Issue No. 10 - June 1999
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,
The 10th CAAB newsletter has been produced under certain difficulties as Anni is in the Otley office and Lindis is at HM Prison Highpoint, Suffolk. However, never let it be said that CAAB will be hampered by a few local difficulties!
This issue is published during a very dark time in history. Who knows what stage the state of the Balkans War will be at by the time this newsletter arrives?
Commenting on the NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy, Jamie Shea said, 'It was an intelligence mistake which led the bombs to go astray'. Menwith Hill and other US intelligence bases must answer to this.
The massive NATO military machine, led by the Americans, has made terrible mistakes. It is CAAB's position that we profoundly oppose the use of military force in attempting to resolve the conflict in Kosovo/a
'To oppose the use of violence is not to do nothing' - as stated by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in a letter to UK PM Tony Blair.
Coercive diplomacy and military action cannot lead to a just and sustainable settlement.
Quiet, persistent diplomacy involving civilian organisations, once the bombing by NATO is stopped and the terrible violence in Kosovo/a is also halted, seems to be the only way forward. We are mindful that the Balkan situation is extremely complicated - but in the end it surely is true that "WAR IS NO SOLUTION".
Planning Applications
…A pending P.A. for an extension to Building 17 to provide a gymnasium (6.90.224.D.CROWND) is also expected to go through unopposed after the site notices expire on 28th May.
…Neither the new perimeter security fence nor the sportsfield running track are completed yet.
…Planning permission has already been granted for the two American Space Based Infra Red System (SBIRS) radomes which are expected to be constructed in November this year.
Continuing Byelaws Saga
Permanent Injunction
Ignoring the fact that Lindis had breached her injunction in order to hold the MDP to lawful account for their refusal to remove invalid Bye-laws notices from around the base, he then sentenced her to be detained for nine months in Holloway Prison.
Two days later Lindis was transferred from Holloway to another closed prison, HMP Highpoint, Suffolk. Her expected release date is Friday 30 July.
Lindis has had her application to be transferred to an open prison nearer her home refused by Highpoint's governor. She had requested a move to Askham Grange, near York, but has been told that she is considered to be a security risk!
More Court News
Lindis was sentenced to £150 compensation and costs of £290. She has given the court notice that she intends to Appeal.
…Sgt John Quinn's Appeal against his conviction and sentence for assaulting Lindis, while acting as a Custody Officer at the MHS police post (see CAAB 8), has been adjourned. A new date will be fixed for sometime after her release.
Saturday 5 June and Saturday 7 August 1999
Quaker Meeting for Worship: F/friends will gather together on the grass verge outside the main entrance to NSA Menwith Hill for an hour of Quaker worship starting at 2.00 p.m.
From 3.00pm, weather permitting, there will be light refreshments and time to catch up on CAAB news.
Please bring something to sit on and remember that the weather can sometimes be quite challenging!
Contact Anni or Lindis for more details.
Citizen's Inspection
Despite many mobile telephone calls to the base authorities, none of the Americans were prepared to meet the Citizen's Inspection Team.
Christian CND held a service outside the entrance and many people walked the Public Footpath that runs through the base, as a mark of protest.
Nuclear Weapons Exercise
EXERCISE DIMMING SUN will last a week and take place on the Stanford Battle Ground, north of Thetford, in Norfolk … part of Breckland District Council's Nuclear Free Zone!
The exercise, costing in the region of £10 million, will include personnel from county and district authorities, all the public amenities, various central government departments and staff from all three UK military services.
The scenario will be: A US military transport plane taking off from USAF Lakenheath and loaded with nuclear weapons being returned to America for servicing. There is a mid-air collision with a local light plane over an open area, and the US plane and its four B-61 nuclear weapons crashes and is destroyed on impact. All crew on both planes are killed along with a number of local residents.
[It is believed that there are still about 30 American B-61 nuclear weapons stored in underground vaults at USAF Lakenheath. The US and UK governments will neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons on American bases in Britain.]
Night Time Attack
The operation on the night of Monday 3 May involved planes from the US 492nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (EFS) and was part of NATO's OPERATION ALLIED FORCE.
