Publication Laka-library:
Uranium, the joint facilities disarmament and peace (1984)
| Author | Australian government |
| Date | 1984 |
| Classification | 4.22.6.50/01 (AUSTRALIA - EXPORT) |
| Front | 
|
From the publication:
Introduction The debate over the export of Australian uranium and the presence in this country of the joint US-Australian defence facilities is not new. It has been going on in the case of the joint facilities for more than 20 years and, in the case of uranium, certainly since the mid-1970s. Over the last 12 months, however, it has entered a new dimension. The state of relations between East and West is worse now than it has been since the Cuban missile crisis in 1962. The latest, highly destabilising technologies have created new uncertainties and deeper anxieties. This is why we have witnessed recently huge demonstrations all over the country by Australians from all walks of life. This resurgence of concern about nuclear war expresses widespread frustration at the failure of world leaders over the last decade to make serious progress towards eliminating those problems which cause such fear among ordinary people throughout the world. The frustration is justified: • We have been promised arms control and disarmament; the number of nuclear weapons has grown instead. • We have been promised peace and been given confrontation. It is right that people around the world demand of their leaders that the nuclear madness stop; that concrete steps be taken to control nuclear arms instead of unending and fruitless talk. Such issues as the export of Australian uranium and the presence here of the US- Australian joint defence facilities are seen as part of this concern. It is argued that action to stop exports and close down the bases would be a demonstration by the Australian people of our profound concern for the cause of arms control, disarmament and peace. This pamphlet seeks to address that concern and respond to that argument. It does not deal with such issues as the economic benefits to Australia including the creation of jobs which flow from the export of uranium. Nor does it deal with such issues as the environmental results in Australia from mining uranium and the implications for Aboriginal land rights. That these are important issues is undeniable. But there is one question the answer to which overrides all others. Does the export of uranium and the presence in Australia of the joint facilities contribute to or jeopardise arms control, disarmament and peace?
This publication is only available at Laka on paper, not as pdf.
You can borrow the publication or request a copy. When we're available, this is possible for a small fee.