| This is only one example of many nonviolent actions at military bases. More actions
should follow. And as a reminder: War Resisters' International is calling for nonviolent
action at military bases on 5/6 April 2003 under the slogan "Reclaim The Bases". Andreas
USA: Non-Violent Civil Disobedience Disrupts the War Machine at US Military Base by
Vandenberg Action Coalition 9:29pm Sun Mar 23 '03 address: Santa Cruz, CA, USA
<mailto:peace_vandenberg@hotmail.com>peace_vandenberg@hotmail.com
In order to disrupt the killing of innocents, and the illegal war against Iraq, several
dozen dedicated peace activist have taken non-violent action in the back country of
Vandenberg AFB located in central California Nonviolent Resisters Breach Security at
Strategic California Air Base Involved in Iraq War LOMPOC- As the increasingly bloody
"shock and awe" assault on Iraq continues, with U.S. bombs raining down on
civilian casualties from Central Baghdad to remote rural villages, acts of non-violent
civil disobedience have been carried out by small groups of concerned people from
throughout California. In coastal Santa Barbara county, action has been taken to
non-violently breach the security and disrupt business as usual at a sprawling California
Air Force Base. A critical electronic command post of the Iraq war, Vandenberg AFB
occupies sacred coastal land of the Indigenous Chumash people.
Throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday at least five nonviolent resistance teams hiked
into the base through rugged and brushy hills to carry out disruptive security breaches.
Activists dodged intensive military patrols leaving banners around strategic radar domes
and satellite command centers that play a key strategic role in guiding the assault on
Iraq. Meanwhile three members if the Vandenberg Action Coalition were arrested at the main
Gate Saturday, as a score of people gathered for a solemn vigil against the war.
The highly classified strategic mission of the base means that the breaching of
security perimeters by unauthorized people, specifically the unarmed nonviolent members of
the Vandenberg Action Coalition, triggers disruptive alerts, partial lockdowns and
security responses that interfere with the smooth and full functioning of the strategic
targeting/command facility.
In addition to its unique function of intercontinental flight testing for U.S.
first-strike nuclear missiles, Vandenberg Air Force Base is the worldwide operations hub
and headquarters for the Pentagons military/intelligence network of global
surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting, weapons guidance, and secret communication
satellite systems. As hundreds of U.S. bombers target Iraq, Vandenbergs military
technology plays a pivotal role in the assault on Baghdads neighborhoods and Iraqs rural
villages.
Air Force personal issued provocative statements to activists last week, threatening to
use lethal force if unarmed people tamper with major pieces of military machinery.
However, despite extraordinary intensive security measures by rifle toting strategic
command patrols combing Vandenbergs hills and canyons with military hummers, ATVs, horses,
helicopters and fixed-wing surveillance aircraft, the nonviolent resistance teams have
managed to get through, leaving behind banners showing their presence in the security
zones and slip out.
Renewing their pledge to nonviolence the Vandenberg Action Coalition promises more to
come. Organizers explain that they are willing to take legal and physical risk to
"get in the way of the war machine that backed Saddam Hussein for years, imposes
human rights atrocities through client regimes throughout the world, devastating the Iraqi
people with Infrastructure bombing and brutal sanctions in the 90s, and is now raining
fire and jagged steel on cities and villages."
The Coalitions statement, issued today, states "the nonviolent resistance to
military terror must continue. Our country was founded on civil resistance against
economic and military empire and we in the Vandenberg Action Coalition including military
veterans, clergy members, students, workers, parents and grandparents - will do what we
can to carry forward the legacy of Sam Adams, Harriet Tubman and Martin Luther King Jr.,
who before he was assassinate called the U.S. government the greatest purveyor of violence
in the world."
One participant a 34 year-old mother and director of non-profits in Santa Cruz said
"I am moved to do this today, because I see our rights as citizens being eroded while
more and more people are becoming apathetic or simply fearful about speaking up. We need
to realize how much is at stake here. We cannot wait while our president and the interest
of a moneyed elite derail our democracy and export terror around the globe. This is not
what I want my tax dollars to pay for while school are being closed in my county."
