Society for Terrorism Research
volume 1, number 1
La Cristalera. Miraflores (Spain) September 2008

Symposium at CICA-STR Conference Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Pugwash Movement
by Tali K. Walters, Ph.D.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Pugwash Movement, Francesco Calogero came to the Conference on Interdisciplinary Analyses of Aggression and Terrorism from Italy. Mark Suh arrived from South Korea, via Germany. Adam Breasley came the farthest, from Australia. Spain was well represented by Jesus Martin Ramirez, Guillermo Velarde and Antonio Fernandez Reñada. These men, devoted to a nuclear weapons free world, had good reason to celebrate. Since Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein issued the original manifesto in 1955, they and their colleagues throughout the world, independent from their government positions, have worked tirelessly to prevent the use of nuclear and scientific technology as weapons of mass destruction.

The 1955 Russell-Einstein Manifesto "called upon scientists of all political persuasions to assemble to discuss the threat posed to civilization by the advent of thermonuclear weapons"The first Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs took place in Pugwash, Nova Scotia, and was attended by 22 eminent scientists from 10 countries. That was only the beginning of a 50 year effort to "to bring scientific insight and reason to bear on threats to human security arising from science and technology in general, and above all from the catastrophic threat posed to humanity by nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction." Over the years, Pugwash has also tried to find "ways of alleviating the conditions of economic deprivation, environmental deterioration and resource scarcity and unequal access, which are deplorable in themselves and which give rise to resentment, hostility and violence throughout the world." In 1995, the Pugwash Movement shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Joseph Rotblat, one of the eleven scientists behind the Russell-Einstein Manifesto. Today, there are over 3500 people who identify themselves as "Pugwashites." These influential scholars and public figures represent themselves as individuals, rather than
as government officials, at Pugwash conferences.

On Saturday evening of the Conference on Interdisciplinary Analyses of Aggression and Terrorism, held in Miraflores de la Sierra, Spain in late September 2007, Dr. J. Martin Ramirez led one of the most crucial symposiums of the conference, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Pugwash Movement. Dr. Ramirez pointed out how the "social responsibility of scientists" is practiced through the Pugwash Movement. At their conferences in this year alone, the Movement addressed issues that involve weapons of mass destruction, nuclear proliferation in North Korea, the Middle East Conflict, the role of religious inspiration in political movements, and non-military threats to security. Last year Pugwash convened a meeting in Islamabad with leaders from Pakistan, India and local leaders of Kashmir. This gathering led to a meeting with President Mushariff of Pakistan who made "conciliatory statements" that strongly suggested a "breakthrough" in the conflict.

Francisco Calogero, former Secretary General of Pugwash and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the Pugwash Movement, gave an historical summary of the movement. The original rules of involvement were that everyone at the meetings talk for themselves, not for their countries or governments. The meetings were private, although not secret, and positions that emerged from the movement would not be attributed to any specific member. These rules supported open discussion from scientists from both sides of a conflict (originally from both sides of the Iron Curtain) and led to the organizations ability to hold influence over decision makers in high levels of government.

Antonio Fernandez Reñada, President of the Spanish Physicists society, noted that nuclear weapons were the "terrible result of their beloved science." Fifty years ago, nuclear science was the great danger. Now there are "many small dangers" from this technology. He advocated for a "cosmic perspective" on the issue of nuclear proliferation. He continued, "We all belong to the same humanity." We should "establish a peaceful life at the local level" because "if you care very much about the local details, everything will be okay." He based this position on his understanding of atoms. "At the molecular level, you can understand the rules of larger masses."

Mark Suh, a Pugwash Council member, returned in September 2007 from a trip to North Korea where he met with government officials to discuss a reduction in nuclear weapons use. He had been asked to "develop dialogue" between Germany and North Korea. This was only possible after North Koreans came to a Pugwash conference and were able to talk in such a non-partisan environment. Dr. Suh showed photos of his most recent trip to North Korea. Particularly fascinating were the photos of bunkers in the mountains where the nuclear weapons were kept. Adam Breasley, representative from Young Pugwash, emphasized the need to focus on non-violence in the world.

The Pugwash Movement, through meetings and projects that bring together scientists, scholars and individuals experienced in government, diplomacy and the military, focuses on those problems that lie at the intersection of science and world affairs. Pugwash has been working on issues of terrorism and aggression for the past 50 years. Their symposium at the Conference on Interdisciplinary Analyses of Aggression and Terrorism highlighted the need for dialogue to reduce the threat of nuclear terrorism and world violence, and the role scientists can play towards this goal.