This was the first combat mission to leave directly from Lakenheath since the EL DORADO CANYON bombing raids on Libya in 1986.
The US 493rd EFS and the US 494th EFS, normally based at Lakenheath, are also involved with Operation ALLIED FORCE but are operating from USAF Cervia and USAF Aviano in Italy.
John Bugg Memorial Walk and Vigil
On Sunday 18 April people again gathered at the main entrance for 'an orderly and enjoyable walk' across the base on the Public Footpath, before sharing food and chat at Eriswell Parish Hall.
This annual walk and picnic is a tribute and a memorial to John Bugg, who struggled fearlessly and selflessly through the courts to prevent the closure of footpaths on or near military sites.
Contact: Sue 01353 699267
STOP PRESS
Security
In response to concerns that the Air Fete would go ahead despite USAFE bases being on Threatcon-B alert, Col. Glenn F Spears, USAF 100th Air Refueling Wing Commander said, 'We have planned prudent measures to reduce the risks to the event and our plans have been received and approved by a host of security experts … Our aim is to make Air FÃte as safe as any major public gathering. If we conclude that we cannot achieve that standard, we will cancel Air Fete.'
On 16 April USAFE Mildenhall officials announced that because of ongoing operations in Europe, 'RAF' Mildenhall's Air FÃte will be postponed until next year.
Ouside the fence:
Two new signs, both replacing earlier ones, were dedicated. The first was a wooden sign to remember the Eirene peace chapel which stood on the base during the cruise missile protests of the early 1980s. Gordon Roe, former Bishop of Huntingdon, who helped dedicate the chapel in 1984, also dedicated this new sign.
The other sign, in metal, forms part of an existing memorial to victims of nuclear and chemical tests.
A letter was read out from Lindis in her absence.
Molesworth Gardeners:
Americans drop bomb on runway:
RAF FAIRFORD, UK - A 500-pound, Mark-82 bomb was dropped on the flightline during a transfer operation at RAF Fairford today.
The incident occurred around 5 a.m. No one was injured, and there was no damage to the bomb.
The incident occurred during a transfer operation from a tractor to a B-1B bomber.
'We're in the middle of a safety investigation now to determine the exact cause of the mishap,' said Master Sgt Barry Morris, a weapons safety representative from Ellesworth Air Force Base, S.D., home of the B-1B Lancer.
'Based on the information we receive from photos and interviews, we will determine the cause of the incident and make recommendations so the incident doesn't happen again,' he said.
'The incident was handled professionally, expediently,' said Richard Palmer, the safety officer from RAF Fairford. 'It was rectified in a minimum amount of time and no personnel, military or civilian, were in immediate danger.'
According to base officials, residents in the local area were in no danger, and all safety precautions were taken to ensure no one was hurt.
The bomb received minor scratches, and was returned to the inventory.
We understand that the roads around the base were sealed off for a four mile radius until the situation was 'under control'.
An American military spokeswoman was anxious to say that the dropped bomb was not one of the cruise missiles being used by the American B-51's that are also stationed at Fairford to bomb Kosovo/a. She was apparently unaware whether or not the dropped Mark-82 contained any Depleted Uranium.
According to her, the Americans who dropped the bomb simply 'butter-fingered it'!
Monday 31 May 1999
Wear Black - Bring black ribbons to tie to the fence - Come self-sufficient - Bring what you need.
This protest has been called by Southampton Women in Black.
There will also be a Women's Peace Camp near USAF Fairford on Friday 28 to Monday 31 May. Ring the above number for information and come self-sufficient.
Three US Armed Forces Detachments are stationed here:
Operational tenant commands of Digby include the 399 Signals Unit (399 SU), 591 Signals Unit, Aerial Erector School and Combined Cryptologic Shore Support Activity (CCSSA). All USAF and USA personnel and about half of the USN personnel are assigned to the 399 SU. About half of the NSGD personnel are assigned to CCSSA.
The 339 SU is an international, tri-service facility concerned with military and official communications, and also engaged in research, development and trials of communication and electronic equipment in support of the defence services and other agencies.
