Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

"The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament will send a strong and clear message from our demonstration in London this Saturday to next week's summit in Texas between President Bush and Prime Minister Blair - Don't Start Wars" said CND Chair Carol Naughton.

The march will leave Hyde Park at 1.00 p.m. for Trafalgar Square where a rally will start with taped renditions of the song 'War - What is it good for?' by Edwin Starr, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Bruce Springsteen. Carol Naughton, Bruce Kent (Vice-President CND), Andrew Murray (Chair Stop the War Coalition), Shahedah Vawda (Just Peace) and Caroline Lucas MEP, Tam Dalyell MP and Alice Mahon MP will address the rally from the foot of Nelson's Column.

The demonstration is supported by the Stop the War Coalition which has been working hard to mobilise for it, just as they did for the successful demonstrations on 13 October, 18 November and 2 March.

The proposed assault on Iraq and the revelations that the Pentagon has a seven nation target list for nuclear first strike has given further impetus to the mobilisation for the demonstration but missile defence and Star Wars will be the major focus.

"Recent statements by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon indicated just how deeply New Labour has become enmeshed in the Republican right's aggressive agenda, best summed up by Space Command's goal of achieving Full Spectrum Dominance," concluded Ms Naughton.

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Call Nigel Chamberlain on 020 7700 235 0 to arrange interviews in advance or 07968 420859 on the day.

 

Six months ago, on 13 December 2002, President Bush announced his country's withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, to take effect on 13th June 2002.

The following day, work will begin on the construction of underground silos in Alaska for missile inceptors and associated communications systems, thus heralding the start of the US's highly controversial National Missile Defence (NMD) programme.

Withdrawal from the ABM Treaty will give the military the freedom to explore the use of advanced radar technologies which will be required for very early warning of any missile launch, anywhere in the world. These technologies will also give the US the capability to launch a pre-emptive 'first strike' as outlined in the US's new strategic doctrine this week.

Fylingdales early warning radar station on the north Yorkshire Moor is likely to be drawn into a deployed missile defence system and will need major upgrading work. The UK Government has persistently refused any comment on Fylingdales' potential role in NMD or space-based weapons.

British CND, in co-operation with Yorkshire CND and the Fylingdales Action Network (FAN), believe this issue is of major public concern and one which the government can no longer pretend that it has nothing to do with them. Missile Defence is planned with global military reach in mind, which is why US Space Command calls it 'Full Spectrum Dominance'.

CND Chair Carol Naughton, CND Vice-President Bruce Kent and Yorkshire CND Dave Webb will address a public meeting in Whitby on Friday evening 14th June. Chris Dove will speak for FAN and local activist Keith Mollison will chair the meeting.

At 09.00 hrs the following morning, they will lead protesters on a 10 mile walk from Whitby to a Party on the Moor at 13.00 hrs at Eller Beck near the Flyingdales radar station.

Afterwards, at 14.00 hrs, there will be a short march up to the front gate of the US-run base for a demonstration and the handing-in of a letter of protest against missile defence and the militarisation of space.

Further details from:
British CND Nigel Chamberlain 020 7700 2350 or 07968 420859
Yorkshire CND Neil Kingsnorth 01274 730795
Fylingdales Action Network Jackie Fearnley 01947 896481

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Geoff Hoon’s speech to the Foreign Policy Centre in London marks UK endorsement of ballistic missile defence.

He said the development of a defence against ballistic missile attack was:

‘…in the interests of the UK and its people, just as much as it is in the interests of the United States.’

Carol Naughton commented:

‘Is this the confirmation that Geoff Hoon has signed up the UK as the 51st State of the US?

If this is the signal of UK total compliance to the National Security Strategy of the United States of America, including regime change, then we can only expect the UK to follow America into a war on Iraq.

Whatever happened to the public consultation offered by Mr.Hoon in the House of Commons?

This speech drives a coach and horses through Parliamentary democracy. We are alerting all our supporters in Parliament to join us in outright condemnation of this pronouncement.’

Sam Akaki, Parliamentary worker spoke to Tam Dayell, Father of the House and leading member of Labour Parliamentary CND, who said of MD:

‘It’s a mistake and would be a tragic error if the UK was to support it.’

CND urges government to refuse use of British military base

The Government will announce tomorrow (Tuesday 17 December) that the US administration has requested use of RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire for their controversial 'Son of Star Wars' missile defence system. The request has been expected by defence officials and campaigners for over a year and follows the visit to the base this month by General Kadish – head of the US Missile Defence Agency. It comes almost a year to the day after George W. Bush announced his intention to withdraw from the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty (a treaty which forbade the development of missile defence systems on the scale that the US wants).

