Chief Reporter
BASES OF EMPIRE
The Global Spread Of
US Military & Spy Bases
CORA FABROS
Touring NZ July 7 -18 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. This is election
year and ABC believes that NZ’s continuing links to the US should be a major issue.
Cora’s tour provides the regional context for how we aid and abet the US military and intelligence empire. Cora will be
visiting all three NZ bases – Harewood, Waihopai and Tangimoana. She is an excellent speaker who has travelled the world
for decades (including one previous NZ visit) talking on these issues. And, yes, she speaks excellent English (which is
an official language in the Philippines).
ITINERARY
Tuesday July 8 - Dunedin
Public Meeting: 7.30 p.m, Alexander MacMillan Room, Dunedin Community House, 283 Moray Place
Wednesday 9 - Christchurch
Public Meeting: 7.30 p.m., Oxford Terrace Baptist Church Hall, cnr Madras St & Oxford Terrace.
Thursday 10 - Blenheim
Public Meeting 7.30 p.m., Wesley Centre, 3 Henry Street.
Monday 14 - Wellington
Public Meeting: 5.30 p.m., St Johns in the City, Main Hall, cnr Willis & Dixon Sts.
Tuesday 15 - Palmerston North
Public Meeting 7 p.m. PSA House, 1st Floor, 43 King St.
Wednesday 16 & Thursday 17 - Auckland
Public Meetings 7.30 p.m, Wednesday 16, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn & Thursday 17, 5-6.30 p.m., WT0032, AUT Tower Building, 2 Rutland Street, CBD.
ENDS