interests at
home and be part of an international grassroots action plan to secure the
toxic and hazardous materials cleanup of American military bases overseas.

CONTENTS:
1. Introduction & Background
2. Summits Goals & Objectives
3. When & Where / Agenda
4. Scholarships to the Summit
5. Registration From
6. Sponsoring Organizations
7. List of those receiving this invitation

1. INTRODUCTION

THE ISSUE: The United States is dumping hundreds of thousands of acres of
contaminated military lands on host countries throughout the developing
and developed world. At the height of the Cold War, the military of
United States operated some 370 major and over one thousand minor bases
overseas.

Military bases are often places of major industrial operations involving
weapons, ordnance and equipment manufacture and maintenance, live fire
practice and equipment training. The result is the toxic and hazardous
contamination of the air, soil and water, which can threaten human health
and the environment. Carcinogenic chemicals, mutagenic metals and
unexploded bombs pepper the landscape of nearly 300 closing American bases
overseas.

Reuse aspirations for these bases include the building of industrial
parks, housing, schools and recreational activities. However the reuse of
the properties will bring the civilian public, including children, into
direct exposure to military toxic hazards and have already harmed and even
killed some people.

Today there are over 7,000 families living on what was a former vehicle
maintenance yard at Clark Air Field in the Philippines, drawing water from
shallow wells in what is likely to be contaminated groundwater. Rashes,
still births and gastroenteritis are frequently reported maladies at Clark
that can be linked to toxic exposure. A recent study by Dr. Rosalie
Bertell of Toronto found that the communities surrounding Clark Field were
experiencing abnormally high rates of kidney disease and low growth rates
in children.

In Panama, 21 Panamanians have been killed by explosives from US artillery
ranges. Deep concern about toxic exposure from American military base
activity is now being expressed by communities in Panama, Iceland,
Portugal, South Korea, Japan, Okinawa, Germany, England and Canada.

Unfortunately current US policy denies all responsibility for
contamination and is generally uncooperative with efforts to investigate
the pollution caused by its activities. In recent negotiations on Status
of Force Agreements with nations like the Philippines and Okinawa/ Japan
the United States refused to accept any level of post-base closure
environmental responsibility. As a result, host governments and affected
communities are frequently left clueless about the scope of the problems
and hazards they face.

The failure of the US to take responsibility for the environmental
contamination caused by its military activities overseas represents a
serious hazard to the health and safety of the citizens of other nations,
threatens the environment of those nations, and places significant and
unfair economic burdens on those developing nations hosting American
bases.

THE 1996 INTERNATIONAL FORUM IN MANILA: To promote US responsibility for
base cleanup, in November 1996 the People's Task Force for Bases Cleanup,
then a project of the Nuclear Free Philippines Coalition, hosted an
International Forum on Military Base Cleanup. Representatives of
grassroots Non-Governmental Organizations from the Philippines, Okinawa,
Japan, Korea, Panama, Puerto Rico and the United States met for the first
time to discuss the environmental and national sovereignty issues
associated with hosting American military bases. Among the decisions made
at the Forum was for a follow-up meeting to take place in the United
States in Washington DC.

THE ORGANIZING OF THE 1999 INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT: The next step in the
process was to organize an international grassroots summit of communities
impacted by military pollution to come to an agreement on a multinational
action plan and network. In the fall of 1997, Jorge Emmanuel (USWG), Myrla
Baldonado (People's Task Force), Fe Koons (PAGE), Nick Morgan (Greenfire)
and Saul Bloom (Arc Ecology) developed a proposal to follow-up the Manila
forum. However, the United States-based forum was postponed for various
reasons. In the fall of 1998, Miriam Pemberton and Martha Honey of the
Institute for Policy Studies in Washington hosted a delegation of Asian
women's groups brought to Washington by the Asia Pacific Center for
Justice and Peace to discuss US military base issues. Members of the
delegation expressed an interest in making common cause with other
regional groups facing the consequences of the US military presence on
their home soil.

A phone conference was held on March 11, 1999 to propose organizing the
1999 International Grassroots Summit in Washington DC. Participating in
the meeting were Myrla Baldonado of Peoples Task Force For Bases Cleanup
(Philippines); Saul Bloom, Arc Ecology -meeting facilitator; Rachel
Cornwell, Asia Pacific Center for Justice and Peace; Jorge Emmanuel, US
Working Group For Philippine Base Cleanup; Martha Honey, Institute for
Policy Studies; Gwyn Kirk, Okinawa Peace Network; Fe Koons, LA Philippine
Action Group of the Environment; Jeff Lehman, Arc Ecology; Miriam
Pemberton, Institute for Policy Studies; John Lindsay Poland, Fellowship
of Reconciliation - host of the conference call; Roberto Rabin, Comit'e
Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques. This proposal is the result of the
agreements reached during the March conference call.

