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FIRST ONLINE GLOBAL PARLIAMENTARY HEARING WILL FOCUS ON SPACE SECURITY

On September 14 the US Congress will be the scene for a new departure in international politics.  A group of democratically elected legislators from ten countries will hold a joint parliamentary hearing, webcast live to enable participation from journalists worldwide.

The hearing will focus on the future of outer space, and in particular on the possible deployment of weapons in space.  The use of space weapons is under consideration by the US Air Force and is becoming controversial. Proponents see such weapons as essential to protect satellites. Critics argue that space-based weapons could also be used offensively, and could trigger a new arms race in space.

According to the organisers, this will be the first of many international parliamentary hearings on different issues to be organised by the e-Parliament, a new global forum made up of democratic lawmakers.  The aim of the e-Parliament is to enable legislators to form international networks on issues of common interest, and to help spread and implement innovative policy ideas.

Participants in the Washington hearing represent differing viewpoints, and include several members of the US House Armed Services Committee, as well as the Chairs of Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees, or other leading legislators, from the parliaments of Australia, Brazil, Britain, Denmark, European Parliament, Ghana, Italy, Japan, Mexico and Norway.

Experts presenting to the legislators will include: Ambassador Henry Cooper, former Director of the US Strategic Defense Initiative Organization; Prof. Everett Dolman of the US Air Force; Theresa Hitchens of the Center for Defense Information; Rebecca Johnson of the Acronym Institute; and a representative of the US Defence Department.

PANEL OF LEGISLATORS INCLUDES:  Lyn Allison, Leader of Australian Democrat Party; Dr. Kwame Ampofo MP, Ghana; Aroldo Cedraz, Chair, External Relations and Defence Committee, Brazilian Chamber of Deputies; Congressman Terry Everett, USA; Air Marshal Lord Garden, Defence Spokesman, Liberal Democrat Party, British House of Lords; Ana Maria Gomes MEP, Vice-Chair, Subcommittee on Security and Defence, European Parliament; Bjørn Hernæs, Vice-Chair of the Defence Committee, Norway; Senator Silvia Hernández, Chair, Foreign Affairs Committee, Mexico; Jakob Axel Nielsen, Denmark; Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, USA; Gustavo Selva, Chair, Foreign Affairs Committee,
Chamber of Deputies, Italy; Congressman Mac Thornberry, USA; Congressman Curt Weldon, Vice-Chair, House Armed Services Committee, USA; Hayashi Yoshimasa, Chair, Security Committee, Japan.

NOTE:  Hearing webcast (link at www.e-parl.net) 10:00-12:00 US Eastern Time (14:00-16:00 GMT), and a legislators' dialogue 13:00-15:30 Eastern. 
To submit questions to experts or legislators, request information, or request press release at end of meeting, email info@e-parl.net, any time before or during the event, or tel. +44 1233 813796. 
If attending in person, conference begins 09:30am, Room 2105, Rayburn Building, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC.

e-Parliament Conference on Space Security 2105 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC, 14 September 2005

Program

Wednesday 14 September

09.30   Welcome and opening statements

Senadora Silvia Hernandez, Mexico, Chair, Senate Foreign Affairs Committee & Vice-Chair, e-Parliament Council

Jesper Grolin, Executive Director, e-Parliament

10.00   Webcast Hearing: Space Security: Facts and Expert Perspectives

Short presentations by:
Ambassador Henry F. Cooper, High Frontier
Theresa Hitchens, Vice-President, Center for Defense Information
Dr. Rebecca Johnson, Executive Director, Acronym Institute
Prof. Everett Dolman, US Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies

Questions from legislators in person or via internet following each presentation

12.00  Lunch Break

13.00   Webcast Dialogue: Space Security: Political Perspectives

Presentations (5 minutes each) by:
Congressman Terry Everett (R), Alabama,
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D),
California Congressman
John Spratt (D), South California
Congressman Mac Thornberry (R),
Texas Congressman
Curt Weldon (R), Vice-Chair, Armed Services Committee, Pennsylvania
Senator Lyn Allison, Australia, Leader of the Australian Democrats
Dr. Kwame Ampofo, MP, Parliament of Ghana,
Dep. Aroldo Cedraz (PFL), Chair, External Relations and National Defence Committee, House of Representatives, Brazil,
Air Marshal Lord Garden (LD), UK, Defence Spokesman, Liberal Democrat Party, House of Lords,
Ana Maria Gomes, MEP, (Socialist), Portugal, Vice-Chair, Subcommittee on Security and Defence, European Parliament,
Bjørn Hernæs, (Conservative), Norway, Vice-Chair of the Defence Committee, Parliament of Norway,
Senadora Silvia Hernández, (PRI), Mexico, Chair, Senate Foreign Affairs Committee & Vice-Chair, e-Parliament Council,
Jakob Axel Nielsen, (Conservative), Denmark, Defence Committee, Parliament of Denmark,
Gustavo Selva (AN), Italy, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, House of Representatives,
Hayashi Yoshimasa, (LDP), Chair, Security Committee, Parliament of Japan.

14.00  Comments and Questions between Legislators, and questions from the press, in person or world-wide via internet

15.30   Coffee Break

16.00   Organizational Session: How to continue the Dialogue?

Introduction by Nicholas Dunlop, Secretary-General, e-Parliament.

Discussion

18.30 Summary and conclusions