- by Denis Doherty
- The Guardian
- Issue #2197
US BASES
An article in Covert Action, “US Military Bases around the world are facing growing protest from an emboldened antiwar movement” by Jeremy Kuzmarov, came to our attention.
The article covered actions against US bases in Ireland, Germany, Holland, South Korea, Philippines, and Australia. Many may be surprised that the US has a base in Ireland despite that country’s neutral status, but conservative Irish governments have previously allocated Shannon Airport as US territory. The article covers a protest action at Shannon where an Irishman climbed on top of US Hercules with a hatchet and started damaging the plane. His actions caused US $75 million worth of damage. He explained that “protests outside Shannon Airport, … are growing in scale because of popular anger at Ireland’s complicity in the Israeli genocide in Gaza and Iran War – along with previous illegal US and NATO wars like in Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Serbia in the 1990s.” In Australia there have been many actions at Pine Gap during the genocide in Gaza, and next month a demonstration is planned to protest this base being used to conduct a war against Iran.
In the Netherlands a prominent Dutch punk rock musician called Ilse Terheggen has written a song about the bases there. Here’s a part of her song.
NATO power is tearing up the peaceful skies,
Fighter pilots ready to destroy thousands of lives,American war-heads authorise the threat,
More pollution, more weapons, more war, more murder, more profit.
JUST AND EQUITABLE
Some years ago, the US put out two key documents about its position in the world, one called ‘Joint Vision 2020’ and the second ‘Project for a new American Century.’ The Joint Vision document introduced the term ‘full spectrum dominance,’ which basically stated that the US will dominate in the underwater, surface water, land, air, and space domains. The ‘Project’ document laid the plans for the domination by the US of countries by military force if necessary. These documents spelled out the bellicose and hegemonic activities that the US intended to carry out. These documents are over 20 years old but influenced ‘the forever wars’ Trump railed against before starting another one.
In contrast, China has just released a document called ‘More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions.’ It puts forward proposals to strengthen the UN and for all to follow International Law. This document is online and covers 37 pages.
It is essential reading for peace and political activists. In one small section called ‘The Law of the jungle seriously undermines the International rule of law’ the document states that “unilateralism and hegemonism cause only grave harm, openly trampling upon international law and the basic norms governing international relations.” China goes on to explain what it is doing and what it is encouraging others to do so we can have a more peaceful and stable world.
China is insisting that it is part of the Global South and promotes South to South trade and exchanges. Meanwhile Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles says in quivering tones someone may attack our sea lanes so we must have nuclear powered submarines. The object of these suggestions is promoting better global governance. Where’s the threat and where’s the advantage in increasing military spending?
AUKUS Public Enquiry
https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/#tor
All Party members and supporters are encouraged to check out the AUKUS Public Enquiry website. A branch can send a submission to the enquiry; members should register to attend the hearings. This move puts into action the following statement from our recent Party Congress on ‘Work in the peace movements for peace and tearing up the AUKUS agreement.’
