European Parliament
We mentioned in CAAB newsletter number 2 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'. This has now been officially acknowledged in a recent European Commission Report entitled "Assessing the Technologies of Political Control" which was commissioned recently by the Civil Liberties Committee of the European Parliament.

The report states: "Within Europe all e-mail, telephone and fax communications are routinely intercepted by the United States National Security Agency transferring all target information from the European mainland via the strategic hub of London then by satellite to Fort Meade in Maryland via the crucial hub at Menwith Hill."

The report confirms: "the Echelon system forms part of the UKUSA system but unlike many of the electronic spy systems developed during the Cold War, Echelon is designed primarily for non-military targets: governments, organisations and businesses in virtually every country. The ECHELON system works by indiscriminately intercepting very large quantities of communications and then siphoning out what is valuable using artificial intelligence aids like MEMEX to find key words".

For some years several MEPs have asked questions in the European Parliament about the role of Menwith Hill, and this significant report follows on from these questions. The report urges a fundamental review of the involvement of the American National Security Agency (NSA) in Europe, suggesting that the activities be either scaled down, or become more open and accountable.

Glyn Ford, Labour MEP for Manchester East, who was the driving force behind this report, believes that it is crucial to the future of civil liberties in Europe. As Britain currently holds the Presidency of the European Parliament it will be interesting to see how this report is acted upon.

Planning Applications
A History of the Planning Applications from 1975 can be found in the Harrogate Borough Council Development Service Application Progress Sheet.

1. Work has started on the expansion and refurbishment of the operations area which will contain the European Relay Ground Station for the new Space Based Infra Red System. The SBIR system has been developed to upgrade the ageing US Defense Support Program (DSP) satellite system to detect and give warning of the launch of ballistic missiles. This work will continue up to 2005, but after that other buildings will require major refurbishment. This information comes from the MOD on behalf of their clients, the Americans, in their Justification Report to Harrogate Planning Department.

   The new Mission Support Building (part of the expansion and refurbishment) will be attached to the existing Steeplebush II Building and the ground is being prepared to site the two new radomes. (See also Issues 6 and 4).

2. An application was submitted to Harrogate Planning Department recently for two 80' CCTV masts (security cameras) on two footpaths which rim across two outer corners of the base. The council have formally objected to the proposal and made the following observation:

   Observation with Reasons:
   

   1. ) The sites for the proposed development occupy prominent and visually intrusive locations, divorced from the main developed areas at RAF Menwith Hill.

   2. ) The District Council are concerned at the damaging effect the CCTV towers will have on the surrounding countryside, much of which lies within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) where special landscape protection policies apply.

   3. ) No supporting information has been submitted to demonstrate that alternative, less damaging means of providing adequate security cannot be provided nor that an overriding need exists which would justify setting aside landscape protection policies.

   4. ) The District Council are of the opinion that the proposal as submitted is unacceptable in visual terms and formally OBJECT to the proposed development. [Our sentiments entirely]

   We have always understood that they can put in OBSERVATIONS ONLY rather than OBJECTIONS. However a recent discussion with the Chief Planning Officer when he tried to clarify what powers the Planning Committee had, seemed to evolve around the interpretation of words. They have no power to reject a Crown Planning Application as they are not the authorising Authority (the MOD are, for their American clients). When they say "OBJECTION WITH REASON" they are actually giving their "OBSERVATION" i.e. their "OBSERVATION" is "OBJECTION WITH REASON" ... have you got that?! The fact is that the Planning Department have no powers where operations of the base are involved. So much for local democracy! (Update - see Urgent News item).

   Although this is a comparatively small application it is significant because of the public footpaths and because MHS should really have been within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The base was deliberately excluded from it in 1993 (although we went to the public meeting to try to include MHS in the AONB in the hope that this might protect Nidderdale and check further base expansion).

3. An application for a two storey American High School has had to be resubmitted because although the original application was accepted in principle, when the plans were submitted they varied too much from what had been agreed. At the moment the American children attend local schools.

4. There have been a few applications this year to improve the 'infrastructure and the quality of life' on the base e.g. pre-fabricated garage, playground and skate pad.

Byelaws and Court News

1. Two convictions under the "RAF" Menwith Hill bylaws were quashed last year when the bylaws were declared invalid by Judge Crabtree at York Crown Court on 5 September 1997. (The MOD have appealed against this judgement but a hearing set for Thursday 23rd July 1998 in the High Court was adjourned due to the defence barrister, Vera Baird, being too ill. The case is now expected to be re-listed in the High Court sometime in October - see also item in Issue 4 )

   Immediately after the ruling we wrote to the Senior Police Officer at MHS and the Chief Constable of the MDP to ask them to uphold the Crabtree ruling, take down the signs and suspend further arrests under the bylaws. The Ministry of Defence Police ignored the ruling, continued to display the signs and went on arresting under invalid bylaws (a rerun after the first challenge in 1990).

