* Text fwd from CAFCA on Jan. 25, 2011
http://www.3news.co.nz/Waihopai-protestors-use-WikiLeaks-info/tabid/370/articleID/195418/Default.aspx http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/4574016/Less-support-for-annual-anti-base-protest
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/4561346/Dome-slasher-to-speak-at-spy-base-protest
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/community-papers/4564697/SOAPBOX-Blood-on-our-hands
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/4561377/Man-to-oppose-spy-base-protesters
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/4574038/Dome-slasher-handed-1-1m-bill
ABCAnti-Bases CampaignBox 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand
cafca@chch.planet.org.nzwww.converge.org.nz/abc
Showing posts with label New Zealand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Zealand. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Text Fwd: Dome slasher to speak at spy base protest
* Text fwd from CAFCA on Jan. 20, 2011
Stuff.co.nz
Dome slasher to speak at spy base protest
BLAIR ENSOR
Last updated 12:00 20/01/2011
One of the three men who slashed a dome at the Waihopai Valley spy base will return to the controversial satellite communications station near Blenheim on Saturday for an annual protest.
Anti-bases Campaign spokesman, Christchurch-based Murray Horton, said Ploughshares peace activist and Dominican friar Peter Murnane would speak about what motivated the trio's protest in 2008.
Green MP Keith Locke and Global Peace and Justice Auckland spokesman John Minto would also speak at the event, Mr Horton said.
The repercussions of the spy base attack are ongoing, with the Crown seeking $1.2 million in damages from Mr Murnane, teacher Adrian Leason, and farmer Sam Land.
The three men broke into the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) on Waihopai Valley Rd on April 30, 2008, cutting through alarmed electric fences without setting off any audible alarms or getting electrocuted before reaching one of two inflatable domes and slashing and deflating it.
They were found not guilty by a jury in April last year on charges of burglary and wilful damage.
They successfully used the "claim of right" defence and said they were saving lives in Iraq by disrupting satellite trans-missions and were acting for the greater good.
Mr Horton said Mr Murnane's attendance at this weekend's rally would create greater public interest in the event.
He expected up to 30 people to assemble in Seymour Square at 11am before marching through the centre of Blenheim.
Protesters would drive to the Waihopai base about 2pm, he said.
"I think [Mr Murnane's] presence will add a great deal. He was one of three people prepared to stick his neck on the line.
"We are fully supportive of what those guys did although we had no prior knowledge of what they were going to do.
"It was a perfect demonstration of non-violent action. However, we have no plans to do anything similar," Mr Horton said.
Senior Sergeant Ciaran Sloan, of Blenheim, said police would be prepared for the demonstration this weekend.
Protests against the presence of the base have been held al-most every year since 1988.
READ MORE
.....................................
ABCAnti-Bases Campaign
Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand
cafca@chch.planet.org.nz
www.converge.org.nz/abc
Stuff.co.nz
Dome slasher to speak at spy base protest
BLAIR ENSOR
Last updated 12:00 20/01/2011
One of the three men who slashed a dome at the Waihopai Valley spy base will return to the controversial satellite communications station near Blenheim on Saturday for an annual protest.
Anti-bases Campaign spokesman, Christchurch-based Murray Horton, said Ploughshares peace activist and Dominican friar Peter Murnane would speak about what motivated the trio's protest in 2008.
Green MP Keith Locke and Global Peace and Justice Auckland spokesman John Minto would also speak at the event, Mr Horton said.
The repercussions of the spy base attack are ongoing, with the Crown seeking $1.2 million in damages from Mr Murnane, teacher Adrian Leason, and farmer Sam Land.
The three men broke into the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) on Waihopai Valley Rd on April 30, 2008, cutting through alarmed electric fences without setting off any audible alarms or getting electrocuted before reaching one of two inflatable domes and slashing and deflating it.
They were found not guilty by a jury in April last year on charges of burglary and wilful damage.
They successfully used the "claim of right" defence and said they were saving lives in Iraq by disrupting satellite trans-missions and were acting for the greater good.
Mr Horton said Mr Murnane's attendance at this weekend's rally would create greater public interest in the event.
He expected up to 30 people to assemble in Seymour Square at 11am before marching through the centre of Blenheim.
Protesters would drive to the Waihopai base about 2pm, he said.
