CAAB = Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases
Campaign for the
Accountability of
American
Bases

Issue No. 20 - June 2002
Produced by: Anni and Lindis
8 Park Row, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 IHQ, UK
Tel No. 01943 466405 or 01482 702033
Fax No. 01482 702033
E-mail: anniandlindis@caab.org.uk
NEWS OF PROTEST FROM AROUND THE AMERICAN BASES IN THE UK

Dear Friends

The world is in a terrible muddle.  We write at a time when we are teetering on the brink of a nuclear conflict over the issue of Kashmir. However if the US, UK, France etc can have nuclear weapons why should we be surprised if other countries are eager to join the nuclear club?

The recent signing of agreements between the US and Russia, ostensibly to cut the number of nuclear weapons on both sides, is not as transparent as it has been portrayed.  

Some interesting alliances have been and are being made by the US and Russian governments.  However deals made behind the scenes will probably later reveal that the true picture is more complicated.  States have their own interests at heart after all; Russia supports the building of a nuclear power station in Iran and the US in North Korea.


Growing security at Menwith Hill in the Yorkshire Dales

There is an on-going programme of ballistic missile tests by the US.  We write as the US withdraws from the ABM

Treaty which will give the ‘green light’ to immediate construction of the AMD system in Alaska.

Furthermore the United States government wants the strategically placed testing range of Kwajalein Island (Marshall Islands in the Pacific) for another 40 years.  They are not willing to pay more than the current lease fees to test missiles up to 2043. More and more money for research and development is spent on weapons of war.

At home Menwith Hill and Fylingdales (key bases for the AMD system) are an anathema to the beautiful areas of North Yorkshire.  The irony is that the more these bases (and all US bases in this country and around the world) are fortified the more vulnerable they become.  All our security is being put at risk. What do we have to do?  We have to speak out, join in the growing protest and probably in the end resort to civil disobedience in order to bring those who make major decisions about our lives to their senses…… details of the next demonstrations -  Menwith Hill (4 July)…PLEASE COME AND SAY INDEPENDENCE FROM AMERICA AND NO TO ‘STAR WARS’.

 
MENWITH HILL
(near Harrogate, North Yorkshire)

Planning Applications:
 On 7 January the application for a new radome (GT7) was approved by the Head of the Planning Department and the Planning officer involved with the application.  The officers passed the application ‘with no objection with observations’.  The observations were that copies of all letters of objections from the public should be sent to the MOD.

Since the last newsletter there have been several new planning applications.  The base has been allowed to develop over the years due to the ‘drip drip’ effect of accumulated planning applications being submitted.

  • P.A. No: 6.90.320.CROWND

2 camera towers and addition of camera to existing tower. 2 x 8 metre tower and installation of 3 x camera and infra red lights - Purpose: Enhancement of existing CCTV system - will match existing towers and cameras. Tower No 1 is existing tower to rear of Building 29; Tower No 2 is to be located adjacent to Building 30 between the car park and existing security fence; Tower No 3 is to be located between Building 31c and the existing security fence. Coverage of fence-line to NW corner of Station thus enhancing existing CCTV system at RAF Menwith Hill

  • PA No: 6.90.257.E.CROWND
    1 x Portacabin to Building 48

  • PA No: 6.500.58.E.CROWND
    Replacement of security lighting around the SATCOM compound

[This is to replace a section of old lighting with similar 'modern energy saving lighting' already in use – we sent letters of objection about the extra cameras and towers only because of the strict remit of the Planning office]

  • PA No: 6.90.171.C. CROWND

New Road Barriers; provision of 1x additional barrier, new guard hut and additional security enclosure at Main gate.

Planning Committee Faces Axe:
The way Harrogate Council decides its planning applications will be changing when the council reconvenes after the May 2 election.

The full planning committee will be abolished, leaving all applications dealt with by councilors to be decided solely by three area committees for different parts of the district.

Under the old system, applications passed by the area committees had to be reconsidered by the full planning committee if they deviated from policy.

(Harrogate Advertiser 3 May 02)

Regular witness and protest at MHS – Tuesdays 7-9 pm:
 The Ministry of Defence police (MDP) has become increasingly inconsistent in their methods of ‘policing’ these demonstrations.   “Aggravated trespass” (s.69 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994) has now been used twice at Menwith Hill instead of the military land byelaws. Unfortunately a precedent appears to have been set after a successful conviction against Lindis when s.69 CJPO Act 1994 was used by the MDP at Fylingdales for the first time.

Arrests and court:
 On arrival at the weekly demonstration on Tuesday 26 February Anni and Lindis were immediately arrested having been allegedly warned under s.69 CJPOA by Inspector Barry Frost (MDP) to leave and not to return within three months.  It was quite clear that this was carefully planned beforehand.

They were charged at Harrogate Police Station (s.69 CJPOA) and bail conditions imposed:  ‘not to go within 200 meters of Menwith Hill’.