2. GOALS FOR THE SUMMIT

* To support ongoing efforts to create and continue the building of an
international grassroots movement of base cleanup campaigns to promote US
responsibility for the environmental impacts of its overseas
installations.

* To increase awareness in the United States about the environmental and
health implications of its active and closing overseas bases and protect
grassroots communities from those impacts

* To begin the development of a "Host Country Bill of Rights," an
international convention outlining a series of environmental
conditionalities on the operations of overseas bases.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES FOR THE SUMMIT

* OUTREACH:
Expand networking between activists from base cleanup campaigns around the
world. Increase attendance from Europe, Canada and other nations with US
facilities not represented at the Manila Forum.

* EDUCATION:
Provide a venue for sharing experiences as well as a discussion of
technical and policy issues:
*Share written and oral reports from each country on the status of
cleanup, closure and redevelopment of US bases overseas. * Provide an
overview of US policy on overseas base cleanup, closures and environmental
management as well as updates on legal and political issues. * Provide a
seminar for Forum attendees on the technical issues pertaining to base
cleanup, as well as on redevelopment of bases.

* ORGANIZING:
Continue the organizing of an ongoing forum/ movement to promote base
cleanup. Discuss military pollution issues and devise shared strategies,
conclude the meeting with an agreed-upon strategy or framework for
promoting the remediation of the environmental impacts on overseas bases.

* ADVOCACY:
Organize press conference and conduct outreach to the media. Organize
media outreach. Organize outreach to Congress and federal agencies.
Organize delegations to travel to New York to meet with representatives
>from United Nations agencies such as Environmental and Development
Programs, and the World Health Organization.

3. THE INTERNATIONAL GRASSROOTS SUMMIT ON MILITARY BASE CLEANUP:

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

WHEN AND WHERE

The 1999 International Grassroots Summit on Military Base Cleanup will
take place from October 25-29, at Trinity College in Washington DC.

Given the impacts of the American military on nations hosting its
facilities, it is fitting to have the Summit in Washington, DC. The
Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Defense and State
Department are there, as are the consulates and embassies. The American
national news media is also based there. DC is also three hours by rail
to New York City's Penn Station, enabling Summit activities to include
meetings at the United Nations.

WHO CAN ATTEND THE SUMMIT: Anyone can attend the Summit with the exception
of the strategy and outreach sessions, which take place Wednesday October
27 through Friday, October 29. These sessions are designed specifically
for NGO representatives from host countries, US-based networks and
organizations active in the issue, and invited guests.

See #5 below for information on registration, housing and costs.

CALL FOR REPORTS

Each participant is invited to send a brief written report, either: (1)
an opinion paper on policies and strategies for base cleanup and
environmental responsibility, or (2) a country report. Country reports
should address: a) the status of the agreement with the United States, b)
what is known about military contamination; c) its impact on communities,
and d) the nature of the citizen movement there. We intend to circulate
these in advance, and that we'll get more done more efficiently the more
background we have from the outset. However, please make reports concise,
limited to a maximum of five pages.

Send reports or papers - in electronic form, if possible - by SEPTEMBER
21, 1999 to:

Institute for Policy Studies Peace and Security Program
733 15th St. NW, Ste. 1020, Washington, DC 20005
E-mail: ncecd@igc.org
Fax: 202-319-3558
Attn: Miriam Pemberton

AGENDA

Monday, October 25

* Greeting from the the US host organizations

* Participant Introductions
Participants introduce themselves, their organizations and why they are
attending the Summit to the group.

COUNTRY REPORTS
Panel presentations from each participating national delegation on the
impacts of the bases on the environment and associated issues by each
national delegation, including the US. Results of the reports would be
compiled into a matrix, which would identify common issues and needs.
Fifteen minutes each.

POLICY SEMINAR

* Status of the US overseas bases program - A US Governmental Perspective
(Invite speakers from the Department of Defense, Department of State,
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Senate Appropriations
Committee)

* Comparative overview of US policy on overseas and domestic base cleanup,
closures and environmental management - A Critical Analysis (Invite
speakers from the Center for Defense Information, Friends of the Earth,
Global Green, Greenpeace, Arc Ecology, Fellowship of Reconciliation)

* Treaties, SOFAs, ACSAs - A legal analysis of the US/ responsibility
toward nations hosting American overseas installations (Invite speakers
>from the American University Law School, Earthjustice, ELC, Asia Pacific
Center, People's Task Force for Bases Cleanup)

Tuesday, October 26

ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP TECHNICAL SEMINAR: A half day seminar on the types
of contaminants typically found contaminating military bases, how toxic
pollutants are identified and cleaned-up and an overview on the myths and
realities of health risk assessments.