"I think [Mr Murnane's] presence will add a great deal. He was one of three people prepared to stick his neck on the line.
"We are fully supportive of what those guys did although we had no prior knowledge of what they were going to do.
"It was a perfect demonstration of non-violent action. However, we have no plans to do anything similar," Mr Horton said.
Senior Sergeant Ciaran Sloan, of Blenheim, said police would be prepared for the demonstration this weekend.
Protests against the presence of the base have been held al-most every year since 1988.
READ MORE
.....................................
ABCAnti-Bases Campaign
Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand
cafca@chch.planet.org.nz
www.converge.org.nz/abc
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Text Fwd: Anti-Bases Campaign Article For "Marlborough Express" For Day of Waihopai Spybase Protest (22/1)
*Text fwd from CAFCA on Jan. 18, 2011
CLOSE THE WAIHOPAI SPYBASE
& END NZ INVOLVEMENT IN US WARS
Murray Horton
Murray Horton is the spokesperson for the Anti-Bases Campaign. He has been organising protests at the Waihopai spybase since 1988.
People from all around New Zealand are protesting in Blenheim and at the super-secret Waihopai satellite interception spybase today. The Wikileaks NZ cables reveal the central role that this spybase plays in the secret intelligence relationship between NZ and the US, proving what the Anti-Bases Campaign has been saying all along. Full US/NZ intelligence ties were secretly restored in 2009.
The war in Afghanistan, in which the NZ military is directly involved, has got dramatically worse. Simultaneously, the US is dangling a Free Trade Agreement, via the Trans Pacific Partnership as NZ’s “reward” – nothing has changed since Holyoake’s “guns for butter” catchcry of the Vietnam War years. Now it’s guns for milk.
The theme of our activities, both at the spybase and in Blenheim, is anti-war. The US says that Intelligence is the key component of all the wars that it is fighting, or planning to fight, throughout the world. The Anti-Bases Campaign (supported by the Wikileaks cables) points out that Waihopai, an important source of intelligence for the Pentagon, is New Zealand’s most important contribution to the American war machine and it means that we New Zealanders have blood on our hands.To symbolise that, our props include crosses, coffins and white masks. This is the first protest at the spybase since the March 2010 acquittal of the Ploughshares peace activists for the 2008 deflation of one of its domes. As part of our activities we will be celebrating that acquittal. The speakers, either in Blenheim and/or the spybase, are: Peter Murnane, one of the three acquitted Ploughshares peace activists; Keith Locke, Green MP; John Minto, of Global Peace and Justice Auckland; and myself, of theAnti-Bases Campaign.
Waihopai, of course, is a “New Zealand” base – or so the Government says. The fact is, however, that in everything but name it is an outpost of American intelligence – paid for by the long suffering NZ taxpayer. Between $500 million and $1 billion of public money has been spent on the NZ Government Communications Security Bureau (the agency which runs Waihopai) in the 23 years of Waihopai’s operation. That money could have been much better utilised on health and education, not spying on behalf of Uncle Sam.
Nor does it do anything to protect us from terrorists or foreign agents. Just seven years ago Israeli intelligence agents were caught in Auckland, fraudulently trying to obtain fake NZ passports. They were imprisoned and deported and there was a major row with Israel. But they were caught by an Internal Affairs officer who tipped off the Police. Waihopai played no role in protecting us from these foreign criminals operating in our country.
Waihopai does not operate in the national interest of New Zealand. Waihopai must be closed. (For details on Waihopai and what it does, go to our Website www.converge.org.nz/abc).
ABC
Anti-Bases Campaign
Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand
cafca@chch.planet.org.nz
www.converge.org.nz/abc
CLOSE THE WAIHOPAI SPYBASE
& END NZ INVOLVEMENT IN US WARS
Murray Horton
Murray Horton is the spokesperson for the Anti-Bases Campaign. He has been organising protests at the Waihopai spybase since 1988.
People from all around New Zealand are protesting in Blenheim and at the super-secret Waihopai satellite interception spybase today. The Wikileaks NZ cables reveal the central role that this spybase plays in the secret intelligence relationship between NZ and the US, proving what the Anti-Bases Campaign has been saying all along. Full US/NZ intelligence ties were secretly restored in 2009.