As Iraqi, Palestinians, Columbians, and indigenous people around the world struggle
against the space-age military technology of the U.S. war machine, activists here at home
have placed their security at risk in a brave display of opposition to our government and
solidarity with the victims of U.S. bombing.
A student at the University of California, " I am here because I think that it is
important to take resistance a step further. Stopping this war requires more that simply
shouting in the street. The action at Vandenberg displays out commitment to peace by
directly interfering with the United States war machine."
A California Farmer participating in the action said, "I am just doing my part to
fight terrorism that happened to be coordinated from my own backyard at Vandenberg Air
Force Base. It is the least we can do as Americans, to exercise our remaining civil
liberties and use out privilege to resist this illegal invasion of Iraq and the immoral
slaughter of its people."
The action has been endorsed by the Vandenberg Action Coalition, Voices in the
Wilderness, Global Exchange, and School of the Americas Watch. For more information
contact Vandenberg Peace Camp 805-688-7610 831-345-1548 (cell) (Jake and Liza media
liaisons)
After Monday call above number or contact Jake at 831-423-1626 ext. 301 www.MGPnofate.org peace_vandenberg@hotmail.com
...notizie dal Mondo , su chi
obietta
CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION AND THE COALITION OF THE WILLING - AN OVERVIEW
by War Resisters' International, 21 March 2003
In its "Say No" statement, issued shortly after the attacks
on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon on 11 September 2001, War Resisters'
International called for conscientious objection to war and preparation
for war [1]. One day ago, the second phase of the US lead "war on terrorism"
started - the war on Iraq.
The US lead "coalition of the willing" is a list of
countries, among them many which figure prominently in reports of human rights
organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. In a press statement
released by the International Press Institute on 19 March, Johann P. Fritz, director of
IPI, therefore called the coalition a 'coalition of the sinning', as many of the countries
"have done their utmost to suppress and stifle the independent media in their
countries". [2]
War Resisters' International is especially concerned about the right to
conscientious objection within the "coalition of the willing", especially those
countries sending troops, but is also very concerned about the right to demonstrate and
take nonviolent action against the war on Iraq.
| ALBANIA |
According to media reports, Albania has
offered 70 soldiers fornoncombatant roles [3]. Albania has conscription, and does not
recognise the right to conscientious objection. Conscientious objectors can be imprisoned
for up to two years [WRI 1998]. According to Amnesty International reports, torture and
ill-treatment are widespread in Albania [4].There is no known CO group in Albania which
could provide support. |
| AUSTRALIA |
Australia participates in the war on
Iraq with about 2,000 troops,including elite SAS commandos, along with fighter jets and
warships. Australia does not have conscription, but there is also no legal provision for
conscientious objection for professional soldiers. Under article 22 of the 1982 Defence
Force Discipline Act, desertion is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment [WRI
1998]. |
| AZERBAIJAN |
It is unclear if and how Azerbaijan contributes
militarily to the coalitionof the willing. Azerbaijan is of major concern to War
Resisters'International. The country relies on conscription to fill the ranks of its
military, and does not recognise the right to conscientious objection, although it is
enshrined in the constitution. According to reports received by War Resisters'
International, there are about 2,600 deserters and draft evaders in Azerbaijan's prisons
[5]. |
| BULGARIA |
According to media reports, Bulgaria
will send a 150-member Bulgarian Army company for nuclear, chemical and biological
protection. The Bulgarian soldiers will be located in a country neighboring Iraq under an
agreement with the United States, which Parliament has approved. "The Bulgarian
soldiers will not take part in direct combat on Iraqi territory," Svinarov said. [6]
In addition the United States has stationed six refueling planes KC-10A at the Bulgarian
airport of Sarafovo. Bulgaria has conscription. Although Bulgaria recognises the right to
conscientious objection, an application has to be made before starting military service
[WRI 1998]. This means that the right to CO is not available to serving soldiers - who
might be send to the Gulf. Soldiers who go absent without leave (AWOL) can be punished by
