A message to Conference from:
The Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases (CAAB) UK

We are so sorry not to be with you - all sorts of reasons have prevented us from being there.

We send you greetings and hope that the all the fine aims of the conference are achieved. We are living through very dark days and more and more voices in opposition to the many troubles of this world are desperately needed. Together we can and we will make a difference.

In peace

Lindis Percy and Anni Rainbow - Co-Coordinators CAAB

Information for Conference
The Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases (CAAB)

'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed it's the only thing that ever does' Margaret Mead

Background information

The Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases (CAAB) evolved out of the long campaign focussed at the American National Security Agency base at Menwith Hill in England UK. Some of us had been involved in the campaign long before CAAB was formed in 1992.

The campaign is coordinated by Lindis Percy and Anni Rainbow.

CAAB is a campaign:

• grounded in a deep concern and opposition to weapons of mass destruction in general and nuclear weapons in particular - specifically the proposed American Missile Defense /Theater Missile Defense (AMD/TMD) systems
• focussed on American bases in the UK and abroad
• raising public awareness, scutiny and accountability of American bases in the UK
• works to reveal abuse of democracy, the law and the executive by the presence of American Visiting Forces and Agencies in the UK

CAAB works to reveal this by:

• asking questions
• using the demoncratic process by working with local councillors, MPs, representatives in the House of Lords and MEPs - asking Parliamentary questions
• taking action throught the legal system to change unsafe law - bringing the executive to account through the courts
• regularly monitoring US bases and Planning Departments re proposed developments on US bases - AMD/TMD systems
• working with reserchers, academics, media, peace activists
• making us of the US Freedom of Information Act and the UK Open Access to Government Information procedures to gain information
• taking non violent direct action and civil disobedience

CAAB has had some notible successes in the Courts - eg ruling on
'Breach of the peace' - Percy v DPP (QBD 1994) Balcombe and Collins
Right to use the US flag in protest - Percy v DPP - (QBD 2001) Kennedy and Hallett
Successful challenge to Menwith Hill Station invalid Military Land Byelaws - (QBD 1993) Woolf and Pill

Through work to regularly monitoring Harrogate Planning Office for new developments we were the first campaign to find out about the new role of NSA Menwith Hill in the American Missile Defense programme. We learnt that MHS was to be the European Relay Ground Station for the American Space Based Infra Red System (SBIRS). There was a 'flurry' of applications for developments including two SBIRS radomes in 1996. Later we learnt of the role that Fylingdales was to play.

For three years we tried to interest and alert groups and the media to the new role of MHS. No one was interested at the time. In 1999 we brought out a legal action in the High Court to stop the building of the two SBIRS radomes. The progress of the legal action can be found on the CAAB website. We have recently instructed a lawyer to pursue a legal action when/if Tony Blair announces that Menwith Hill and Fylingdales (the two crucial bases in the UK) can be used by the American government for their Missile Defense system.

We have organised many demonstrations at MHS. There were three demonstrations at MHS organised by CAAB last year. We have also had a weekly witness and protest at MHS every Tuesday evening (7-9 pm) for over a year. We plan two major demonstrations this year plus a programme to raise awareness and opposition to the AMD/TMD.

Other connected issues pursued and being pursued by CAAB are:

• Invalid military land byelaws
• Lack of accountability and control of the Ministry of Defence Police
• Prison issues eg Prison Health Care system
• Planning proceedures re US base in the UK
• Submissions to the Defence Select Committee re MDP and the Anti Terrorist Act 2001
• Regular lists of suggested Parliamentary questions to Norman Baker MP

CAAB has interesting documents which were disclosed by the courts in an action brought by the Secretary of State for Defence against Lindis Percy in 1993. Lindis Percy has five permanent injunctions at US bases in the UK - USAF Mildenhall, USAF Lakenheath, USAF Alconbury, NSA Menwith Hill and the Deep Space Tracking Center and the Near Space Facility at Feltwell.

We are very happy to share any of this information - please contact:

Lindis Percy and Anni Rainbow
Co-Coordinators
CAMPAIGN FOR THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF AMERICAN BASES (CAAB)
8 Park Row Otley LS21 1HQ
tel no: (+44) 01482 702033 or 01943 466405
email: caab@btclick.com or percy@lindisandchris.freeserve.co.uk
website: www.caab.org.uk