Menwith Hill spy base, North Yorkshire

Responding to Geoff Hoon's announcement in Parliament today that the government will allow the United States to use UK facilities, including the Fylingdales military base in Yorkshire, for their 'Star Wars' system, Stephen Tindale, Executive Director of Greenpeace UK said,

"It is disgraceful that the government is using the cover of impending war with Iraq to push through this decision to back Bush's aggressive plans for developing a 'Star Wars' missile defence system".

"No matter how many billions the Bush administration pours into the proposed Star Wars system, it will only ever defend against one, pretty unlikely, form of attack. It would be of no use against a suitcase bomb, a test tube of toxins or a hijacked plane. What it will do is increase tensions internationally, further undermine the global arms control system and risk causing a new arms race."

Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255

Menwith Hill: Greenpeace occupied the site in July 2001

Responding to Geoff Hoon's announcement in Parliament today that the government is minded to allow the United States to use UK facilities, including the Fylingdales military base in Yorkshire, for their 'Star Wars' system, Stephen Tindale, Executive Director of Greenpeace UK said,

"It's always been clear that the Blair government would roll over and let Bush do what he wants, but this is still a disgraceful decision".

He continued,

"Even if it worked, Star Wars would only defend against one, pretty unlikely, form of attack. It would be of no use against a suitcase bomb, a test tube of toxins or a hijacked plane. And the cost of NMD, beyond the financial billions, is the undermining of the global arms control system and the danger of a new arms race".

Notes to editors:
Greenpeace has campaigned against the development of the Star Wars system across the globe. On July 3rd 2001 over one hundred Greenpeace volunteers invaded Menwith Hill Spy base, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, to expose the base's proposed role in President George W Bush's 'Star Wars' (National Missile Defence) system. The occupation ended after two days.

Further information:
Contact:
The Greenpeace UK press office on 020 7865 8255.

Menwith Hill spy base, North Yorkshire

The lack of public consultation surrounding UK Government participation in the Bush Administration's 'Son of Star Wars' missile defence system is yet more evidence that Blair is nothing more than Bush's puppet, Greenpeace claims today.

Any UK investment in 'Son of Star Wars' is ill advised until there has been an open and transparent public consultation process. The recent Government paper on missile defence is purely a public relations exercise rather than a proper public debate. The UK Government has given no indication that the British public will be properly consulted on any matter about US plans for its missile defence system to be based in the UK.

Greenpeace UK Executive Director, Stephen Tindale, said:
"There has been no discussion as to what system will be built in the UK; who will pay for it and exactly how much it will cost. If the British taxpayers are expected to pay they must be properly consulted on these issues. Blair appears to be willing to hand over a blank cheque to the Bush Administration for a system that does not work, has no purpose and is certainly not wanted."

The 'Son of Star Wars' is being developed by the US Government to defend itself from a threat that does not physically exist. No missile currently exists, which has the range to reach the United States from its perceived enemies. The best defence against any potential missile attack is to make sure the technology and nuclear materials are not available to build weapons of mass destruction in the first place.

Notes to editors:
For more on Greenpeace's international campaign to Stop Star Wars visit www.stopstarwars.org

Greenpeace has several principled objections to the Star Wars system including:

• Star Wars is not about defence it is about offence and the way the US wields its power over other countries. At the same time Bush is continuing to plough billions of dollars into nuclear weapons development.
• The Star Wars system makes Yorkshire a target because any enemy of the USA will attempt to knock out the 'eyes and ears' of Star Wars as part of an offensive action.

Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace UK press office on 020 7865 8255

Bulletin No. 9

Publication date: April- May 2002

Summary
When President Bush announced last May that in future US military posture would rely on "both offensive and defensive forces", the rationale given was to "preserve peace for generations to come". In the past month, two developments have highlighted the true nature of the Bush Administration's intentions for "offensive and defensive" forces.

The leaked Nuclear Posture Review revealed that the US was prepared to use nuclear weapons against seven named countries and confirmed US intentions to develop new nuclear weapons potentially involving a resumption of nuclear testing. At the same time, Pentagon officials revealed that with the ABM treaty out of the way, the US is planning an expanded Star Wars system possibly including nuclear-tipped interceptors.

Star Wars 17: All over

Star Wars activists and independent journalists walk free

Four Greenpeace activists and two independent journalists who faced felony charges following a peaceful protest against the US Star Wars missile programme last July have walked free from court with varying probationary periods and one sentence of time served.(1)

Fifteen international activists and the two journalists originally faced double felony charges and up to six years in jail, but the felony charges were dropped in January when all 17 pled guilty to a misdemeanour offence of conspiracy to trespass. (2)

"We are pleased this case is now over. But the threats posed by Star Wars are not," said Greenpeace International campaigner, Mike Townsley. "The process of nuclear escalation has already begun, the US Administration is now threatening limited nuclear strikes and planning to arm Star Wars interceptor missiles with nuclear warheads, blowing apart the myth of a defensive shield - this is an offensive weapon. If the US continues with this programme it can only lead to a re-ignition of the arms race and a return to the 'cold war'".

