PRESS RELEASE

Israel's nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu to address European Social Forum

15 October 2004: For immediate release

Israel’s Nuclear Whistlerblower Mordechai Vanunu will defy Israel’s ban on him talking to foreigners to address activists at the European Social Forum this Saturday.There will be a live linkup with Mordechai Vanunu at the ‘Strategies for Peace and Global Disarmament’ Pplenary- against Nuclear Weapons and military bases’ from 4.30pm to 6.30pm at Alexandra Palace on Saturday 16th October. Vanunu will be calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons and for others to become whistleblowers.

Mordiechai Vanunu was a technician at Dimona, Israel's nuclear installation. and was Vanunu was iimprisoned for 18 years, for revealing Israel’s nuclear weapons programme. 11 years were spent in solitary confinement. Vanunu was released from prison in April 2004. He has not been allowed to leave the country and his freedom has remained restricted, with Israeli authorities forbidding him from speaking to foreigners. Despite this he will be joining the European Social Forum via a live telephone link up.

Mordechai Vanunu said:

‘A whistleblower pays a heavy price by putting their freedom at risk for refusing to remain silent by telling the truth. In the case of Israel it fel on me to take the risk of revealing the extent of their nuclear weapons programme. It was not an easy decision to make but one that I know I must make. I am very happy that I succeeded, despite all the war Israel made, and continues to make, against me’.

Peace and anti war campaigners from across Europe will be in London this weekend for the European Social Forum (ESF). It will close with an International demonstration through central London, from Russell Square to Trafalgar Ssquare at 2pm on Sunday 17th. A major theme of this year’s’ ESF is no wars, no nukes, end the occupation of Iraq.

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Notes to editor:

1. For more information please contact Ruth Tanner CND's Press & Communications Officer on 07968 420859

2. Please contact Ruth Tanner CND's Press & Communications Officer on 07968 420859 for further information on the live linkup with Mordecai Vanunu at the ‘Strategies for Peace and Global Disarmament Plenary- against Nuclear Weapons and military bases’ (Plenary 1.3) at Alexandra Palace on Saturday 16th October from 4.30-6.30pm. Others speakers include: Nella Ginatempo (Bastaguerra, Italy); Achin Vanaik (anti-nuclear campaigner, India); Frances Tubau (Catalunya Social Forum); Christos Petrakos (human shield, Greek social forum); Kate Hudson (Chair, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, UK). Moderators: Remedios Garcia (OSPAAAL) Spain and Bruce Kent (Vice-President CND)

3. For further information on Mordecai Vanunu go to http://www.vanunu.freeserve.co.uk

4. For further information on the European Social Forum go to www.fse-esf.org

5. To see a full list of the anti-war and peace events at the ESF please go to http://www.cnduk.org/pages/esf.pdf

6. ESF DEMONSTRATION: Against War and Privatisation - ‘No war – no nukes’ ‘End the Occupation of Iraq’.
14.00 Sunday 17th October 2004. Assemble Russell Square, London WC1 at 1pm, March to Trafalgar Square at 2pm, rally at 3.30pm. Followed at 5pm by music from Asian Dub Foundation. Whitehall to Trafalgar Square. Coaches will drop off on Southampton Row and pick up on the Embankment.

7. For interviews or comments from Kate Hudson, Chair of CND, Bruce Kent, Vice President CND please contact Ruth Tanner CND's Press & Communications Officer on 07968 420859

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