The THTR Circulars from 2004

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THTR Circular No. 87 January 2004

For a social forum in Hamm: If you don't defend yourself, you're wrong!

The 3rd World Social Forum in January 2003 in Porto Alegre, Brazil, set new participation records for the third time in a row with 20.000 delegates from 5.700 organizations from 156 countries and around 100.000 participants. Its temporal counterpart, the World Economic Forum of the rich and powerful in Davos, was clearly overshadowed. In the meantime, social forums are springing up in many places in Europe - as structures for mobilizing against the merciless orgy of austerity that has gripped the federal, state and local governments alike; at the same time as structures that are the only ones able to connect the numerous social and political groups and initiatives in a joint project. Founding events with several hundred participants took place in all of Hamm's larger neighboring cities last year.

Only in Hamm is nothing going on again. That needs to change!

As in many other cities, neoliberal politics are increasingly showing their true colors in Hamm. The public sector is being saved to death: social services, schools, sports facilities and cultural institutions are the victims. The people affected by this are at best still viewed as two-legged cost factors. Everything that can still be lucratively sold to municipal companies is being given up, as was recently the case with the reorganization of wastewater disposal. The money, on the other hand, is put into questionable prestige objects such as the planned Lippesee.

All of these are not just blows of fate, consequences of a dark force called "globalization", or the inevitable effects of progress. They are also the result of a deliberate policy. The city of Hamm is not poor, on the contrary, the coffers were emptied with the help of a tax policy that throws gifts at the big corporations.

Solving social problems should not be left to market forces alone. Good, affordable services for everyone, local transport, education, health and culture are indispensable prerequisites for a civilized coexistence and, like the natural foundations of life, must not be sacrificed to the profit interests of a few. An economic system that instead forces millions of people to become unemployed and obliges others to work stress, overtime and longer working lives is not acceptable and must be changed. Reducing working hours is therefore an immediate task. Neoliberal politics, which widen the gap between rich and poor and accelerate the destruction of nature, must have no future.

So far, some groups and organizations have resisted separately from one another. Unions stayed to themselves, project and affected scenes stayed to themselves, students stayed to themselves.

The new thing about the social forums is that, despite the diversity of the many groups, they are able to pool their resistance in order to achieve something. Social forums are an open space in which those involved learn from each other, respect each other in their differences, reflect on common positions and carry out efficient actions. It is high time that something like this also developed in Hamm. Interested parties are welcome to contact us (see imprint); if something happens in the next few months, they will receive an invitation. 

Horst Blume

Dear readers!

In the meantime we are no longer listed on page seven in the most important search engine Google under "THTR", as we were in October 2003, in 74th position, but on page one as number one. Hopefully this year there will be more detailed information on HTR's in China, Japan and India in the next issues of the newsletter. I initiated the corresponding preparations weeks ago.

This is a reminder to recipients who have not paid ten or twenty euros in the last two years. After all, 15 regular issues and one extra sheet were published during this time! The account number is at the bottom of this page and in the imprint. 

On December 05.12.2003th, XNUMX the FAZ on page one above in a comment on the export of nuclear technology to China the following:

"(...) The world was partly amazed and partly amused that the Germans voluntarily gave up their leading position in this technology and switched to the manufacture of wind turbines instead. The one that was also invented in Germany High temperature reactor, which is also immune to the dreaded meltdown, is meanwhile being developed for series production in South Africa and China. He could come back from there one day. "

On December 12.12.2003, XNUMX the TAZ-NRW in her article "Jülich just goes on" about the continuation of the research work on the PBMR in Jülich. Here the nuclear policy spokesman for the NRW Greens, Rüdiger Sagel, is quoted as saying: "You cannot research a technology for other countries that has been discontinued in our country due to safety deficiencies." Forschungszentrum Jülich confirms that five employees are currently doing research on the HTR line, paid for by a private consortium. The CDU and FDP naturally find the "maintenance of competence" in matters of nuclear power good, and Rotgrün also lets the nuclear researchers diligently carry on in a public institution. The TAZ's pessimistic assumption that the PBMR would actually be built in South Africa is not shared by everyone.

In Germany, the propagandists of the nuclear industry have by no means submitted to their fate of an alleged nuclear phase-out and are preparing for the time in a good two years when the red-green government coalition may disappear into political oblivion for decades. The December issue of the magazine was apparently at thousands of kiosks as part of a targeted PR campaign "Technology Review" with the noticeable, slightly changed yellow-red button "Nuclear power? Yes please?" the end. In the 16-page cover story, the planned, supposedly inherently safe fourth generation of reactors is to be made palatable to the readers. Of course, the HTR or PBMR with the well-known graphs and alleged advantages was highly praised; everything as we are used to. It should be emphasized that at the end an online discussion under www.technologyreview.de which is moderated by one of the usual suspects: By Fritz Vahrenholt, HTR fan and advisor to the Federal Chancellor on energy issues. Known to the THTR newsletter readers of issue 71 as the author of a Pro-HTR article in the social democratic "Vorwärts".