Notes to editors:
Henk Haazen (New Zealand) received 3 years probation, Brent Maness (USA) received 2 years probation, Dan Rudie (USA) received 1 years probation, Guy Levacher (Canada) received 18 months probation, Steve Morgan (UK freelance journalist) received 1 years probation & Jorge Torres (Spain freelance journalist) received time served for three days already spent in jail.

Nine of the Star Wars activists were sentenced in January, and two more last Friday, April 12th - all received one years' probation. The 17 defendants came from the USA, UK, Germany, India, Sweden, New Zealand/(the Netherlands), Canada, Spain & Australia

Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255

Star Wars 17 defendants statements on sentencing

Henk Haazen - New Zealand
Your Honour, Thanks for the opportunity to say a few words, I have enjoyed this court as much as it is possible under the circumstances. and have a lot of respect for the style in which it is run, at the same time I will be very happy when this is over, as it has messed up my life a bit for the last 9 months.

However, the reasons why we did our protest action at Vandenberg are still there, and I feel as strongly about the need to campaign against the Star Wars missile defence system now as I did on 14 July. September 11th showed that you can never guarantee a 100% secure defence system that totally isolates or defends a big democratic country like the US from outside attacks.

The Star Wars missile shield system proposes to build an protective umbrella over the US, by doing so it is forcing other nations into a new nuclear weapons race that nobody can afford both in terms of money and resources, and because of the destabilising effect it has on the current nuclear weapons status quo. The money spend on this program would be better spend on improving life and the living environment for this planet and building bridges of friendship to neighbouring countries..

I think that you can compare the situation, to a being a wealthy person living in a poorer neighbourhood. Living as a wealthy person in a poor area you can choose not to have much to do with the neighbourhood, build a big wall around the property, put guards, dogs and locked gates on it, and try to defend and protect your property like that. This is expensive, builds up resentment and a negative reaction from your neighbours.

Alternatively you can talk to your neighbours get a bit involved with them in a nice way and help out here and there. In short become good neighbours with them, even if they come from a different culture or race and have a different outlook on life, religion etc. Making friends with you neighbours is a much more effective way to ensure a quite nights' sleep.

For me our protest on the 14th of July was to draw public attention to the fact that the US is in the process of isolating itself and building a wall around itself, ignoring protest from most major world governments at the same time. I'm from NZ and felt that it was necessary to come to the US and together with my American friends play an active role in the peaceful anti nuclear protest at Vandenberg, so that our voice could be heard by the people of this country, as this is the place were most of the changes need to be made. Your honour thanks you for your time.

Guy Levacher - Canada
Your Honour, This has been my experience since July 14th 2001. I was arrested by the FBI, chained and shackled. I spent 6 days in maximum security in a state penitentiary with hardcore criminals, drug traffickers and murderers. Travel restrictions were imposed upon me for 4 months, limiting me to the Los Angeles area, prohibiting me from returning to my country, to be with my family and to provide financial and emotional support.

I was unable to be at my wife's' side while her mother was dying of cancer. I was unable to pursue my law studies, for which I had worked so hard. I was a nine month sentence for having exercised my basic human right to protest peacefully. As I stand before you today, I ask that you allow me to return home to continue my legal studies as I await the arrival of my first child. Thank you

Brent Maness - USA
As a citizen of the United States it is my duty to oppose the policies of our government that are contrary to my political and ideological beliefs, this civic responsibility is one I refuse to take lightly. I believe that civil disobedience is an effective and appropriate method of voicing one's opposition to the injustice and violence perpetuated against living beings and the Earth.

I respect the rule of law, but feel that in extreme instances even legitimate law should be broken to prevent a greater evil. The rulings at Nuremberg found that it is intolerable for an individual to acquiesce when he is aware that his government is in violation of international law.

I believed, and still believe, that it was my responsibility as a citizen of the United States to do everything possible to prevent a violation of the Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty. With that said, I am prepared to accept any punishment that the court deems fitting for the crime that I have committed. I took part in the aforementioned action because I believe that by testing the Missile Defence System the U.S. is in violation of an international law that takes precedence over U.S. national law.

The development of the Star Wars program, the consequent U.S. withdrawal from the ABM treaty and other misguided and unfortunate actions taken by the Bush Administration have already begun to exacerbate international instability and create a new nuclear arms race.

This is apparent as the Bush administration embraces the cold-war era policy of "mutually assured destruction" as the best means of preventing nuclear war and speaks of using tactical nuclear weapons in a first strike against the so called "axis of evil". I fear the lessons of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have been forsaken for the ignorance that often accompanies fear and hatred.