   In the light of the Crabtree ruling we have persistently asked the MDP to take down the invalid signs but they refuse. When they have refused we have taken the signs down ourselves and have been arrested under the bylaws and various other offences. The way the MDP react differs from day to day.

   At various times over the past six months we have been arrested, detained, charged, reported, de-arrested, re-arrested, released or ignored all for the same action i.e. removing the invalid signs which we have done openly, always informing the MDP of our intentions. We have taken the signs down and informed the MDP that we will keep them safely; that we have no intention to keep them permanently, and that we will return them when the matter has been resolved in the High Court. The various alleged offences range from a bylaws offence; criminal damage; attempted criminal damage; suspicion of criminal damage; possession with intent; 'inciting an officer to disaffect, and theft. Very few alleged offences have actually come to court. It is quite clear that some of the MDP are deeply unhappy at this state of affairs where they have been given 'instructions to ignore the Crabtree ruling by higher authority.

2. Lindis was summoned to the High Court London on 2 April 98 to answer why she should not be committed to prison for one year for allegedly breaching the permanent injunction at Menwith Hill Station. She has had an injunction not to enter the base since 1991 which was eventually made permanent in 1996. The land in question ('RAF'Menwith Hill) is defined by a red line on a map but the boundaries are unclear and Lindis has made strenuous efforts to get the Judges to clarify the red line but each time her request has been refused.

   Lindis has always admitted being in breach of the injunction before but this time she does not admit it. The case revolves round whether she was on or off a public footpath when she removed byelaws signs which inform the public that it is a criminal offence to enter the restricted land. Lindis has challenged the validity of byelaws twice before once at MHS and also another base. As mentioned in Issue 4, in September Judge Crabtree ruled that the MHS byelaws were invalid and quashed the convictions of two women from the womens camp at Menwith.

   Both Anni and Lindis have really pursued the Ministry of Defence Police to uphold this ruling which they have continued to ignore. They have tried many ways to achieve this and each time we have asked them to take the signs down. They have refused and so finally Anni and Lindis took them down themselves, kept them safely and reported the action to the police each time. They also told them that it was their intention to return them when the matter which is in the process of being appealed in the High Court, is decided.

   To return to the alleged breach! It is quite clear that the Ministry of Defence Police were at a loss as to know what to do. If they took the notices down then anyone could walk in the base free from arrest (as before in the first challenge in 1993). Not wanting to uphold Judge Crabtree's ruling they deliberately resited the signs 3 feet off the footpath and into the restricted area without letting anyone know. It was calculated and clearly a deliberate move to entrap. Lindis maintains however that the signs were on the footpath or certainly very close and that it cannot be right for the Ministry of Defence Police to put public signs on a spot where the public has to break the law in order to read them!

   The judgement of this court has been postponed until 24th April. Lindis faces a year in prison. We will keep you posted.

3. Jenny and Laura now have temporary injunctions at MHS and have been informed that the Treasury Solicitors intend to make them permanent. (See item in Issue 4).

4. The Crown Prosecution Service have decided to take no action against the officers who gave conflicting evidence in the case against Lindis last year, when spurious charges were brought against her at Harrogate Magistrates' Court. She has made a complaint to the Police Complaints Authority which will probably result in the same lack of action.

5. A charge of alleged assault has again been brought against Lindis. Having been denied access to the toilet while in custody she attempted to open the cell door and in the process it is alleged that the door banged an officer's head. Lindis was simply opening the door and would not, and certainly had no intention of, assaulting anyone. The Codes of Practice of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act states that the person in custody must have access to the toilet. It is again deeply distressing. (See update - Issue 6).

US Senate Report
While browsing through a US Senate Report entitled ......... "AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998 FOR THE INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY RETIREMENT AND DISABILITY SYSTEM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES .......... a reference to Menwith Hill caught our eye .......

"..... Section 502 would extend through the end of FY 1999 the authority granted the Amy for Fiscal Year 1996 for the rectification of infrastructure and quality of life problems at Bad Aibling and Menwith Hill Stations. With respect to Bad Aibling Station, this authority is requested as an interim measure for contingency maintenance pending any final decision on the status of the Station.

