Expose Pine Gap!

20 September 2002

Groups from all around Australia will be converging on the United States war-fighting and spy base Pine Gap (near Alice Springs) over the weekend of October 5 ­ 7 this year (see http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/date.htm for more details).

The main aim of the demonstration will be to expose the use of Pine Gap in US military aggression. At the moment, satellites monitored by Pine Gap are preparing the target logs for the US military to use in an attack on Iraq. Therefore, even as the Australian parliament debates our participation in a potential war with Iraq, Australia is already involved through the use of the Pine Gap facilities.

Pine Gap also has a role in the proposed US Missile Defence weapons system. Pine Gap is crucial for US plans to put weapons into space ­ in defiance of United Nations resolutions ­ to protect US interests and investments.

The presence of the US bases on Australian soil undermines our sovereignty. Furthermore, US military systems in Australia compromise our relations in the region, our international role in disarmament, and make Australia itself a target.

Numerous peace, union, environmental, community and church groups have expressed their support for the national demonstrations.

The groups and individuals converging on Pine Gap have been preparing for the non-violent protests for much of this year and it is expected that the events will be peaceful, spirited and colourful.

The Pine Gap actions will be part of an International Week of Action Against the Militarisation of Space between October 4 ­ 11. During this week, groups in over a dozen countries and at over 65 different locations will be taking action.

Groups involved in the Pine Gap actions include: Alice Springs Pine Gap organisers; Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition; Ozpeace; Australian Peace Committee; the Anti-Nuclear Alliance of WA; Friends of the Earth Australia, Medical Association for Prevention of War; and the National Union of Students.

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