up to five years' imprisonment, if the absence lasts more than 3 days [WRI 1998]. |
| CZECH REPUBLIC |
Czech troops from the antichemical-,
antibacteriological- and antinuclear-warfare unit departed for Kuwait to reinforce the
U.S. forces stationed there in late January 2003. Altogether around 130 Czech soldiers and
40 vehicles were sent to the Gulf. The Czech parliament has approved military operations
against Iraq if the U.N. Security Council passes a resolution calling for force or if Iraq
employs weapons of mass destruction. [7] The Czech Republic has conscription, but
recognises the right to conscientious objection. However, serving soldiers cannot apply
for conscientious objection [WRI 1998]. |
| DENMARK |
Denmark's government offered on Tuesday
to send military and medical personnel to help an expected U.S.-led war against Iraq and
set aside funds for postwar reconstruction. "The government has decided to propose to
the parliament that Denmark take active part in a military action against the Iraqi
rule," Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said after a meeting in the parliament's
foreign policy committee. The Danish corvette Olfert Fischer is in the Mediterranean as
part of the U.S.-led "war on terror" and Denmark had earlier sent a submarine to
the Gulf in preparation for a decision to support a war against Iraq. "The government
has after careful consideration decided to take part in the military action with a
submarine and a corvette and a medical team," Rasmussen said.[8] Denmark still relies
on conscription. However, it recognises the right to conscientious objection. Serving
soldiers too can apply for conscientious objection. [WRI 1998] |
| ITALY |
Italy's parliament voted on Wednesday to
open Italian airspace and military bases to the United States in a war on Iraq, but no
Italian forces will participate. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi told a raucous
parliamentary session that any attack on Iraq was legal and accused France of derailing
diplomatic efforts. Often clamouring to make himself heard over heckling opposition
members, Berlusconi said Italy must play its part and parliament heeded his call, voting
to open airspace and military bases to the United States, though not to launch attacks.
"Italy's active participation in a war against Iraq is excluded now and in the
future," he said.[9] Italy still has conscription, although it will be abolished in
2007. Although conscientious objection is recognised, professional soldiers may not apply
for CO status [WRI 1998]. |
| JAPAN |
Japan does not have conscription. There
is also no legal provision for conscientious objection. However, as Japan does not have
any distinct legal legislation, military personnel can resign at any time [WRI
1998]. |
| LITHUANIA |
Lithuania has received an official
address from the US administration onthe country' contribution to the possible military
operation in Iraq. In response to that, Lithuania has prolonged the permanent clearance
issued during the anti-terrorist campaign in Afghanistan for aircraft of the US and other
NATO allies for overflight and landing. Maintaining its commitments, Lithuania shall
enhance protection of the US institutions situated in the Lithuanian territory. Lithuania
has also resolved to dispatch one Lithuanian officer to the US Central Command (CENTCOM),
where the progress of the Iraq operation would be coordinated from. The issue of
Lithuania' specialised troops (military medics and others) participation in the possible
operation in Iraq is also currently being discussed. [10] Lithuania has conscription, and
recognises the right to conscientious objection. However, applications cannot be made
while serving in the military. Should Lithuania decide to send troops to the Gulf, these
troops won't have any legal option for refusing to serve. |
| MACEDONIA |
Although Macedonia is not going to be
involved in any direct combat action,it hopes to be part of the post-war reconstruction of
Iraq. Defence Minister Vlado Buckosvki is expected to discuss his country's role, as well
as its preparations for NATO accession, when he meets in Washington this week with US
Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and others.[11] The right to conscientious
objection is enshrined in Macedonia's constitution, and a law was passed in 2001. It is
not clear whether conscientious objection is open to serving soldiers. |
| NETHERLANDS |
In a statement, Dutch Prime Minister Jan
Peter Balkenende has expressed his support for the US-led attack against the Iraqi regime.
He pointed out that for the past twelve years the international community has tried to
force Saddam Hussein to disarm. This approach has proved to be a dead end. He also
emphasized that there was serious discord, both on a national and an international level.
