PROTEST AGAINST SPIES AND SPY BASES
WELLINGTON, EASTER 2005

SATURDAY MARCH 26, SUNDAY 27

The Anti-Bases Campaign (ABC) is doing something a little different after many years of protests at the Waihopai spybase, in Marlborough. We have decided to focus attention instead on Wellington. Why?

a.. Because it is the home to the headquarters of the NZ Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), New Zealand’s biggest and most secret spy agency. The GCSB operates the Waihopai and Tangimoana spybases on behalf 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).

a.. Because Wellington is the diplomatic and political capital of New Zealand. It is in Wellington, not the Waihopai Valley or Blenheim, that you will find the "movers and shakers" who, nominally or in reality, control New Zealand’s Intelligence agencies and foreign policy. There is a whole "Secret Wellington" to be explored and exposed. It is a secret world ranging from the HQ of the Security Intelligence Service, NZ’s best known spy agency, to the embassies of our Big Brothers, such as the US, UK and Australia.

a.. Because it is the closest main city to the "forgotten" Tangimoana spybase. Details about Tangimoana can be found on the ABC Website at http://www.converge.org.nz/abc/otherbases.html If you don’t have Internet access, contact us and we’ll send you a hard copy. Failing that, read about Tangimoana in Nicky Hager’s definitive book, "Secret Power: New Zealand’s Role In The International Spy Network" (Craig Potton Publishing, 1996).

These are the main reasons why we’ve decided to go to Wellington, not Waihopai, in 2005 (don’t worry, we’ll be back at that spybase in the future). And we’re holding our weekend of action over the middle two days of Easter so that people from all around the country have the chance to take part. Planning is in the early stages. Thus far, we propose the two days to include:

a.. A forum or seminar on the whole bases issue in New Zealand;

a.. one of our famous "Spies Picnics" in proximity to Freyberg (i.e. Spyberg) House, where the GCSB headquarters is located on the upper floors;

b.. a Tour of Secret Wellington, either conducted by the Wellingtonian who started them, world famous researcher, Nicky Hager, or by someone trained by him;

c.. and a one day field trip to the Tangimoana spybase, including a protest rally there.

The final programme, including times and venues, will be announced closer to the time.

We invite the people of Wellington, and from around the country, to join us for this weekend of protest action against the spies and spybases. We will not be providing accommodation, unlike what we do at our Waihopai actions. Wellington is a city, where people can make their own arrangements. But, as at Waihopai, we are asking people to register and pay for the weekend. There will be costs – venue hire, publicity, some light food, transport for the Tangimoana trip and for the Tour of Secret Wellington. For example, it’s vital that if we’re going to hire a bus for the Tangimoana trip that we know in advance how many people will need a ride. So please book and pay in advance, folks! The weekend will cost $30 waged (or $15 unwaged). Registration includes a seat on the bus.

If you’re a Wellingtonian, and want to get involved with organising this weekend of action, contact Kane O’Connell, of the Anti-Bases Campaign. He can be contacted at: 3852521 - h; (04) 4982502 – w; research@students.org.nz

I want to take part in the weekend of protest

Name

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I enclose $30 ($15 unwaged) per person registration to cover costs -------

I want to make a donation to the Easter 05 campaign

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

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I want to join the Anti-Bases Campaign. Annual membership is $20, and includes a sub to ABC’s newsletter, Peace Researcher

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PROTEST AGAINST SPIES AND SPY BASES

WELLINGTON, EASTER 2005

Organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign, Box 2258, Christchurch.

E-mail cafca@chch.planet.org.nz

Web: www.converge.org.nz/abc

Make all cheques to ABC.

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