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Campaign
for the Accountability of American Bases |
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Dear Friends
Who knows what will
have happened by the time you read this ….. the situation is very grave. It becomes more and more clear that the US are not concerned in allowing the UN weapons
Inspectors into Iraq. They are only interested in ‘regime change’ and domination of the Middle East for their own oil interests – changing the leadership to suit
the US as they have done over the years eg. Nicaragua. Granada and Chile.
Pilot of Stealth fighter at Fairford Air Tattoo July 2002 Change
can and does come about through the democratic process. However it seems that where the ‘special relationship’ is concerned democracy is side-lined. The UK government
will apparently fall in behind the US regardless of the consequences. This
is not done in our name.
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MENWITH HILL
(near Harrogate, North Yorkshire)
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New Base Commander: Planning Applications since the last newsletter :
Main Entrance closed:
The Main Entrance to Menwith Hill
closed in early September and is expected to remain closed until November while construction is carried out on new gates, barriers, guard hut and security
compounds. Meanwhile all base traffic has been
directed in and out of the base via Nessfield and Steeplebush gates, both narrower gates on the
busy B6451 Pateley Bridge Road.
Regular witness and protest at MHS – Tuesdays 7-9 pm: It is even more important than ever that there are people there regularly to show those working on the base that we oppose the roles and functions of Menwith Hill. It would be really good if groups or individuals pledged, maybe one Tuesday a month (or more!), so that there is always a growing weekly presence at this important base.
Arrests and court:
Pax Christi call
: Lindis was later
arrested under the RAF Menwith Hill byelaws for declining to remove another banner (WAR IS NO SOLUTION)
. She was charged under the byelaws for ‘interfering with MOD property and the banner was
seized. Anni
was ‘reported with a view to prosecution’ after the MDPA refused to arrest her for the same offence. The MDPA said
that it was too ‘complicated’ to take Anni in her wheelchair to Harrogate Police Station if she was arrested. Since then Anni
has received a letter from Superintendent Craddock (MDPA) to say that ‘no further action’ will be taken. The MDPA (under
the instructions of the America authorities) will now not allow anything (banners or anything else) to be hung, fixed or attached in any way to
the gates or fencing. Several CAAB banners have been seized by the MDPA.
They have gone to extraordinary lengths to prevent anything from being put on the fences etc at the Tuesday evening protests. Lindis has twice
been ‘reported with a view to prosecution’. The CPS have written to say
that that they will offer ‘no evidence’ at the next hearing for the incident on 24 September as it is ‘not in the public interest’. This pattern of
discontinuing cases (sometimes before the case ever gets to court) has been going on for years. We
do however have another legal option to bring the issue to court.
The ‘yellow line’: Since the temporary closure of the Main gate a ‘yellow line’ has also been painted on the ground across the entrance to Nessfield and Steeplebush gates.
International week of protest against ‘Star Wars’: Diana Wallis (Liberal Democratic Member
of the European Parliament) spoke impressively and interestingly from the European perspective. She talked about the fact that democratically elected MEPs had been denied
access to Menwith Hill for years. She was deeply concerned about the roles of MHS particularly because of the pending immoral, unlawful, undemocratic and dangerous US led
war against Iraq. Ann Cryer (Labour Member of Parliament
for Keighley) came to speak and rededicate a tree that was planted outside the Main entrance to Menwith Hill in memory of her late husband Bob (MP for Bradford South) who
died in a car crash in 1994. He worked tirelessly to bring public scrutiny and awareness to the role and function of Menwith Hill. The tree was moved recently because of
the road widening and changes to the security at
the Main entrance to Menwith Hill. A simple plaque was tied on to the trunk
of the tree and Ann laid a posy of flowers at the base of the tree. Ann was one of the MPs who voted
recently in the House of Commons debate against the war on Iraq - although a vote was not formally allowed. We are hoping that the plaque on the
tree will not be stolen this time. The first plaque 'disappeared' the same day of the dedication in 1994 and despite letters of objection to the base it was never found.