The Army became the Executive Agent for Bad Aibling Station in FY 1995 and Menwith Hill Station in FY 1996. Without Congressional action, the Army is prohibited by 31 U.S.C. Sec. 1301 from using appropriated funds to support these field sites, notwithstanding that the Army is the Executive Agent for them. Language in the Intelligence Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 1996 provided the necessary flexibility to allow the Army to transfer or reprogram relatively minor amounts of funds (up to $2 million in FY 1996 O&M and $2 million in FY 1997 O&M funds) for necessary maintenance at these stations. Sufficient funding has not been available, however, to allow the Army to meet all of the stations' needs because of financial constraints and increasing operational tempo. Consequently, in order to continue addressing infrastructure and quality of life needs at Menwith Hill Station and to be able to meet contingencies on an interim basis at Bad Aibling Station, the Army's flexible transfer and reprogramming authority is extended through FY 1999 ... "

Disabled access to Footpath 43
In December 1994, Anni started a correspondence with North Yorkshire County Council welcoming their initiative of disabled access to the countryside and asking them to remove the MOD's obstructions at either end of this Public Footpath (two huge wooden ladder-stiles and some new waist high fencing on either side). She also pointed out that the Footpath ran across a field of beautiful orchids which wheelchair users and the less able-bodied were prevented from enjoying.

NYCC replied "... Whilst efforts are actively being We always need funds as we depend on donations to made to compile details of routes suitable for keep the campaign going so we are also asking for people with a variety of disabilities, and with a help with the day to day expenses of CAAB. Money view towards improving some others to make them and postage stamps are always welcome ... as is suitable for such purposes, footpath No 43 Menwith your continuing support! has not been considered for inclusion ... A substantial fence used to exist, hence the provision of the ladder stiles to provide access. I am aware that the fence was subsequently removed ... it is presumed that the owners of the previously existing fence -will have re-fenced the area. They are not under - any obligation to provide access for wheelchair users... "

Anni kept the correspondence going and by February 1995 NYCC wrote, "... I have considered the suggestion that the MOD be requested to provide disabled access to this footpath. In view of the fact that this footpath is one of the few with a fairly suitable surface, I will write to them to ascertain their view on the proposal ... My officers report that the new fence has in fact been vandalised, so unless the MOD intend to repair the fence, access is in any case available at the moment ... "

In June 1996 NYCC confirmed that " ... no reply has been received from the MOD to letters sent from this office in February and September 1995, asking if they would provide disabled access along this footpath. I will send yet another letter and let you know if and when I receive a response ... "

By November 1996 things took a turn for the worse "...I do not think there is anything else I can do to encourage a reply. In my opinion the route is rather short to have a wide appeal to the public and viewing the orchids would seem to be the main reason for anyone wanting to use it. It might be that my officers efforts to improve access would be more profitably directed elsewhere ... In the circumstances it might be that a direct approach from yourself would be helpful ... "

So, in December 1996, Anni wrote to Mr Taylor, Senior Land Agent for the Defence Estate Organisation, who replied, "...I note the concerns expressed in your letter and can assure you that this matter has not been overlooked. The question of the footpath, together with other highways matters is being addressed with both RAF Menwith Hill and the Highways Authority and I will let you know when a satisfactory solution has been found ... "

In February 1998, Anni finally lost patience and wrote to NYCC putting them on notice that if they had not removed within six weeks the wooden ladder stiles, wooden posts and other illegal obstructions which were preventing disabled access to Footpath 43, then, having exhausted other avenues, she would take steps to remove them herself.

A couple of weeks later, Lindis and Anni noticed that a pile of thick wooden posts had appeared at one entrance to the footpath, a JCB at the other and overgrowth had been cut down at both. Anni rang the Harrogate Planning Officer and the Defence Land Agent to ask if they knew about the work going on and whether the MOD intended to fence in the Footpath, but both were unaware of any current activities.

Anni received a letter on 20 March 1998 from Mr Taylor, Defence Land Agent saying " ... I refer to our telephone conversation last week regarding the Public Footpath across the north-west comer of RAF Menwith Hill and the work which you saw taking place.

You will recall that in correspondence last year you raised concern at the difficulty of gaining access to this footpath for wheelchairs. This concern was taken seriously and discussed in detail with R,4F Commander and other parties. [the Americans?!] As a result a scheme was drawn up to improve both the access itself and the surface of the footpath to enable easier travel for wheelchairs.