The war in Afghanistan, in which the NZ military is directly involved, has got dramatically worse. Simultaneously, the US is dangling a Free Trade Agreement, via the Trans Pacific Partnership as NZ’s “reward” – nothing has changed since Holyoake’s “guns for butter” catchcry of the Vietnam War years. Now it’s guns for milk.
The theme of our activities, both at the spybase and in Blenheim, is anti-war. The US says that Intelligence is the key component of all the wars that it is fighting, or planning to fight, throughout the world. The Anti-Bases Campaign (supported by the Wikileaks cables) points out that Waihopai, an important source of intelligence for the Pentagon, is New Zealand’s most important contribution to the American war machine and it means that we New Zealanders have blood on our hands.To symbolise that, our props include crosses, coffins and white masks. This is the first protest at the spybase since the March 2010 acquittal of the Ploughshares peace activists for the 2008 deflation of one of its domes. As part of our activities we will be celebrating that acquittal. The speakers, either in Blenheim and/or the spybase, are: Peter Murnane, one of the three acquitted Ploughshares peace activists; Keith Locke, Green MP; John Minto, of Global Peace and Justice Auckland; and myself, of theAnti-Bases Campaign.
Waihopai, of course, is a “New Zealand” base – or so the Government says. The fact is, however, that in everything but name it is an outpost of American intelligence – paid for by the long suffering NZ taxpayer. Between $500 million and $1 billion of public money has been spent on the NZ Government Communications Security Bureau (the agency which runs Waihopai) in the 23 years of Waihopai’s operation. That money could have been much better utilised on health and education, not spying on behalf of Uncle Sam.
Nor does it do anything to protect us from terrorists or foreign agents. Just seven years ago Israeli intelligence agents were caught in Auckland, fraudulently trying to obtain fake NZ passports. They were imprisoned and deported and there was a major row with Israel. But they were caught by an Internal Affairs officer who tipped off the Police. Waihopai played no role in protecting us from these foreign criminals operating in our country.
Waihopai does not operate in the national interest of New Zealand. Waihopai must be closed. (For details on Waihopai and what it does, go to our Website www.converge.org.nz/abc).
ABC
Anti-Bases Campaign
Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand
cafca@chch.planet.org.nz
www.converge.org.nz/abc
Friday, January 14, 2011
Text Fwd: Waihopai Spybase Protest Saturday January 22nd
* Text from CAFCA on Jan. 14, 2011
14 January 2011
Chief Reporter
WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST SATURDAY JANUARY 22nd
END NZ INVOLVEMENT IN US WARS
People from all around New Zealand will be converging on Blenheim and the super-secret Waihopai satellite interception spybase, in Marlborough, on the weekend of January 21-23. The Wikileaks NZ cables reveal the central role that this spybase plays in the secret intelligence relationship between NZ and the US, proving what the Anti-Bases Campaign has been saying all along. Full US/NZ intelligence ties were secretly restored in 2009.
The war in Afghanistan, in which the NZ military is directly involved (with the SAS displaying the “shoot first, ask questions later” mentality favoured by the US military), has got dramatically worse. Simultaneously, the US is dangling a Free Trade Agreement, via the Trans Pacific Partnership as NZ’s “reward” – nothing has changed since Holyoake’s “guns for butter” catchcry of the Vietnam War years. Now it’s guns for milk.
The theme of our activities, both at the spybase and in Blenheim, will be anti-war. The US says that Intelligence is the key component of all the wars that it is fighting, or planning to fight, throughout the world. The Anti-Bases Campaign (supported by the Wikileaks cables) points out that Waihopai, an important source of intelligence for the Pentagon, is New Zealand’s most important contribution to the American war machine and it means that we New Zealanders have blood on our hands.To symbolise that, our props will include crosses, coffins and white masks. This will be the first protest at the spybase since the March 2010 acquittal of the Ploughshares peace activists for the 2008 deflation of one of its domes. As part of our activities we will be celebrating that acquittal.
Waihopai, of course, is a “New Zealand” base – or so the Government says. The fact is, however, that in everything but name it is an outpost of American intelligence – paid for by the long suffering NZ taxpayer. Between $500 million and $1 billion of public money has been spent on the NZ Government Communications Security Bureau (the agency which runs Waihopai) in the 23 years of Waihopai’s operation. That money could have been much better utilised on health and education, not spying on behalf of Uncle Sam.