After careful thought and consideration Anni and Lindis decided to immediately return to the base and so were in breach of the bail conditions.  They were arrested for alleged breach of bail and both were held overnight at Harrogate Police Station – appearing in court the next morning.

The CPS wanted to re-impose the bail conditions but when asked by the Magistrates what bail conditions would be acceptable Lindis (un-represented) said “bail without conditions” as they were unenforceable and violated Article 10 of the Human Rights Act (the right to peaceful protest).  The Magistrates agreed and imposed unconditional bail saying that the bail conditions requested by the CPS were ‘excessive and unenforceable’.

A pre-trial review was heard on 21 March at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court when a preliminary hearing was fixed for 20 May (since adjourned due to Barry Frost being on long-term sick leave).  The pre-trial and preliminary issues hearing to decide whether Barry Frost attested lawfully to become an MDP officer and the question of legality of the ‘yellow line’ at MHS will be heard on 22 July 2002 at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court.

The ‘yellow line’:
 The boundary of Menwith Hill has been in contention for years particularly at the main entrance.  In the States it is apparently custom to mark a line on the ground at military bases which protestors are not allowed to cross without being arrested – known as ‘crossing the line’.

Last July a yellow line was suddenly painted on the ground across the main entrance to Menwith Hill and since then the MDP have selectively arrested Lindis and Anni for ‘aggravated trespass' for allegedly crossing it.  [The Highways Department incidently was not consulted about this and it was apparently ‘drawn’ using a length of string between two hedges]

… At the hearing on 21 March Lindis was also awarded costs by the Magistrates after the CPS discontinued a spurious case of ‘theft and criminal damage’ to a byelaws notice at MHS.

… On 9 April Lindis was suddenly arrested for alleged breach of bail conditions (see Croughton item) alleged breach of permanent injunction and s.69 at the weekly demonstration at MHS.  She was held overnight at Harrogate police station and appeared in court the next morning.  Barry Frost (Inspector MDP) and John Quinn (Sergeant MDP) were in court and pressing for Lindis to be remanded in custody.  Skillful representation by Grahame Stowe (Solicitor) resulted in Lindis reluctantly accepting an additional bail condition: ‘not to cross the yellow line at MHS’.  She was charged with a further s.69 alleged offence.

Byelaw fiasco continues:
 Ms K Thompson  (MDP Agency Secretariat) on behalf of Superintendent Craddock (MHS) who CAAB wrote to re the byelaws recently replied:

‘……The byelaws at RAF Menwith Hill are valid and lawful. Individual officers exercise discretion in determining whether or not to effect arrest in respect of byelaw offences.

All MDP officers deployed at RAF Menwith Hill, permanently or on limited detachments, are made aware that the byelaws are valid and lawful..

Dozens of byelaw signs have been stolen or destroyed and several have been damaged as a result of inclement weather there is an on-going sign replacement programme. Should a member of the public inadvertently trespass onto MOD land and is unaware of the byelaw restrictions an MDP officer would explain their existence and ask the person to leave and escort them to the nearest safe point to exit. It is unusual for members of the public to inadvertently stray onto land covered by byelaws at RAF Menwith Hill. ………’

CAAB has removed byelaw signs for many years because we say they are invalid and therefore misleading to the public.  We have always informed the MDP and have said that we have no intention to permanently deprive the owner of their property.  They will be returned when the MDP stop manipulating the law concerning the issue of the military land byelaws. 

… On 22 May 2002 Lindis removed two byelaws signs in broad daylight.  North Yorkshire police (NYP) with a MDP officer sitting beside him were made aware of this.   She was eventually arrested by North Yorkshire police for ‘suspicion of criminal damage’ of the signs’ – PC Jones (MDP) took no part in the arrest even though he had seen Lindis with one of the signs. 

Lindis immediately gave the two damaged signs to NYP and waited in her car to be taken to Harrogate Police Station.  Two MDP officers arrived who consulted with NYP.  The arresting officer informed Lindis that the two MDP officers had told him that ‘no signs had been taken down’ and she was dearrested.

CAAB will continue to remove invalid byelaws signs and they will be returned when the MDP uphold the law.   The obvious resolution would be for the issue to be allowed to be challenged in court.  However the MDP and the CPS have continually denied this.

………At Harrogate Magistrates’ Court on 11 February 2002 the CPS offered no evidence against Lindis (see CAAB 19) for alleged criminal damage to a byelaws sign (she was originally arrested for ‘theft’ which was soon dropped by the MDP).  The case had been discontinued by the CPS which Lindis had successfully persuaded the Court to revive.  She was awarded costs.

Security matters:
 A wide and lengthened ‘slip’ road has been completed at the entrance to MHS ostensibly because of the checks on cars entering the base since 11 September. The latest planning application suggests that major changes at the Main entrance may be expected.  The cost is being paid for by the Base authorities according to Alan Joplin of the local Highways Department.