The work carried out has been:-
a) The ladder stiles to each end of the footpath have been taken down and new lengths of fence erected but leaving access points adequate for wheelchairs. The fencing does in fact replace earlier fencing which had been taken down.
b) The surface vegetation along the footpath has been roughly cleared to make it easier for wheelchairs to use the footpath..
c) The route of the footpath has been defined by way posts.

The completed work, which was carried out by the Defence Estate Organisation and not by RAF Menwith Hill, has been inspected by the North Yorkshire County Council Footpaths Officer who tells me he is satisfied with the work. I am fully aware of the conservation and amenity value of this area and hope to be able to improve and consolidate this as an ongoing environmental project as when funding is available... "

Well, what a long, four year struggle, but well worth it in the end. Disabled access for Footpath 43 and official recognition of the orchid field achieved at last. Funny that it took a letter about direct action to actually realise it... or was that just another one of those inexplicable coincidences ... ?!

Questions in Parliament
Norman Baker Lib Dem MP for Lewes continues to ask many questions. One of the more recent questions was:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total cost of the space based infra red system being installed at RAF Menwith Hill; and how much of this cost will be borne by the Exchequer?

Reply by Dr. Reid, Minister for the Armed Forces:

This programme is funded by the UNited States Government. The UK contribution is limited to some administrative costs relating to professional fees and management of the works programme to which some £77,000 has been allocated to date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total number of US Visiting Forces based in the UK and where are they allocated?

Reply by Dr. Reid:

Some 13,500 members of the US Visiting Forces are present in the UK. We have a list of 40 sites where there are members of the US Visiting Forces - refer to Hansard 2 March 1998 col. 490).

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.

LAKENHEATH/MILDENHALL
(near Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk)

There are 5,332 members of the US Visiting Forces at Lakenheath/Feltwell and 4,230 at Mildenhall (HQ of the US Third Air Force).

Complaints Review Board (see Issue 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9)
Legally the CRB is not competent to investigate the serious incidents which are complained about because there have been violations of US and UK law and we believe the British police should be 'investigate' these incidents, not the Americans. Offences were committed on British citizens by members of a visiting force who are subject to British law. At the moment the American military are investigating themselves.

The CRB has been convened to find out if there were any criminal or disciplinary offences committed by the US military. It is an internal enquiry and there are three members on the Board; a representative from the office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Third Air Force; a representative from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and a member from HQ, Third Air Force Director of Operations - Security Police Branch. A new investigating officer has been appointed. He is Major Edwin Daniel, USAF. The Staff Judge Advocate has refused to replace Lyndon B. James (Host Nation Attorney who acts for the Americans) as the Administrator to the CRB so now we have written to the US Ambassador and enlisted the help of John Prescott, MP for Hull East.

The CRB have said that they will be investigating 10 complaints involving Lindis, two involving Anni and three involving Juliet McBride. The incidents happened in 1994/5. There is apparently no legal redress for the British citizen if/when a member of a Visiting Force commits a serious offence against them in the UK.

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MOLESWORTH
(near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire)

The Fellowship of Reconciliation arranged a meeting to discuss what should happen to the garden at Peace Camp Corner which had not been tended for some years after Cruise Missiles were sent back to the US. Some people will remember how special this place was as a focus for peaceful protest during the 1980s when Molesworth became the second Cruise Missile base.

About 40 people came to the Eirene Centre in Clopton and decided to set up a working party to talk about appropriate ways of marking the years of protest at Molesworth and also to set up a rota of people to tend the Peace garden.

Lindis spoke to the group about what is happening beyond the fence and the fact that the Americans never went away when the Cruise Missiles left. Also that the role of the base has changed and it is now the American Joint Analysis Center and is one of five Regional Joint Intelligence Training Facilities for the United States European Command. It is crucially linked with Menwith Hill Station. Both bases expanded at about the same time.

It really would help the campaign if someone could:

a) Regularly go to the Planning Department in Cambridge and check for proposed developments at the base (we could let you know how to do this)
b) Send us any information/articles from local newspapers about the base/US military
c) Monitor any visible change at the base
d) Let us know of any protest/action that may be planned

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ALCONBURY
(Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire)

Lindis warned under Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1996, section 69.

Also warned that injunction proceedings will start unless she gives an undertaking that she will not "trespass" on this base in the future ... Lindis has just received the summons for a temporary injunction hearing in the High Court at a date to be fixed.