On Saturday 22nd we will meet in Blenheim’s Seymour Square at 11 am. From there we will march through central Blenheim, with speeches at the band rotunda in the Forum. This will be followed by a visit to the Waihopai spybase itself at 2 pm. Information will be provided on the function of the base and there will be a peaceful protest, calling for its closure. Speakers, either in Blenheim and/or the spybase, will be: Peter Murnane, one of the three acquitted Ploughshares peace activists; Keith Locke, Green MP; John Minto, of Global Peace and Justice Auckland; and Murray Horton of Anti-Bases Campaign.
Waihopai does not operate in the national interest of New Zealand. In all but name it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil, paid for with hundreds of millions of our tax dollars, and directly involves us in America’s wars. Waihopai must be closed. (For details on Waihopai and what it does, go to our Website www.converge.org.nz/abc).
Murray Horton
ABC
Anti-Bases Campaign
Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand
cafca@chch.planet.org.nz
www.converge.org.nz/abc
14 January 2011
Chief Reporter
WAIHOPAI SPYBASE PROTEST SATURDAY JANUARY 22nd
END NZ INVOLVEMENT IN US WARS
People from all around New Zealand will be converging on Blenheim and the super-secret Waihopai satellite interception spybase, in Marlborough, on the weekend of January 21-23. The Wikileaks NZ cables reveal the central role that this spybase plays in the secret intelligence relationship between NZ and the US, proving what the Anti-Bases Campaign has been saying all along. Full US/NZ intelligence ties were secretly restored in 2009.
The war in Afghanistan, in which the NZ military is directly involved (with the SAS displaying the “shoot first, ask questions later” mentality favoured by the US military), has got dramatically worse. Simultaneously, the US is dangling a Free Trade Agreement, via the Trans Pacific Partnership as NZ’s “reward” – nothing has changed since Holyoake’s “guns for butter” catchcry of the Vietnam War years. Now it’s guns for milk.
The theme of our activities, both at the spybase and in Blenheim, will be anti-war. The US says that Intelligence is the key component of all the wars that it is fighting, or planning to fight, throughout the world. The Anti-Bases Campaign (supported by the Wikileaks cables) points out that Waihopai, an important source of intelligence for the Pentagon, is New Zealand’s most important contribution to the American war machine and it means that we New Zealanders have blood on our hands.To symbolise that, our props will include crosses, coffins and white masks. This will be the first protest at the spybase since the March 2010 acquittal of the Ploughshares peace activists for the 2008 deflation of one of its domes. As part of our activities we will be celebrating that acquittal.
Waihopai, of course, is a “New Zealand” base – or so the Government says. The fact is, however, that in everything but name it is an outpost of American intelligence – paid for by the long suffering NZ taxpayer. Between $500 million and $1 billion of public money has been spent on the NZ Government Communications Security Bureau (the agency which runs Waihopai) in the 23 years of Waihopai’s operation. That money could have been much better utilised on health and education, not spying on behalf of Uncle Sam.
On Saturday 22nd we will meet in Blenheim’s Seymour Square at 11 am. From there we will march through central Blenheim, with speeches at the band rotunda in the Forum. This will be followed by a visit to the Waihopai spybase itself at 2 pm. Information will be provided on the function of the base and there will be a peaceful protest, calling for its closure. Speakers, either in Blenheim and/or the spybase, will be: Peter Murnane, one of the three acquitted Ploughshares peace activists; Keith Locke, Green MP; John Minto, of Global Peace and Justice Auckland; and Murray Horton of Anti-Bases Campaign.
Waihopai does not operate in the national interest of New Zealand. In all but name it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil, paid for with hundreds of millions of our tax dollars, and directly involves us in America’s wars. Waihopai must be closed. (For details on Waihopai and what it does, go to our Website www.converge.org.nz/abc).
Murray Horton
ABC
Anti-Bases Campaign
Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand
cafca@chch.planet.org.nz
www.converge.org.nz/abc
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Text Fwd: Waihopai Spybase Protest: January 21-23
* Text sent by Corazon Valdez Fabros on Jan. 4, 2010
The Waihopai spybase was subjected to unprecedented public attention by the March 2010 trial and acquittal of the three Ploughshares peace activists who penetrated its high security in 2008 and deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity, from start to finish.