Now it is more important than ever that our nation exercise caution and prudence when making policy decisions. I believe that it will prove beneficial for U.S. economic and security interests to stop Star Wars and re-examine the policy decisions, both here and abroad, that have led us to our current state of war and reciprocal violence.

Bulletin No. 8

Publication date: February/ March 2002

Summary
Since Bush's "axis of evil" speech in January, international opposition to US unilateralist policies has been mounting. Whilst European leaders such as Lionel Jospin and Jose Maria Aznar, along with senior EU officials Chris Patten and Javier Solana have all questioned US policy, one government has lent support Britain.

Far from using his influence to try to reign-in the Bush Administration's enthusiasm for trashing international treaties, Tony Blair praises Bush's "tremendous leadership" skills and says he is "absolutely right" to raise the issue of weapons of mass destruction.

According to Foreign Secretary Jack Straw missile defence is "not an alternative to the wider non-proliferation effort, but could be part of it." Whilst Defence Minister Adam Ingram says that the UK has "consistently made it clear that we understand the role that missile defences can play" and claims that the US is "not proceeding in a unilateral manner."

Greenpeace Nordic briefing

Publication date: February 2002

Summary
The issue of upgrading the early warning radar at the US base in Thule (Pituffik) in North-West Greenland as part of the US missile defense system is the most import foreign policy issue in Greenland and Denmark for many years. In order for the Bush administration to push ahead with Star Wars, the use of radar facilities at Thule in Greenland as well as at Fylingdales and Menwith Hill in the UK is required. The Danish government, which administers the foreign and defense policies of Greenland, therefore has the power to stop or seriously delay Star Wars, which threatens to ignite a new nuclear arms race and jeopardize key arms control agreements.

Dog sled tour: Greenland 2002

Greenpeace campaigners this week set off on a dog sled tour to visit isolated Greenlandic communities and collect testimonies of their opposition to Denmark giving the US permission to use the Thule radar base in Greenland as part of the US Star Wars system.

Five campaigners on skis accompanied by two sleds pulled by 16 Greenland dogs will visit five separate communities in the Disko Bay area of the island's west coast (1) - the most populated area north of the capital Nuuk.

Weather conditions permitting they will travel between 400-600 kilometres over the next four weeks, braving temperatures from minus 15 to minus 45 degrees celsius to reach the communities and collect their testimonies on video. Greenpeace plan to take these testimonies to decision makers in Washington later this year and to the Nuclear non-proliferation treaty Conference in New York in April.

"The majority of Greenlandic people do not support the Star Wars system, and certainly don't want it based on their soil. Greenpeace will help these isolated communities to have their voice heard by the United States, even if it means we have to use dogs, sleds and skis to do it." Said Greenpeace Disarmament Campaigner, William Peden.

This years expedition is a follow up to last years tour of Greenland by the Greenpeace ship, MY Arctic Sunrise. More than 1200 Greenlanders visited the ship and many gave video testimonies expressing their deep concerns about the possibility of living under the threat that the US Star Wars system would present.

The US needs consent from Denmark and the UK to use radar and tracking facilities on their territories. The Danish and UK Governments have adopted a wait-and-see stance on the issue, saying they will decide on the matter only after they have received a formal request from the US to adapt facilities at Thule in Greenland and Fylingdales in the UK.

"Greenland and Denmark along with Britain have the power of veto over the use of facilities on their land for the US Star Wars plans, it is time to exercise that veto. To do anything less can only be viewed as being complicit in starting a new nuclear arms race", said Greenpeace expedition leader Mads Christensen.

Editors notes:
Weather and ice conditions permitting the expedition will for the next month travel between 400 - 600 kilometres in the DiskoBay area over the next three to four weeks where the only mean of intercity ground transportation at this time of year is dog sleds and skis. The DiskoBay is at the heart of North Greenland and is the most populated area north of the capitol Nuuk. Temperatures range from -15 to -45 Celsius (5 to -49 Fahrenheit) with the wind chill factor bringing the temperature down as low as -80c. Each sled will be loaded with 200kg of equipment and the Greenpeace campaigners will be skiing alongside the sleds.

The next test of the ground-based segment of the US Star Wars plans is scheduled to happen on 15 March and the US military are asking for a further $7.8 billion USD to fund their expanded Star Wars development program in 2003.

1) The Dog Sled Expedition plans to visit the communities of Ilulissat, Ilimanaq, Qasigiannguit, Ikamiut, Aasiaat.

Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255

Phone interviews with members of the expedition can be arranged and stills of the dog sled expedition setting off across the ice are available on request from Greenpeace Communications (Amsterdam), Photo Desk +31 20 524 9580
Greenland Testimonies video is available from Greenpeace International video desk (Amsterdam) +31 20 524 9509