Labour and Liberal Democrat voters overwhelmingly oppose US Star Wars Missile Project

Greenpeace sets up camp near missile site

Greenpeace establish observation post near Star Wars Pacific test site

69% percent of Labour supporters polled are opposed to the deployment of the US missile defence project, known as "Star Wars", according to a new public opinion poll released today by Greenpeace UK (1).

The poll, of 2,166 people, conducted by YouGov.com, was released as Greenpeace this morning established an observation post near the US missile test site at Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific. The Greenpeace flagship the Rainbow Warrior is also in the area. The US is shortly expected to conduct the latest in a series of tests where they will attempt to shoot down a missile fired at Kwajalein from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The UK and Denmark are crucial to the deployment of the US Star Wars missile system because the US require use of radar facilities at Fylingdales in Yorkshire and Thule in Greenland, to detect incoming enemy missiles. Greenland's defence and foreign policy is decided by Denmark.

The YouGov poll also found that 72% of Liberal Democrat supporters either oppose or strongly oppose the Star Wars programme, while 69% of Labour supporters and 74% of Liberal Democrat supporters oppose or strongly oppose the UK assisting the US with the project.

In contrast Conservative supporters polled overwhelmingly supported the Star Wars programme, with 80% supporting the US programme and 79% supporting UK assistance for the project.

The major concern about the Star Wars project expressed by those polled was that it will ignite a new arms race, which concerned 73% of Labour supporters, 71% of Liberal Democrat supporters and 41% of Conservative supporters.

A Danish poll, carried out in late February by national newspaper Berlingske Tidende, found that 61 per cent of Social Democrat voters and 59 percent of Liberal party voters were opposed to allowing the US to use radar facilities at Thule, in Greenland, for missile defence.

Andy Tait, Greenpeace UK Campaigner said,
"Blair should listen to his supporters, who clearly reject British participation in Star Wars. They know that a Star Wars system will only make the world a more dangerous place. It is time for Blair to send that message back to Bush".

The Greenpeace observation post has been established on Shell Island, two miles from Kwajalein, as part of their international campaign to Stop Star Wars. Four Greenpeace protesters, from the UK, Denmark, Australia and The Cook Islands will maintain a constant watch on the Kwajalein Army Base to bear witness and monitor test preparations.

The Greenpeace flagship SV Rainbow Warrior is also in the Marshall Islands. Its crew of 22 from the UK, Denmark, United States, Australia, the Cook Islands India, Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands, France and Germany, have spent the last month touring the islands, holding 'open boats' and explaining why it is opposed to Star Wars.

"Just because Kwajalein is in the remote North Pacific doesn't mean no one is watching," said Greenpeace Disarmament Campaigner Mike Townsley from the camp on Shell Island. "Greenpeace is here to provide a focus for the growing international opposition to the Bush administration's dangerous and ill-conceived Star Wars plan," Townsley continued.

The Bush administration from its first day in office has said that in spite of opposition from Russia, China and their European allies, they will deploy a Star Wars missile system as soon as possible. Bush also supports an expansion of the $60 billion system proposed by the Clinton administration.

Notes for Editors:
(1) The poll was conducted by YouGov.com for Greenpeace between the 23-24 February 2001. The sample size was 2,166.

Further Information:
For a copy of the poll results or to arrange an interview contact Greenpeace UK Press Office on 0207 865 8255.