The public face of New Zealand ’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan . But New Zealand ’s most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq , is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley , near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control.
First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes intercept a huge volume of civilian telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international civilian communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls. Post- 9/11 the GCSB and Waihopai now spy further afield, to those regions where the US is waging wars. The codename for this – Echelon – has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, not citizens.
Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires.
How to find our camp at Whites Bay : turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head.
This will be the first Waihopai spybase protest since the Domebusters’ acquittal on all charges arising from their courageous citizens’ deflation action.
Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in America ’s wars. Waihopai must be closed.
CLOSE THE WAIHOPAI SPYBASE NOW!
Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258 , Christchurch .
E-mail cafca@chch.planet.org.nz www.converge.org.nz/abc
Make all cheques to ABC
Waihopai Spybase Protest: January 21-23
The Waihopai spybase was subjected to unprecedented public attention by the March 2010 trial and acquittal of the three Ploughshares peace activists who penetrated its high security in 2008 and deflated one of the two domes concealing its satellite dishes from the NZ public. The Anti-Bases Campaign was happy to support this non-violent direct action anti-war activity, from start to finish.
The public face of New Zealand ’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan . But New Zealand ’s most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq , is the Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base, located in the Waihopai Valley , near Blenheim. It is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there, let alone any control.
First announced in 1987, Waihopai is operated by New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ). Its two satellite interception dishes intercept a huge volume of civilian telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications. It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA). Its targets are international civilian communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls. Post- 9/11 the GCSB and Waihopai now spy further afield, to those regions where the US is waging wars. The codename for this – Echelon – has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public. New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, not citizens.
Join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase. Come prepared for roughing it and camping out. We provide the food (we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own). Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs. No open fires.
How to find our camp at Whites Bay : turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast. Follow the steep Port Underwood Road over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff. There is a DoC public camp at the bay with basic facilities. ABC has to pay a fixed charge per head.
This will be the first Waihopai spybase protest since the Domebusters’ acquittal on all charges arising from their courageous citizens’ deflation action.
Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours. Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us in America ’s wars. Waihopai must be closed.
CLOSE THE WAIHOPAI SPYBASE NOW!
Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, P.O. Box 2258 , Christchurch .
E-mail cafca@chch.planet.org.nz www.converge.org.nz/abc
Make all cheques to ABC
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Text Fwd: Wikileaks On NZ 뉴질랜드에 관한 위키 릭스 사이트
* Links informed through CAFCA, NOUS bases, on Dec. 12, 2010
Hillary Clinton's big secret
TRACY WATKINS - Stuff
Last updated 15:00 12/12/2010
US cables spill beans on NZ ties
NICKY HAGER - Sunday Star Times
Last updated 05:00 12/12/2010
US tried to change nukes stand in 2005
NICKY HAGER - Sunday Star Times
Last updated 05:00 12/12/2010
http://multimedia.stuff.co.nz/sstimes/cables.pdf
Local media identities tracked
JONATHAN MARSHALL - Sunday Star Times
Last updated 05:00 12/12/2010
ABC
Anti-Bases Campaign
Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand
cafca@chch.planet.org.nz
www.converge.org.nz/abc
Hillary Clinton's big secret
TRACY WATKINS - Stuff
Last updated 15:00 12/12/2010
US cables spill beans on NZ ties
NICKY HAGER - Sunday Star Times
Last updated 05:00 12/12/2010
US tried to change nukes stand in 2005
NICKY HAGER - Sunday Star Times
Last updated 05:00 12/12/2010
http://multimedia.stuff.co.nz/sstimes/cables.pdf
Local media identities tracked
JONATHAN MARSHALL - Sunday Star Times
Last updated 05:00 12/12/2010
ABC
Anti-Bases Campaign
Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand
cafca@chch.planet.org.nz
www.converge.org.nz/abc
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Text Fwd: PSNA Letter In Today's "Philippine Daily Inqurer" On Free Trade As Fuel For War [필리핀 연대, 뉴질랜드활동가 씀]전쟁의 발화요인이 될 자유 뮤역 협정
* Text sent from CAFCA through NoUS bases on Nov. 22, 2010
Inquirer Opinion / Letters To The Editor
Free trade fuels war
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: November 22, 2010
PRESIDENT AQUINO’S call for peaceful sharing of Spratly Islands resources is important, but we believe the issue of the unwanted presence of US military troops and facilities in the Asia-Pacific must also be raised by Mr. Aquino and other heads of state. The hundreds of US troops in the Philippines under the unconstitutional US-RP Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the US military bases and its 47,000 troops in Okinawa, thousands of troops in Korea and the Waihopai spy base on New Zealand soil are equally important issues affecting territorial sovereignty, peace and security in the region; they must be challenged.
