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From: FI-press-l
Date: 3/17/2001
Time: 5:11:08 PM
Remote Name: 195.242.138.79
## Sender: marco@internationalen.se ## Forwarded by: List manager <INPREKORR@OLN.comlink.org> ........................................................................
See you in Gothenburg!
During the first half of 2001, Sweden will hold the EU presidency. >From the 14th to the 16th of June, this summer's EU Top meeting will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden. The fact that the US president George W Bush will be in Gothenburg at the same time change the situation drastically. The Gothenburg meeting will get the characteristic of a global top meeting.
The Attac movement are planning to have a big counter summit with participants from all over Europe. The Swedish Attac, and local Attac groups that are created very fast all around the country, are focused on Gothenburg as a first test for the movement.
In order to organise a powerful counter summit in Gothenburg, a true manifestation for another Europe, your participation is required. A broad coalition of Swedish environmental, special interest, union and political organisations are already planning a massive counter summit in Gothenburg to coincide with the EU Top meeting; seminars, meetings, actions and demonstrations will all be taking place.
Your organisation or group is also needed in order to ensure that these events will be something to remember. Amsterdam, Cologne, Seattle, Prague and Nice... Next stop Gothenburg!
Activities Attac
The Attac movement are planning to have a big meeting with participants from all over Europe during the GBG summit. Gosip says that Ralph Nader, from USA, will be present.
Fritt Forum
Fritt Forum is an activist group created especially for the counter summit. They have several circus tents of varying sizes that will be in a centrally located area, near many other activities. The tents will be filled with different cultural and political activities, debates and lectures. There will also be concerts, food and info stalls for different political groups.
Network Against Racism
The Swedish Network Against Racism is planning an "Anti-Racist Centre" at Musikens Hus, located not far from the Järntorget area. Many of the groups in this network are planning activities here, including a series of lectures and workshops. Some larger lectures will be held in the Fritt Forum area. In addition, the European- wide, anti-racist network United will be holding its bi-yearly conference in Gothenburg from Friday, June 8 to Tuesday June 12. Many United representatives will remain in the city and participate in the anti-racist centre activities.
President Bush is Confirmed to GBG 2001!
George W. Bush will be arriving at the Gothenburg airport on the morning of the 14th of June. 2000 American administrative, security and media people will be with him. He will be stayig at the SAS Radisson Hotel on Södra Hamngatan in central Gothenburg. There will be protests, but under what form and circumstances are not clear yet.
Blockade of EU Top Meeting
A coalition of civil disobedience and globalisation-critical groups are planning a blockade of the opening of the EU Top Meeting on the morning of Friday the 15th of June. The action is styled after the Ya Basta "yellow block" in Prague on S26 and will be confrontational yet non-violent in character.
No to EU
An anti-EU coalition, with participants from Swedish no to EU organizations, the Swedish Left Party, Socialistiska Partiet(FI section), KPML®(a stalinist party) has scheduled a demonstration for Friday, June 15, 2001 at 6 pm. This demonstration has its edge turned against the EU and EMU as institutions, and demand Sweden to leave the EU and to say no to EMU.
Gothenburg Action 2001 See the platform and participants in the end of the mail
The lage coalition demonstration (the FI section participate in this demo as well) "GBG 2001" is planned for Saturday, June 16, 2001. A permit for 25000 demonstrators has been applied for. As the EU Top Meeting is scheduled to end at noon, the demo is scheduled to begin no later than 10 am. The coalition "GBG 2001" are planning many different activities, amongst them common seminars and panel debates, starting on Wednesday evening and continuing to Sunday. These will be held in Folkets Hus and "Fritt Forum" area near the square Järntorget.
During the afternoon after the demonstration there will be a Fourth International meeting, organized by the Swedish FI section "Socialistiska Partiet", with Alain Krivine as main speaker.
Practical things
Travel
To Sweden:
Air
SAS Scandinavian Airways KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
British Airways
Sea
Stena line
Frederikshavn to Gothenburg Kiel to Gothenburg
Bus
Eurolines
In Sweden:
Göteborgs spårvägar The cable cars in Gothenburg. Complete with timetables
SJ The state run train system in Sweden.
Swebus A Swedish bus company.
The City
Gothenburg is Sweden's second largest city. The greater metropolitan area has a population of 780.000.
