From all over Scotland we continue to receive messages from people who are perplexed, concerned, angry or sorrowful about the international situation and the part being played in it by the United Kingdom. People who have never taken political action before are asking what they can do: we know of a Kirk Session writing to its MP, Presbyteries having special debates and organising petitions, people writing letters to MPs who have never done so before on any issue at all, people asking about marches or other demonstrations in which they can take part.

In this newsletter we offer details of the demonstration in Glasgow on February 15 which will coincide with a meeting to be addressed by Mr Blair, a postcard campaign, and our own most recent communication with Downing Street. Everyone is encouraged to write in similar terms to the Prime Minister.

1. Demonstration in Glasgow : February 15

As you may have read in the press, the Moderator, speaking at a Guild rally in Wigtown recently, encouraged Church of Scotland members to take part in the demonstration against a military attack on Iraq. Details are below. The Church and Nation Committee will have a large cross as a rallying point for church members.

Scotland says 'Not in Our Name, Mr Blair!'

The anti-war march and rally outside the Labour Party conference on Saturday February 15 organised by the Scottish Coalition for Justice Not War will start from Glasgow Green.

The march will assemble from 10am and will move off at 11.00am. The route to the SECC is two and a half miles long (4km). It will take 2 and a half hours for the march to complete the route. We want as much of the march as possible to arrive at 1.30pm in time for when Mr Blair is due to start his speech at 2pm. (It is possible that when the front of the march reaches the SECC the end of the march will still be leaving Glasgow Green).

Public transport links to the Green are poor. If anyone belongs to a group planning to attend the demonstration the organisers strongly urge you to come in a coach or minibus. Freshers Haugh - an area on Glasgow Green - has been set aside by the Council and the organisers with space for up to 120 coaches. (Cars will not be allowed to park on Freshers Haugh but details of car-parking near Glasgow Green are available from Scottish CND.)

Coming by coach to the event will also make leaving the SECC a lot easier after the demonstration. Bells Bridge (over the Clyde to the Science Park) will be closed throughout the Labour Party conference for security reasons. It still has not been decided whether we will be allowed to use the covered bridge over the Expressway from the SECC to Finnieston train station - it may be closed for security reasons as well. We are therefore negotiating with the police about getting a street close to the SECC closed for coaches to collect people after the demonstration.

Details about this are available from scnd@banthebomb.org .

The police have agreed that people carriers / minibuses may be placed at points in the march for people to ride in if they find the march is too long. Please note the agreed order of the march will be: families with young children, Trade Unions, Palestinian support groups, peace groups, political parties, others.

Bands will be organised at points throughout the march. People have been asked to bring drums, whistles, airhorns and anything to make noise with. Card doves, peace symbols and cards saying 'Not in My Name' (for people to sign and tie around the SECC) are all being produced.

Contact the Scottish CND office for further details. Organising this event is taking a lot of hard work and cash. It is set to be the largest peace event in Scotland for over twenty years. Groups are coming from as far away as Manchester for it instead of the London demonstration on the same day. To make this a successful day a huge team of people are required on the day and the week before. People are needed to help with setting up on Glasgow Green on Friday evening and on Saturday morning, with stewarding the march, setting up the rally site and with helping everyone get away from the SECC. (Training and briefings for stewards will be arranged in the fortnight before the 15th Feb in Glasgow.) If you have any time to help please contact the Scottish CND office.

Scottish Coalition for Justice Not War, c/o Scottish CND, 15 Barrland Street, Glasgow, G41 1QH

Tel: 0141 423 1222 email scnd@banthebomb.org

2. Postcards to the PM

A move to send messages to the Prime Minister has been spreading around the country, and we want to encourage anyone and everyone to join in. The suggestion is simply that you send a picture postcard (preferably with a picture of your home town) and add the message:

I vote against war in Iraq X

It is a simple, easy, cheap and (if enough people do it) potentially effective way of communicating.

3. Church and Nation Committee Letter to the Prime Minister

Dear Prime Minister,

The Church of Scotland's Church & Nation Committee met in conference in Stirling on 20th and 21st January and discussed the situation in Iraq. I, therefore, write to you at this vital time for the peace and security of the world, and as you prepare to fly to the United States of America to discuss these issues with President Bush. We are convinced that war in Iraq is still not inevitable and can be avoided - and we must believe that you share this conviction.

In addition to the previous statements from churches in Britain and throughout the world, we are hearing from parishes all over the land of the horror being expressed by church members at the prospect of war. It seems inconceivable to us that you would acquiesce in the immense loss of life that current plans, if carried out, would entail. The sanctity of human life, the integrity of the creation, and the responsibility we bear for future generations must all make us recoil from the terror of modern warfare.

We are grateful for your continuing attempts to make progress on a viable future for a Palestinian State and for your commitment, in the Queen's speech, to uphold all Security Council resolutions. Support and respect for the United Nations have never been more important and we have applauded your insistence on the involvement of the Security Council at all stages of the present crisis. Its role in preserving the peace of the world continues to be central and pivotal.

We seek your reassurance, therefore, on the following points:

When the UN inspectors report on their work in Iraq, will this report be to the United Nations; and will it be the sole prerogative of the UN to interpret that report and to decide what action, if any, ought to arise therefrom?
Will the United Nations be treated with all due respect, with member nations of the Security Council allowed to come to their own conclusions - free from threats, manipulation or economic inducement?
Will all efforts to resolve the problems, short of war, be exhausted before any resort to further military action?
Will the "bigger picture" of the security and stability of the Middle East and its future relations with the West be considered in your deliberations?

You will be as aware as we are of the suspicions that many within the present United States administration are interested only in military conflict. You will also be aware that oil is suspected as the real motivation driving the current agenda with regard to Iraq. We believe that it is vital for you to take these suspicions seriously, provide clear answers and transparent processes, and ensure that everything is done openly and honestly.

We look forward to hearing from you. In these and all the important matters that demand your attention, consideration and decision, please be assured of our continuing prayers.

Yours in Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Rev. Alan D McDonald

Convener, Church & Nation Committee