Protesters barge into U.K. defence site

By Our Special Correspondent

LONDON, JULY 3. In a sign of public opposition here to the U.S. plans for a nuclear missile defence shield, Greenpeace activists today ``invaded'' a major British defence site demanding that Britain should not allow its facilities to be used by Americans for their nuclear programme.

The high-security Menwith Hill base in North Yorkshire is one of the two British sites that Americans would need for their ``Son of Star Wars'' project, the other being at Fylingdales.

Britain's domestic news agency PA News said Greenpeace protesters entered Menwith Hill spy base early on Tuesday morning and were occupying three areas within the complex.

Some were still holed up on a water tank until late in the afternoon, and were quoted as saying that they had enough provisions - food and water - to last them for the next 24 hours.

One TV channel showed a group carrying flags and wearing missile- shaped costumes break into Menwith Hill, one of Britain's most heavily guarded spy bases.

They were shown casually walking into the complex even as security personnel tried to push them back.

While some were evicted, others managed to climb on to a water tank.

The group of about 50 activists, mostly young men and women, carried star-and-stripe flags with the message ``Star Wars Starts Wars'.

One report said there were two teams of protesters - one walked through the gates, and other scaled a three-metre-high razor wire fence to gain entry.

The Greenpeace U.K. executive director, Mr. Stephen Tindal, denounced the U.S. President, Mr. George Bush's proposed missile defence programme as ``a disaster'' and urged the British Government not to allow Americans to the sites at Menwith Hill and Fylingdales.

He said if the programme was allowed to develop these sites would become ``sitting ducks'' for attacks.

``But Bush can't install the system without Tony Blair's approval. We urge Mr. Blair not to kowtow to Bush on such a crucial issue. He must say no to U.K. involvement.''

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Section  : International
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