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has made repeated statements in support of missile defence over the past month and the recent MOD publication "Missile Defence – a public discussion paper", released this week, is again supportive of the principle. The discussion paper was apparently released to fuel the public and parliamentary debate that Geoff Hoon called for only a month ago. However, CND has been informed by the Ministry of Defence that there is no deadline for the public to send in their views and opinions.

CND today called on the government to ensure that they do not make any decision on the base’s use until they have left considerable time for that public debate to take place and, given that the House of Commons closes for the Christmas break tomorrow, not before parliament has a chance to discuss the matter in a full parliamentary debate.

Carol Naughton, the Chair of CND, said

"We’ve been expecting this news for some time. What a coincidence that it comes when parliament is in recess and everyone is away for Christmas. This whole process has been undemocratic and unaccountable so far and it looks like the US want to keep it that way. Geoff Hoon has called for a full public and parliamentary debate on these issues and we demand that he allows time for that before giving in once again to the USA’s wishes. "

ENDS

CND has expressed outrage at a US statement earlier this week that Britain may host interceptor missiles for the US 'Star Wars' system. Lt Gen Trey Obering, head of the US Missile Defence Agency, has stated that Britain is one of three candidates to host interceptors designed to shoot down incoming ballistic missiles.

The Ministry of Defence has denied that there have been any formal discussions on this matter. Other British officials say that the position remains - as Geoff Hoon stated in 2004 - that such a decision would be 'open to scrutiny and debate in the normal way'. The Pentagon has also denied that such a development has taken place. However, it seems strange that a senior US general, in charge of the project, should be so misinformed, leaving open the possibility that the general has inadvertently disclosed as yet secret information. He stated that Britain, Poland and the Czech Republic were on the final shortlist to host the interceptors.  

CND today called for a full and open debate on this issue. CND Chair Kate Hudson said: 

'The US Missile Defence system will enable the US to launch pre-emptive attacks without fear of retaliation and thus increases global tensions and the likelihood of a new nuclear arms race. Fylingdales radar station in Yorkshire is already part of the system, placing Yorkshire in the firing line in the event of future hostilities, but to station missiles in Britain will massively increase the risk of attack that Britain faces. Recent statements by Lt General Obering are deeply worrying, and it is vital that a full parliamentary and public debate takes place on this major question of national security. This is too important - and too dangerous - a decision to be taken behind closed doors.'

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Notes to Editor:

1. For further information and interviews please contact Rick Wayman, CND's Press & Communications Officer, on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
2. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 32,000 members in the UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere. www.cnduk.org

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament today welcomed the announcement by a Pentagon official that interceptor missiles for the US ‘Son of Star Wars’ missile defence system will not be sited in the UK, according to the Scottish Herald newspaper. The official cited the strong domestic opposition to the ongoing occupation of Iraq as a primary reason for this decision.

Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said, “This is a strong indication of the growing power of peace campaigning in the UK, especially as it comes together with the news that RAF Fairford is ruled out of a role in any possible attack on Iran for the same reason. This is a victory for peace and democracy. The majority of the British people want no part in these preparations for further militarisation and war.”

At the same time, CND deplores the proposal to site the interceptor missiles in central Europe, whether in Poland, the Czech Republic or elsewhere. In an already tense world, such a step will have a negative impact on western relations with Russia - which has already expressed concern about NATO expansion up to Russian borders.  CND also notes that continued UK participation in the missile defence system, via the Fylingdales and Menwith Hill sites in Yorkshire, will bring considerable risks to the British population.

Ms Hudson said, “The widely accepted consequence of this missile defence system is that it provokes a new nuclear arms race as nations seek a way to get around it or through it. Any site that plays a part in this missile defence system will make that country a target for any potential enemy.  Whilst it is a positive step that interceptors will not come to Britain, both Fylingdales and Menwith Hill are already allocated significant roles in a US missile defence system. This puts the people of Britain at risk - indeed it puts them on the front line in a future war. The US must end its dangerous and provocative plans for a missile defence system.”

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Notes to Editor:

1. For further information and interviews please contact Rick Wayman, CND's Press & Communications Officer, on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
2. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 32,000 members in the UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere. www.cnduk.org

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament today expressed its support for activists Helen John and Sylvia Boyce, who have been arrested again in their ongoing attempt to challenge the trespass laws under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA) at the US Menwith Hill spy base in North Yorkshire. Ms John, 68, and Ms Boyce, 62, were first arrested on 1st April, the same day that the new SOCPA law went into effect at Menwith Hill. In the two months since their original arrest, Attorney General Lord Goldsmith and the Crown Prosecution Service have failed to bring charges against the two grandmothers.

Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said, “It seems that the government created this legislation without fully thinking through its practical applicability. It is not acceptable in a free and democratic country to suppress non-violent protest by telling people to stay away from certain places. Perhaps the government realises this and is too ashamed to bring charges against Helen and Sylvia.”