The rape and prostitution of women, death of civilians and destruction of environment where US war games and exercises are being held must be stopped.
At the US-ASEAN leaders meeting last Sept. 24, US President Barack Obama said: “Through the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), we’re pursuing trade relationships that benefit all our countries. The United States also wants to focus on deepening its political and security cooperation with the region.”
From all indications, the United States is poised to strengthen its military presence in the Asia-Pacific to protect its economic interests in the name of “free trade” which ensures massive profits for giant US corporations and the local elite.
In our view, “free trade” fuels war. The United States, which benefits from unrestricted trade in labor and capital investment in the Asia-Pacific, is actually causing massive social inequities which are the root causes of armed conflicts in the Philippines.
We are aware that Mr. Aquino courted US support for the Philippines’ bid to become a member of the TPP during his meeting with Obama. Just like APEC, GATT-WTO and other US-designed trade deals, TPP spells more profits for big business and nothing but losses for ordinary people in the Philippines, New Zealand and other countries.
Filipinos and New Zealanders have had enough of the unrestrained trade liberalization that has destroyed local agriculture and industries. Thus the TPP issue is a common ground for us to oppose what is essentially a back door to another free trade agreement that will mainly benefit the United States.
We support the demand of Filipinos that national sovereignty must be upheld to achieve lasting peace in the Philippines. Foreign troops and bases must not be allowed on Philippine soil just as the Waihopai spy base in New Zealand and the US bases in Okinawa must be closed down.
Waihopai does not operate in the interest of New Zealanders or our neighbors. Basically it is a foreign spy base on NZ soil and directly involves us in US wars. Although officially a “New Zealand” facility, Waihopai is an American spy base in everything but name.
—MURRAY HORTON,
secretary, Philippines Solidarity
Network of Aotearoa (PSNA),
cafca@chch.planet.org.nz
Inquirer Opinion / Letters To The Editor
Free trade fuels war
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: November 22, 2010
PRESIDENT AQUINO’S call for peaceful sharing of Spratly Islands resources is important, but we believe the issue of the unwanted presence of US military troops and facilities in the Asia-Pacific must also be raised by Mr. Aquino and other heads of state. The hundreds of US troops in the Philippines under the unconstitutional US-RP Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the US military bases and its 47,000 troops in Okinawa, thousands of troops in Korea and the Waihopai spy base on New Zealand soil are equally important issues affecting territorial sovereignty, peace and security in the region; they must be challenged.
The rape and prostitution of women, death of civilians and destruction of environment where US war games and exercises are being held must be stopped.
At the US-ASEAN leaders meeting last Sept. 24, US President Barack Obama said: “Through the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), we’re pursuing trade relationships that benefit all our countries. The United States also wants to focus on deepening its political and security cooperation with the region.”
From all indications, the United States is poised to strengthen its military presence in the Asia-Pacific to protect its economic interests in the name of “free trade” which ensures massive profits for giant US corporations and the local elite.
In our view, “free trade” fuels war. The United States, which benefits from unrestricted trade in labor and capital investment in the Asia-Pacific, is actually causing massive social inequities which are the root causes of armed conflicts in the Philippines.
We are aware that Mr. Aquino courted US support for the Philippines’ bid to become a member of the TPP during his meeting with Obama. Just like APEC, GATT-WTO and other US-designed trade deals, TPP spells more profits for big business and nothing but losses for ordinary people in the Philippines, New Zealand and other countries.
Filipinos and New Zealanders have had enough of the unrestrained trade liberalization that has destroyed local agriculture and industries. Thus the TPP issue is a common ground for us to oppose what is essentially a back door to another free trade agreement that will mainly benefit the United States.