ECONOMIC CONVERSION SEMINAR - Work some more on it, refocus on conversion
and cleanup A half-day seminar on the relationship between environmental
contamination and cleanup, and efforts to convert closing military
properties for civilian use. Overview covers such macro issues such as
prioritizing cleanup of areas slated for immediate reuse, without
increasing local liabilities, the use of economic free-zones to stimulate
overseas investment capitol and micro issues such as the use of duty free
shopping which competes with local retail outlets.

Wednesday, October 27

STRATEGY DISCUSSION
(Attendance limited to representatives of NGO organizations and invitees)

Discussion of specific campaign objectives, the creation of an
international network, and the structure for ongoing cooperation:
* Structure of ongoing cooperation and campaigning
* Resource sharing
* Information
* Technical expertise

Discussion of future activities:
* Presentation of proposals such as the Host Country Bill of Rights
* Discussion of utility as campaign tool
* Discussion of possible campaign

Regional and Country Delegation workshops (Discussion and synthesis of the
prior discussions)

Adoption of structure and workplan

Planning and preparation for Outreach days:
* Agreement on messages at events planned: Congressional hearing, press
conference Congressional offices, US agencies and/ or UN * Discussion of
effective lobbying strategies

Thursday, October 28

WASHINGTON OUTREACH
* Congressional hearing
* Press conference
* Congressional office visits
* Visits to DoD, State Department

Report Back
* Reconvene late in the day, comparing notes on visits
* Summary of meeting agreements
* Group assessment of forum

Friday, October 29

INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH
* Delegation to UN: UNEP, UNDP and or WHO
* Other delegations visiting their own embassies and or local
organizations

4. SCHOLARSHIPS

A very limited number of scholarships will be made available.
Scholarships will be focused on ensuring the participation from impacted
communities, particularly those economically disadvantaged communities who
would not have regular access to the Summit's information otherwise.
Food, entertainment and other expenses will not be covered by the
scholarships. To apply for a scholarship, see the form at the end of this
invitation.

5. REGISTRATION FORM

Cost: There is no registration fee for invited participants in the
Summit. Participants are responsible for their housing and food costs.

Housing is available at Trinity College at a cost of $17.50 per night per
person in double occupancy rooms, or $35 per night in single occupany
rooms. Meals at Trinity College are available for $20 per day for three
meals. We anticipate that meeting in the same site as we are staying and
taking our meals will allow greater informal exchanges during the Summit.

Please help us reserve your place at the Summit by filling out the form
below.

Your name:

NGO affiliation:

Address:

City/Town:
State/Province:
Postal code/Zip code:
Country:
Phone(s):
Fax:
E-mail:

Are you applying for a scholarship?
(THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION FOR SCHOLARSHIPS IS SEPTEMBER 15, 1999.)

Return to:
IPS Peace and Security Program / Grassroots Summit
733 15th St. NW, Ste. 1020, Washington, DC 20005
E-mail: ncecd@igc.org
Fax: 202-319-3558

SIX SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE 1999
International Grassroots Summit on Military Base Cleanup

Arc Ecology
883 Market St. #1107, San Francisco, CA 94103 USA
Tel: 415-495-1786 Fax: 415-495-1787
E-mail: arc@igc.org
Contact: Saul Bloom / Nher Sagum

Asia Pacific Center for Justice and Peace
Fax: 202-546-5103
E-mail: apcjp@igc.org

Comit� Pro-Rescate y Desarollo de Vieques
Box 1424, Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765
Tel/Fax: 787-741-1717
E-mail: bieke@coqui.net
Contact: Roberto Rabin

Fellowship of Reconciliation Task Force on Latin America and the Caribbean
995 Market St. #1414, San Francisco, CA 94103 USA Tel: 415-495-6334 Fax:
415-495-5628 E-mail: forlatam@igc.org Contact: John Lindsay-Poland

Institute for Policy Studies Peace and Security Program
733 15th St. NW, Ste. 1020, Washington, DC 20005
Tel: 202-234-9382 EXT. 214 Fax: 202-319-3558
E-mail: ncecd@igc.org
Contact: Miriam Pemberton

People's Task Force for Base Cleanup
15D Unit 15 Casal Building, Anonas Road
Project 3, Quezon City 1102, Philippines
Tel/Fax: 011-63-2-435-0387
E-mail: basecln@skyinet.net
Contact: Myrla Baldonado

7. LIST OF THOSE RECEIVING THIS INVITATION (as of July 27, 1999)
If you have suggestions for others you think should be invited, please
send us their names, organizations and contact information.

