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6 January 2003 |
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A SECURITY alert was sparked at an American airbase in Suffolk after peace protestors broke in through a perimeter fence to demonstrate against a potential war in Iraq. Fifteen campaigners were arrested on the main runway at USAF Mildenhall yesterday morning and later held at four police stations around Suffolk. The anti-war group, made up of individuals from various Earth First organisations across England, clambered over the barbed wire surrounding the base and sliced through the perimeter fence using wire-cutters to get in. They were detained on USAF Mildenhall's main runway by Ministry of Defence police. Officials at the base, home to 100th Air Refuelling Wing, said security levels would not be increased as a result of the breach. The protest was organised to voice opposition to the "impending" war against Iraq, according to Mandy Jones, spokesman for the anti-war group. "USAF Mildenhall is a major military base which we believe will be used to transport equipment for use in a war against Iraq," she said. "Whilst we do not support the current Iraqi dictatorship, we believe that a full-scale war will not help the beleaguered people of Iraq, but will further destroy their lives, homes and environment. "Despite the loudly-voiced reservations of many countries, governments and individuals across the globe, the United States is persisting in its threats of war. Our actions at USAF Mildenhall were intended to take the opposition felt by many British people direct to the American military and hopefully on to their government." A spokesman for the MoD Police said those arrested were detained at police stations in Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket, Stowmarket and Mildenhall. All fifteen were later released on police bail to report back in 21 days. "We have not yet laid charges, and are continuing our investigations," he said. "There is damage to the perimeter fence, but as far as we know there has been no further damage to assets or operations." Capt Shane Balken, of USAF Mildenhall public affairs, said security at the air base had not been stepped up as a result of the incident. He also praised the partnership between security officials at USAF Mildenhall and the MoD Police. "Our security forces challenged the protestors and detained them," he said. "The MoD then came almost right away. It showed excellent co-operation between the two. "Our security on base has always been tight, but it has not been effected by these events."
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