During the work the tree which was planted in 1992 in memory of Bob Cryer MP had to be uprooted.  We made representations to the RAF Liaison Officer and contacted Ann Cryer MP.  We are hoping that the tree will be rededicated at a later date.

MDP Chief Inspector at NSA Menwith Hill arrested:
 Chief Inspector Graeme Drummond (senior Ministry of Defence Police officer at NSA Menwith Hill) was arrested on Monday 25 March 2002 by MOD CID. The arrest was in connection with an alleged police housing fraud inquiry.

It is alleged that Mr Drummond had been claiming MOD housing benefits while living in a house paid for by the US Visiting Forces.

Mr Drummond was taken to a police station in York where he was later released on bail. Mr Drummond was taken to a police station in York where he was later released on bail.

On 2 May 2002 Mr Drummond appeared at Harrogate Magistrates to answer to five charges of deception. He has now been suspended from duty and is officially 'on annual leave' pending the case.

 

INDEPENDENCE FROM AMERICA
ANNUAL DEMONSTRATION

Thursday 4 July 2002
12 md – 4 pm – Main Entrance to MHS

Speakers:  Mark Thomas (Political satirist)
Caroline Lucas (Green party MEP)
Dr Lynne Jones MP –

‘STOP STAR WARS’ and ALL TERRORISM

 

FYLINGDALES
(near Pickering, North Yorkshire)

 

Planning Applications:
 Application for the construction of an internal security patrol track (part retrospective) and erection of portakabin Gate House at RAF Fylingdales, Pickering

GRID REFERENCE: SE 8529 96726

Planning Application No: NYM3/081/0034W

·         In December NYMNPA became aware that the construction of an internal security patrol track/double coils of razor wire on the ground/a gate house and barrier that had been constructed without the legal requirements concerning planning applications and procedures. Construction was put 'on hold' when this was made public.  

·         As you probably know the Bush government are proposing to use Fylingdales (and Menwith Hill) for the American Missile Defense programme ('Star Wars'). Both bases are absolutely crucial to this dangerous and crazy system. AMD is for American military and economic interests only.  

·         Fylingdales is in the North York Moors National Park. The base is within an Area of Special Scientific Interest. The motto of the NYMNPA is:

 ‘Working together to sustain the landscape and life of the North York Moors for both present and future generations to enjoy’.

The retrospective (part) planning application for access track and MDP police cabin and barrier at the approach road to Fylingdales was agreed on 9 May 2002 with ‘no objections’ but with ‘observations’. There were 118 letters of objections.

Letter dated 15 May 2002 to the Ministry of Defence c/o Defence Estates Central, Gough Road, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, DL9 3 EJ FROM Mrs V A Dilcock Chief Planning Officer re decision:

'No objections are raised to the development by the National Park Authority subject to the following conditions:'

1.  DROO Prior to the final surfacing of the track or within 2 months of the date of this letter whichever is the sooner, pullution interceptors shall be installed at all the 7 drains/run-offs marked on the submitted plans with the local planning authority prior to their and details of these interceptor positions types and method of maintenance and emptying shall be agreed installation.

2.   DROO Prior to the final surfacing of the track, or within 2 months of the date of this letter, whichever is the sooner, a soakaway shall be provided to Drain 7 (as marker on the submitted plans) and full details of this soakaway (including its position) shall be agreed with the local planning authority.

3. MT00 A sample length of track of 3 meters in length shall be prepared for and agreed with the local planning authority to show the type of materials and finish for the final, top surface of the track and thereafter the entire track shall be surfaced in accordance with the agreed details and sample and there shall be no changes to the surface material in future without the written agreement of the local planning authority.

4.  RU00 A scheme for monitoring the regeneration of vegetation on all areas affected by the creation of the track shall be agreed with the local planning authority and a scheme to ensure satisfactory regeneration within 3 years of the date of this letter shall be agreed with the local planning authority and shall be implemented within a time scale to be agreed with the local planning authority.

5. RU00 The gate house portacabin shall be removed from the site within 2 years of the date of this letter.

6.  RU00 The portacabin shall be finished in a colour to be agreed with the local planning authority and there shall be no change to the external colour without the prior written approval of the local planning authority.

·         Val Dilcock was asked to write to Mr Dukes MOD Defence Estates on behalf of the North York Moors National Park Authority - letter dated 15 May 2002:

Dear Mr Duke

NOPD - RAF Fylingdales - Construction of Security Track (Part Retrospective) and Siting of Portacabin

I enclose for your attention the National Park Authority's formal response to your Notice of Porposed Development submitted on 21 March 2002.

The Members of the National Park Authority Planning Committee have asked me to write to you to express in the very strongest terms the outrage anger and concern they feel regarding the largely retrospective nature of this notification particularly bearing in mind RAF Fylingdales location in an extrememly sensitive environment within the National Park and an internationally designated Special Protection Area. The National Park Authority greatly regrets the lack of prior consultation on this matter and trusts that lessons have been learnt and that in future correct procedures will be followed for all development proposals.

