Alan Lodge's Blog

Terrorism information & advice:

In line with the Home Secretary’s commitment to provide clear, accessible information on terrorism, these pages contain new information and advice, and will be updated regularly.

We are providing details about the nature of the threat, guidance on personal protection, and detailed information about how Government works behind the scenes to protect you.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/terrorism

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I’m old enough now, to remember the dis-belief that many of us expressed, when we heard about the government plans for civil defence in the event of a nuclear blast. Such gems as putting brown tape over the windows, [that’s to deal with the nuclear heat blast]

http://www.cybertrn.demon.co.uk/atomic

When the Protect and Survive leaflet was released in 1980 its contents shocked many people and added to the general air of nuclear paranoia that peaked in the mid 80s. The fact that the government were actually preparing leaflets for distribution in the event of nuclear war made it obvious that they saw it as a real possibility. This inevitably influenced British culture of the time, including films, music and comedy.

http://www.cybertrn.demon.co.uk/atomic/culture.htm

Protect and Survive was a major influence for Raymond Briggs’ superb cartoon book and film “When the Wind Blows” (1986) the title for which was taken from the introduction to the leaflet. http://us.imdb.com/Title?0090315

…. and here it is, the original document. [really, have we come such a long way since then? me thinks not!]

Protect and Survive

This booklet tells you how to make your home and family as safe as possible under nuclear attack:

http://www.cybertrn.demon.co.uk/atomic/main.htm

From: “Welford Camp”

Date: Tue Mar 18, 2003 4:40 pm

Subject: Anti-Terrorism Laws Used Against Peace Protestors

MEDIA RELEASE: Anti-Terrorism Laws Used Against Peace Protestors – 18th March 2003, for immediate release

Earlier today a protestor who had been staying at RAF Welford, Berkshire, as part of an anti-militarist camp was arrested under Section 58 of the

Terrorism Act 2000. Section 58 is a very serious offence which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. After being held at Newbury police station for

the whole day, she was released without charge.

The sole remaining occupant of the camp, Violeta Lass, was given an ultimatum by the police that she had to either pack up the whole camp and be driven away or she would be arrested.

She said: I had to pack up the whole camp on my own: a twenty person tent and three other tents, cooking equipment, food and personal belongings of my friends who had been arrested.

The police searched the camp and confiscated many items, including her mobile phone. When she asked the National Public Order Tactical Advisor who was present why they had taken her phone, he replied, “You’re not getting an answer”.

The behaviour of the police in this situation and their use of anti-terrorist laws to criminalise peace protestors is concerning. When the anti-terrorism laws were introduced many people feared they would be used to stifle peaceful protest and that is exactly what is happening.

The three activists who were arrested for conspiracy yesterday were charged with ‘going equipped’ and released last night. Throughout the camp at Welford and many other anti-war protests, the main tactic used by the police has been to arrest activists in order to bail them out of the area. Those three have been bailed away from RAF Welford and USAF Fairford, thereby putting an end to their peaceful protest.

For more information contact the group’s Media Officer, Kate Jackson on 07817 061183 or by email at welfordcamp@h…

Notes For Editors:

The protestors were camping near RAF Welford, Berkshire in order to watch the base round the clock and take direct action to stop bombs from being taken to Fairford.

RAF Welford is run as a satellite to Fairford by the 424th Air Base Squadron. The base’s primary mission is to support the bomber forward operating location at USAF Fairford. It is certain in the event of war on Iraq bombs will be taken from Welford to Fairford. Although Fairford has a small supply of bombs, once these have been used bombs from Welford will be transported by lorry to Fairford, 38 miles away.

Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000 says “A person commits an offence if-

(a) he collects or makes a record of information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, or

(b) he possesses a document or record containing information of that kind.”

From directactionagainstwar

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/directactionagainstwar/message/577

Terrorism Act 2000 :: Section 58

http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00011–g.htm#58

I think I see some problems for photographers here, as well as activists, in covering some of these matters. Watch this space …….. !!

http://www.graphicattack.org.uk

The graphicATTACK website is a showcase of anti-globalisation subverts and artwork. The adapted billboards featured here have all been spotted in Bristol, U.K.

also, on a similar tip …..

