Newsletter

We live in a time of wars and violence. The armament race has been growing, especially among the NATO countries. Their goal: 2% of country’s GDP for war and war preparations. Foreign military bases play an important role in the policy of confrontation: they are a crucial element for the preparation of yet new wars, the promotion of regime changes and the nurture of repression. While the USA has, by far, the highest number of military bases outside its territory (currently over 800), countries such as the UK, France, Russia and China also rely on military bases to project and enlarge their power. We believe that sustainable peace and international security are best achieved by pursuing an approach of common security that is based on cooperation, trust, understanding, diplomacy and respect. Foreign military bases are not compatible with this vision: they represent constant threats of military action and the subsequent destruction that war casts over human life, nature, environment and infrastructure.

Between 23 and 30 June 2019, for the 5th year, a series of actions will be promoted to protest the continuation of the Ramstein Air Base – one of the biggest US-American military basis in the world, located in Germany. On this occasion, the campaign „Stopp Air Base Ramstein“ – together with the International Peace Bureau (IPB), the „No to War – No to NATO International Network“ & the European Left – invites you to the International Conference „Wars and Military Bases“, taking place on 28 June at the Apostelkirche in Kaiserslautern (Germany). The meeting will be an opportunity for the peace movement to analyse the current international political situation, to report on actions around the world, and to discuss future actions and projects.

„The world is in danger: the danger of a great power war“ – Werner Ruf, Germany
„The role of military bases in war strategies“ – Ann Wright, USA
„Where we are with the campaign against military bases?“ – Kristine Karch, Germany & John Lannon, Ireland
„Where we are in our fight against the Ramstein Base?“ – Karl-Heinz Peil, Germany

Open discussion

13h – 14h | 16h - 16h45 | Actions against military bases around the world (15-minute presentations, each followed by 10-minute discussions)

„Military bases and equipment on the border with Russia“ – Claudia Haydt, Germany
„Military Bases in Latin America, with a focus on Guantanamo & Colombia“ – Edgar Göll, Germany
„US Air Base in Sicily“ – Vincenzo SAntiglia, Italy
„French military bases in Africa“ – Alain Rouy, France
„Fights against military bases in South Korea“ – Choi Hon-Yun, South Korea
„US Nuclear Weapons Base: Büchel“ – Marion Küpker, Germany

14h - 15h30 | Guest lecture "Challenges for Peace and the Environmental Movements" by Hubert Weiger, President of the Friends of the Earth, Germany
(in Germany, but an English translation is provided)

16h45 - 17h45 | Round Table: "What can we do to oppose military bases? Proposals for further actions"

Moderation: Kristine Karch
Speakers: Dave Webb (UK), John Lannon, Reiner Braun, Ann Wright, Claudia Haydt

More information about the Ramstein protest actions and the conference: www.ramstein-kampagne.eu.

Due to our limited financial means, we cannot cover travel and accommodation costs. If you have any questions and/or comments, contact Reiner Braun at hr.braun@gmx.net. The conference will be conducted in English.

FOR PARTICIPANTS FROM GERMANY: Im Anschluss an den internationalen Kongress findet ein offenes Treffen bzw ein Erfahrungsaustausch von deutschen Anti-Basen-Initiativen und AktivistInnen statt. Weitere Informationen auf der Webseite.