To date the flowers and plaque are still there. We walked round the base stopping at
various points while Lindis talked about the history of protest, the base and the key roles that Menwith Hill will play in the American Missile Defense programme and the
pending US led attack on Iraq. Attention was drawn to the two Space Based Infra- Red System radomes which were constructed in 1999. She also encouraged people to go for a
walk in the base. Alistair Hurley gave a brief talk about the technology
of the base. Several people walked into the base.
Anni Raw powerfully sang 'Keep your eye on the prize'. There were no arrests - one woman bravely (!) took all her clothes off during the walk to reveal a message -
Quakers for Peace. She was hurriedly dealt with by a woman police officer and later reported with a view to prosecution for 'indecent exposure'.
A French TV unit were present during the whole of the demonstration and filmed and interviewed people. The local press and Press Association were there. A police officer was overheard to say
that Superintendent Craddock of the Ministry of Defence Police Agency (the British police force who are employed and under the operational control of the US Visiting
Forces at Menwith Hill and other US bases) was called back from leave by the US base authorites and warned that if there were ANY breaches of security 'management heads
would roll'. How simple it was to close the base. We
now plan other actions to keep the American Missile Defense programme on the public agenda and the deep concern of growing numbers of people concerning the US attack on
Iraq. We encouraged people to take actions of peaceful civil disobedience which some people did for the first time. Menwith Hill must now expect more breaches of security and actions of civil disobedience. We know we can and we intend to seriously disrupt the workings of this key US base. (See: CAAB Report of Day )
Blockade of Menwith Hill
: Traffic was brought to a complete
standstill causing long tailbacks both inside and outside the base. Contractors vehicles were sent away and only essential
personnel were allowed in through a farmer’s gate and across fields on the other side of the base. There was serious
disruption to the working of the bases for about four and a half hours. The US authorities and the Ministry of
Defence Police Agency (MDPA) decided not to cut the chains and locks because of the way the protestors were ‘locked on’. They
were allowed to unlock themselves and leave unheeded with their chains, tubes and locks. There were no arrests but a ‘communal’ warning (‘aggravated trespass’ s.69 Criminal Justice and Pubic Order Act 1994) was read out to them which warned them not to return within three months. It was apparently difficult to identify any of the protestors due to scarves and woolly hats etc. Banners were hung on the gates and the MDPA took no action (see Pax Christi item above). It was a very effective action and something like this could be repeated at any of the other US bases. (See:
Yorkshire CND Report
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FYLINGDALES
(near Pickering, North Yorkshire)
LAKENHEATH
(near Brandon, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk)
MILDENHALL
(
near Lakenheath, Cambs)
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Construction
of new gate area: Work has been developing for some time for a new entrance to Mildenhall. Waterworks road is still closed as is the public footpath. |
USAF CROUGHTON
(near
Brackley Northants)
FELTWELL
(near Thetford,
Norfolk)
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Success
in Court: |
USAF FAIRFORD
(near
Letchlade Gloucestershire)
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Stealth
protest at Air Tattoo: Lindis was eventually arrested, charged,
refused bail and held over the weekend at Stroud Police Station before being released with bail conditions 'not to go to RAF Fairford'. Cheltenham Magistrates
sentenced Lindis to a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered her to pay £262 costs. The Chairman of the Bench told Lindis to stop writing while he sentenced
her. Lindis quietly declined saying that she could hear what he was saying but as she had
recorded most of the hearing she wished to continue. She said she was able to both listen to what he was saying and write at the same time. Lindis was told that the Magistrates
would leave the court while she considered her position. When they returned she restated her position. The Magistrates said that she was now 'in contempt of court’ and
she was sent to the court cells. Ten minutes later she was called back to the court. As she was in serious danger of being
committed to prison Lindis instructed her Barrister to say that ‘with reluctance’ she apologised to the court for not doing as the Magistrate had ordered her to do -
ie stop writing and put her pen down. Martin Setchell (Crown Prosecution
Service) made an application to the court for the US flag to be confiscated and destroyed. The Magistrates were clearly worried by the political implications of the
destruction of the US flag and ordered that it be confiscated ‘for ever’. Lindis will be exploring whether this
decision can be appealed. |
SHANNON AIRPORT
(near
County Clare, Republic of Ireland)
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Green light for legal challenge:
Mr Justice Finnegan, President of the
High Court, rejected arguments about International Law - basically that the UN Security Council never authorised any attacks on Afghanistan and that what the US is doing
does not amount to legal self-defence. However he agreed that Eoin (represented by Richard Humphries council and Paul O’Shea solicitor) could have a point about the
unconstitutionality of Ireland’s participation in war without the assent of the parliament. Eoin was due to
appear again in the High Court on 20 September seeking an interlocutory injunction until
the trial is over. However the State again did not
have their Statement of Opposition ready for the hearing in the
High Court. The next hearing is on 11 November 2002.