Adbusters Media Foundation

We are a global network of artists, activists, writers, pranksters, students, educators and entrepreneurs…

http://www.adbusters.org

Subvertise

Archive of subverts, political art, spoof banner ads and parody web sites

http://www.subvertise.org

http://www.undercurrents.org/photsubvert.htm

I wanted to use up half-a-film that was still in the camera after the demo at the Chetwynd Barracks, Nottingham.

With all the heavyness, of the oncoming war, I thought I’d just do something ‘lighter’ and pratted about with some self-portraits.

Just in case your interested, here I am, on my bike

We,ll it’s nice to know that the government have got our welfare in hand. This site ukresiliance seems to be quite comprehensive …. !

http://www.ukresiliance.info

http://www.ukresiliance.info/terrorism.htm

This is the website of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat in the Cabinet Office. It provides links to government and non-government sources on a wide variety of emergencies and crises that can affect the UK, plus emergency planning guidance and government information.

http://www.ukresiliance.info/about_site.htm

The site is run by GICS Operations (Government Information and Communication Service), part of the UK government Cabinet Office, for the Civil Contingencies Secretariat. The CCS is a co-ordinating body and centre of expertise set up to improve the resilience of Central Government and of the UK

The site will respond to emergencies in the same way with up-to-date news and guidance, plus briefings and links. In addition, the content has been revised and enlarged to provide a broad range of information on a variety of possible emergencies, with links to government departments, agencies, and other bodies who provide help and assistance.

BUT I watched BBC Panorama : Frontline Britain on sunday night and they certainly don’t think its all in hand, by no means.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/default.stm

Oh crumbs, just finished another hour of news. What can I add to it all? there is a mind of ‘civil disobedience amoungst many. Have just joined another Yahoo group on these matters.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/directactionagainstwar

Subscribe: directactionagainstwar-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Still very much ‘work in progress!”

Main page for ‘Stop the War’ [Photo Gallery :: Photoshop Gallery :: Streaming ‘Slide-Show’] at:

http://tash.dns2go.com/stopwar.htm

Have now just added some photos from the protest this last Saturday at the Chetwynd Barracks, Chilwell. Nottingham on Saturday on 15th march

http://tash.dns2go.com/xtra/chetwynd_barracks/index.htm

Mobilisation of Reserves

Before reservists can be mobilised and sent on operations, a Call-out Order has to be signed by the Defence Secretary. He has the power to authorise the use of reserves in situations of war or on humanitarian and peacekeeping operations. Since 1997, over 5, 000 have served in operational theatres overseas. Members of the Territorial Army and Royal Auxiliary Air Force have been called up compulsorily to support the war on terrorism. Although they have been serving within the UK, their skills have been vital in assisting the operations of the regulars.

Before they are sent to their postings, reservists must undergo a period of induction where they are issued with equipment, given medical examinations and receive any specialist training relevant to their operations. For the TA and the RMR, this takes place at the new Reserves Training and Mobilisation Centre based at Chilwell near Nottingham. For the RNR this currently takes place at HMS NELSON in Portsmouth. RAuxAF personnel would report to their normal training unit.

http://www.mod.uk/aboutus/factfiles/reserves.htm

 Am so pleased and amazed. They did it!!!!!!!!!! Hundreds of people ‘PARTY’ on a Central Line train> On the London Tube system. Just like ‘Reclaim the Streets’ they’re about the taking back of space for the public. anbd have a good time while doing it ……

http://circlelineparty.org.uk

First off, a massive “thank you” to those who attended and made this the incredible success it was!

After receiving over 3,000 hits to the website on the day of the party alone we had no idea what would happen, except that it would be fun. At 19:45 Friday 14 March 2003 a gigantic troupe of folks made their way to Liverpool St and boarded the first available Circle Line train (via Tower Hill). The moment we knew we’d “arrived” was when an announcement was made,

Will the passengers on Platform 1 please make full use of the available area and move up the platform.