Lindis has been summoned to appear at Huntingdon Magistrates' Court on a charge of driving without due care and attention. The charge has been reduced from dangerous driving. She was extremely careful when she drove into the base and it feels rather like another attempt to get her off the road.
(See also Issue 6 and Issue 7)

Alconbury is the support base for - Molesworth. There are 1,429 US personnel at Alconbury/Molesworth/Upwood.

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FYLINGDALES
(near Whitby, North Yorks)

One member of the US Visiting Forces (well ... only one admitted!).

In a letter from the MoD dated 19 January 1998 to Sylvia Boyes:

"... The site at RAF Fylingdales is part of the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) which provides warning and attack assessments using DSP data [refer to Menwith section on planning)]. It also performs two other functions that of space surveillance and satellite tracking ... "

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EDZALL
(Scotland)

Information from John Ainsley Scottish CND:
"The US have completely left Edzell. At the time of the announcement that they were going to leave the US Commander said it was being closed, partly because of the ending of the Cold War and partly because of technological developments.

The main installation at Edzell was a huge circular HF receiver used to monitor shipping movements across the North Atlantic. In the last 20 years there were more satellite receivers installed at Edzell. It is likely that all the work is now being done by satellite and so could be relocated, subject to satellite orbits.

There has been a move in the US military to pull back to US locations where possible. Some of the work is probably done in the US.

There always was co-ordination between work at Edzell (primarily doing naval/military work) and Menwith Hill, (doing more civilian monitoring). So some tasks may now be done from Menwith Hill.

Edzell had a processing centre in the middle of the circular antenna with expensive computer equipment. This was transported back to the USA using large Galaxy aircraft."

It seems that the role of Edzell has now been moved to RAF Feltwell

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HOLYLOCH
(Scotland)

"Tuesday 24 February 1998 BBC Ceefax: LOCH TO BE CLEARED OF MILITARY RUBBISH Work is beginning to remove tons of debris and toxic material which was tipped into a sea loch by the US navy.

The Ministry of Defence is paying £5m to clean up Holy Loch on the Firth of Clyde in a two year operation.

The US navy based a fleet of nuclear submarines there during the Cold War.

Surveys have uncovered the wrecks of landing craft, gangways, scaffolding, pontoons and other objects scattered across two-thirds of the loch's floor".

John Ainsley of Scottish CND told us "The amount of debris on the sea bed is massive covering a large part of the loch and in some cases 30 feet high. Some locals are concerned that in lifting up the debris, toxic and radioactive material could be dispersed. Our view is that the clean-up is not being carried out in a thorough and safe way. While it would be better to remove all the debris there has to be more detailed surveys first and a more sensitive method used to bring the rubbish to the surface. While this would be more expensive, THE COST SHOULD BE BORNE BY THE US NAVY WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TREATING THE SCOTTISH LOCH IN, SUCH A SHODDY WAY."

[Once again the Americans leave their dangerous legacy behind and the host country has to pay for the cleaning up - we intend to take up the question of US pollution on UK bases with Michael Meacher, Secretary of State for the Environment.]

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NAGO
(Okinawa, Japan)

There has been strong opposition to stop the American's planned construction of a new off-shore helicopter base near the town of Nago in Okinawa. In a referendum on 21 December 1997, 53% of the town's voters said "No" to the proposed base, despite heavy pressure from the Japanese government.

The December vote is the most recent, and perhaps the most telling evidence of Okinawan opposition to the presence of the US military. In October 1995, after US military personnel raped an Okinawan school girl, 85,000 people demonstrated against the bases, the largest Okinawan rally ever held. In the spring of 1996 Okinawan opposition elected a majority of antibases representatives to the prefectural assembly (having previously elected a governor of anti-base persuasion), and in the Autumn in a prefectural referendum, it won a majority vote against the bases.

Okinawans have special reasons for opposing the American bases and the military intervention they are designed to serve. Theirs was the only Japanese soil on which World War II was fought by combat troops, and 120,000 people, a quarter of the Okinawan population perished in the cross-fire of the opposing forces, leaving an indelible popular aversion to war. The US military presence is pervasive in Okinawa, the smallest and poorest of the Japanese prefectures. Accounting for less than 1% of Japanese land, it hosts 2/3rds of the US troops and 3/4 of the US bases in Japan. US bases occupy 1/5th of Okinawa's main island.

The off shore base near Nago has been proposed to take the place of a very unpopular helicopter base located in the heart of Futenina, another Okinawan city. But the vote of 21 December clearly indicates that the people of Nago, like many other Okinawans, want the reduction and removal, rather than the relocation, of US bases. Many mainland Japanese also oppose US bases and support the Okinawan struggle.

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Updated July 1998