The prime minister said the Netherlands will lend political, but not military support to
the United States.[12] The Netherlands don't have conscription. The right to conscientious
objection is available to professional soldiers. [WRI 1998] |
| POLAND |
Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski
will send up to 200 Polish troops to take part in a US-led war with Iraq. "We are
ready to use a Polish contingent in the international coalition to contribute to making
Iraq comply with the UN resolutions," Kwasniewski said after a meeting with Prime
Minister Leszek Miller. "It's a difficult decision but necessary," he said. The
decision would allow a contingent of several hundred troops to deploy to the Gulf region
from March 19 till September 15, said Kwasniewski. The initial anti-chemical warfare units
could be ready to deploy as early as this week. [13] Although Poland recognises the right
to conscientious objection, applications cannot be made while serving [WRI 1998]. Thus,
the right to conscientious objection won't be able to soldiers sent to the Gulf.
Information on conscientious objection (in Polish) is available at http://www.pomocspoleczna.ngo.pl/strona.asp?id=192. |
| ROMANIA |
Romania contributed 278 non-combat
experts in demining, in chemical and biological decontamination and military police. [14]
In Romania conscientious objection is only recognised on religious grounds. In addition,
applications for conscientious objection cannot be made while serving in the military [WRI
1998]. |
| SLOVAKIA |
Slovak President Rudolf Schuster
delivered a speech immediately after the start of the military attack against Iraq. He
said that all nations have moments in their histories when they have had to make difficult
decisions. Slovakia has joined the armed operation as a future NATO member. The country
has opened its skies to U.S. flights, has permitted U.S. military ground transportation
across Slovakia, and has also deployed its chemical unit in Kuwait. The Czech-Slovak
chemical protection unit deployed to Kuwait has not yet performed any tasks concerning
weapons of mass destruction. After seven Iraqi bombs fell on Kuwaiti territory earlier on
Thursday, the Slovak Defense Minister telephoned the chief of the Slovak unit, who
assured him that the soldiers were safe. [15] Slovakia has a conscription system. Although
the right to conscientious objection is recognised, application can only be made within
30days of the conscription board's decision on fitness for military service. Application
submitted thereafter are not taken into consideration. Professional soldiers cannot apply
for conscientious objection [WRI 1998]. |
| SOUTH KOREA |
The ROK said it will send noncombatant
troops to Iraq, which in size will be similar to those of the 1991 Gulf War and the war in
Afghanistan in 2001. Sources said the number will hover around 500. "The dispatch of
troops could be decided upon later, as our noncombatant troops will be mostly military
engineers who will assist with war rehabilitation efforts in Iraq," said another
Defense Ministry official.[16] South Korea does not recognise the right to conscientious
objection. At present, some 1,500 conscientious objectors are imprisoned in South Korea,
usually sentenced to prison terms of 18months to 3 years' imprisonment. |
| SPAIN |
Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar on
Tuesday ruled out sending Spanish troops to take part in a U.S.-led attack on Iraq but
said he would deploy military personnel and equipment in a support capacity and offer
warplanes to defend Turkey. "Spain will not participate in any attack or offensive
missions," Aznar told Parliament, ending weeks of speculation as to whether Spain
would back up its fervent political support of the United States by putting troops in
harm's way."As a result, there will not be any Spanish troops in the theater of
operations," said Aznar, whose backing of Washington defies polls showing a vast
majority of Spaniards opposed to war in Iraq even with U.N. backing.[17] Spain abolished
conscription recently. Professional soldiers don't have the right to conscientious
objection [WRI 1998]. |
| TURKEY |
Turkish troops are most likely to be
involved in the Kurdish provinces in Northern Iraq. Turkey does not recognise the right to
conscientious objection, and COs face repeated imprisonment for refuseing to obey orders
[WRI 1998]. Information is available at www.savaskarsitlari.org |
| UKRAINE |
On Monday (17 March), Pres. Kuchma
requested Verkhovna Rada to consider this week the sending of Ukraine's chemical,
bacteriological and radiation decontamination battalion to Kuwait, Kuchma's representative
in VR Oleksandr Zadorozhny said. According to him, the president urged lawmakers to
consider the issue in an ad hoc session. No relevant agreement has been signed with Kuwait
yet, ad as soon as it is concluded, the documents will be handed over to VR, Zadorozhny
said.[18] The Ukraine has a conscription system. Although the right to conscientious
objection is recognised, application by serving conscripts and by professional soldiers
are not possible [WRI 1998]. |
| UNITED KINGDOM |
Britain has the second largest number of
combat troops in the Gulf. The British Armed Forces don't rely on conscription. Recently,
the UK Armed Forces recruited heavily among the Muslim population of Britain. Although the
right to conscientious objection is recognised for professional soldiers, most soldiers
are not aware of their rights. The rules covering the procedure on conscientious objection
are classified documents, not easily available. During the last Gulf war, a soldiers
deserted his regiment, because he did not know about his right to conscientious objection.