We support the demand of Filipinos that national sovereignty must be upheld to achieve lasting peace in the Philippines. Foreign troops and bases must not be allowed on Philippine soil just as the Waihopai spy base in New Zealand and the US bases in Okinawa must be closed down.
Waihopai does not operate in the interest of New Zealanders or our neighbors. Basically it is a foreign spy base on NZ soil and directly involves us in US wars. Although officially a “New Zealand” facility, Waihopai is an American spy base in everything but name.
—MURRAY HORTON,
secretary, Philippines Solidarity
Network of Aotearoa (PSNA),
cafca@chch.planet.org.nz
Friday, November 12, 2010
Text Fwd: US chooses Fiji for aid base in Pacific despite dictatorship 미국, 독재에도 불구, 태평양 보조 기지로 피지 선택
* Image source: Geographic GuideClick the image for larger view
* Text sent from Corazon Valdez Fabros on Nov. 11, 2010
NZ Herald
US chooses Fiji for aid base in Pacific despite dictatorship
By Audrey Young
Nov 3, 2010
The United States has chosen Fiji as the site for its expansion of aid to the Pacific despite its military regime.
Behind the decision is a desire to counter Fiji's strong relationship with China.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the announcement before her eight-country tour of the Asia-Pacific area. She is due in New Zealand tomorrow for talks in Wellington, and will go to Christchurch on Friday.
The US abandoned its Pacific aid post 15 years ago, leaving a gap that has been keenly filled by China, which is expanding its international influence through aid.
The US has publicly said for some time that it believes it was a mistake to turn its attention from the Pacific.
It had been considering other locations for its USAID base, including Honiara in the Solomons.
But because of the strengthening relationship between Fiji and China and the fact that Fiji is a hub for the Pacific, it chose Fiji.
The USAID hub will begin with a budget of $27.5 million specifically for climate change mitigation.
[...]
Her speech made it clear that the US intends to step up its engagement in the region on every front - development, military, bilateral relationships and regional organisations such as the East Asia Summit and Asean.
"The most common thing Asian leaders have said to me in my travels in this last 20 months is, 'Thank you, we're so glad you're playing an active role in Asia again'."
She said the Pentagon was engaged in a comprehensive "global posture review" - effectively a white paper that will set out the plan for the US military presence in the region.
That plan would have to become "more politically sustainable, operationally resilient, and geographically dispersed".
[..]
She also said: "We have created new parameters for military co-operation with New Zealand."
That refers to the more streamlined procedures for waiving the ban on exercising with New Zealand - a reprisal for the anti-nuclear legislation of 1986.
Mrs Clinton is visiting Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Malaysia, PNG, New Zealand, Australia, American Samoa. It is her sixth visit to the region in 20 months.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Text Fwd: [nousbases] Spy agency taking on Waihopai protesters
* Text fwd from Peace Movement Aotearoa on Oct. 6, 2010
Spy agency taking on protesters
6/10/2010 11:20:00
Three protesters who damaged the Waihopai base satellite facilities in 2008 are facing a $1million damage suit brought by Gvt spy agency
A Government spy agency is taking a damages claim against the protesters who damaged satellite facilities at the Waihopai base near Blenheim.
Peter Murnane, Adrian Leason, and Sam Land successfully defended criminal charges in March after they damaged a plastic dome at Waihopai during a protest in 2008.
Sources have told Newstalk ZB the Government Communications Security Bureau, which is responsible for the Waihopai base, has decided to take a $1 million damages suit against the trio.
The move comes as the Government also considers amending or repealing the claim of right defence, that the men used to defend the willful damage charges originally brought against them. - http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=183548
Spy agency taking on protesters
6/10/2010 11:20:00
Three protesters who damaged the Waihopai base satellite facilities in 2008 are facing a $1million damage suit brought by Gvt spy agency
A Government spy agency is taking a damages claim against the protesters who damaged satellite facilities at the Waihopai base near Blenheim.
Peter Murnane, Adrian Leason, and Sam Land successfully defended criminal charges in March after they damaged a plastic dome at Waihopai during a protest in 2008.
Sources have told Newstalk ZB the Government Communications Security Bureau, which is responsible for the Waihopai base, has decided to take a $1 million damages suit against the trio.
The move comes as the Government also considers amending or repealing the claim of right defence, that the men used to defend the willful damage charges originally brought against them. - http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=183548
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