We’re not entirely sure, but suspect this might’ve been something to do with 600 people down waiting for the rear carriages…

It wasn’t long before the band had warmed up, coloured gels were applied to the lights, the bar was open (entirely passenger provided, of course) and the Circular tunes spinning… The party was in full swing for nearly two full circuits, finally stopping at Moorgate, one stop before our starting point.

Thanks to the Space Hijackers, Robin & Helen, Ricky the DJ, Russ Vandeburg (Pete), Paul, Alex, Saul & Lottie, Stephen, Arthur, Rhythms of Resistance, and all the wonderful people who provided “refreshment”, balloons, snacks, encouragement, and especially to those who kindly helped us keep the litter under control.

What an incredible night!

http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com/2003_03_09_tash_lodge_archive.html#90657389

Reclaim the Streets

Stop the War – Main Page: http://tash.dns2go.com/stopwar.htm

Have been experimenting, with photoshops automated outputs, producing more ‘Web-Galleries’

Links here, are to a few set I’ve just made at London’s Demo on the 15th Feb and Nottingham’s Stop the War march, last saturday. Some views and graffiti around the city. A show with samples of work from various ‘Reclaim the Streets actions in Nottingham .. .. .. and a 250 picture set of scenes from various RTS actions, around the country. Trying to reclaim ‘public space’, if only for the afternoon!. Portraits of people involved, their surveillance. Convoy, Festivals and Stonehenge. My ‘sketch’ on ‘the scene’, in fact 🙂

Stop the War Protest: London 15th Feb 2003 [sepia toned set]

surveillance 100set

Matt Richtel The New York Times Wednesday, March 12, 2003

http://www.iht.com/articles/89467.html

Concerned that sensitive information might leak out, some units of the United States military are starting to clamp down on e-mail communication from their soldiers and sailors, who have been using it from ships, major bases and even desert outposts around Iraq to stay in touch with family and friends.

.

The uncertainty underscores the double-edged nature of a technology that is giving an unprecedented opportunity for instantaneous interaction from the most remote locations, a development the Pentagon believes is helping to improve the morale in the field and at home. At the moment, much of the electronic communication is going unmonitored by the military, providing an opportunity for what some fear could be inadvertent leaks from the potential battlefield.

.

The air force warned last week that it might limit or start blocking electronic messages because some people had sent home sensitive information, including digital images that might have compromised unit safety. The navy has said that on submarines, it is monitoring all e-mail traffic. And the army, while generally maintaining open access to e-mail, is restricting some Internet connections from certain bases.

.

Across the military, individual soldiers have been instructed not to send sensitive information. But the policy about what Internet access to allow and what material to monitor or censor has been largely left to division and unit commanders on the theory that they are best able to judge what constitutes a real threat to security.

.

Some military critics argue that there should be a clearer Pentagon-wide policy on how to deal with a communications system that offers instant access beyond what was available in any previous conflict. The critics assert that e-mail and Internet communication raises several potential problems: It is voluminous and thus hard to monitor; it can convey not only words but images; and it is immediate, meaning that an enemy could conceivably tap into real-time updates of, say, troop movements, the presence of a general, or a military outpost’s perimeter defenses.

.

Still, computer security experts are not particularly concerned that Iraqi forces would devote much attention to trying to hack into e-mail communications from U.S. troops. Moreover, the military’s sensitive operational information is kept on a proprietary network called the Secret Internet Protocol Network that is not connected to the publicly-accessible Internet, making it extremely hard for hackers to penetrate.

.

Rather, the problem that computer and military experts worry about is that Iraqi forces might accidentally obtain a message sent home by a soldier that ended up being forwarded to someone sympathetic to Iraq, or that outsiders might view a picture published on a publicly accessible Web site. more ///

earlier entry on British Government ‘data comms’ proposals:

http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com/2003_03_09_tash_lodge_archive.html#90547523

 http://circlelineparty.org.uk

“Get your quick-change party duds ready, the long-awaited Circle Line Party II is on *Friday 14th March 2003*, meeting point and time to be announced on website on the day.”

