8 March 2007: for immediate release
Geoff Hoon yesterday invited Czech deputy PM for European Affairs Alexandr
Vondra to visit the US radar station at Fylingdales in north Yorkshire.
The US has proposed that a radar station similar to Fylingdales be built
in the Czech Republic as part of the US missile defence system.
The US describes the system as defensive because it has the capacity
to shoot down incoming missiles. In reality it would enable the US to
attack other countries without fear of retaliation, thus sparking major
international concern and provoking a new arms race. Mr Hoon’s invitation
to Mr Vondra further clarifies the British government’s implicit
support for this offensive military system.
CND believe that the Missile Defence programme will create a new global
arms race through US military dominance of space, a view reflected by
the majority of British public opinion. A recent poll showed 67%
of the British public oppose any involvement in the missile defence programme
(note 1). A majority of Czechs oppose hosting the radar site in their
country, believing that it will make them a target in any future attacks.
Britain’s complicity in starting a new arms race does not stop
with its cooperation with the US missile defence plans. Parliament will
vote next week on the government’s plan to replace Trident, Britain’s
nuclear weapons system. If the government’s plans for new nuclear
weapons go ahead, IAEA Chief Mohammed El Baradei says Britain then cannot
‘tell everyone else that nuclear weapons are not needed in the future.’
Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, extended
Geoff Hoon’s invitation to Czech officials to include meeting British
campaigners opposed to the missile defence system. She said:
‘CND invites the Czech officials to meet with us in order to present
the case against involvement in the US Missile Defence system. We
believe that any involvement in the US plans will lead to a new global
arms race, creating a future of global insecurity and conflict. The Missile
Defence system will provide the US with first-strike capabilities against
any state in the world, without fear of retaliation. The locating of radar
stations and interceptor missiles in Europe put the citizens of host countries
at risk of attack.’
She continued: ‘At a time when the British Government is
forcing through a vote on Trident replacement, Mr Hoon and his Cabinet
colleagues should be listening to the peaceful majority who oppose the
replacement of Britain’s nuclear weapons system, rather than promoting
an aggressive military agenda.’
end
Notes to Editor:
1. For full poll results, visit http://cndyorks.gn.apc.org/md/index.htm
2 . For further information and interviews please contact Rick Wayman,
CND's Press & Communications Officer, on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
3 . An ICM poll from June 2006 showed that 81% of the British public believes
that any decision on Trident replacement should be made by Parliament,
not the Prime Minister alone. Click here
for a full copy of the poll.
4 . According to a July 2006 ICM poll, 59% of the British public opposes
a replacement of Trident when presented with a cost of at least £25
billion. Click here
for a full copy of the poll.
5 . 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
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