THE TRIAL of four peace activists, Lotta Kronlid, Andrea Needham. Joanna Wilson and Angie Zetter. opened at Liverpool Crown Court on July 22. Charged with "conspiracy to commit criminal damage, and actual damage", the women face a maximum ten vears inside for disarming a Hawk fighter jet bound for Indonesia, in what has become known as the East Timor Ploughshares action.
The women have a powerful defence in British law. They took a reasonable measure to prevent a crime-aiding and abetting genocide. British Aerospace should be on trial for exporting military jets, which, according to numerous eyewitnesses, have been used to bomb East Timorese civilians and freedom fighters.
At least 200.000 East Timorese have died since 1975 as a result of Indonesia's occupation. The British government should also be in the dock for licensing BAe's current deal to sell 24 Hawks to indonesia.
The defendants have assembled a formidable array of expert witnesses, including John Pilger, who are testifying to the genocide in East Timor and the offensive use of Hawks sold as "trainers".
The trial is generating unwelcome public exposure for British Aerospace and the government. They are under pressure and may back down—at least partially-to minimise the damage to themselves.
It is vital that the women receive huge support and that the campaign to stop arms sales to Indonesia is stepped up and widened. • For more information, contact Seeds of Hope, Box S, 55 Queen Margaret's Grove, London N1 4PZ; tel: 0171 923 9511; e-mail [email protected]
LN Socialist Outlook 106 • August 1996.