I think this is a splendid idea!!!!

This is happening tomorrow, so, if in london, get down there!!

It all about taking back ‘public spaces’ and un-licenced entertainments.

“The point of the event was to completely disrupt the way in which the train works in terms of codes of conduct. We aimed to destroy any previous ideas as to how to operate within a train, and what a train is used for. By having a party we wanted to corrupt peoples future experience of the Circle Line, as the memory of the party will recurr each time they use the train.”

http://spacehijackers.co.uk

http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=1516

Congress Threatens Live Music and Dancing!!

Congress is considering two pieces of legislation that could effectively ban live music and dancing, while throwing innocent people like you in jail. If enacted, either bill could prevent you from hearing your favorite band or DJ live. Every musical style would be affected, including rock and roll, Hip Hop, country, and electronic music. Both bills would allow overzealous prosecutors to send innocent people to jail for the crimes of others. Your help is needed to stop these bills from becoming law!!!

Congress is considering two pieces of legislation that could effectively ban live music and dancing, while throwing innocent people like you in jail. If enacted, either bill could prevent you from hearing your favorite band or DJ live. Every musical style would be affected, including rock and roll, Hip Hop, country, and electronic music. Both bills would allow overzealous prosecutors to send innocent people to jail for the crimes of others. The two bills are the RAVE Act (H.R. 718) and the CLEAN-UP Act (H.R. 834). Both could be passed this year without your help.

The RAVE Act would make it easier for the federal government to punish property owners for any drug offense that their customers commit – even if they work hard to stop such offenses. If enacted, nightclub and stadium owners would likely stop holding events – such as rock or Hip Hop concerts – in which even one person might use drugs. Similarly, the CLEAN-UP Act contains provisions that would make it a federal crime – punishable by up to nine years in prison – to promote “any rave, dance, music or other entertainment event” that might attract some attendees that would use or sell drugs. In both cases, it doesn’t matter if the concert promoter and property owner try to prevent people from using drugs. Nor does it matter if the vast majority of people attending the event are law-abiding citizens that want to listen to music not do drugs.

The RAVE Act was first introduced last year in the Senate by Senator Joe Biden (D-DE). A House version was introduced by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX). Thanks to the support of thousands of voters like you, Drug Policy Alliance and a coalition of friends and activists around the country was able to stop both bills last year. Unfortunately, supporters of the RAVE Act are even more determined to pass it this year. Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) is sponsoring a new RAVE Act in the House. Additionally, Senator Biden has introduced a Senate version entitled the Illicit Drugs Anti-Proliferation Act.

If enacted, both the House RAVE Act and the Senate Anti-Proliferation Act would make it easier for federal prosecutors to fine and imprison business owners that fail to stop drug offenses from occurring. Businessmen and women could be prosecuted even if they were not involved in drugs – and even if they took steps to stop drug use on their property. Although proponents of the bill are seeking to target raves (and DJs, nightclub owners, and rave promoters have the most to fear), the law would apply to any business owner, including bar owners, motel owners, concert promoters, and cruise ship owners. Because of its broad language, the proposed law would even potentially subject people to twenty years in federal prison if one or more of their guests smoked marijuana at their party or barbecue.

For more information on the RAVE Act and Drug Policy Alliance’s campaign to stop it, see: The Musician’s Guide to Drug Policy Reform.

Click here to read the full text of H.R. 718.

The CLEAN-UP Act was also first introduced last year, but it failed to make it out of committee. This year’s bill has over 60 co-sponsors and could become law without your help. Sponsored by Rep. Doug Ose (R-CA), the Clean, Learn, Educate, Abolish, and Undermine Production (CLEAN-UP) of Methamphetamines Act is largely an innocuous bill that provides more money and training for the clean up of illegal methamphetamine lab. Hidden within the bill, however, is a draconian section that could make dancing and live music federal crimes.

