Issue No. 2 - April/May 1997
Produced by: Anni and Lindis
Indigo, 8 Park Row, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 IHQ, UK
Tel No. 01943 466405 or 01482 702033
Fax No. 01482 702033
E-mail: caab.lindis_anni@virgin.net
Dear Friends,
First of all, apologies to John Brierley and Yorkshire CND for not thanking them for their wonderful help in printing the last newsletter thank you and thank you again for this one!
We had hoped to get this newsletter ready by February. However, this was not possible because Lindis was in Holloway, having been sentenced to nine months for breaching the permanent injunction at the American base at Lakenheath. Her action was taken to research the base as to whether a nuclear weapons store had been moved underground. It had (confirmed by BASIC). Sometimes a risk has to be taken along the path of civil disobedience when all else falls.
She was released "with reluctance" by Richard Tucker (Judge) in the High Court after an application by the Official Solicitor was made on the grounds of her health which had been seriously affected after she was subjected to forcible strip searches in Holloway.
There is an awful (it REALLY is!) lot of information in this issue and we do hope that we don't overload you! We thought that it was important to include some information which reveals that, not only are the Americans intent on global domination on EARTH, but now also in SPACE. The American bases in this country are involved significantly in this "mission".
Guard dogs are back at Menwith Hill (with their handlers!). They were withdrawn in about 1992 as they were too expensive for the Americans and also perhaps some of the dogs had become too friendly! Warning signs have gone up round the base.
Planning Applications
The base continues to expand.
US Security of Tenure at Menwith Hill
We've been trying for a some time to get information about the arrangements made between the US and UK Governments which allows the Americans to be here. Secret documents were disclosed through the courts which revealed that the occupation and control of Menwith Hill by the Americans rested solely on an exchange of correspondence.
In correspondence dated 25th November 1957 from the Air Ministry, London, to the Commander, USAF Third Airforce (UK), confirming the handing over of this base, it states:
"Security of tenure is assured for the US Army at Harrogate for a period of 21 years commencing from 1st June, 1955, the date of occupation, renewable for an additional 21 years upon formal request of the US Army, subject however to such occupation being terminated in accordance with the United States/War Office agreement of 11th December, 1951."
The security of tenure was renewed in 1976 in another letter dated 4th August 1976 headed "USE OF MENWITH HILL STATION" which says:
"1. I refer to the recent correspondence with Miss Lee about the US tenure of Ministry of Defence owned land at Menwith Hill, Harrogate and in particular your letter of 19 Julv which reports failure on your part also to locate a copy of the US/War Office Agreement of 11 December 51.
2. As the US Army have already had occupation of the site for 21 Years and the original agreement set out in the letter of 25 November 57 offered an additional 21 years on its expiration, confirmation is hereby given that the Ministry of Defence accept your request for the renewal, giving security of tenure until 30 May, 1997."
A recent Parliamentary answer by Nicholas Soames (dated February 24th, 1997) states that:
"There is one security of tenure agreement applicable solely to RAF Menwith Hill. No leases have ever been granted to the US authorities."
However on the same date Mr. Soames in a written Parliamentary answer says:
"Though it is not our practice to comment on the precise details of such arrangements I can say that there are no plans, nor is there any requirement, to renew the arrangements at RAF Menwith Hill".
It is blatantly. clear that the Americans set out to make sure that they had full control of this and other bases in Britain: including arrangements made to ensure that all the constructions put up were firmly in the ownership of the US.
The difference between Menwith Hill and other bases referred to as 'RAF' was that Menwith Hill was NEVER an 'RAF' base; from the very beginning it was an American Army base.
In 1966 the National Security Agency of America took over from the US Army and in 1996 the status reverted to the US Army when the US Army and Intelligence Command (INSCOM) assumed host responsibility. However the name of the base was changed overnight last year. It is now called "RAF Menwith Hill".
Mr. Soames' reply to a Parliamentary question by Max Madden MP states there is "no requirement", to renew, the security of tenure agreement. Whilst Nicholas Soames agrees that a security of tenure agreement is currently in force, he also says there are "no plans, nor is there any requirement, to renew the arrangements at RAF Menwith Hill".
A crucial document has been lost. and Nicholas Soames is now saying that even 'a paper-only exercise' is no longer required? So much for accountability and democracy!
(See also discussion in Issue 1 and Issue 6).
European Union
No space available in this newsletter to talk about the launch of the European Union and the FBI global surveillance system - known as the ECHELON system (similar to the US "Clipper Chip" system in the USA) for phone tapping. fax and e-mail interception. Menwith Hill and Morwenstow, Bude, are key monitoring stations in this new system of global surveillance.
If anyone wants to know more (it's outrageous!) contact: STATEWATCH. PO Box 1516, London. N16 0EW Tel. 0181 802 1882 or see the Yorkshire CND Menwith Web Page.
