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

'Stop Star Wars' protest at Vandenburg air base

Vandenberg Airforce Base, Lompoc, California 12th July, 2001: Just 48 hours before George Bush's Star Wars missile test, the full might of the US military has been brought to bear on a single Greenpeace activist, camped out on a tiny Pacific island close to the launch pad of the "kill vehicle" of the Star Wars system.

In a desperate attempt to suppress legitimate protest over the development of the missile programme, US officials have pressured the Marshall Island authorities to issue an arrest warrant and deportation order for Australian Richard "Alice" Leney. US and Marshallese officials have acknowledged that Leney has not been breaking any laws by camping out on the island with the permission of local landowners, but will hold him in jail until Monday when he will be taken to court. He has spent two months on his own and has been observing the preparations for the test on nearby Meck Island, where the interceptor missile is due to be launched on Saturday.

"George Bush has already made it obvious he is not interested in consulting with friends and allies over the implementation of the Star Wars programme. Now he is sending a clear signal that he also wants to suppress peaceful and legitimate protest of the test on Saturday,"
said Greenpeace International disarmament campaigner William Peden.

"Alice Leney has done nothing wrong - even the US authorities admit that. George Bush wants to shut down any opposition to Star Wars - from his political allies right down to one man in a tent," Peden added.

On Saturday evening the sixth Star Wars missile test is due. Kwajalien atoll in Marshall Islands is the US base from which the interceptor missile is launched following the launch of a rocket from Vandenberg airbase in California.

The Marshall Islands authorities have come under increasing pressure from the US government to arrest Leney since his camp was established following the departure of the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior two months ago.

"The implementation of Star Wars will prompt a new nuclear arms race. If George Bush thinks we will be deterred from our opposition to the programme simply because he has adopted bully boy tactics against one peaceful protestor he is mistaken. We will continue to oppose his plan until Star Wars is stopped, " Peden added

Greenpeace activists from around the world will be gathering at Vandenberg Airforce Base in California on Friday to begin a protest against the test which is due on Saturday evening (PDT). The protest will continue throughout the weekend.

John Wills UK volunteer

Ten Greenpeace volunteers, including one from Britain, dodged coastguards, a helicopter and a navy vessel and breached security at the Vandenberg Airbase in California, to successfully delay the latest test Star Wars missile test by forty minutes. The test, the first of the Bush Administration, has since been declared a success by the Pentagon.

Greenpeace put four swimmers ashore on the base, then took four inflatables into the exclusion zone and put two divers underwater. Two swimmers landed on one beach at the northern end of the base, close to a backup missile, and were arrested. The two other swimmers were also arrested and the inflatables have now left the area. Those arrested were Brent Hanssen from the U.S., John Wills from the UK, Jon Aguilar from U.S and Kelly Osborne also U.S citizen.

The launch of the Star Wars missile was due at 1900hrs (PDT). Greenpeace warned the base commander that people are within the safety zone and the missile could not be fired without putting them at risk. The launch was delayed for forty minutes, then went ahead despite Greenpeace divers and boats still being in the safety zone area.

In briefings issued to US embassies world-wide in the last two days, the Administration has stated if they can not revise it, they will ditch the ABM Treaty with in a matter of months. Next week Bush is visiting heads of government of Europe and Russia and defence issues will be at the top of the agenda.

William Peden, Greenpeace International Nuclear Disarmament Campaigner said,

"The Bush Administration is claiming the Star Wars missile test was a success - it is a total failure. It is a failure for world peace because it brings us one step closer to a new nuclear arms race. It is now clear that George Bush is hell bent on full implementation of the Star Wars programme regardless of global opposition."

He continued,
"Greenpeace volunteers from all over the world have come to Vandenberg today because this is a global problem. Star Wars will ignite a new nuclear arms race, and it must be stopped. We have seen him for what he is - a reckless nuclear proliferator - it is time for the rest of the world to wake up to George Bush and demand he stop Star Wars."

"Greenpeace will continue to take action against these tests and George Bush until we stop Star Wars".

Today's action involved volunteers from the United States, UK, Germany, Australia, Canada, India, Sweden, Denmark and Ireland to Vandenberg. In the past few months Greenpeace actions to stop Star Wars have spread round the world. A two-day occupation of a US spy base in the UK that would be used in the Star Wars programme highlighted massive opposition to the programme from around the world.

Next week the anti nuclear environmental group will sail to another US base, this time at Thule in Greenland. Both UK and the Danish administered base in Greenland are vital as Star Wars can not go ahead without the consent of the governments to upgrade the facilities.

