zagreb

I was one of the main organizers for a NATO-funded meeting in Zagreb on "The Role of Independent Scientists in WMD Threat Assessment" (see www.pugwash.org/uk/meetings for more info, once I get it posted!). I met people from about a dozen countries, all of whom believe there are ways to strengthen the advice given to governments and international organizations on weapons of mass destruction threat assessment.

I had a bit of time to look around the city, and I loved it. I would go back in a second. The people were great, the city was beautiful, and while there was a little more strudel than I cared for, the fish was fantastic as was this dish with potatoes and kale. Local wine was nice, and I heard tales of some of the best gelatto outside Italy, though I never made it to the shop. There also is a national shoe fetish--I could not believe the number of shoe stores! They have a long coast on the Mediterranean with hundreds of little islands.

It took a lot of planning, and now we are entering an insanely busy period. This weekend Martin goes to Antwerp for a meeting about nuclear weapons in Europe, next weekend I am in Geneva, the weekend after I am in Vienna, then we have a huge two days here in December for the European premiere of the Strangest Dream about Jo Rotblat and then a meeting at Royal Society (these last 2 in honor of Jo Rotblat's centenary). And then, the holidays! (Which I am really looking forward to this year.) Sandy