Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the Ballistic Missile Defense System
by the Campaign for the Accountability of Ameircan Bases

Background

We are the Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases (CAAB) UK (see www.caab.org.uk) and are already affected by the role that NSA/USAF Menwith Hill and RAF Fylingdales are to play in the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). We are deeply concerned that this is happening and that plans are already well developed and advanced.

Comments re BMDS

We submit the following comments concerning the invitation to contribute to the above consultative process.

We are strongly of the view that to proceed with the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) is of the utmost folly, dangerous and would not do anything to further the cause of peace in the world.

We say this for the following reasons:

although BMDS is rehearsed as a 'defensive' system it is intended to be an 'offensive' capability

it is destabilising - politically, militarily and diplomatically

the stated intention of the US military and government is that BMDS is for US domination of space - 'full spectrum domination of space' - for US military and economic interests

it is technically flawed and unlikely to ever be fully developed

it is obscenely costly in a world in which two thirds of people starve

it is dangerously unthought out in terms of space debris and decoys

it is destablising in terms of the relations with other major players in the world - China, S.E Asia etc

BMDS is dangerous in terms of nuclear proliferation - advancing an arms race

Conclusion

We urge the US government, decision makers, defense corporations and US military to work towards settling the conflicts in the world through co-operation, diplomacy, legal and political processes.

We believe and fully support the third option suggested that there should be a halting of this programme and all endeavours focussed and directed to alternatives ways of settling conflicts.

Far from enhancing and ensuring the security of the United States of America (and the rest of the world) BMDS affects us all by dangerously undermining that security so making us a focus of insecurity.

We urge the US government to think again and abandon BMDS. We believe that the skills, resources and vision of the United States should be directed in a hopeful and positive way. We believe there should be no further action (Alternative 3) concerning BMDS.

Lindis Percy and Anni Rainbow

Joint Co-ordinators

Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases (CAAB) UK

www.caab.org.uk