At the Pentagon briefing, Lt Gen Ronald Kadish claimed the delay to the test was due to "normal test delays". The "normal test delay" was Greenpeace. We delayed the test last year, and we forced another delay this year when Greenpeace volunteers breached security, taking boats and divers into the exclusion zone. We will continue to take action against these tests and George Bush until we stop Star Wars.

The missile launch was described in the briefing as " just one step on a journey." That journey is a journey down the road of nuclear proliferation and the destruction of international nuclear non proliferation and disarmament regime.

Notes to editors:
Contact:
UK press office on 020 7865 8115

Vandenburg contacts:
Greenpeace International media on +1 805 291 1749

Rainbow Warrior

Two Greenpeace volunteers were arrested today at the US missile test range at Kwajalein in the Pacific Marshall Islands. The volunteers were protesting against President Bush's missile defence programme, known as "Star Wars", on the first day of a US diplomatic 'charm offensive' to sell the idea to the UK and other countries.

The Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior, flanked by inflatable boats, travelled today to the US Army missile testing range on Kwajalein Atoll in the North Pacific. Two protestors, carrying a banner saying "Just Say No", went onto the base and were arrested at the site of an X-band radar used in Star Wars missile tests.

"Star Wars is the single biggest threat to international security", said Mike Townsley of Greenpeace International, one of the two arrested, "Governments world-wide must reject it otherwise they will be culpable in propelling the world back down the path of mutually assured destruction and a new nuclear arms race."

Kwajalein Atoll is at the heart of the Star Wars testing program. It is from there that the US test-fires the missile intended to intercept a simulated incoming missile that has been fired from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The US diplomatic offensive to sell Star Wars to a sceptical international community begins in Japan today, Europe tomorrow, and Australia on Wednesday. A team of US official led by Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and Deputy National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley will visit Europe, including the UK, starting at NATO headquarters in Brussels tomorrow.

President Bush needs UK agreement if the Star Wars programme is to proceed. The Fylingdales early-warning radar and Menwith Hill satellite base, both in Yorkshire, are part of the US plans. The US also needs permission from Denmark to use the Thule radar base in Greenland.

"This is not consultation, it's coercion," said Helen Wallace of Greenpeace, " Tony Blair must not let Bush lead us back to the Cold War and a new nuclear arms race. He must reject Star Wars now".

Notes for Editor's:
The two activists arrested were Anne Marie Rasmussen, 21 years old from Denmark and Mike Townsley, 37 years old, from the UK.

Further information:
Contact: Jon Walter, Greenpeace Press Officer 020 7865 8176
Helen Wallace, Greenpeace UK campaigner 020 7865-8241

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.

Rainbow Warrior

The Greenpeace flagship the Rainbow Warrior has arrived at the Kwajalein Missile Range, in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, to protest against the upcoming US "Star Wars" missile test.

The crew includes volunteers from both the UK and Denmark. US President George Bush requires permission for use of their radar facilities to be given by both the UK and Denmark before the "Star Wars" system can go ahead.

The next test of the Star Wars missile system, involving the launch of an intercept missile from Meck Island in the Kwajalein Atoll, is due to take place some time in the next three months. The objective of the test flight is to destroy a missile launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California as it is in mid-flight over the Pacific. The test is a critical one for the Bush Administration, which is a strong proponent of Star Wars, because two of the past three tests have failed.

"Just as Greenpeace campaigned against nuclear testing in the Pacific, Greenpeace is campaigning against the testing of the Star Wars system there; a system which threatens to ignite a new nuclear arms race and greatly increase the risk of conflict globally," said Greenpeace campaigner Mike Townsley from the Rainbow Warrior.

"We have sailed to the heart of the Star Wars testing range to call for an end to the US Star Wars plans because of the clear and present danger it poses to achieving a world free of nuclear weapons; something that Greenpeace has worked to achieve for thirty years", continued Townsley.

The SV Rainbow Warrior departed Auckland, New Zealand on February 13, 2001. There are 22 crew onboard from Britain, Denmark, the United States, India, Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands, France and Germany.

The ship intends to tour the Marshall Islands with open days in Majuro and Ebeye to discuss with the Marshallese people why Greenpeace is opposed to the Star Wars programme.

Further Information:
Contact Louise Edge, UK press Office on 020 7865 8225.

The SV Rainbow Warrior is sailing to the US Army Missile Testing Range at Kwajalein atoll in the Marshall Islands, where the launch site is located for the so called "kill vehicle" - a missile intended to intercept a simulated enemy missile fired from the Vandenberg US Air Force Base in California.

The next test is scheduled for sometime between March and June. The SV Rainbow Warrior will arrive in the Marshall Islands mid-March. Two of the three previous tests have failed and questions have been raised over the one that the US military claims did succeed (1).

