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The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil,    but because of the people who don't do anything about it

Occupation magazine - Activism Home page  back Print  Send To friend Swansea City Council resolve to exclude Veolia from future contracts Angus Geddes Derail Veolia Campaign June 27, 2010 Dear Friends, Breakthrough! I have just heard that on 17 June Swansea City Council passed a resolution to exclude Veolia from all future contracts. Swansea is the second largest city in Wales. This is highly significant. It is the first time that a council in UK has passed such a resolution. To my knowledge the only local authorities in Europe to pass similar resolutions are Irish: Dublin recently, and I think Sligo and Galway earlier. This is the text as it appeared on the agenda and was passed by the full council unamended: Notice of Motion from Councillors M. Hedges, D. Phillips, A. Lloyd, J Burtonshaw, J. Miles, R. Stewart, C. Thomas, C. Richards, B. Lloyd, R. Francis-Davies, E. Kirchner, M. Child: `The UN not only does not recognise Israel’s annexation and occupation of East Jerusalem, but has repeatedly stated its view that the Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank contravene international law, and it has demanded that Israeli settlement activities and occupation should not be supported. The international trading company, Veolia, is a leading partner in a consortium seeking to build a light railway system linking Israel to illegal settlements in occupied East Jerusalem, a project that clearly not only contravenes UN demands but is in contravention of international law. This Council therefore calls on the Leader & Chief Executive not to sign or allow to be signed any new contracts or renewal of any existing contracts with Veolia or any other company in breach of international law, so long as to do so would not be in breach of any relevant legislation.” The motion was put up by the Labour Party group and was narrowly passed 19 - 18 with some Liberal Democrats voting against and most abstaining. Swansea Palestine Community Link are in touch with councillors on this and hope to generate local media interest. Kind regards Angus [DN] Links to the latest articles in this section The burial of ashes - an emotionally loaded day Friday webinar with the Human Rights activists designated as "terrorists" Friday webinar with the Human Rights activists designated as "terrorists"