Y2K WASH - World Atomic Safety Holiday

Y2K-Nuclear Citizens' Forum

September 20, 1999, 2pm - 8pm

Luise-Schroder-Saal, Rotes Rathaus, Alexanderplatz, Berlin

Keynote Speakers: (* invited)

Dr. Helen Caldicott, Physicians for Social Responsibility
Takashi Tanemori, Hibakusha, Japan
Prof. Hans-Peter Durr, Physicist, Germany*
Yumi Kikuchi, Y2K WASH, Japan
Mycle Schneider, WISE-Paris, France*

No one knows what will happen on or after January 1, 2000 because of the Year 2000 (Y2K) computer bug. But we cannot afford to take risks that could prove to be irreversible and even catastrophic. A failure in computer systems or microchips could cause a breakdown in energy transmission where the knock-on effect results in a nuclear accident or even a meltdown. Back-up power provided by generators depends on fuel supplies that may also be interrupted by the Y2K bug. All 433 nuclear reactors in the world are affected by this problem and for this reason we are calling for a World Atomic Safety Holiday (Y2K WASH). All nuclear facilities, including reprocessing plants and reactors, must be shut down from December 1st until after the New Year and till they are certified "Y2K compliant".

5000 nuclear weapons are being held on "hair trigger alert". Early warning and communication systems could also be severely affected by the Y2K bug, therefore increasing the danger of an accidental use of nuclear weapons. The only solution to this problem is to "de-alert" all nuclear weapons, preferably by removing the nuclear warheads from their delivery systems so that it is impossible for them to be launched immediately.

This Nuclear Citizen's Forum in Berlin will discuss the Y2K problem the day before the G8 are due to meeet in Berlin to discuss the same issue. We will have advice from experts and scientists from all over the world on how big the problem and its consequences might be. The participants will discuss strategy on how to raise awareness in the next months on the issue and put pressure on governments to shut down all nuclear activities and de-alert nuclear weapons before the end of this century. Please join us in Berlin!

Contact:
Xanthe Hall, IPPNW Germany
Tel: +49-30-693 0244
Fax: +49-30-693 8166
E-Mail: ippnw@oln.comlink.apc.org

 
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