The decision to send the Rainbow Warrior to the Star Wars test site comes at a critical point. U.S. Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is currently reviewing the programme and will report to the President in late March.

Many US allies have already expressed major concern about Star Wars proposals and the Bush administration is engaged in a diplomatic offensive to persuade European allies to accept their plans.

Greenpeace Disarmament Campaigner, William Peden said,
"Star Wars will not protect the American people or its allies. In fact it will destroy all current and future nuclear arms control and disarmament agreements. The only beneficiaries of Star Wars will be the defence contractors."

"Just as Greenpeace campaigned against nuclear testing in the Pacific, Greenpeace is campaigning against the testing of the Star Wars system; a system which threatens to ignite a new nuclear arms race and greatly increase the risk of nuclear war."

When the SV Rainbow Warrior arrives in the Marshall Islands Greenpeace will seek meetings with Marshallese leaders, the Kwajalein Missile Range commander and will hold open days to discuss the Greenpeace campaign and the threat Star Wars poses to achieving a world free of nuclear weapons.

"We are sailing the Rainbow Warrior to the heart of the Star Wars testing programme to call for the immediate cessation of US Star Wars plans. Greenpeace has worked to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons since it was founded thirty years ago,"

Peden continued, "The Rainbow Warrior has a long history in our campaign to stop nuclear testing. Its predecessor was blown up by the French in July 1985 as it was preparing to sail to the French nuclear testing nuclear test site in the Pacific."

Notes to editors: (1) The star wars project has failed two of its first three "hit-to-kill" tests in which an interceptor is supposed to destroy a mock nuclear warhead in mid-flight. The one successful attempt is mired in controversy. Dr. Nira Schwartz, a senior researcher at TRW, responsible for the system's command, control and communication systems, has filed suit against the company alleging she was fired for refusing to falsify research findings on whether a Star Wars interceptor can distinguish between a decoy and a nuclear warhead. Dr Theodore Postol of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who conducted the only scientific analysis of test data wrote a letter to the White House charging "criminal fraud" in the Star Wars testing program. He went on to show the test series now underway has been "dumbed down", making it much easier for an intercept to take place. Even with less demanding tests the last July 8th attempt was an abject failure. After the test was delayed twice, (an incident which would obviously sabotage success in the case of a real attack) the "kill vehicle" failed to separate from the interceptor booster rocket and its sensors were never activated.

Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace press office: 020 7865 8225

star.gif

Following today's failed missile test launch Greenpeace has repeated its call for President Clinton to reject plans for a new "Star Wars" missile defence system.

Initial reports stated that the anti-missile weapon failed to intercept a Minuteman II rocket over the Pacific Ocean. Two of the three tests of the system have now failed.

"The failed test just emphasises what a failure in judgement the whole Star Wars programme is," said Greenpeace nuclear disarmament campaigner, William Peden.

"No amount of tests, threat assessments or diplomatic double speak can ever justify Star Wars. The fact is, if it is allowed to go ahead, this programme will ignite a new nuclear arms race. The US administration must heed the strong opposition from around the world that will only continue to grow," said Peden.

The Minuteman missile was fired at 4.18 GMT Friday from Vandenberg Air Force base, north of Santa Barbara, California, after being delayed for 2 hours 18 minutes. Air Force officials claimed that the delay was due to a battery problem. Greenpeace volunteers were still in the Vandenberg base at the time.

Greenpeace conducted a series of internationally co-ordinated actions against the test over a number of days in the run up to the launch. Volunteers entered the launch areas at both Vandenberg in California and Meck Island, part of the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, where the failed kill vehicle was fired from. In addition the Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise entered the test exclusion zone off the California coast.

Seven Greenpeace volunteers entered the Vandenberg on foot, three on Wednesday and the rest on Thursday night, and made their way close to the launch pad for the Minuteman II missile. They were eventually arrested just hours before the final missile launch and were charged with trespassing before being released.

Meanwhile the crew of volunteers aboard the MV Arctic Sunrise sailed into one of the five hazard zones designated in a Notice to Mariners (NOTAM) and launched four inflatable zodiacs. These were areas where stage one of the Minuteman II missile was to be jettisoned. The ship remained in the area when the missile was launched despite Greenpeace calls several hours before the launch to Vandenberg in which they provided their exact co-ordinates. Negotiations continued until minutes before the launch.

Aboard the 164 foot Dutch-registered Arctic Sunrise, are 23 people, including volunteers from United States, Russia, France, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, India, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Cook Islands and Turkey.

A third team of two volunteers attempted to occupy the launch site for the interceptor missile fired from Meck Island, part of the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. They were also arrested and charged with trespass. Greenpeace volunteers around the world also mounted protests against the Star Wars test including China, Russia and Canada.