Petition against the Nuclearization of South Asia

We held a meeting on the nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan
on 5/12/98 at MIT. Parvez Hoodbhoy, a physicist and an anti
nuke activist from Pakistan spoke on the issue and his seminar was
followed by a long and spirited discussion. Nearly a hundred people
(largely Pakistanis and Indians) attended the meeting. We also
circulated a petition against the nuclearization of South Asia (see
below) which was signed by about 57 people. If you would like to
sign on please respond to secular@mit.edu or to me (asur@fas.harvard.edu).

In solidarity,

abha






We, the undersigned, express our deep regret at the recent series of
nuclear tests by India, the ongoing escalation of missile tests by
both Pakistan and India, and the general militarization of the region.
Although the two governments have sought to justify the nuclear arms
build up in their respective countries in the name of national
security, their actions serve only to heighten tensions and increase
hostilities in the region. It is tragic that valuable resources that
should be used for the betterment of the people are instead being
squandered on weapons of mass destruction.

The nuclear and missile tests undermine the ongoing efforts to forge
common bonds of friendship between the two countries by those Indians
and Pakistanis who have been able to transcend narrow nationalist
propaganda. The jingoistic rhetoric of our leaders notwithstanding, we
are determined work together toward peace and harmony in the region.