Section 305 of the CLEAN-UP Act stipulates that:

`Whoever, for a commercial purpose, knowingly promotes any rave, dance, music, or other entertainment event, that takes place under circumstances where the promoter knows or reasonably ought to know that a controlled substance will be used or distributed in violation of Federal law or the law of the place where the event is held, shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned for not more than 9 years, or both.’

Under the provision, any concert promoter, nightclub owner and arena or stadium owner could be fined and jailed, since a reasonable person would know some people use drugs at musical events.

Click here for the full text of H.R. 834.

Opponents of the bills fear that both proposed laws would be used by racist or homophobic prosecutors to target Hip Hop and R&B concerts and gay and lesbian nightclubs. Both bills would also eradicate electronic dance music and culture, as we know it.

http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=1516

CJA stuff and implications, from my own pages.

http://tash.gn.apc.org/law_impl.htm

Home Office – FRAMEWORK FOR ACCESS TO COMMUNICATIONS DATA PUBLISHED

http://213.121.214.245/n_story.asp?item_id=398

Reference: 066/2003 – Date: 11 Mar 2003 11:16

The Government has responded to public concerns over access to phone and internet records with a wide-ranging overhaul of its plans, Home Office Minister Bob Ainsworth said today.

The Government today published revised plans on how public bodies should access such information records under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 as well as how such data should be retained by communication service providers under the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act (ATCSA) 2001.

The original proposals under RIPA were withdrawn last summer by the Home Secretary who promised to strike a better balance between the privacy of the citizen and the need to investigate crime and protect the public. The new proposals radically revise the access and type of information available to public bodies, as well as providing for extra scrutiny of such requests. It also delivers the Government’s promise to provide much more information about the type of records requested by public authorities and what it is used for. [more … … http://213.121.214.245/n_story.asp?item_id=398]

Notes to Editors:

The order withdrawn last summer is the addition of public authorities to Part 1 Chapter 2 of RIPA, (Access to Communications Data). Attached is a summary of the new proposals.

Section 103 of the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act provides that the Secretary of State shall publish a draft code of practice on data retention and consider any representations made to him about it.

Both consultation documents can be found on the home office web site: – Access to Communications Data under RIPA at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ripa/part1/consult.htm and the Voluntary Code of Practice for Data Retention at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/oicd/antiterrorism/consult.htm

The deadline for responses for both consultations is the 3 June 2003.

‘Snooper’s charter’ scaled down

Tuesday March 11, 2003

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,11026,912132,00.html

Ministers today announced a radical scaling down of plans to give state agencies powers to access telephone, internet and email records.

The plans were condemned as a “snooper’s charter” last June, when the home secretary, David Blunkett, was pressured into reducing their severity.

Officials had planned to allow a vast range of public bodies – including seven Whitehall departments, local councils and 11 quangos – the right to demand access to private communications records.

Such powers had previously been the domain only of the police, MI5, MI6, government listening-post GCHQ, customs and excise and the inland revenue.

Today Home Office minister Bob Ainsworth revealed a new shorter list, which the public have been asked to comment on before it is approved.

Only a handful of bodies – each with a serious crime-fighting role – would gain automatic power to access such sensitive data.

They are the UK atomic energy constabulary, the Scottish drugs enforcement agency and the maritime and coastguard agency.

Fire authorities and NHS trusts will also get full access to investigate suspicious fires or hoax 999 calls.

Organisations named under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) can access subscribers’ names and addresses, and details of telephone calls and emails made and received.

They can also get hold of mobile phone operators’ data which pinpoints a user’s location within a few hundred metres.

Mr Ainsworth announced a second list of organisations which will have far more limited powers to access data about phone and internet subscribers, such as names and addresses.

This will include all 468 local councils in the UK, five government departments, the Environment Agency, the Royal Mail, Food Standards Agency and the Office of Fair Trading.

Last June, Mr Blunkett admitted the government had “blundered” in its plans to expand the Act and “dug itself into a hole”.

His decision had been influenced by warnings from his son Hugh, 24, who works in IT, he added.