There is particular concern regarding loss and damage to habitat both within and outside the perimeter fence and in order to ensure all of your land holding at RAF Fylingdales is managed taking full account of the National Park purposes and the protection of the SPA, the National Park Authority would urge you to produce an Integrated Management Plan for your holding within 18 months. This Plan should include identification of an appropriate area where heather could be restored to replace any areas lost as a result of the present development. The National Park Authority was pleased to note that discussions have commenced regarding a management plan and hopes that these discussions will continue with some urgency.

The Planning Committee has asked me to stress the temporary nature of the "consent" for the gatehouse asset out in condition 5 of the response to the NOPD. This site is considered unsuitable for a permanent building of this nature and the Committee requests that discussions continue to find a more satisfactory long term solution to security problems at RAF Fylingdales as renewal of this temporary agreement to the siting of the gatehouse is unlikely to be given.

The National Park Planning Committee consider that closer liaison between the National Park Authority and MOD over issues at RAF Fylingdales would help deepen understanding between our two organisations and the Committee has asked me to suggest that a liaison group be set up to facilitate future discussion. It was considered that such a liaison group could help prevent the recurrence of recent events regarding retrospective notifications which have resulted in such negative reactions from the National Park Authority, interest groups and the local community. I know we have previously discussed the possibility of setting up such a groups and we would welcome early contact regarding this.

I trust that you will bring this letter to the attention of the relevant staff in MOD and the RAF and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries regarding the response to your NOPD or any of the above issues.

Yours sincerely

Mrs V A Dilcock

Chief Planning Officer

[The probable need for a 10-14 storey building for the X-band radar structure will be interesting in the light of the above decision. Anni continues to check the Planning offices at both Harrogate and Helmsley for any new applications. Harrogate PO now rings Anni as soon as any planning applications come in.]

Court news: On 19 February 2002 at Pickering Magistrates’ Court Lindis was convicted under s.69 CJPO Act 1994.  The Magistrates’ ruled that Lindis could not ask any questions to James Carr (Sergeant MDP) relating to the byelaws.  There was a change of policy and after years of using the byelaws to evict trespassers suddenly s.69 was used – setting a precedent (although used before at Menwith Hill, Molesworth, Mildenhall, Lakenheath and Croughton).

 

LAKENHEATH
(near Brandon, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk)

Team Liberty adds protective equipment:
 Nearly 60 closed circuit television cameras went operational here the first week of March.

Placed in all areas around RAF Lakenheath and RAF Feltwell, the anti-terrorism force protection cameras give the 48th Security Forces Squadron increased ability to deal with force protection issues and add another layer of security and safety to the base.

“Now one man can cover several positions at once,” said Master Sgt. Jim Kendall, 48th SFS police services NCOIC. “The new system augments the forces that we already have in place.”

Operated by handpicked, trained security forces 24 hours a day, AT/FP CCTV allows security forces to monitor more than forty camera views at once.

In fact, said Kendall, the system has already been used to reduce the time it takes to apprehend drivers that run the gates.

“We can follow gate-runners with the cameras and record their actions until our forces catch up with them,” said Kendall. “Recording a gate-runner’s actions also helps us monitor a suspect for anti-terrorism and force protection activities.”

RAF Lakenheath is the first base in U.S. Air Forces in Europe to install an AT/FP CCTV system, said Kendall.

(by 1st Lt. Chris Watt - 48th Fighter Wing public affairs)

Arrest:
 While peacefully protesting on the ‘closed road’ at Lord’s Walk holding the US flag with ‘NOT IN MY NAME’ written on it Lindis was threatened with arrest for ‘obstructing the highway’ by PC Fiske (MDP).  She was in fact standing quietly in the middle of a traffic island.  The officer appeared to be under instructions from Inspector Peter Macdonald as after a discussion with PC Fiske he then came back to Lindis and arrested her for ‘obstruction of a police officer in the execution of his duty’.   She was taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Station where she was interviewed and bailed to return on 22 Mary 2002.

Two days before Lindis was due to answer to bail she rang and spoke to Inspector Macdonald (MDP) who informed her that he ‘understood’ that she was required to attend.  On the morning of the 22 May she checked with the Custody Sergeant at Bury St

Edmunds Police Station and was informed that she did not need to attend as no further action was to be taken. 

A meeting had apparently taken place the day before Lindis was due to answer to bail between the Criminal Justice Unit in Uxbridge Middlesex, the Crown Prosecution Service and Inspector Macdonald when the decision was taken to drop the case.  It appears that Inspector Macdonald was quite prepared for Lindis to travel from Yorkshire to Suffolk unnecessarily and would not have informed her that she did not need to attend.  Although there is no legal obligation for the MDP to do this it is thought to be good practice.

This arrest is now the fourth spurious arrest which has mostly involved in some way Inspector Macdonald.  Lindis is seeking legal advice.

