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"Addressing conflicts ... solving problems in our groups and associationsOpen letter to the future Prime Minister, on the economic crisis and military spendingConstruyendopuentes 19/11/2011 by Mr. President,

We realize that will take the task of chairing the Government in a difficult economic context of distance between citizens and politics and who has to give conv

incing answers to the multiple challenges.

The public lives bewildered feeling that the democratic world government eventually yield to demands that do not emanate from some of popular feeling but of a global economic interests. Demands in the middle of the opacity and deregulation,end up benefiting a few. Thus, it seems difficult to avoid people thinking thatpays the piper for a party that did not decide any food or guests.

Unregulated economic globalization has led to a democracy plagued by weak markets and credibility. The international community, beyond urgent measures to reactto what happens, should undertake a thorough review of the agreements, mechanisms and structures which it is based on the current economic system.

If, as seems, choose to reduce public spending and investment, we can not attendimpassive to cut social benefits, health and education-all of them always but even more critical in a crisis that involves more precarious in much of the population, or investment in science and innovation. It is essential to generate other economic system that can be more just, sustainable, productive and strong.

No impervious to assist investment and reducing costs crucial to the welfare andprotection of the quality of life while still maintaining a huge military spending.

We know that there is a specific case of Spain. The main countries of the world,led by the United States, maintain a huge military machine. Considering the ser

ious deficiencies that affect the majority of the inhabitants of the planet, this enormous arsenal cdesarrollo is a real insult. Unfortunately, this model is strongly driven and emerging countries strive to copy the same models. Therefore,the increase in military spending, production of new weapons systems or acquiring new weapons in the international market are common patterns in many countries.We must remember that, as stated in the recent Report of SIPRI, world militaryspending despite the economic crisis 4 years, rose worldwide a year, reaching the scandalous figure of 1.6 billion.

Meanwhile, the Millennium Development Goals, which remind us of the pressing needs that we should attend to if we want to reduce the threats of hunger, ill health or education pose to the world's population still non year after year. This i

s a flawed policy favored by the large weapons manufacturers, which confuses security with militarism. How can you pass that to deal with alleged military threats spend so much money and to avoid real risks that take the lives of millions of people accept that there are no means unmoved?

In the Spanish case, we note bitterly some decisions of successive governments have always considered wrong, but now also impacting severely on the economy. Itwas decided to engage in major weapons projects (European fighter aircraft Eurofighter, Leopard tanks, etc..), Without considering whether they were really needed and were correlated with a global vision and modern security. In any case, regardless of their convenience, have been a financial disaster.

Spend more than 16,000 million euros for 2011 military spending taking into acco

unt all the games, which manages not only the Ministry of Defense seems an injustice. Possible international missions usual argument to justify a higher provision of weapons to armies that do not require huge expense and, in particular, the

8/3/2019 Open letter to the future Prime Minister, on the economic crisis and military spending

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acquisition or manufacture of weapons, imposed by membership in NATO, the EU isamazing is not yet self-security and, to a large extent, are typical of past conflicts.

When 14 months ago in these pages published article 'Crisis, military spending and disarmament' (El Pas, August 2, 2010) wanted to warn of the serious economic crisis and the need to establish appropriate priorities when considering cuts publ

ic spending. During these months we have seen how the economic crisis deepened without austerity measures have achieved military spending.

But while we have witnessed two events of great significance.

On the one hand, thousands and thousands of women and men in the Arab world havesaid "Enough!". They also shouted to the world that want to live with dignity,justice and hope to enjoy freedom. They did shake, and fall in some cases dictators who unfortunately had the support of much interest in Western democracies. With modern information technology and communication that allow free expression and distance participation, citizens not only be counted in the election. They must have afterwards. May influence and decide. And they should.

On the other hand, in Spain burst with force the movement of 15 M, internationalized months after the mobilization of 15 0. A disagreement arising from the protests and outrage of many people to the degradation of the quality of life, lossof democratic capacity to direct the economy and policy away from their real responsibilities.

For the above seems to protect social spending and lead to possible cuts military spending is a measure that strengthens democracy, improve the welfare and thepublic sends a positive message, to prioritize the social agenda in a context ofacute crisis .

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate that consider these thoughts and suggestions.

Irman this article:

Federico Mayor Zaragoza, President Foundation for a Culture of Peace

Santiago Alvarez Cantalapiedra, director CIP-Ecosocial

Jordi Armadans, director Fundaci per la Pau

Alfons Banda, Committee Coordinator Fundaci per la Pau Interenacional

God Manuel Diz, president Galician Seminar for Peace Education (SGEP)

Vicen Fisas, director of Peace Culture School of the Universitat Autnoma de Barcelona (UAB)

Rafael Grasa, president International Institute Catal per la Pau (ICIP)

Manonelles Manuel, director UBUNTU and Peace Culture Foundation Barcelona

Vicent Martnez Guzmn, UNESCO Chair in Philosophy honorary director Pau University Jaume I of Castell de la Plana

Masllorens Xavier, President Fundaci per la Pau

Manuela Mesa, president of the Spanish Association for Peace Research (AIPAZ)

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Beatriz Molina, Director Institute of Peace and Conflict University of Granada

Arcadi Oliveres, Barcelona president Justice and Peace

Pere Ortega, president Catalan Federation of NGOs per la Pau

Gorka Ruiz Santana, president of Education Association Forum on Human Rights andPeace in the Basque Country.