Menwith Hill protesters say
Star Wars starts wars!
GEORGE BUSH is undoubtedly relieved that the missile test carried out in Vandenburg Air Force Base in California on July 14 was successful – particularly given the fact that the previous tests in the sequence were either failures, or in one case only a partial success.
Millions of people disagree with him – as it is clear that this programme is the biggest threat to nuclear disarmament faced for many years. Demonstrations highlighting opposition on this deadly question, as well as in support of the Kyoto treaty are following the President wherever he goes.
It’s clear however that whether or not the test had "succeeded", Bush was committed to pushing ahead with the Ballistic Missile Defence programme.
His proposed defence budget for 2002 provides $8.3 billion for missile defence research – an increase of almost 40% over this year’s allocation. Since the test, it has been made clear that further tests will continue , and plans are being laid for constructing a long term test site in deepest Alaska.
Meanwhile activists here in Britain have again highlighted the fact that American bases on British soil are crucial to the project. On July 3 and 4 groups of activists were able to enter Menwith Hill base in Yorkshire, which together with Fylingdales is essential to the Son of Star Wars project.
More than 100 Greenpeace supporters breached security at the base in 3 places, and the occupation which gave effective publicity to opponents of Bush’s military madness. Pictures of activists with banners atop radio masts and the huge water tower carried the message that "Star Wars starts Wars".
No sooner had the police finally managed to remove all the protestors bar one almost twenty four hours later, than a second breach took place. Not a happy present for George W on American Independence Day.
Key to the protestors’ demands was the call that Tony Blair should say no to British involvement in the system.
Greenpeace Executive Director Stephen Tindale explained that Bush needs the two British sites as the "eyes and ears" of the planned Star Wars system and added "We urge Mr Blair not to kow-tow to Bush on such a crucial issue".
However the Prime Minister has continued to block debate on this issue despite the fact that more than 100 MPs have signed an Early Day motion opposing the scheme.
Replying to Chris Mullin following the Menwith Hill protests, Blair retorted
"I don’t agree with him (Mullin) that the Americans are wrong to identify weapons of mass destruction as a genuine threat.
"They are. And I believe we need to be prepared to look at all systems that are necessary… offensive and defensive systems."
"I think it is important that we keep an open mind on it," he added.
Blair’s position, doggedly maintained since Bush’s election is that the US have not yet made any request to Britain, so there is currently nothing to discuss!.
Over the months ahead we need to build a broad and effective disarmament movement which can effectively demand that Blair answers our questions – not those of his mate George W.