ABSTRACT: The following report is an outline of the appeal printed at the expense of the Radical Party in "Corriere della Sera" and "Repubblica". Through this appeal, the radical parliamentary group extends an invitation to all Italian citizens, social groups and associations to show their solidarity by speaking out against the nuclear program which is shortly to come to the attention of the Italian parliament.

The opening part of the Radical party's anti-nuclear campaign is marked by a call to prevent Italy, as the only western country, from running the risk, except marginally, of "the nuclear adventure". There is an invitation also to set up "green" movements in creating an awareness of anti-nuclear and ecological hazards.

(Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica - March 31 1977)

We, the Parliamentarians of the Radical Party are not afraid to say we do not know: we do not yet know and are not yet certain whether the nuclear plan being imposed in our country means the certainty or merely the danger of death and misery; the certainty or danger of an increasingly insane, uncontrollable and inhumane society. Let us say we do not yet know, although the entire world of scientists, political powers and entire populations lend credence to and are fearful of this claim.

When faced point blank with this crucial choice which is being forced upon us, however, we feel it is our right and our duty to fear what we do not know, like the rest of our country and equally of those who would have us believe the opposite, and those who dominate and govern this country where explosions such as those in Seveso and Vajont have already occurred. We claim as our right and duty also to mistrust, or at least exercise caution vis-à-vis a regime which is leading us towards chaos as well as moral, civil and economic catastrophe, an ever more violent lifestyle, and an upsurge in murder and slaughtering.

On this very day, Thursday March 31, over the next few days and in upcoming weeks we are being called upon to hold debates and then cast our votes in the Chamber of Deputies on the issue of the nuclear plan. Unless some unexpected events occur, all other Italian political parties and policies are backing the need to implement this plan.

We, the Radicals wish to know what is happening before a decision is reached. We want to know the nation's feelings on the matter, we want to find out during public debate the terms of a question which will jeopardize, at any rate, our own future and that of subsequent generations. We hope we are wrong in our misgivings, but we are deathy afraid we are right or have better reasons than thosee who wish to rush Italy into the nuclear adventure, thereby countenancing the savage, unbridled and suicidal development of our society.

This is why we are appealing for the help of all men and women in Italy, irrespective of their religious, political or moral opinions, to demand the right to know also, to be aware, so they can think out the matter and decide, give advice or make a choice, before the Italian parliament, in compliance with pre-conceived options and interests, issues a law whose effect will be irreversible, or at best insanely expensive to our society and each one of us.

What we are being asked to decide now, immediately, in Parliament, is more important than a declaration of war. It will leave more than a tragic imprint scar on our future whether for good or evil, better or worse.

Perhaps - and this bears repeating - the others are right. Not we with our misgivings and hopes in alternative sources of energy which are peaceful, clean, humane and aimed at bettering living conditions. Perhaps. Or maybe we are the ones who are right. If for no other reason that this, we must present Parliament with a time frame and opportunity such as will allow full meditation and the chance for men and women whose destiny (and that of their children) will be affected by this decision, to express their opinions and become involved in the ongoing debate. This objective may be reached only by sending immediately, over the next few hours and the next few days, a deluge of telegrams, letters, cards, which we will in turn send off expeditiously to the President of the Chamber, Hon. Pietro Ingrao and the President of the Industrial Commission, Loris Fortuna.

Our goal will be achieved only if pressure groups, lobbies and committees are set up at once; only if families at home, workers in plants, offices, trade enterprises or agricultural concerns send us, including their address, a show of consensus by answering our appeal for help affirmatively.

We are duty-bound by the Constitution not to be representatives of one side or another, of our voters, but of the whole nation. This is how we shall act, this is what we strive to be, casting our vote as such. Our call is thus for "help!" before it is too late.