Pilots' exercise:
Pilots from the Lakenheath USAF base's 492nd Fighter Squadron practiced dropping laser-guided bombs as part of an exercise, called Combat Hammer, in Florida.

Restrictions in Britain mean that the F-15E Strike Eagle jet crews do not get the chance to practice dropping the bombs on military ranges here.

Brigadier General John Brennan, commander of Lakenheath's 48th Fighter Wing was among the pilots who took part in the exercise.

An USAF spokesman said the Lakenheath crews successfully hit all their targets with 2,000lb GBU-24 Paveway III bombs.

(Cambridge Evening News – 13 March 02)

Look all around you and think…progress:
 By Lt Col Thomas Quasney – 48th Civil Engineering Commander – [USAF Lakenheath]

If it looks like there’s a lot of construction under way, there is.  We currently have 31 projects under construction costing nearly $75 million.

The large projects include the new Army and Air Force Exchange Service Gas Station, Shoppette and TACO Bell next to Liberty Park;  consolidated support complex across from Eagles’ Landing: repair hardened avionics;  child development center near Gate 2;  dental clinic addition;  strike eagle complex by Hanger 6;  two phases of water distribution;  outdoor recreation beside the auto hobby shop;  intermediate school addition;  repair aircraft shelter lighting;  and a multipurpose building at Feltwell Elementary School.  There are also another 20 projects scattered throughout the base.

If that’s not enough, another 20 projects costing more than $50 million start soon.  These include repair and construction at the base theater, base exchange, market area parking lot, military clothing sales, temporary lodging facility, Combat Arms Training classrooms, south taxiway repair and lighting, and more…………Please be patient as we grow and progress as a community. ……..call CE customer service a 7-2255.  Thank you for your patience and keep thinking progress.

[……and to think that we are continually told that this is RAF Lakenheath and RAF Feltwell].

 

MILDENHALL
( near Lakenheath, Cambs)

Controversial Road Closures may stay:
Road closures around RAF Mildenhall could be made permanent, the RAF squadron leader at the base has warned. Suffolk County Council's highways department has already decided to keep Lincoln road, Waterworks road and Lords walk around the base closed until September after consulting with Ministry of Defence officials.

However Sq Ldr Chris Chaplin told Mildenhall parish councilors on Thursday: “ The MOD want to pursue the permanent closure of these roads, but it is certainly going to be a complex matter, and it is by no means certain that the roads will be closed”.

The county council controversially closed the roads on the 18th of September as a security measure to prevent an attack on the air base after the terrorist attacks in America on 11th of September last year.

They were due to re-open at the start of the New Year, but instead the council extended their period of closure until 20th March. This caused resentment among businesses and residents living in the two streets. Malcolm Thompson, the owner of Mickey's Tea Bar in Waterworks road, told the Journal in December that the security measures had caused his trade to drop by 50%.

He said: “We are being victimised by the authorities over this. It is disgusting. There is no logic in the decision to keep this road closed at all”.

Sqdn Ldr Chaplin told the parish council meeting that representatives from the MOD and the county council will meet again in London on 10th April to discuss the security arrangements.

He said he had been discussing the closures at a meeting earlier in the evening between Col Don Lustig, USAF commander on the base, and the local residents.

“I have made the point as forcefully as I can to the MOD that they should speak to the residents in the areas affected by the closures.”

“I can reassure the council that I believe MOD officials from London will be visiting them in the not too distant future”,  said Sqdn Ldr Chaplin.

(Mildenhall Journal 4 April 02)

Court news and arrests:
 A complaint has been made to the PCA about the actions of Sergeant Rogers (MDP) at USAF Lakenheath on 26 January 2002.  Lindis was arrested during a peaceful protest using the US flag with the words ‘STOP STAR WARS’ written on it.  She was spuriously arrested for ‘obstruction of a police officer in the execution of his duty’ and ‘to prevent a breach of the peace’. 

While being forced into an MDP vehicle Lindis was told by Sergeant Rogers that he had ‘just come from an emergency’ and that he might ‘have white powder on his hands’.  Sergeant Rogers also said that ‘she may have to go to hospital’.  

Lindis insisted that the Custody officer at Newmarket Police Station be alerted to what sounded like a potential anthrax contamination emergency.  There was in fact an emergency incident going on and apparently the US had sealed off a building on the base. 

When Lindis arrived at Newmarket Police Station the Custody officer checked with the base and was informed that Sergeant Rogers had attended the incident but had not entered the building.  Lindis was later released without charge.

The issues involved are serious in that either Sergeant Rogers did not know how to deal with a potential biological hazard incident or that he was seriously misleading a member of the public which is an offence under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2001.

