Subject: GAD proposal

Dear Marco,

Thank you for your positive letter. I'm very glad that you think the

joint proposal is a feasible option.

The next step to take probably is to send an initial proposal, signed

by CORA/Transnational Radical Party, Legalize!, and, hopefully, DRCNet,

to a small list of organisations we would like to have undersigning

the final version. This list could e.g. include DPF, IAL, AAL, November

Coalition, NORML maybe (what about the M?), Independent on Sunday,

and/or other organisations, depending on received suggestions. Do you

have ideas on this point ?

As soon as we have confirmations, the text could be finalised, and

sent to other organisations and groups. Shall I make a draft and send

it to you ?

We have discussed the ideas in the Legalize! community, and the reactions

are very positive, although some questions were asked about the date;

Some suggestions were that, considering that June 8 is a Monday, June

7 or 6 would be better. A few members think that we should consider June 26

as an option.

I have also informed the DRCNet staff. Dave Borden replied they "are likely

to endorse" the event; he wrote:

>I am interested in learning more about the event, and I

>think it is likely that we would sign on as an endorser.

I have asked them today for suggestions concerning other organisations

to include as co-signers.

Thanks for your invitation to attend the Brussels workshop. This will

be an ideal opportunity to work out the ideas. I will definitely attend,

and several others will probably be there as well.

Do you think it is desirable to have the text, plus commitments by the initial

group of organisations, available at that point in time, so it can be discussed

there ? How rapidly should we in fact proceed ? I have the feeling we mustn't

wait too long with sending the call out, since organisations will be planning

their manifestations. A few days ago we heard that HanfNet has set the date for

their next Hanf Parade at August 29.

You wrote:

>I would avoid trying to forcing all the groups joining a same "position".

>Everyone has a different opinion and position on which drugs should be

>legalised and why, and everyone wants to keep the visibility of his own

>group.

Absolutely agreed. The GAD should be a multifaceted event, which respects

the identity and positions of the groups that participate. Local events

can have their own name, but should be announced as part of the GAD, as

we e.g. did for the "Amsterdam Street Party against the War on Drugs".

However, to make a clear statement, one of the features of the GAD could

(in my opinion) be a sort of 1-page declaration, signed by participating

groups. This could then be sent to the media in the weeks before the event.

But of course here too, groups could use their own declaration if available.

All the best to you too, hope to hear from you soon.

For the Legalize! Initiative,

Harry Bego

ps. A group called the "Recreational Drugs Committee", which is closely related

to Legalize!-Nederland, is organising a manifestation called "Operation Brain

Storm" to be held on Dec. 4th in Amsterdam. This group has excellent media

contacts, and the manifestation will hopefully cause quite a stir. Last week,

at a meeting, I told them about our joint plans, and they immediately proposed

June 8 as the date for their next event, thus already practically ensuring firm

Dutch participation in the GAD. If this is indicative of the reception our ideas

will get, we can only succeed !