After her most recent arrest, Helen John said, “I want this case to be heard in a court of law, but that is probably the last place the government wants it to go. The SOCPA criminal trespass law does not protect the people of Britain against terrorism – it is exclusively designed to protect US military fighting capability in the UK. I would like to see more people join us in challenging these laws so that the government is forced to overturn this oppressive and unnecessary legislation.”

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Notes to Editor:

1. For further information and interviews please contact Rick Wayman, CND's Press & Communications Officer, on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
2. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 32,000 members in the UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere. www.cnduk.org

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament today reacted with great concern over the statement by a senior US State Department official that the US has the right to develop weapons in space. Without naming any potential adversaries or threats, John Mohanco, the deputy director of the office of multilateral, nuclear and security affairs, told the United Nations Conference on Disarmament that the US continues to consider the role that space-related weapons may play in protecting their assets. The US and Britain are staunchly opposing the rest of the international community’s desire to engage in negotiations on space weapons at the UN Conference on Disarmament.

Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said, “We have seen how the US withdraws from Treaties when it feels it needs to, like it did with the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. How can we be sure that they will stick with the Outer Space Treaty, especially as indications are that they are already working on destroying the spirit of the Treaty - to keep war out of the heavens?”

CND has serious concerns that the American pursuit of “full-spectrum dominance” of land, sea, air, and space, will lead to a dangerous and expensive arms race in space. In June 2005 the Russians declared that they would not be the first to put weapons in space. However, they warned that “if someone starts to place weapons in outer space we will have to react accordingly.” (1)

In October 2005 the US became the first nation ever to vote against a Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) resolution, and the Pentagon’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2007 includes nearly one billion dollars for dual-use space weapons programmes. (2)

Ms Hudson said, “It appears that the US is taking a similar stance on weapons in space as it is on the Iranian nuclear programme – that they can freely develop dangerous, deadly, and illegal weapons, but nobody else can.”

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Notes to Editor:

1. Statement by Ambassador Leonid Skotnikov, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation, at the Plenary Meeting of the Conference on Disarmament, 30 June 2005. Available online at http://www.geneva.mid.ru/speeches/30.html
2. According to the World Security Institute’s Center for Defense Information. See http://www.cdi.org/program/document.cfm?DocumentID=3346& for more information.
3. For further information and interviews please contact Rick Wayman, CND's Press & Communications Officer, on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
4. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 32,000 members in the UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere.

For immediate release: 20 June 2006

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament today condemned hints by the US Department of Defence that the US may use its missile defence system to shoot down a predicted North Korean missile test, and urged renewed diplomatic initiatives. According to US satellite photos, North Korea has been preparing a test of a long-range missile capable of hitting the US, and has gone as far as fuelling the rocket for the upcoming launch.  But the US itself  test-fired a Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile last Wednesday, 14 June, which travelled nearly 4800 miles from Vandenberg Air Force Base to the Kwajelin Missile Range in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said, “It would be a serious, provocative mistake for the US to heighten tensions with North Korea by attempting to use its missile defence system to shoot down a North Korean missile test.  Such an act will likely increase the efforts of other countries to develop weapons capable of getting past the system and will contribute to an escalating arms race. This is the latest example of US double standards on weapons development. If the US really wants to stop other countries from developing dangerous weapons, it must first stop testing and developing such weapons itself.  Renewed talks and diplomatic initiatives should be undertaken instead.”

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Notes to Editor:

1. For further information and interviews please contact Rick Wayman, CND's Press & Communications Officer, on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
2. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 32,000 members in the UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere. www.cnduk.org

 

19 January 2007: for immediate release

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament today condemned an alleged anti-satellite test by China, which is said to have destroyed an old satellite orbiting over 500 miles above the Earth. Similar tests were carried out by the US and Soviet Union in the 1980s at the height of the Cold War.
 
China has been a leading proponent of the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) treaty in the UN. Negotiations on PAROS have been repeatedly blocked by the US, which says that there is no need for such a treaty because there is no arms race in space.
 
Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said, “This step by China indicates the urgent necessity of securing the PAROS Treaty. Weapons have no place in outer space; it is essential for the future of humanity that this frontier remain peaceful and free from dangerous weapons.”
 
CND has given its full support to a PAROS treaty. Ms Hudson said, “We urge all countries to immediately sign and ratify a treaty to prevent an arms race in outer space. All countries must give unconditional assurances that they will not put weapons in space.”

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Notes to Editor:

1. For further information and interviews please contact Rick Wayman, CND's Press & Communications Officer, on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
2. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 35,000 members in the UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere. www.cnduk.org