 

USAF CROUGHTON
(near Brackley Northants)

New radome under construction:
While researching this new development at Croughton on 1 March 2002 Lindis was arrested and charged under s. 68 (CJPO Act 1994).  Bail was denied and she was held overnight at Western Favill Police Station. Kettering Magistrates remanded Lindis in custody until 7 March to appear at Northampton Magistrates’6Court. She was detained at Wellingborough Police Station before being taken to Holloway prison after the weekend.  She appeared again at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on 7 March and was again remanded in custody for three weeks.

A bail application was made to Northampton Crown Court on 12 March and after an all day hearing Lindis was finally released with bail conditions: Not to enter any air base in the country and to reside and sleep at her home in Hull.

Saga of the missing car: While Lindis was in custody (see above) her car, which was parked on a grass verge next to the base, went missing.  She had immediately raised a concern to the MDP and the custody officer, as she was worried that it might be sabotaged if left unattended. This has happened in

the past while her car has been parked outside US bases.  The car could not be found and in the meantime because of her work Lindis had no choice but to buy another car. 

The car eventually turned up having been towed away by the Environmental Department (although apparently the car had a ‘POLICE AWARE’ sticker on it) as a local ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ resident had reported that it was apparently abandoned. The MDP refused to take any responsibility for the car saying that it was the responsibility of the civil police – who in turn said that it was the MDP’s responsibility.

When the car was found the petrol tank had been punctured and one tyre was flat.  Northampton Police are now investigating the circumstances of the missing car and who should be responsible for property (ie car) when is someone is taken into custody………. More next issue.

Bail conditions were later varied to enable Lindis to go to the Global Network (GN) Against Nuclear Weapons and Power in Space at Berkeley California and reimposed when she returned.  Lindis is on the Advisory Board of the GN.  Bail conditions were also eventually varied to allow her to work in Bradford.

The trial has been set for 27/28 June at Northampton Magistrates’ Court.

 

FELTWELL
(near Thetford, Norfolk)

  

Protest re ‘Star Wars’:
 The charge against Lindis for ‘obstruction of a police officer in the execution of his duty’ on 19 January 2002 will be heard on 19 July 2002 The trial was adjourned because the arresting officer had to go into hospital.  At this trial the lawful ‘attestation’ of the arresting officer will be raised (see arrest and court – Menwith Hill ).

 

SHANNON AIRPORT
(near County Clare, Republic of Ireland)

  

US Air Force on Exercises around coast:
 United States Air Force aircraft began a four-day exercise in Ireland yesterday with Hercules planes flying at very low level off  the Cork and Kerry coasts.

Last night it emerged that the USAF was granted permission to use Irish air space for what was described as “routine training exercises”.

The move is likely to lead to political row for the Government with peace groups bound to claim that the exercises are breaching Ireland’s military neutrality.

Hill-walkers in Kerry were stunned yesterday to see two large four engined USAF C-130 Hercules fly by in formation just off Kenmare Bay at low level.

The two aircraft followed the coast and then slowly retraced their route before heading back out to sea.

One walker, Paul Michaels, happened to have a pair of binoculars and was stunned to see USAF markings on both aircraft.

“I couldn’t believe they were American air force planes. They were so quiet they just seemed to glide by,” he explained.

Designed almost 50 years ago, the planes – nicknamed ‘Herkybirds’ – are the transport workhorses of the USAF, though they are also used by US Special Forces and as a gunship.

Officials in Shannon Air Traffic Control insisted that all the aircraft involved are unarmed and will be carrying only their allotted air-crews with no combat forces involved.

The four-day exercises will include routine take-off and landing approaches, formation flying, navigational tests and basic manoeuvres. (Ralph Riegel, The Irish Independent1 June 02)

USAF practice manoeuvres above Shannon:
 Aer Lingus stoppage leaves more room for military. In what appears to be an escalation of military use of Shannon, the US Air Force have been sharpening their skills out at Shannon. I got a call to go out there today and witnessed some surreal scenes. If you’ve never seen a pair of USAF Hercules making low tight turns over an Irish town, and making high speed touch-n-go landings at Shannon, believe me, it is a bit unsettling. With Aer Lingus flights grounded by a strike, one could easily have assumed we were at a US Air Force base and not Shannon airport today, because there was little else moving besides military personnel and hardware.

Shortly after 3 today I got a call that there was some overtly military aircraft landing at Shannon. I grabbed my camera and binocs, and jumped on the next bus out.

I got out there and met my colleague who told me that the grey military aircraft he first spotted had disappeared, but that there was another military Aircraft near the Westair hanger.

So, I walked down and sure enough there’s a big old DC-9 just sitting there. It’s marked United States NAVY and registered RS 4605 part of VR-61 with the name ‘City of Everett’.

VR-61 is another NAVY Fleet Logistics Squadron, normally based on Whidbey Island, in Washington State (that's on the Pacific Coast of the US). The squadron consists of FOUR DC-9-33s. By the sounds of it 3 of them came through Shannon today.

While I was taking photos, another plane spotter comes up to me and tells me that this was the third US NAVY DC-9 through Shannon that day.

