Bases Of Empire

The Global Spread Of US Military & Spy Bases

CORA FABROS Touring NZ July 2008

Recent events have propelled the Waihopai spybase into the spotlight. It is a US spybase in all but name and NZ’s most important contribution to all US wars. Cora Fabros, from the Philippines, is a veteran activist with the anti-bases, anti-nuclear and peace movement. She is the Asia/Pacific Coordinator of the International Network for the Abolition of Foreign Military Bases.

The US is on a global war footing and the Asia/Pacific region is of immense strategic significance. This is the region that Cora will be speaking about. In Japan (particularly Okinawa) and South Korea the huge US presence covers the full range from nuclear warfighting bases to conventional combat bases to a whole variety of spybases. Despite having been kicked out of the Philippines in the early 90s, the US military is back.

Guam, a US territory, has been turned into a major nuclear warfighting base. Australia has given the US permission to build its first new spybase in 40 years. NZ hosts a US military transport base (at Christchurch Airport); and two “New Zealand” spybases, at Tangimoana and Waihopai. NZ’s role as a small, but vital, US satellite must be exposed, and the covert links ended. Cora’s tour provides the regional context for how we aid and abet the US military and intelligence empire.

Dunedin Tuesday July 8, 7.30 p.m, Alexander MacMillan Room, Dunedin Community House, 283 Moray Place Kay Murray, (03) 4542057, 021 1672843, email: ksimmondsmurray@xtra.co.nz

Christchurch Wednesday 9, 7.30 p.m., Oxford Terrace Baptist Church Hall, cnr Madras St & Oxford Terrace. Murray Horton (03) 3663988, 0274 307742 email: cafca@chch.planet.org.nz

Blenheim Thursday 10, 7.30 p.m., Wesley Centre, 3 Henry Street. Steffan Browning 021 725655, email: sjb@steffan.co.nz

Wellington Monday 14, 5.30 p.m., St Johns in the City, Main Hall, cnr Willis & Dixon Sts. Sam Huggard (04) 8033054, 021 1810508 email: samhuggard@yahoo.co.nz

Palmerston North Tuesday 15, 7 p.m. PSA House, 1st Floor, 43 King St. Dion Martin (06) 3569658 w, 021 776029 w; email: dion.martin@ndu.org.nz

Auckland Wednesday 16, 7.30 p.m, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn &Thursday 17, 5-6.30 p.m., WT0032, AUT Tower Building, 2 Rutland Street. Del Abcede, (09) 3787543, 021 02376917; email darobie@hotmail.com

Donations are needed to help with tour costs. Please make cheques payable to ABC, Box 2258, Christchurch.

ENDS

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