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The K-2-Siachen Peace Park |
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The Next Step This document provides the rationale and implementation mechanism for the K-2-Siachen peace park project. An agreement to make this a reality would require a willingness on both sides to overcome institutional inertia and agree to a set of principles along lines suggested here. The economic incentives for reducing military expenditures, conserving endangered ecosystems, and ensuring collective security are all present in this proposal. What is now needed is a well coordinated grassroots campaign as well as a strategic push from various influential individuals and agencies to convince the leadership to move forward. The year 2004 is particularly auspicious in this context as it is the fiftieth anniversary of the first ascent of K-2.[1] Let us celebrate and conserve the common environmental heritage of this magnificent region and demonstrate how mountains can move us to positive action. [1]On the 50th anniversary of K-2’s first ascent and its unique features for mountaineers see the article by Kevin Fedarko, “The Mountain of Mountains.” Outside magazine, November, 2003. See also the web site of the official Italian 50th Anniversary Commemorative expedition: http://www.montagna.org/K2-2004/indexK2-2004.asp?tipo=17
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