Today the home secretary said: “I take concerns about intrusion into privacy very seriously.

“To succeed in allaying fears of a ‘big brother’ approach by public authorities, government needs to secure public confidence that the boundary between privacy and protecting the public is set correctly.”

Full access to communications records – such as itemised phone bills – will only be granted after judicial approval.

Senior members of each organisation will have to authorise access and there will be regular checks by the interceptions commissioner to ensure the system is not abused, said officials.

A second consultation document published by the Home Office today set out a proposed voluntary code to govern how long communications companies – such as phone companies, mobile networks and internet service providers – should keep data on calls, emails and web access.

Information about subscribers – including names, addresses, dates of birth, installation and billing addresses and payment records – should all be retained for a year, it said.

Phone companies should keep records for 12 months on date and time of calls, duration, numbers dialled, and – in the case of mobiles – the location of the user.

Other information, such as on text messages, should be kept for six months, as should records on email logons, plus sent and received email.

Web activity – such as the URL of web sites visited – should be kept for four days.

The paper stressed the importance of such data in the war on terror.

The director of civil rights group Liberty, John Wadham, said: “The original snooper’s charter proposals were appallingly excessive.

“We welcome much of the government plan to step back from them.

“But authorities accessing this data should need a warrant from a judge – that’s the only truly independent safeguard that can produce public confidence.

“It remains a little unclear why, for example, NHS trusts need access to this information – surely the health service should be concentrating all its resources on providing healthcare, with police investigating crime.”

The CBI today said the new government proposals went a long way to address industry concerns.

Jeremy Beale, head of e-business, said: “The Home Office is now showing a genuine commitment to engaging with industry concerns.

“This appears to be a more business-friendly approach to data protection that tries to avoid loading firms with excessive burdens.”

He added: “Business is quite happy to pay its share of the cost of preventing criminality but the price of compliance must be proportionate.

“The government must now work with business to find meaningful ways of cutting any unnecessary expense.”

Previous entries on related matters:

‘Location Data’ on the use of a mobile phone

Mobile Phone: Crime, Theft and ‘Location Data’ Guardian article

Mobile masts- part of the way ‘location data’ is administered

Post on indymedia on London Protest:

Post on Urban75 on London Protest:

Post on ‘Nottingham Stop the War’ on London protest:

Post on ‘Nottingham Stop the War’ on Nottingham protest:

Post on ‘Nottingham Stop the War’ on Nottingham Mobilisation:

Post on indymedia on Nottingham Protest:

Post on Urban75 on Nottingham Protest:

Post on NttmStoptheWar – [Yahoo group] on Combined Protest:

Post on indymedia on collected Protest [STW, RTS etc]:

NttmStoptheWar – Yahoo List

This elist has been set up to organise and discuss protesting against the war about to be launched on Iraq and likely to spread into other countries in the region (if not globally).

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NottmStoptheWar

Nottingham Stop the War Coalition: http://www.nottmagainstwar.org.uk

Nottingham CND: http://www.nottinghamcnd.org.uk

My ‘collected link’ on Nottingham Stop the War Coalition

http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com/2003_03_02_tash_lodge_archive.html#90186807

Was sitting in my car in the Mansfield Road, last week, when a typical scene unfolded before me. A couple of black youths, in a car pulled over, right next to me. No offences commited that I could see. Wound down the window to take these piccys, [well, I couldn’t help it!] over heard the initial conversation. “Is this your car sir …… ”

Benjamin Zephaniah:

The Metropolitan Police wanted to use a couple of lines of his poetry (‘I love this concrete jungle still with all its sirens and its speed/ the people here united will create a kind of London breed’) for a recruitment campaign.

Zephaniah would not play.

He complained that he was still stopped by the police, simply because of his appearance. Now he is less vociferous: ‘I would love to see a day when I am able to work for the police. I’d be happy, because they pay well, I’m told.’ He is never short of a joke. But he won’t ‘unite’ with anyone unless his heart is in it.