History of the Campaign of Protest at Menwith Hill Station
Christine Dean (Assistant Honorary Keeper of Otley Museum), who has been involved with the
MHS protest for many years and kept meticulous records, is chronologically cataloguing and
updating the files containing the archive material since the beginning of the campaign of
protest at MHS. It is important to document the work, to tell the story from the start and
to hand it on to future generations.
She has asked if anyone has any items such as news, press cuttings. leaflets, court actions,
which could be included in this history.
To save Chris time and expense please could photocopies rather than originals be sent to:
Christine Dean, 5 Garnett Street, Otley, West Yorkshire LS27 IAL.
Thank you.
As part of the US Space Surveillance Network,
RAF Feltwell hosts the US 5th Space Surveillance Squadron - which operates under the The US Space Command's 21st Space Wing.
It is becoming clearer that this base is frighteningly significant. We know that it is involved with operations and research in near and deep space and is part of the United States Air Force Space Command (USSPACECOM). The headquarters are at Peterson Air Force base in Colorado Springs US.
This base commands 3 bases in the UK: Feltwell, Fylingdales (Yorkshire) and Oakhanger, Hampshire - and probably Edzal in Scotland (closing summer this year).
In a Parliaimentary answer by Nicholas Soames (dated 24 February 1997):
"The Near Space Trackimg Facility at RAF Feltwell became operational on 30th September 1996. There are currently no plans for expansion. The US authorities are responsible for funding infra-structure costs at the site and as such questions concerning the facility are a matter for them".
According to a glossy, brochure entitled "United States Space Command's (USSPACECOM) Vision for 2020", the Americans are trying to "dominate the space dimension of military operations to protect US national interests and investment. Integrating Space Forces in own interests."
The retiring Commander of Peterson Air Force Base. Joseph Ashy, says:
"It's politically sensitive but it's going to happen. Some people don't want to hear this, and it sure isn't in vogue ... but – absolutely - we're going to fight IN space. We're going to fight FROM space and we're going to fight INTO space... That's why the US has development programs in directed energy and hit-to-kill mechanisms. We are developing direct force applicators ..."
The US Space Command seriously violates the Outer Space Treaty (1967) which safeguards the use of outer space for peaceful purposes.
We have given this base attention for some time now. Lindis has been warned again that injunction proceedings will start if she continues to "trespass".
(See also Yorkshire CND Space Page).
This case, concerning violence to Lindis and Anni on a public road outside the base in August 1995 and which the Americans put in a Certificate of Immunity, is on its way to the Court of Human Rights. This case is significant because at the moment the Americans can do what they like (as above) and simply put in a piece of paper to avoid being brought to court. In October l996 the Judges gave them the green light to do just this, so it's very important that there is a challenge.
The base is expanding (e.g. three new weapon stores etc. etc.).
The Writ for damages against the United States of America has been acknowledged in America. Lindis is defending herself in this action which is another attempt to bring the Americans to account for their actions. They have again put into the court a Certificate of Immunity (oh dear! a re-run of the Mildenhall incident!).
We mentioned in the last newsletter something of what this base is now doing. This base is significant and complex. We can only include a snippet in this newsletter. It is the Joint (meaning American Forces) Analysis Center and it is where the Regional Joint Intelligence Training Facility (RJITF) is based. "The RJITF ... is the primary source of joint intelligence training within USEUCOM (United States European Command)."
"The mission of the RJITF is to conduct in-theater training, including intelligence organisations, fimctions and systems."
Basically, Molesworth now includes an intelligence training school, with Mobile Training Teams available to go far afield with intelligence training on the ground and in space. The base offers a range of courses for their European forces with the objective of bringing them into the technological age. It is part of a huge network for America to ensure that their military, economic and world wide interests are assured on earth and in space. The information we have is terrifying.
There will be a new government by the time this newsletter arrives. We do want to acknowledge the help and support of Max Madden, MP for Bradford West.
Over many years Max has worked tirelessly to insist that Menwith Hill in particular and American bases in general in this country are brought to account. He has been involved in trying with us to reveal the inevitable abuses of power and the law that surrounds these issues.
His persistent work includes:
MENWITH HILL
(near Harrogate, North Yorkshire)
For anyone who is not familiar with this base, it is an intelligence gathering base run by the American National Security Agency. Its purpose is to make sure that America's military, economic and diplomatic interests are ensured, by intercepting air borne communications. Their "mission" is American global domination.
A History of the Planning Applications from 1975 can be found in the Harrogate Borough Council Development Service Application Progress Sheet.
FELTWELL
(near Thetford, Norfolk)
MILDENHALL
(near Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk)
LAKENHEATH
(near Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk)
MOLESWORTH
(near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire)
PARLIAMENT
He has always been available to us and has responded to our requests for help. For all his work we thank him and send him love and peace. He will be a great loss but someone ... somewhere else ... will be the richer.
Updated July 1998