He told me that Shannon was becoming 'more and more popular with the US Air force and Navy' and that two C-130s had already been through (one which had 'broken down' and another to collect the passengers from the first one) and that two more Hercules were coming through shortly. [So make that 7 aircraft for now okay.]

We waited around for them, and expected them to land and taxi to a standpoint. Instead, we saw the first one come in fast, touch down briefly and then pull back, while pushing up the power. It climbed steeply for a few seconds and then banked into a turn, and flew east about 500ft up, before turning tightly for another approach.

I thought maybe the pilot had aborted the landing but when I saw the second Hercules do the same, I knew they were practicing what is called a 'touch-and-go' landing.

This is used sometimes in war zones where it is not safe to land and stop, so the cargo plane will instead touch down briefly, and drop cargo out the back door while still moving, then increase power and take off again.

It's a tricky manouvre. a wrong move could end up in a crash landing on the airfield. More worrying are the low-level passes over Shannon and the tight turns that they do for the approach. I watched these two aircraft make high powered climbs, then bank sharply and fly back over Shannon town, make another tight turn and come down for another touch-and-go on the runway. for about 30 minutes, we had this going on above our heads, both of them up there at the same time, sometimes in opposite directions, sometimes approaching each other above the town. Really wish I had the video camera.

Eventually they finished and then parked on the centre taxiway, behind an Aer Lingus A330. Most of the crew got out while the planes were refueled. They were serviced by FBO Shannon [ http://www.fbo.ie ] I got pictures, but they're stills. These are similar to the ones I last posted, except these Hercules are US AIR FORCE C-130s, not US MARINE CORP KC-130s. The aircraft registrations were RS 887 and RS 947. Didn't spot a squadron patch.

Another not-so-subtle visitor to Shannon today was a 757-200 belonging to North American Airlines. This 757-200 was registered as N750NA and I haven't seen it at Shannon before. I'd be sure to remember because it has a very bright, artful paint job. North American Airlines do not normally fly through Shannon. They have 5 aircraft, 1 Boeing 737-800 and 4 Boeing 757-200s. North American normally fly to Guyana, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, not SHANNON. Like American Trans Air and World Airways, North American is currently providing charter services to the US military. According to their own web-site the provide services for “U.S. and foreign military charters, as well as the White House Press Corps.” [ http://www.northamair.com/ ]

The long and the short of it, there were at least 8 military flights through Shannon today. 4 US airforce, 3 US Navy and 1 civilian jet chartered to the US military.

There's a big build up going on somewhere, and my local bookies reckon it's going to be Iraq. Whatever the odds on the attack, I wouldn't bet any harm will come to Saddam, but I'm sure lots of Iraqi citizens will be “redesignated as collateral damage” by the Pentagon. I hope not, but if they do, then we can't say that Ireland didn't play a part in that.

If you don't want that to happen, speak out now.

(On the spot report by Tim Hourigan of ‘Refueling Peace’ – a direct action campaign to monitor and stop US military refueling in Ireland. More details on their website:  www.refuelingpeace.org ).

[Aer Lingus announced that it’s pilots strike was over on Tuesday 4 June … coincidence or just convenient?]

 

 

SELECTION OF PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS   AND ANSWERS

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that there is parliamentary approval prior to a deployment by the US of national missile defence facilities in the UK. [31927]

A: Mr. Hoon: President Bush has made clear that he has not yet decided what sort of missile defence system he will ultimately seek to deploy. We have received no request from the US for the use of sites in the UK for missile defence purposes, and it remains premature to indicate how we would respond to any specific request. [11 February 02]

Q: Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with UK firms bidding for work on the US-initiated programme of national missile Defence; and if he will make a statement. [53597]

A: Mr. Bradshaw: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not had any direct discussions with UK firms in relation to specific bids related to current US proposals for missile defence. Staff at the British embassy in Washington regularly give general advice to UK firms wishing to do business with the US Department of Defense (including the Missile Defense Agency) but have not had any discussions on specific bids on the US missile defence programme. [9 May 02]

Q: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the prospects are for a missile defence system that can cover the European countries of NATO; and if he will make a statement. [53692]

A: Mr. Hoon: The United States has made clear that it wishes to see friends and allies protected from the emerging threat posed by ballistic missiles. However, it has yet to put forward any detailed plans. [2 May 02]

Q: Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) EU member states and (b) the EU Commissioner for External Relations, regarding a European Union view on national missile defence. [53599]

A Mr. Hoon: None. Missile defence is not a matter for the European Union. [2 May 02]

Q: Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they owe money to the United States Government as a result of World War Two debt; if so, how much is owed; when it will be repaid; and what representation they have made to the United States Government concerning the debt being cancelled.[HL4422]

A: Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Under a 1945 agreement, the United States Government lent the United Kingdom a total of $4,336 million (around £1,075 million at 1945 exchange rates) in war loans. These loans were taken out under two facilities:

(1)    a line of credit of $3,750 million (around £930 million at 1945 exchange rates); and

(2) a lend-lease loan facility of $586 million (around £145 million at 1945 exchange rates), which represented the settlement with the United States for lend-lease and reciprocal aid and for the final settlement of the financial claims of each government against the other arising out of the conduct of the Second World War.