The CCSSA provides timely and relevant cryptologic support to designated US, UK and Allied military commands within their 'areas of responsibility'.
A selection of interesting Parliamentary Questions and Answers to share with you:
Q: Mr Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the existing arrangements, agreements and memoranda of understanding between UK and US Governments in respect of the US visiting forces at Menwith Hill.
A: Mr Doug Henderson: The presence of the US Visiting Forces at RAF Menwith Hill is governed by the NATO Status of Forces Agreement 1951 and other arrangements appropriate to the relationship which exists between the governments of the United Kingdom and the United States for the purposes of our common defence. [8.3.99]
Q: Mr Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the Cost Sharing Agreement 1973 between the UK and US Governments in respect of the US visiting forces.
A: Mr Doug Henderson: No. The 1973 Cost Sharing Arrangement is a confidential arrangement between the UK and US Governments and is being witheld under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. [8.3.99]
Q: Mr Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the UK bases which have needed clean-up operations after the US visiting forces have vacated them, indicating the nature of the pollution, the costs, and who paid for these costs in each case.
A: Mr Spellar: I will write to the Hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House. [8.3.99]
Mr Spellar's letter to Mr Baker:
Dear Norman,
Further to my written answer of 8 March 1999 (Official Report, column 44) I am now in a position to provide you with a reply regarding UK based military bases vacated by US Visiting Forces
(USVF).
Bases have been available to the USVF in this country since the 1940's, however no central records exist detailing the condition of those vacated. Day to day management and maintenance of all defence sites is a matter for the individual Services and their command and budgetary structures. Since 1990 various sites ranging from major operational bases to isolated radio towers have been vacated as part of the latest major drawdown of US forces in the UK. Some of these sites have been retained by the MOD and occupied by the Services while others have been sold to the private sector.
USVF observe and abide by environmental protection standards at least equal to UK legislative requirements. If environmental pollution was discovered at a base currently made available to the USVF they would normally be responsible for ensuring that the appropriate remedial action is carried out. In the case of returned sites responsibility lies with the MOD for rectifying contamination caused by defence activities that may subsequently be discovered.
Sites planned for disposal are subjected to a Land Quality Assessment as part of the marketing strategy. If contamination is discovered it is either dealt with by the MOD or the assessed risk is made known to the potential purchaser and this factor taken into account in agreeing the sale price; the approach adopted does of course depend to a large extent on the nature of the contamination.
As I have said, we do not maintain central records detailing the condition of defence sites, however if you have a concern about any particular site I would be more than happy to look into it for you.
Signed … John
'An Atlantic alliance that has brought us this catastrophe should be wound up.'
Address to the Senate of Canada:
Canadians thought this problem went away when Canada refused the US invitation to participate in the Strategic Defense Initiative (known as 'Star Wars') in 1985. SDI itself was abandoned, but in the 1990s it reappeared as a National Missile Defense program designed to provide for the interception of long-range missiles targeted on the United States. A missile defense program for North America is now being promoted and Canada is inexorably being drawn into the web of US military-industrial-complex interests.
This is being done without the knowledge or consent of the Canadian Parliament and people. The Government of Canada keeps saying : Relax, nothing's going to happen for a long time.
Honourable Senators, there is plenty to worry about and the time to speak out against this retrograde, dangerous proposal is now.'
It is thanks to Anni that this newsletter is produced - produced under huge difficulties.
I would like to say how overwhelmed I have been by so many kind messages of support I have received while here. I am encouraged by the letters and cards I have had from many people not known to me who just wanted to express their support and share their deep concern about the unaccountable presence of the Americans in this country but particularly that of Menwith Hill.
The wonderful cards and letters have and continue to sustain me - how could I be low?! I am in fact feeling very well, very strong and no-one can stifle my Spirit - thank you to everyone. The issues of course remain when I come out …
[We have taken the liberty of sending a copy of this newsletter to every one who has sent Lindis messages of support - if you don't want to be on our mailing list please let us know. Please feel free to photocopy this newsletter and pass it on to a wider readership.]