Gothenburg Tourist Office has general information about the city and an interactive map: Gothenburg City Guide
A activivist map of Gothenburg is included as a atachment to this mail.
Food
Sweden has a notoriously high cost of living. So it's important that while you're in Gothenburg you know where to go to get the things you need, at a reasonable price. And food is something we all need. Here are some places to eat:
Alexandros in the Food Hall by Kungstorget Lentil and bean soup for just 25:-!
Aqua Vera Kristinelundsg.18 An ecological restaurant near Gothenburgs parade boulevard Avenyn.
Biblos Andra långgatan 21 Near Järntorget.
Bombay Andra långgatan Near Järntorget.
Café Hängmattan Karl Johansgatan Located in Musikens Hus, the anti-racist centre during GBG 2001
Café Mums Linnégatan Totally vegan menu.
Gyros Crepes Gibraltargatan Greek bean soup for 25:- and a good vegetarian lasagne.
Hagabions Café Linnégatan 21 Cheap vegan sandwiches at reasonable prices.
Joe Busker's Jonglerings- och Javabar Andra Långgatan 20 Café with vegan sadwiches, near Järntorget.
Malaysia Saté Restuarant Östra Hamngatan 19 Some really good vegan meals.
Silvis Palestinsk Restaurang Nordhemsg. 18 A bit of a "nicer" restaurant, but lots or vegan meals.
Solrosen Kaponjärgatan 4A Gothenburg's most famous vegetarian restaurant. A must for activists. Good local beer!
Thai Shanghai Haga Östergata 4 Lots of vegan Thai food.
Zenit Café Allmänna vägen A typical Swedish café but with a lot of vegetarian alternatives.
Places to sleep
The goal is to have places to sleep for about 10 000 activists. We are NOT there yet - far from. But a big (high)scool "Hvitfeldtska Gymnasiet" in central town is already fixed.
Legal
Sweden differs from most western countries in the fact that citizens of non-Nordic countries are not afforded the same legal rights as Nordic citizens. This is true even for EU citizens. In this space we will explain the differences and your rights in the Swedish legal system. We will also include a list of those nearby countries from which citizens are required to have a visa. Keep checking this space for more information! Identity Documents According to Swedish law, you are required to have valid identity papers on your person at all times. For Nordic citizens this is a national identity card [such as a drivers license], for EU citizens this refers to an identity card that notates citizenship and for non EU citizens this refers to a passport. Borders
For travel between the Nordic countries, Nordic citizens are not required to have a passport. This "Passport Freedom" is, principally only applied in short distance travel, such as by ferry between Copenhagen and Malmö or Finland and Sweden. It also applies to cars crossing the border into Sweden with Nordic registration numbers. In practice, all persons arriving by air travel are required to show their passport at airport customs. Most "international borders", such as airports, ship terminals and train and car traffic from Denmark have strict border controls. In order to avoid unnecessary hassle at the border, we suggest that you try to appear as "straight" as possible. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that if you have dreadlocks and a "Fight the Power" t-shirt that you'll probably have a harder time getting into the country than if you don't. In these cases it's always good to remember that the different seminar arrangements and the Euro March demonstration on Saturday are all legally certified events and intended attendance at these are reason enough to be allowed entry. If a border guard gives you a hard time remember this! Weapons Weapons of any type, as well as ammunition of any type, are prohibited by law. Thus, all types of handguns, as well as knives of all types and sizes, brass knuckles, spiked gloves, batons, nunchakus, spiked clubs or any weapon equivalently dangerous as the above mentioned are not allowed to be carried by civilians when out in public. This includes tear gas. In order to carry any type of weapon in public the owner must have a license. Drugs Sweden has strict drug laws, which are differ greatly from those of neighbouring Denmark. It is strongly recommended that you not attempt to bring drugs into the country, even if the amount is only for "personal use". Medical Medical care is available at both public and private clinics. Citizens of some countries are covered by special agreements which entitle them to reduced costs for medical care. Citizens from other countries must pay the entire cost of treatment and medicine. It is advisable to arrange a special sickness insurance before you start your trip.
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So that's all from now
See you in Gothenburg!
