The Mayors for Peace 2020 Vision Campaign sends its solidarity and support to the two young Czechs, Jan Tamas and Jan Bednar

Brussels, May 21st 2008 - The Mayors for Peace 2020 Vision Campaign sends its solidarity and support to the two young Czechs, Jan Tamas and Jan Bednar, who have been without food for 9 days in an effort to draw attention to the imposition of a US "National Missile Defense" radar on the Czech people.

Mayors for Peace 2020 Vision Campaign is deeply concerned that the implementation of this project, including interceptor missile in Poland, is increasing international tensions, generating a new arms race, and is the further step towards the militarization and control of space. Since more than two thirds of Czech citizens are against this project, the 2020 Vision Campaign supports the strikers call for a referendum to decide on this important matter.

Mayors for Peace 2020 Vision Campaign is working closely with Mayor Jan Neoral of the town of Trokavec who joined the hunger-strikers for one day last Saturday. Mayor Jan Neoral is heading an association of Czech Mayors against the deployment of the radar system in the Czech Republic.

Luc Dehaene, Mayor of Ypres and Chair of the international Mayors for Peace 2020 Vision Campaign association declared: "Czech Mayors have asked for our support and it is our duty to stand with them in their efforts to avert growing tensions in Europe. As Mayors we are too often confronted with the results of international power games and military plans, with our cities the potential victims. Time has come for the voice of cities to rise. Cities can no longer be targets for military strategists. It is our duty to protect our cities and citizens and we applaud these brave young people who use the non-violent path of Gandhi to promote a democratic expression of the public will in the Czech Republic".

Mayors for Peace 2020 Vision Campaign is a non-profit association of Mayors which aims for a global ban of all nuclear weapons by 2020. On May 14th 2008 the network counted 2,226 member cities in 129 countries.

More information: www.2020visioncampaign.org

*Press contacts:*

Aaron Tovish, International 2020 Vision Campaign director +43-676-325-2195
Pol Dhuyvetter, International 2020 Vision Campaign office manager +32-495-28 02 59

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