We appreciate so much all the continued support that we receive. The struggle would be that much greater without it, particularly with Lindis in prison.
We always need funds to keep the campaign going as we depend on this financial support to continue our work.
Thank you too for all the gifts of 1st and 2nd class postage stamps - we use a great deal of them and they are always gratefully received.
For more information please us.
Since the last newsletter a P.A. has gone through the Harrogate planning committee for a Sub Station to Building 43 (6.90.295.CROWND). There were no objections.
Despite the MOD's successful Appeal against Judge Crabtree's ruling that the Bye-laws were invalid, we have still not heard whether the CPS intend to prosecute us for various alleged Bye-laws offences which were adjourned sine die by Ripon Magistrates pending the outcome of that Appeal.
The committal hearing for Lindis' 114 breaches of her MHS Injunction was heard by Mr Justice Ian Kennedy at the High Court, London, on Friday 12 March. At the end of the day he said he wanted to think about things over the weekend, and ordered Lindis to return at 2.00pm on Monday 15 March to hear his judgement.
On 23 February 1999, Harrogate magistrates found Lindis guilty of alleged criminal damage to two flags (stars and stripes and union jack) belonging to the US Government.
(see CAAB 11)
LAKENHEATH
(near Brandon, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk)
: National CND held a Citizen's Nuclear Inspection at the base on Easter Monday 5 April, during a day of action at NATO bases in response to NATO's 50th anniversary.
A joint US/UK nuclear weapons exercise involving around 1000 people is due to begin on 14 June 1999.
A number of F-15E's took part recently in a night attack on the Former Republic of Yugoslavia.
14 April saw the 13th anniversary of the bombing of Libyan civilians by the United States Air Force flying from Lakenheath. On each anniversary a vigil has been kept outside the main entrance to the base from 10pm to midnight. The entrance is closed with lighted candles and two minutes silence is observed while vigilers remember the life and death of Rafaat el Ghossein and all victims of international terrorism.
The MoD have just closed the Public Footpath that goes through USAF Lakenheath. It was closed under the 1842 Defence Act and we understand that legal advice is being taken.
MILDENHALL
(near Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk)
It seems likely that the International Mildenhall Air Fete will be cancelled this year due to the heightened security threat caused by the American-led NATO bombing of the Balkans.
MOLESWORTH
(near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire)
More than thirty people gathered together by the Peace Garden at Peace Corner on Saturday 9 May, as part of a Day of Community and Witness.
Gardening work at Peace Corner continues every second Sunday of the month at 1.00pm. The next gardening day will be 13 June.
Contact Ti-Pi on 01223- 571517 for more details.
FAIRFORD
(near Cirencester, Gloucester)
On Thursday 8 April 1999 the following Media Release was put out by the base Media office:
USAF Fairford (Map Ref: SP1498): A non-violent protest for Peace - ALL WELCOME. Meet at Kempsford Village (SP 1597) at 12 noon.
For information, access etc., ring: 01703 551059
[RAF?] DIGBY
(near Scopwick, Lincolnshire)
(Officer in Charge from United States Navy)
(Officer in Charge from United States Air Force)
(Commander from United States Army)
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
[John Spellar MP, 25 March 1999]
SNIPPETS
… 'How much longer do we have to endure the folly of Nato's war in the Balkans? In just 50 days the Atlantic alliance has failed in everything it set out to do. … As a citizen of a new, modern Europe, I don't want my continent to be led by the third-rate generals and two-bit under-secretaries that have been ranting on our television screens for the past 50 days. I don't want Europe to be 'protected' anymore by the US. If that means the end of the Atlantic Alliance, so be it.'
[Robert Fiske, The Independent, 13 May 1999]
'The Senate should be aware of a development that will profoundly alter international relations, cripple disarmament work, and tie Canada inextricably to US ill-conceived military plans. I speak of the US government's current design of a ballistic missile defense shield over North America..
[Senator Douglas Roche, 18 February 1999]
MESSAGE FROM LINDIS
(CF9734, HMP Highpoint, Stradishall, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 9YG)
MONEY MATTERS
Updated June 1999