Marco Espvall/ on the behalf of Socialistiska Partiet Sweden
___________________________________________________________________ _____________________
Lastly I bring you the platform of the Gothenburg Action 2001:
Towards a Different Europe Our goal is to mobilise people in Europe to develop an alternative to the current trend. A change of course is needed in a world with expanding gaps between and within countries and increasing environmental destruction, where economic growth on terms set by powerful corporations has become more important than social and environmental values. We demand democracy, a sound environment and solidarity. And we see that economic globalisation and the European Union threatens these values. We protest against the undemocratic EU and we say "No" to giving neo-liberal politics, in the form of the European Monetary Union, the dignity of constitutional law. We oppose the transformation of the public sector and our environment into nothing more than market commodities. We oppose the militarisation of the EU, racism and the construction of a "Fortress Europe". Popular movements in all of Europe must collaborate with like- minded movements in the rest of the world, in co-operation and solidarity. This is why we, the popular movements in the Nordic region, have joined together to form the coalition "Gothenburg Action 2001 - GBG2001". We have joined hands in order to organise broad, non-violent activities during the Swedish EU presidency and at the EU Summit in Gothenburg, the 14th - 16th of June, 2001. We are inviting everyone to join us in an international coalition. Our goal is to co-ordinate activities and demonstrations and provide a common platform where different groups can make their voices and demands heard. Within our coalition, there are different groups working with some of the following different issues: Labour
Increase the rights of workers and the unemployed. The Economy
Economic Democracy and no to the EMU. Peace
Stop the militarisation of the EU. Oppression and racism
No to "Fortress Europe". The Public Sector
The Public Sector is not a commodity. No to the expansion of the WTO. Environment and Health
Stop the proliferation of nuclear power. Our health and environment are more important than short-term business interests and profits. Agriculture
For an ecologically sound agriculture. International Solidarity
Fair trade. The industrial world must pay their environmental debt to the third world. Cancel the third world's accrued debt. Solidarity with the East and South
No to the neo-liberal dictatorship of the IMF, WTO, EU and the European Investment Bank. Federalism within EU
No to the development of the United States of Europe. The Nordic Region
For democratic collaboration in which we can inspire each other at a grass-roots level. Reclaim the Future
For solidarity, equality, the environment and democracy!
Organizations The following organizations support the platform:
Alternativ till EU, Finlandia (organization against the EU)
Centernej mot EU, Sweden (Bourgeois organization against the EU)
Demokratisk Alternativ, Sweden, Norway (environmentalists in "Social Ecology" -"Murray Bookchin" style)
Den Resande skolan, Sweden (international solidarity students)
Ekosofgruppen Meias, Göteborg, Sweden (Ecosofic group)
Elevkampanjen, Sweden (Student organisation - close to CWI)
EU-kritisk ungdom, Finlandia (Youth organization against the EU)
Framtiden i Våra Händer, Sweden (international Solidarity)
Fältbiologerna, Sweden (environmentalists)
Grön Ungdom, Sweden (Green party youths)
Göteborgs LS av SAC Syndikalisterna, Sweden (anarco-syndicalists, local group of the SAC)
Göteborgs ickevåldsnätverk, Sweden, (radical-Pacifists)
Internasjonale Socialister, Denmark (Close to British SWP)
Internasjonale Sosialister, Norway (Close to British SWP)
Kipinä-kollektivet, Finlandia (Millitant non violent group in Ya Basta style)
Kvinnor för fred, Finlandia? Sweden? (Women for peace)
Miljöförbundet Jordens Vänner, Sweden (Friends of the earth - Sweden)
Miljöpartiet de gröna, Sweden (Green Party)
Natur och ungdom, Norway (environmentalists)
Nei til EU, Norway (No to EU organization with 25.000 individual members!)
Nätverket Ingen människa är illegal, Sweden (No one is illegal - Network against racism)
Nätverket mot rasism, Sweden (A national network of 110 organizations. antiracist/antifa org, NGO:s etc.)
Rättvisepartiet Socialisterna, Sweden (Swedish section of the CWI, Committee for a workers international)
SAC-Syndikalisterna, Sweden (anarco-syndicalistic union with 9 000 members)
Socialistiska partiet, Sweden (Swedish section of the Fourth International)
Svenska föreningen för nordisk Folkriksdag, Sweden (pan scandinavian(?) organization)
Sveriges kommunistiska parti, (old time Stalinists)
Sveriges småbrukare, Sverige (Pessants organization)
TEAM - Transeuropean Anti-Maastricht Alliance Womens Alternative to EU, Finland Ya Basta-Helsinki, Finland