Have just scanned and made a selection of the photography I took on the demo / protest in Nottingham on Saturday, do take a peek ……

Nottingham: Saturday 8th March. Folks gather at the Forest Rec Ground at 12:00. Set off down the Mansfield Road, gathering more people as we went. Thousands arrived in Market Square in the centre of Nottingham, to listen to speeches etc .. .. .. Raining for some of it, but people weren’t deterred.

http://tash.dns2go.com/xtra/stopwar_nttm/index.htm

Reminder: photography of the London Demonstration on the 15th Feb.

Main page for ‘Stop the War’ [Photo Gallery :: Photoshop Gallery :: Streaming ‘Slide-Show’] at:

http://tash.dns2go.com/stopwar.htm

* * * * * *

Have just posted on this info on my local group board at:

Nottingham Protest Post:

http://www.nottmagainstwar.org.uk/bbs/PostMessage.php?previous=202

Also, spent a little while checking out the local contacts for the British Army, here in Nottingham. Well you never know when it might come in handy ….!

British Army Mobilisation in Nottingham

http://www.nottmagainstwar.org.uk/bbs/PostMessage.php?previous=203

* * * * * *

http://www.cnduk.org/PRESS/latest.htm

A legal opinion from two leading international lawyers from Matrix, London warns the UK Government that the use of force against Iraq, without a Security Council authorisation, will be a clear violation of international law and that the Draft Resolution sponsored by the UK, US and Spain does not authorise force.

The opinion obtained today from Rabinder Singh QC and Charlotte Kilroy 1 on behalf of CND , and other leading NGOs, advises:

The Draft Resolution would not authorise the US and the UK to use force against Iraq if it were adopted.

In the present circumstances as known to us, if there is no further resolution clearly authorising force, the US and the UK would be acting in violation of international law if they were to attack Iraq .

This opinion will be used as part of an international campaign of lawyers and NGOs to make the US and UK Governments accountable, in law, for any unlawful actions. Lawyers in the US , Canada , Australia , Ireland , and other countries will be using this opinion to put pressure on their governments to act in accordance with the law.

Phil Shiner of Public Interest Lawyers 2 said today: “This opinion leaves no room for doubt. Without a specific Security Council authorisation war will be illegal. This draft does not give that authorisation.”

The UK Government is misleading the general public into thinking that if a second resolution is adopted, the US and UK will have a mandate for war, no matter what the wording of that resolution is. This is not the case. It is important to remember that what international law requires is a resolution clearly authorising force. The Security Council can adopt any number of resolutions, but unless theses resolutions state clearly that force is authorised, the US and the UK will not have a mandate from the United Nations to attack Iraq .

It is vitally important that the public are aware that if the government go to war following the adoption of this draft resolution by the Security Council they will be acting in violation of international law.”

Carol Naughton, Chair of CND said today: “The UK Government want it both ways. It is fully aware that all this talk about a ‘second resolution’ is just a smokescreen for illegality and is trying to pull the wool over the public’s eyes. The government knows full well that to take military action is illegal but doesn’t want the British people to know that.”

Mark Thomas said today: “This is another entry in the governments catalogue of lies and distortions. The Bush/Blair draft resolution turns the UN into a PR department for war. Blair might wave this bit of paper around as if it is significant but it has as much validity as Chamberlain¹s famous piece of paper in the 30’s.”

For more information contact Phil Shiner on 0121 2121868 (work) or 07715 485248 (mobile) or Carole Naughton on 07736 698702 (mobile).

——————————————————————————–

Footnotes:

Rabinder Singh QC and Charlotte Kilroy have advised previously on whether or not Resolution 1441 authorises force and concluded that it does not. Both acted for CND in a High Court challenge to Tony Blair, Geoff Hoon and Jack Straw leading to a judgment on 17 December 2002 . See The Judgement.

Phil Shiner, is acting for CND and other NGOs in trying to stop an illegal war being waged. This coalition plans to make the leaders of the UK Government accountable to the ICC if the use of force involves indiscriminate attacks on civilians