AUGUST 2001
MENWITH HILL: "STAR WARS": "ECHELON":

The Council's response was to write to the Prime Minister asking for information about the implications of "Star Wars" for the local community. [Terrorists & Greenham Women in sedate Harrogate 'Betty's'?]

THEY HAVE BEEN INVITED TO A BRIEFING AT MOD HQ IN LONDON! [A freebie junket?].

Perhaps you could send a copy of your objection to:

Mr P M Walsh, Chief Executive, Borough Council,
Crescent Gardens, Harrogate. HG1 2SG.

He personally has acknowledged representations made to him - VENOMOUSLY!
HE will INSIST that the Council has no control over anything done at Menwith Hill.
This is a 'cop-out' - they can make observations to the UK Ministry of Defence [which has no control?] & INITIATE PUBLIC INQUIRY PROCEEDINGS [International "Star Wars" Conference at Harrogate International Centre? Inconceivable?]

Even Menwith-with-Darley Parish Council made [unprecedented?] objection to the previous plans [Well, actually, it was because they thought it would be unsightly & spoil their view!]

Peace Prisoner - released:

Helen John, who was arrested as she & Anne Lee stepped out of Askham Grange Prison on JUne 20th, was held on remand awaiting trial on charges of painting anti-Trident & anti-"Star Wars" slogans on the Scottish Parliament Building & Edinburgh High Court. She appeared in Edinburgh Sheriff's Court on July 24th, when she was found 'not guilty' of failing to attend earlier trials, but was not free to go as they continued to hold her to await trial on July 26th. She was then released on the technicality that the warrant on which she was being held had not been issued by a permanent Sheriff [?]. [We're confused about this, too!]

Helen has prepared a 'lawful excuse' defence, arguing the illegality of preparations for genocidal war, but was not allowed to present her case.

We do not know when, or whether, she will get this trial.

TV Exposure:
BBC 'Look North' News, July 17th: forced closure of NSA's German 'ECHELON' Base at Bad Aibling & transfer of operations to Menwith Hill:

This news feature, produced by Richard Saddler, displayed documentary evidence revealing that the closure of NSA's Bad Aibling Base IS in response to the European Parliament's Committee of Inquiry into the 'ECHELON' Interception System. A US security guard's seizure of the camera & destruction of the film disrupted the filming of an interview with Eric Schmidt-Eenboom, at Bad Aibling. [c.8 years ago, infra-red photography taken during a balloon flight over Bad Aibling revealed the direction & angle of elevation of the satellite receiving dishes inside the 'golf-balls', & exposed the lie that the US NSA;s principle targets were Eastern European military communications - the US was engaged in eavesdropping on its 'Western friends'!]

While it continues to be tied to the Pentagon, & purchase of Trident, the UK Government has no choice but to host Bad Aibling's Operations, nor has it any choice in the use of US Base in Britain for "Star Wars".

TV Exposure: new documentary programme:

It is nearly 3 years since Duncan Campbell wrote that the SBIRS constructions at Menwith Hill would involve the UK in the USA's NMD proposals, & described it as "Star Wars" [Guardian December 3rd 1998]. HE further detailed it in the BBC2 TV Documentary "Uncle Sam's Eavesdroppers", produced by Richard Saddler. A follow-up programme, now in the filming stage, will look at what has happened since - A LOT!

Some positive developments are attributable to the impact of the programme. [We even showed it as 'lawful excuse' defence evidence in our anti-"Star Wars" fence-cutting trials]. Now "Star Wars" plans for Menwith HIll & Fylingdales are almost daily news; c.280MPs have signed the Early Day Motion expressing concern about "Star Wars"; 'ECHELON' has been criticised by the EU, etc...

Greenham Common Women: 20th Anniversary:

On August 27th 1981 "Women for Life on Earth" set out from Cardiff to walk to Greenham Common to demonstrate their fear that the decision to site nuclear-armed Cruise Missiles at 2 US Bases in the UK was a dangerous escalation of the 'Arms Race' & posed a threat to the whole planet. Because their march was virtually ignored, they set up camp on arrival at Grenham Common.

The 20th Anniversary [Theme: "NO STAR WARS"] will be celebrated in Cardiff on August 27th. 11.00 a.m. assemble outside Cardiff City Hall then walk to the Temple of Peace, Cathays Park. 6.00 p.m. Evening Greenham Commemorative event at Community Church House, Eton Road, Newport. [1st Greenham March 'stopover'].

We hear rumours that there's going to be a camp at Greenham Common - information, please!

Parliamentary opposition to "Star Wars ":

In July the press reported hat 276 MPs [we've heard that it's now 280+?] had signed the Early Day Motion, tabled by Labour MP Malcolm Savidge, which endorses the findings of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, expressing grave doubts about Britain's involvement in the USA's National Missile Defence plans. Signatories include over 2/3rds of the Parliamentary Labour Party [traditionally Government Ministers & Whips
do not sign EDM's].

In response to the recent MORI Poll which showed that over 70% of people in the UK think that NMD will provoke nuclear escalation, Malcolm Savidge stated: "The vast majority of the public clearly share Parliament's fears over Star Wars...a nuclear arms race, proliferation, terrorism & accidental war..."

Parliament is currently in Summer Recess. Before it reconvenes we shall have had the Trades Union Congress & CND & Political Party Conferences. [Many of the Labour MPs are sponsored by their Trades Unions: MSF, for example, which passed a resolution condemning NMD at its Annual Conference, has 80+ MPs & a Parliamentary Committee]. There will be VERY strong pressure on the ruling Labour Party leadership to arrange a full Parliamentary Debate on the "Star Wars" issue!

Trident on Trial: Angie Zelter:

Thank you Trident Ploughshares for telling your experiences in one of the most inspiring [& entertaining!] books I have ever read. Helen was sent a copy in the nick & she sat up all night reading it! Nuff said!

Available from:
TP 2000, 42-46 Bethel Street, Norwich. NR2 1NR.
£9.99 + £1.30 p&p.

October 13th:
International Day of Action Against "Star Wars":

at your nearest US Base - or the US Embassy, Grosvenor Square, London. Assemble at noon; vigil till 2 p.m.; walk to Rally at Speakers' Corner, Hyde Park.

Women's Peace Camp Re-establishment:

now scheduled for September: any women interested please contact Helen 01943 468593.

Vera Binns:

d. 3rd August 01, aged 92. A life-long socialist & co-operator [Co-op Women's Guild]. We shall not forget your support. The struggle continues, comrade sister.

We invariably put the appeal for funds at the end of the news, as if we're embarrassed to ask for cash to continue a campaign opposing the USA's plans for military domination of the Earth from Space!

We got lots of donations to fund Helen John's "No Star Wars" stand against Tony Blair in the General Election but we spent all that & a bit more - & make no apologies for it - i was brilliant!

I've got this new computer [& now we've got an email address] bought with what I saved on the housekeeping while I enjoyed free board & lodgings as a guest of her majesty. My jail sentence was not long enough to afford
purchase of a scanner. It's a guaranteed way to raise funds! If you buy us some more boltcroppers, it'd be a good investment! Meanwhile we've to fork out for mail-outs, phone bills, etc...