Under the agreement the loans would be repaid in 50 annual installments commencing in 1950. However, the agreement allowed deferral of annual payments of both principal and interest if necessary because of prevailing international exchange rate conditions and the level of the United Kingdom's foreign currency and gold reserves. The United Kingdom has deferred payments on six occasions. Repayment of the war loans to the United States Government should therefore be completed on 31 December 2006, subject to the United Kingdom not choosing to exercise its option to defer repayment.

As at 31 March 2001, principal of $346,287,953 (£243,573,154 at the exchange rate on that day) was outstanding on the loans provided by the United States Government in 1945. The Government intend to meet their obligations under the 1945 agreement by repaying the United States Government in full the amounts lent in 1945 and so no representation has been made. [27 May 02]

 
SNIPPET
US plan to strike enemy with Valium:

 

American military chiefs are developing plans to use Valium as a potential weapon against enemy forces and to control hostile populations, according to official documents seen by The Observer. (..) US documents reveal that two years ago the Pentagon commissioned scientists at Pennsylvania State University to look at potential military uses for a range of chemicals known as calmatives.

The scientists concluded that several drugs would be effective to control crowds or in military operations such as anti-terrorist campaigns. The drugs they recommended for 'immediate consideration' included diazepam, better known as the tranquilliser Valium, and dexmedetomidine, used to sedate patients in intensive care. The scientists advised that these drugs could ‘effectively act on central nervous system tissues and produces a less anxious, less aggressive, more tranquil-like behaviour’.

Other official documents reveal how genetically engineered micro-organisms to destroy equipment but not harm troops are also being considered by US military scientists as 'non-lethal' weapons. One proposal from the Office of Naval Research in Arlington, Virginia, proposes creating genetically modified bugs that would corrode roads and runways and produce 'targeted deterioration of metal parts, coatings and lubricants of weapons vehicles and support equipment as well as fuels'.

This group of scientists has already patented micro-organisms that would decompose polyurethane, 'a common component of paint for ships and aircraft'. Another proposal from a biotech laboratory at Brooks air force base in Texas was to modify 'anti-material biocatalysts' already under development. One of these breaks down fuels and plastics.

Most of the research was funded by Washington's joint non-lethal weapons programme, in which Britain plays an active part. But further US documents, also seen by The Observer, reveal how a split has developed between the two nations, with British officials backing campaigners' claims that using drugs such as Valium or other calmatives would be outlawed under the 1991 Chemical Weapons Convention. This protocol prohibits 'any chemical which... can cause death, temporary incapacitation or permanent harm'.

A report of a meeting in the Ministry of Defence's headquarters in London in November 2000 states:

'The US and UK interpret the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) differently regarding riot control agents (RCA). The UK interpretation considers them to be chemical weapons under the CWC and thus proscribed; the US view is that they are not banned under that agreement. This could lead to difficulties in combined operations in certain circumstances, a situation compounded by the fact that the UK is a signatory to the European Convention of Human Rights, which further governs the use of NLW [non-lethal weapons].'

Some experts believe the use of genetically-modified microbes in military operations would breach the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.

Ed Hammond of the Sunshine Project - the US campaigners against biological and chemical weapons that obtained the documents - said: 'What is absolutely shocking about these disclosures is that it represents either a massive institutional failure to implement US commitments under international treaties or it reflects an effort by some people in the Pentagon to undermine those treaties.' (..)

(Antony Barnett,The Observer, 26 May 02)

FINANCES:

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:

  • the printing and postage of the quarterly newsletter

  • travel expenses for research

  • court and legal conferences

  • speaking engagements

  • telephone bills

  • internet searching

  • organising demonstrations and regular witness and protests

  • photocopying

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.

 

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
Please print

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Sort Code:………… Account number………….

 

Please pay the Co-operative Bank PLC, 6 Tyrell Street, Bradford, BD1 1RJ
(Sort Code:08-92-29)

For the account of Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases (CAAB)

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on receipt of this authorisation and monthly / quarterly / half yearly / annually thereafter on the first of the month(s)

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2002 Quaker Meetings for Worship

 NSA Menwith Hill

Saturdays - 1 June, 3 August, 5 October, 7 December  from 2pm - 3pm outside the  Main Entrance.

‘RAF’ Fylingdales

Saturdays - 6 July, 7 September, 2 November   from 12pm - 1pm outside the Approach Road Entrance at Fylingdales, Near Pickering, North Yorkshire Moors.

Contact numbers for both Meetings:
 Anni: 01943-466405
or Lindis: 01482-702033

 

 

We always welcome any comments, letters, items for publication and information concerning American bases………..