WAIHOPAI

SPYBASE PROTEST

January 25-27, 2008

The public face of New Zealand’s role as an American ally is the NZ military presence in Afghanistan.  But New Zealand’s most significant contribution to that, and other American wars, including the one in Iraq, is the Waihopai spybase.

Waihopai is controlled by the US, with New Zealand (including Parliament and the Prime Minister) having little or no idea what goes on there (let alone any control).

The Waihopai electronic intelligence gathering base is located in the Waihopai Valley, near Blenheim.  First announced in 1987, it is operated by New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in the interests of the foreign Powers grouped together in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement (which shares global electronic and signals intelligence among the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ).  Its two satellite interception dishes (shielded from public view by giant domes) intercept a huge volume of telephone calls, telexes, faxes, e-mail and computer data communications.  It spies on our Asia/Pacific neighbours, and forwards the material on to the major partners in the UKUSA Agreement, specifically the US National Security Agency (NSA).  Its targets are international communications involving New Zealanders, including the interception of international phone calls.  The codename for this – Echelon – has become notorious worldwide as the vast scope of its spying has become public.  New Zealand is an integral, albeit junior, part of a global spying network, a network that is ultimately accountable only to its own constituent agencies, not governments, and certainly not to citizens.

Waihopai does not operate in the interests of New Zealanders or our neighbours.  Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil and directly involves us America’s wars.  Waihopai must be closed.

We invite people from around the country to join us for the weekend of anti-war protest at this spybase.  Come prepared for roughing it and camping out.  We provide the food (note: we cater for vegetarians but vegans will have to bring their own).  Bring sleeping bag, groundsheet, a tent, torch, water bottle, eating utensils, clothing for all weather, and $40 (or $20 unwaged) to cover costs.  Absolutely no open fires.

How to find our camp at Whites Bay: turn off SH1 at Tuamarina (9km north of Blenheim or 20 km south of Picton) and drive to Rarangi on the coast.  Continue on the steep Port Underwood Road which climbs over the hilltop before descending to the Whites Bay turnoff.  There is a Department of Conservation public camp at the bay with basic facilities.  ABC has to pay a fixed charge per person.

I want to take part in the Weekend of Protest

Name______________________________________________________________________________

Address____________________________________________________________________________

T/F/Email___________________________________________________________________________

q I enclose $40 ($20 unwaged) per person registration to cover costs $______

q I want to make a donation to the Waihopai campaign $_______

q I can help with publicity in my area or network – Yes/No

q I want to join the Anti-Bases Campaign.  Annual membership is $20 ______  

( includes subscription to Peace Researcher)

CLOSE THE WAIHOPAI SPYBASE NOW!

Organised by the Anti-BasesCampaign,P.O. Box 2258,Christchurch.

E-mail: cafca@chch.planet.org.nz website: www.converge.org.nz/abc

Make all cheques to ABC