Anti-Bases Campaign Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand cafca@chch.planet.org.nz http://www.converge.org.nz

Wellington, Easter

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 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, where 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 and high commissions 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, this year (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.

We invite the people of Wellington, and the rest of NZ, to join us for this weekend of protest action against the spies and spybases. We will not be providing accommodation or transport to Wellington. But, as with our Waihopai actions, we are asking people to register and pay for the weekend. There are costs – venue hire, publicity, some light food, a bus for the Tangimoana trip and for the Tour of Secret Wellington. It’s vital 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 for both trips.

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 research@students.org.nz

PROGRAMME

Saturday March 26

Seminar, St Johns Presbyterian Church, corner of Willis and Dixon Streets.

9:30 a.m - Registration.

10 a.m. Speakers to be announced later. They will speak on the whole issue of spybases in New Zealand, and place that in the global context.

12.30 p.m. – Lunch, at St Johns.

Tour of Secret Wellington

1:45 p.m - Meet at bus stop outside Education House/NZEI, 178 Willis St (which is next door to the St Johns car park).

2 p.m. – Tour of Secret Wellington, conducted by people trained by world famous researcher, Nicky Hager, the Wellingtonian who originated the tours.

5 p.m. – Tour finishes

Sunday March 27

Trip To Tangimoana Spybase. If you’re making your own way there and need directions, contact the Anti-Bases Campaign. Bring placards, banners, drinking water, and something for your lunch. We’ll be away for the day.

10 a.m. - Meet at bus stop outside Education House/NZEI, 178 Willis St (which is next door to the St Johns car park).

10:30 a.m. - Depart for Tangimoana.

2 p.m. - Protest at Tangimoana Spybase

3 p.m. – Depart Tangimoana for Wellington

I want to take part in the weekend of protest

Name ________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________

Phone/Fax/E-mail ______________________________________________

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

I want to make a donation to the Easter campaign __________________

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

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

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

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

Make all cheques to ABC.

ENDS

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