Three days later Eoin will be in Shannon District Court concerning his action at Shannon
Airport. For more information visit
http://refuelingpeace.org
or ring Eoin on +353 87 694 1060] |
SELECTION OF PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS
AND
ANSWERS
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QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS Q:
Norman Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the (a) purpose and (b)
accountability of the 1948 UK-USA security agreement. [65155]
A:
Mr. Straw:
It is a long-standing practice of this Government and previous Administrations not to comment on the detail of
confidential arrangements which might exist between the UK and the US for the UK's national security. [02.07.2002] Q:
Norman Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who is paying the costs of the Ministry of Defence police on detached
duties at Menwith Hill Station and Fylingdales including indirect costs incurred through their presence. [61183] A:
Dr Lewes Moonie:
All costs connected with MOD Police at RAF Fylingdales are met from the Defence Budget. The cost of the authorised complement of MDP at RAF Menwith Hill and related
costs are recovered from the US Authorities. The complement was increased with effect from 1 February 2002. Until officers are posted in on a permanent basis to fill the
newly complemented posts, cover is maintained using officers on temporary detachment. Costs are recovered as though all posts were filled on a permanent basis, enhanced
to cover the additional costs associated with the detached duty while it continues. [13.06.2002] Q: Norman Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the bases where a US
station commander exercised day-to-day operational control over the Ministry of Defence police at (a) 1st May
1997 and (b) 1st June 2002. [61410] A:
Dr. Lewes Moonie:
US Station Commanders are responsible for security at their Stations and exercise day to day operational control
over the Ministry of Defence Police in respect of site security duties. The Senior Police officer is responsible to the Chief Constable MDP in respect of the exercise of
constabulary powers. MDP officers are currently deployed at RAF Alconbury, RAF Fairford, RAF Hythe, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Menwith Hill, US Navy London (Eastcote) and RAF
Welford. These sites also had a MDP detachment on 1 May 1997. [13.06.2002] Q:
Jeremy
Corbyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what applications he has received from the USA
to construct new aircraft hangars on Diego Garcia; and if he will make a statement. [74654] A:
Mike
O'Brien:
The issue of possible upgrades to facilities at Diego Garcia has been discussed at annual talks between the UK and
US governments. The details of these governmental talks are confidential and exempt under section 1a of The Code of practice on Access to Government Information,
''Information whose disclosure would harm national security or defence''. [15.10.2002] Q:
Norman Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what percentage of Ministry of Defence police serving on US
bases in the UK are provided accommodation free of rent. [61184] A:
Dr. Lewes Moonie:
Eight MDP officers stationed at bases made available to US Forces currently occupy housing made available by the
Department. Although the officers are not paying rent, the accommodation has been made available in lieu of the payment of housing allowance. [13.06.2002] Q:
Mr. Allen:
To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make it her policy to publish her advice to HMG on the legality of action
against Iraq; and if she will make a statement. [75817] A:
The Solicitor-General
:
There is a longstanding convention, followed by successive
Governments, that neither the substance of the Law Officers' advice, nor the fact that they have been consulted, is normally disclosed outside Government. The Law
Officers' advice is given in confidence to the Government. [22.10.2002] Q:
Mr.
Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):
I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 24, to debate an important matter
that requires specific and urgent consideration, namely, "the statement
of the Iraqi Foreign Minister at the weekend about weapons inspectors." This is against the background of much
concern in the United States, not least from the American conference of Roman Catholic bishops who urged the President and members of Congress to step back from the brink
of war and to work with other nations and the United Nations to pursue actively effective alternatives to war to address Iraq's threats. There are a number of questions that the
House of Commons must address urgently. Firstly, will Britain be, in a legal
sense, in a state of war with Iraq if we join the US attack? Secondly, why did President Bush have to
get a vote in Congress authorising the use of force, when the British Government have not indicated their intention of doing so? Thirdly, if British forces are engaged,
will that be done under the royal prerogative, which requires no parliamentary authority? Fourthly, what will be the position of
British citizens now living and working in Iraq? Will they be advised to leave the country before the attack or to stay and, if so, what protection can the Government
give them? Fifthly, will British troops, if they
are captured, be entitled to protection under the Geneva convention? Sixthly, will British troops be under
the orders of American officers and will they be required to serve in an
army of occupation? Seventhly, will the British Government be consulted on the date when hostilities begin and will they be a signatory of any agreement to bring the war to an end? Eighthly, what compensation will the
British Government give British citizens who suffer financial loss as a result of war? Ninthly, will Iraqi citizens living in
Britain be treated as enemy aliens and imprisoned, and under what statutory authority? Tenthly, what rights will Iraqi soldiers
captured by British forces have, and will they qualify for the protection of the Geneva convention? Eleventhly, what will be the position
under military law, of members of the British armed forces who refuse to fight because they believe that a war waged against Iraq that has not been authorised by the
United Nations could lead to their being charged at a war crimes tribunal under the International Criminal Court, which the British Government supports?
Twelfthly, how would the position of
British troops charged with war crimes differ from that of American troops, given that the United States has declared itself exempt from any international criminal court?
Thirteenthly, how would the British
Government respond to a charge of war crimes of the kind brought under the Nuremberg court? Fourteenthly, have the Law Officers been
consulted on these issues and will their report be published and laid before Parliament? In no way am I anti-American. I share a
great great-grandmother with one of the American Presidents. I have many American friends, as do many people in the House. We are not anti-American, but we think that
these questions should be urgently addressed. Mr. Speaker:
I have listened carefully to what the hon. Gentleman said and I have to give him my decision without stating any
reasons. I am afraid that I do not consider that the matter that he has raised is appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 24 and I cannot, therefore, submit
the application to the House. Mrs. Alice Mahon (Halifax):
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Many of us are deeply concerned about the latest
threats from Colin Powell and believe that they are evidence of the further intention and determination of the United States to start that sort of war. We think that it
is time for the fancy footwork from those on our Front Bench to stop and for us to have a firm statement about exactly what our policy is on Iraq. I appeal to you, Mr.
