1. As is publicly known, the Campaign in defence of peace and against the NATO Summit in Portugal – the «Peace, yes!; NATO, No!» Campaign – has convened, is promoting and will organize a demonstration on November 20, at 3 p.m., in Lisbon, from the Marquês do Pombal to Restauradores Square, in which all peace-loving Portuguese citizens are called upon to participate. The goals, scope and organizers of this demonstration have been broadly publicized, both domestically and internationally, and the relevant authorities have been informed of the demonstration.
2. It is therefore with surprise that the «Peace, Yes!; NATO, No!» Campaign has learnt that other entities -namely the Anti-War, Anti-Nato Platform (PAGAN) – has subsequently announced that they will hold a separate and different demonstration, on the same date and at the same site.
3. In this regards, and expressing the opinions voiced during the plenary meeting of its sponsoring organizations, that was held on October 2, 2010, the «Peace, Yes!; NATO, No!» Campaign informs and makes it known that:

- these other entities are not integrated within the «Peace, Yes!; NATO, No!» Campaign. Likewise, they have never taken part, nor attended any event sponsored by the «Peace, Yes!; NATO, No!» Campaign. These other entities are naturally entitled to hold their own demonstration, but not at the same site and date as the already convened and legally announced demonstration organized by the «Peace, Yes!; NATO, No!» Campaign.

- the «Peace, Yes!; NATO, No!» Campaign will not allow any attempt by these or any other entity to instrumentalize the demonstration that has been convened for November 20, nor will it allow the demonstration to be jeopardized by opportunistic attempts to gain political capital from the popular mobilization promoted by the «Peace, Yes!; NATO, No!» Campaign.

- these entities attitude reveals a troubling absence of political responsibility and can only be interpreted as a regrettable attempt to jeopardize the nature, goals and characteristics of the demonstration that has been convened by the «Peace, Yes!; NATO, No!» Campaign, besides deliberately seeking to create factors of interference;

- the «Peace, Yes!; NATO, No!» Campaign was created in January 2010, and unites over 100 organizations of a diversified and broad spectrum – among which are movements which, by themselves, represent the broadest and most inclusive movements for the unity of the Portuguese workers and people, in the struggle for their rights and for peace. This clearly shows that the demonstration which it has convened for November 20 is characterized by an inclusive and united nature.

- the demonstration that will be held on November 20, at 15h00, from Marquês do Pombal to Praça dos Restauradores, in Lisbon, was debated, conceived, decided and publicized, and will be organized, in its various aspects, by the «Peace, Yes!; NATO, No!» Campaign.

- the «Peace, Yes!; NATO, No!» Campaign will do everything in its power to ensure that the demonstration which it has convened will be what the Campaign wishes it to be: a peaceful and militant event of real unity among the Portuguese people against the NATO Summit and for its goals of a world of Peace.

The «Peace, Yes!; NATO, No!» Campaign reaffirms its appeal to the most diverse organizations of the Portuguese society and to all citizens who stand for peace, so that they may join with the Campaign in:

• expressing the Portuguese people’s opposition to the NATO Summit and its war-mongering goals;
• demanding that the Government withdraw all Portuguese forces involved in NATO military missions;
• demand an end to foreign military bases and to NATO facilities on national territory;
• demand the dissolution of NATO;
• demand a nuclear disarmament and an end to nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction;
• demand that the Portuguese authorities fulfill their obligations under the United Nations Charter and the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, respecting International Law and the sovereignty and equality of all peoples.

October 13, 2010

The Coordinating Committee of the «Peace, Yes!; NATO, No!» Campaign

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