Jesus Alemancia, Panamanian Center for Research and Social Action (Panama)
Harold Bailey, Garvey,Schubert & Barer (USA) Myrla Baldonado, People's
Task Force for Bases Cleanup (Philippines) Paul Bloom, US Working Group on
Philippine Bases Cleanup (USA) Adm. Eugene Carroll (Ret.), Center for
Defense Information (USA) Gloria Castillo, Popular Human Rights
Coordination (Panama) Wanda Colon Cortez, Caribbean Project for Justice
and Peace (Puerto Rico) Rachel Cornwell, Asia Pacific Center for Justice
and Peace (USA) Elizabeth Crowe, Chemical Weapons Working Group (USA)
Charlotte Elton, Panamanian Center for Research and Social Action (Panama)
Jorge Emmanuel, US Working Group on Philippine Bases Cleanup (USA) Bjorn
Erlendsson (Iceland) Carolyn B. Francis, Okinawa Women Act Against
Military Violence (Japan) Marco Gandasegui, Center for Latin American
Studies (Panama) Don Gray, Environmental and Energy Study Institute (USA)
Von Hernandez, Greenpeace (USA) Martha Honey, Institute for Policy Studies
(USA) Aimee Houghton, Center for Public Environmental Oversight (USA)
Katherine Johnson, Methodist Federation for Social Action (USA) R. Keith,
Canadian Arctic Resources Committee Gwyn Kirk, Okinawa Peace Network (USA)
Fe Koons, Philippine Action Group for the Environment (USA) Gawain Kripke,
Friends of the Earth (USA) Cristina Leano, People's Task Force for Bases
Cleanup (Philippines) Debi Lee, Asia Pacific Center for Theology and
Strategy (USA) Cathy Lemar, Military Toxics Project (USA) John Lindsay
Poland, Fellowship of Reconciliation (USA) Ed Martin, Menonite Central
Committee (USA) Martha Matsuoka, Okinawa Peace Network (USA) Ms. Sayuri
Miyazaki, Delphis Network (USA) Roberto N. Mendez, Panama Sovereign Front
(Panama) John Miller, Foreign Bases Project (USA) Nick Morgan, Greenfire
Project/ USWG (USA) Rodrigo Noriega (formerly of Panamanian Foreign
Ministry) (Panama) Margo Okazawa Rey, Okinawa Peace Network (USA) Serge
Osmena, Philippines Senator (Philippines) Ms. Seema Paul, World Resource
Institute (USA) Miriam Pemberton, Institute for Policy Studies (USA) Neil
Popovic, Heller Ehrman / Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund (USA) Kevin
O'Reilly, Canadian Arctic Resources Committee (Canada) Roberto Rabin,
Comit'e Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques (Puerto Rico) Nher Sagum, Arc
Ecology - International Technical Training & Support Project (Philippines)
Celia Sanjur, Center for Social Training (Panama) Rachelle Schlabach,
Menonite Central Committee (USA) Lenny Siegel, Center for Public
Environmental Oversight (USA) Ashok Subron (Mauritius/Diego Garcia) Kaori
Sunagawa, Okinawa Environmental Network (Japan) Sigurdur R. Thordarson
(Iceland) Tara Thornton, Military Toxics Project (USA) Sumiko Toguchi,
Okinawa Women Act against Military Violence (Japan) Amy Toledo, People's
Task Force for Bases Cleanup (Philippines) Martin Wagner, Earthjustice
Legal Defense Fund (USA) Richard Wegman, Garvey,Schubert & Barer (USA)
Craig Williams, Chemical Weapons Working Group (USA) Philippa Winkler, Arc
Ecology (UK) Mike Yasutake, Episcopal Priest (USA) Miriam Young, Asia
Pacific Center for Justice and Peace (USA)

Tiziano Tissino
e-mail: tissino@tin.it
snail-mail: via Pola 3
33080 Porcia (PN) - Italy
*************************
"La speranza non � ottimismo; e non � la convinzione che ci� che si sta
facendo avr� successo: la speranza � la certezza che quello che si fa ha
un senso, che abbiamo successo o meno." Vaclav Havel