[WRI 1998] |
| UNITED STATES OF AMERICA |
In the United States, conscription is
not enforced. Professional soldiers who develop a conscientious objection can apply for a
discharge. However, during the last Gulf War the right to conscientious objection was
suppressed. Of those who refused to serve and announced their conscientious objection, 42
were imprisoned at Camp Lejeune, some of them charged with 'desertion in wartime'. They
were released at the end of 1992 [WRI 1998]. |
| Sources: |
[WRI 1998] Bart Horeman, Marc Stolwijk:
Refusing to bear arms. A world survey on conscription and conscientious objection to
military service. http://www.wri-irg.org |
| |
[1] http://www.wri-irg.org/statemnt/sayno.htm |
| |
[2] IPI Criticises Countries Included in
the "Coalition of the Willing", Vienna, 19 March 2003, http://www.freemedia.at/Protests%202003/pr_coaltion19.03.03.htm |
| |
[3] Powell says 30 countries in
'coalition of the willing', 03/18/2003, http://www.projo.com/sharedcontent/iraq/topstories/031803cciraqpowell.710306e1.html |
| |
[4] http://web.amnesty.org/web/ar2002.nsf/eur/albania!Open |
| |
[5] Eldar Zeynalov: Email to WRI, 21
September 2001 |
| |
[6] Bulgarian army unit is ready to
leave for the Gulf, March 19, 2003, http://www.bgnewsnet.com/story.asp?st=929 |
| |
[7] No "New Europe",
02/01/2003, http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,1430_A_769210_1_A,00.html |
| |
[8] Denmark offers military support to
Iraq campaign, 03/18/2003, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L1888714 |
| |
[9] Italy opens airspace, bases to US,
03/19/2003, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L19053638 |
| |
[10] LITHUANIAN MFA STATEMENT, http://www.urm.lt/view.php?cat_id=9&msg_id=1763 |
| |
[11] Macedonia Ready to Support US-led
Campaign in Iraq, 03/18/2003, http://www.balkantimes.com/html2/english/030318-SVETLA-001.htm |
| |
[12] Dutch prime minister expresses
support for US, 20 March 2003, http://www.rnw.nl/news/news.html |
| |
[13] Poland commits troops for Iraq,
March 18, 2003, http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,6146270%255E25778,00.html |
| |
[14] Powell says 30 countries in
'coalition of the willing',
03/18/2003,http://www.projo.com/sharedcontent/iraq/topstories/031803cciraqpowell.710306e1.html |
| |
[15] Slovakia Reacts to War in Iraq,
March, 20, 2003, http://www.slovensko.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=326 |
| |
[16] Seoul's Military Braces For War In
Iraq, 03/19/2003 |
| |
[17] Spain Rules Out Sending Troops to
Iraq, March 18, 2003, http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/iraq/sns-ap-spain-iraq,0,1312278.story?coll=ny-iraq-dotheadlines |
| |
[18] Kuchma Urges Rada to Rubberstamp
Sending Ukraine's Decontamination Battalion to Kuwait, 03/18/2003,
http://news.org.ua/news/?eid=2543 |
|