Speaker, as a protector of Bank-Bench rights, to urge the Government at least to make a statement to the House. Mr. Speaker: Ministers will have heard what the hon. Lady has said. [29.10.2002] ALSO:
Public invited to debate star wars
:
Geoff Hoon (Secretary of State for Defence) has ordered a detailed analysis on the implications of the American
Missile Defense (AMD) system. The government has called for a public debate recently on missile defense. The results would be published and the government would
"welcome parliamentary and public discussion of the issues involved". The statement follows a tour by US
officials to convince America's allies of the benefits of missile defense which, they said, could be used in Europe. This year defence officials said the US
proposals would cost British taxpayers up to £10bn, more than 40% of the entire defence budget. They added that there was no evidence of any threat to Britain from
"rogue states”. It added that the fact that the Pentagon
wanted to investigate using nuclear warheads on missile interceptors "raises suspicion" about the viability of non-nuclear solutions". [Precis
of Richard Norton-Taylor’s article - The Guardian 18.10.2002] PLEASE WRITE TO YOUR MP TO DEMAND A PUBLIC DEBATE ON AMD AND THE USE OF
MENWITH HILL AND FYLINGDALES More military games:
If
business is war, there’s no board game that’s closer to the front lines than the new MONOPOLY: United States Army Edition. With a roll of the dice, players can
move their custom pewter playing pieces — including a drill instructor’s hat, combat boot, tank and helicopter — around an Army-themed board. The game is manufactured by USAopoly,
which received the license from Hasbro Inc. in 1994 to create, manufacture and market specialty editions of the world’s best-selling board game, according to the
company’s Web site. At the request of military exchange
customers, USAopoly created three military-themed board games. The company created a U.S. Navy edition of the MONOPOLY game (1998); a U.S. Armed Forces edition of
PICTIONARY, The Game of Quick Draw (2001); and now, the Army MONOPOLY game (2002). The game already has proven to be a hit
among Army and Air Force Exchange Service shoppers in Europe. “The store got a delivery of 12 Army MONOPOLY games about two weeks ago, and they sold out the first
day,” said Rita Garcia, manager of the Toyland at Mainz Kastel in Germany. The Mainz Kastel store had 60 games on
the shelves for Saturday’s kickoff to the holiday shopping season. By Sunday afternoon, only 16 were left. Shoppers were buying as many as five
games at a time, one store official said Sunday. “I think it’s a popular item because
we are on an Army base,” Garcia said. “But the way things are going in the world today, everyone seems interested in the military. And the Army’s in the
forefront.” AAFES has an arrangement with USAopoly
to sell the special edition of the world-renowned game to celebrate the valor, tradition and spirit of the U.S. Army. MONOPOLY:
The U.S. Army Edition allows players to improve their real estate properties with custom black battalions and gold divisions instead of the green houses and red hotels
found in the traditional game. “The Pentagon” and “HQ, U.S. Department of the Army” replace “Boardwalk” and “Park Place” lots on the game board.
“Chance” and “Community Chest” cards are labeled “Troops” and “Equipment” on the Army-themed game. “USAopoly has applied spit ’n polish
to capture the spirit and tradition associated with this storied branch of the armed forces,” said company CEO Dane Chapin in a news release.
“Soldiers, veterans and their families will take pride in owning this classic piece of American history.” [Stars
and Stripes, European edition, 30.09.2002] |
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IF
WAR IS DECLARED AGAINST IRAQ COME TO MENWITH HILL AT 6 PM |
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Thank you so much to everyone who has so
generously sent contributions over the years to enable us to do this important work. Each year
the financial demands increase. This year will be no exception.
The largest demands from CAAB’s budget are:
Because of these and other financial demands it has meant that we have never been able to claim our full expenses. The reassurance of regular contributions by Banker’s Order (small or large) is an enormous help. People often ask us how they can help. Committing a regular amount really would help us.
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PLEASE NOTE: The Co-op bank will no longer accept Banker’s Orders direct. If you do decide to set up a Banker’s Order for CAAB please would you fill in the form below and arrange with your own bank who will then forward it on to our bank. Bankers Order To: The Manager
of……………….……… Bank Address of
Bank………………………………… ………………………………………………….. Sort Code:………… Account
number…………. Please pay the Co-operative Bank
PLC, 6 Tyrell Street, Bradford, BD1 1RJ For the account of Campaign for the
Accountability of American Bases (CAAB) Account number: 50095311 the sum of
£………. on receipt of this authorisation Signed…………………………………………... Name……………………………………………. Address…………………………………………. ………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………….. Post
Code………………………………………..
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2002 Quaker Meetings for Worship
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NSA
Menwith Hill Saturdays - 7 December from 2pm - 3pm outside the Main Entrance. ‘RAF’ Fylingdales Saturdays - 2 November from 12pm - 1pm outside the Approach Road Entrance at Fylingdales, Near Pickering, North Yorkshire Moors. Contact numbers for both Meetings: USAF
Croughton
Saturday – 30 November Saturday – 28 December Contact
Rachel and Paul Milling
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