The anti-nuclear movement South Africa sees itself on the upswing. Not only that a three-day world wind energy congress took place in Cape Town and an investor wants to build over 50 of these plants with a total of 115 MW output here. That would be pretty much the amount the proposed PBMR should produce. The objections to the planned reactor were well received, and the Cape Town city council is fully behind them. In addition to the enormous costs of risk prevention, the disadvantage of the location plays a major role in the event of damage: Cape Town and the surrounding area are the country's main tourist magnet alongside Kruegerpark. Allegedly even the South African federal government wants to get out, but cannot say that without losing face before the elections in April 2004, because two billion rand have already been spent on this reactor line. Hopefully the environmentalists in South Africa are right in their optimistic assumptions! 

Horst Blume

On November 20.11.2003, 2003 we reminded the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in an extensive letter with numerous attachments of our letter of January XNUMX, which has not yet been answered.

Among other things, we wrote: "It would certainly make a lot of sense to present the current state of affairs and discussions in your monthly bulletin 'Batho Pele' (People first) - 16.000 copies - if it wants to claim an exchange of information to support important issues between Germany and South Africa. " 

The reply of the embassy on December 03.12.2003rd, XNUMX:

"Dear Mr. Blume, thank you very much for your letter of November 20, 2003 and your extensive interest in the planned construction of a modular pebble bed reactor (PBMR) in South Africa.

We have referred your concerns about the construction of this reactor to the South African Ministry of Mines and Energy. The South African government shares your concern about the transfer of nuclear weapons and is closely monitoring the handling of the materials through the relevant authorities. You can be sure that the security of its own people and peace in the region are very important to South Africa: As you probably know, South Africa built nuclear weapons, but then destroyed them again of its own accord. "

Letter to the press spokesman for Federal Environment Minister Trittin dated November 18.11.2003, XNUMX:

"Dear Michael Schroeren!

Maybe you still remember. We are the citizens' initiative that has been working on the thorium high-temperature reactor (THTR) in Hamm since the mid-70s and about which it was published in the magazine at the time "Grassroots Revolution" has been reported in great detail several times when you were still the editor and responsible for our newspaper in terms of press law. For example in issue 18/19 (1976), which reported on the preparation of the founding of our citizens' initiative. Incidentally, we have reprinted the article as a "historical document" in THTR-Rundbrief No. 67 and 68 (2000 and 2001) (see in the 'Rundbrief').

The THTR was shut down in 1989, but the Jülich Research Center (FZJ) continued to research this reactor line. Even under red green. The know-how was transferred to South Africa, where from the 1st quarter of 2005 the THTR variant Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) is to be built in Koeberg near Cape Town. Incidentally, this development is regularly reported in the "Grassroots Revolution" (see attachment or below www.grassroots.net).

On March 18.03.2003, XNUMX we have Federal Environment Minister Trittin This dubious development was pointed out in a four-page letter, the immediate cessation of support for research in the FZJ was requested and an opinion was requested. Furthermore, the district association of Alliance 90 / The Greens Münster put several questions to the minister on March 10.03.2003, XNUMX (see archive).

Both letters have not yet been answered. This behavior is very disappointing for us. 

We expected that at least a dialogue about the problems and questions raised would be possible. From a green minister in particular, we hoped for more openness and willingness to talk. Since you yourself have worked in citizens' initiatives and grassroots groups for a long time in your political past, you can probably relate to this.

We would therefore like to approach you, the press spokesman for the Ministry of the Environment, with the request that you return our letters and questions to Mr. Trittin and urge them to be answered.

At the moment the FZJ is still working on an expertise on the PBMR. What does the environment minister say about this and how can these processes be reconciled with a "nuclear phase-out"?

As the author of the journal "Zivilcourage" of the German Peace Society / United War Service Opponents (DFG / VK) - which was also the godfather when our citizens' initiative was founded in 1975 - you will certainly be interested in the fact that atom bombs can be built around the world with the planned HTR Plutonium can be diverted particularly easily and tritium production is not subject to any international control (see here in detail the enclosed THTR circular no. 86).

The PBMR is to be specially built and tested in South Africa for export. However, resistance in South Africa to these plans is growing. (...) So it makes perfect sense to also get active on the part of the Ministry of the Environment in such a way that research in the FZJ is stopped immediately and, for example, critical statements and reports are passed on to South African government agencies and authorities.

In our opinion, the Ministry of the Environment has a responsibility to do something about the research and construction of this dangerous reactor line.

In any case, we would be very happy if you could take action in this matter. There are several attachments attached, including a direct letter to Mr. Trittin. "

After the corresponding comment on the previous lack of response had already been printed out, a call came from M. Schroeren a few hours before it was printed and I was unfortunately not there. Will he try again and will anything come of it? 

