Greenpeace response to Geoff Hoon giving go-ahead for UK bases being used for US Star Wars system

Menwith Hill spy base, North Yorkshire

Responding to Geoff Hoon's announcement in Parliament today that the government will allow the United States to use UK facilities, including the Fylingdales military base in Yorkshire, for their 'Star Wars' system, Stephen Tindale, Executive Director of Greenpeace UK said,

"It is disgraceful that the government is using the cover of impending war with Iraq to push through this decision to back Bush's aggressive plans for developing a 'Star Wars' missile defence system".

"No matter how many billions the Bush administration pours into the proposed Star Wars system, it will only ever defend against one, pretty unlikely, form of attack. It would be of no use against a suitcase bomb, a test tube of toxins or a hijacked plane. What it will do is increase tensions internationally, further undermine the global arms control system and risk causing a new arms race."

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