Horst Blume

And another one: responded to our questions from 11.07.2003/XNUMX/XNUMX Foreign Minister Fischer of course not. Not even on our extensive further letter dated November 27.11.2003, 01.11.2003. While he was still in Cape Town on November 14st, XNUMX in the immediate vicinity of the planned PBMR and XNUMX days later was present at the opening of the new pompous South African embassy building in Berlin, critical questions of a citizens' initiative do not concern him in the least. Of course, nobody is surprised at this behavior anymore.

On the citizens' application: Exchange of experience between Hamm and Cape Town on the subject of the dangers of high-temperature reactors.

Mayor Hunsteger-Petermann wrote to us on December 08.12.2003th, 24: (...) "The right of petition regulated in Section 4 of the Municipal Code is expressly limited to 'matters relating to the municipality', ie a concrete factual connection between the task of the municipality and the suggestion is absolutely necessary Desire (...) there is no recognizable reference to a municipal task. Rather, your suggestion is geared towards the city of Hamm taking action outside of its field of activity. Your suggestion is therefore not covered by the right of petition in the municipal regulations. (...) I will therefore recommend that you (the complaints committee) declare your submission to be completed in accordance with Section XNUMX of its rules of procedure turns to a foreign municipality in order to influence their matter in an opinion-forming manner. " Our position follows.

The "Junge Welt" reported a "good news" on December 24.12.2003th, XNUMX:

“Even Federal Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin noticed that his appearance suggests associations with hooligans. But even an unsympathetic and verbal arsonist knows when to eat chalk The top candidate will be traded for the next state elections in 2006. And since the SPD-PDS Senate has covered the capital with an anti-social roller of fire the likes of which the CDU has never managed, it makes sense to bet on the social map in the next elections. Meyer already practiced on Monday. At the traditional homeless tasting of the hit bard Frank Zander in the Hotel Estrel, there was goose leg with red cabbage and plenty of beer, he played the waiter and choked himself out that it was a sign of 'more humanity and more solidarity' The 1400 homeless people present had to buy their tasty meal dearly In the press, they were also misused as a backdrop for one of the most disgusting social Darwinist hackers in German politics. "

On December 3rd, the "Old Synagogue" memorial was inaugurated with a ceremony. Only 58 years after the end of fascism was a dignified place of remembrance and remembrance at the site of the destroyed synagogue.

The "Westfälische Anzeiger" remarked on the speech of the regional rabbi Henry G. Brandt from Dortmund only marginally that he had said a prayer in Hebrew (in the opinion of the WA a rabbi obviously has nothing else to do) and called on the people to learn from the past. The misappropriation of large parts of the content of this most important speech in my opinion at the event is characteristic of the journalism of the WA.

After Henry Brandt had acknowledged the human aspect of Jewish life in Hamm ("certainly in this synagogue people not only prayed, but also secretly read the newspaper") he spoke plainly. He would like to thank you for erecting the memorial not, it was overdue for decades. Rather, he expressed his appreciation for the fact that this had come about at all.

And: This memorial is not for the Jews. These were either murdered or driven out and the few survivors certainly do not need to be admonished or reminded. The memorial is from the Hammer citizenship for the Hammer population and the future will show how they will deal with it.

Let us calmly remember the inglorious story of how Hamm dealt with the location of the destroyed synagogue and the behavior of its citizens during the time of fascism:

After the "Friends of Nature" Hamm-Mitte demanded a memorial for the first time in 1986 and set up a simple wooden plaque at this location on their own initiative, the chain of embarrassments and outrage that culminated in the construction of a pissoire at this point in the 70s always broke not yet.

The council and administration were unable or unwilling to change this shameful situation. In the meantime, neo-Nazi stickers defaced the modest wooden plaque. When a memorial stone with a small flower bed was erected next to the urinal in the 90s, strangers stole a wreath that had been laid there in 1998. A noisy fairground spectacle took place regularly in the parking lot. A few centimeters (!) From the memorial stone stood a fair booth and a thoughtless crowd trampled even these few square meters in search of shortcuts. That happened just a few years ago.

At the inauguration, Lord Mayor Hunsteger-Petermann skilfully suppressed all these insolences with well-known phrases so that this stubborn city could save face. But I don't want to be unfair. In the end, his speech produced a maximum of what could be expected of a CDU mayor in terms of political decency. 

Horst Blume

The right-wing extremist "Kameradschaft Hamm" is planning a march in Hamm / Bockum-Hövel on January 17.01.2004th, 0178 with nationwide support. With the slogan "Solidarity with Palestine", she wants to convert the legitimate criticism of many people against the policies of the Israeli government into anti-Semitic resentment. Antifascists from Hamm and Kamen are planning a counter-demonstration. More detailed information can be obtained shortly beforehand by calling 0815-XNUMX.

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