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The US attack submarine, The "City of Corpus Christi " was met by Jesus Christ and other peace activists at the Brisbane Port on 27 July.

The "Corpus Christi" meaning "body of Christ" was docked in the Brisbane river for R&R. With its home port in Guam, the Corpus Christi is part of the US 7th Fleet and has recently taken part in large exercises in the Pacific.

A vigil was held that evening to remember the millions of people who have been murdered directly or indirectly by the US military and to strongly oppose nuclear vessels entering the Brisbane river.Twelve people were in attendance and the vigil was later shown on channel 10 news.

Jim Dowling from Christains Against ALL Terrorism came dressed as Jesus. He remained standing on a hand made cross for two hours (see the picture). Jim had this to say:

"As a Christian I am appalled that a Nuclear Submarine can use the name of "Corpus Christi" amening Body of Christ. This Nuclear Sub is part of the largest killing machine in human history, the US military. This military is presently engaged in slaughtering children belonging to the real Body of Christ on a daily basis in its imperial wars, and threatens to kill us all in a possible nuclear war. The only options for a christian in this situation are repentance and resistance."

The Federal Parliament Public Works Committee conducted a 1hour 50 minute public hearing into a proposed development at the Shoalwater Military Training Facility in Rockhampton on Friday 28 July. The development, which includes an urban warfare training zone and live firing range, is part of the Federal Government’s commitment to increase “inter-operability” with the US military and to turn Shoalwater into a Combined Joint Training Facility.

Friends of the Earth Brisbane representative, Treena Lenthall, and Shoalwater Wilderness Awareness Group (SWAG) spokesperson, Peter Murray, testified at the hearing; a peace vigil will be held outside.

Friends of the Earth is greatly concerned that the Inquiry has been undemocratic and narrowly focused. One of the major flaws is the attempt by the Australian Defence Force to portray the development of military facilities as isolated from their purpose.

“The Defence Force claims that the development will have no environmental impact, totally dismissing the fact that the infrastructure is being put in place to support US and Australian live-firing practice, raids, on-shore landings, and bombing,” states Ms. Lenthall.

“The facility is being specifically time-lined to be ready for next year’s US- Australia joint training exercise “Operation Talisman Sabre 2007”, which will see up to 30,000 US troops exercising in the area.”

The development further raises concerns about what types of weaponry and equipment the facility will house and use. The Inquiry so far has not allayed community concerns about the potential use of Depleted Uranium (DU) in the region.

Spokesperson for the Shoalwater Wilderness Awareness Group, Peter Murray, says, “The ADF told the inquiry that Depleted Uranium (DU) has not been used in Australia. I have documented evidence from Hansard that shows otherwise. It is even highly likely that DU has been used in the Shoalwater Bay military area in the past.”

Friends of the Earth spokesperson Ms. Lentall adds, “This development is supposedly in the national interest. However, the Inquiry not only failed to consult with the broader Australian community who will in the long-term be affected by increased US military operations in the region, but it didn’t even bother to consult with local indigenous, environmental, and women’s health groups, representing those who will be the first to be immediately impacted.”

For more information:

Friends of the Earth Brisbane, Treena Lenthall, 0432 563 967
Shoalwater Wilderness Awareness Group (Yeppoon), Peter Murray, 0438 808 013
Citizens Against Depleted Uranium Use (Byfield-Yeppoon), Steve Bishopric, (07) 4935 1161

On 3 October 2006, Four CAAT(Campaign Against All Terrorism) members - Jim Dowling, Adele Goldie, Bryan Law and Donna Mulhearn (the Pine Gap 4), will stand trial in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, at Alice Springs, on 3-4 indictable offences under both the Commonwealth Crimes Act, and the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act.

We're before Justice Sally Thomas. We're all being tried together and pleading not guilty. We've been allocated nine days for trial from Tuesday 3 October 2006.

Our "crime" was to break into the US Spy Base at Pine Gap against official advice in December 2005. We sought to inspect the base for terrorist activity.

On 5 December, the day of our arrival at Alice Springs, known terrorist, John Negroponte (linked to death squad activity while ambassador to Honduras in 1981-85, and lately appointed by George W Bush as Director of National Intelligence in the US) was conducting his own inspection of Pine Gap. He found it a war-making terrorist base in good working order.

CAAT members are proud of our accomplishments. With a small affinity group and using meagre resources, we've shown the state security propaganda for the piffle it is.

Along the way we stimulated some renewed national interest in Pine Gap as a prominent cog of the US war machine. In our literature we describe Pine Gap as a terrorist base.

Pine Gap is a US run terrorist base.

We intend to use our trial to draw public attention to the war-making role of Pine Gap - both conventional war-making in Iraq and Afghanistan, and nuclear war-making with the "missile defence shield" and the current threats of nuclear attack against Iran.

We took our "criminal" action in a time when:

nuclear proliferation is accelerating.

there are numerous flash-points which may trigger nuclear war.

there is active militarisation around the globe, including Australia.

Australia is developing as a security state.

There is a growing Uranium industry and nuclear industry in Australia

Australian subordination to US "defence" interests is perhaps more complete than ever before.

US foreign policy advocates an aggressive unilateralism, based principally on military threat, whenever its "vital interests" feel threatened.

Australia is a resolute ally of the US in the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq, making us complicit in the war crimes subsequently committed by the US in Iraq.

The prospect of regional war, world war, and nuclear war has never been greater.

We'll be arguing that the emergent situation exemplified in Iraq is so dire that, as reasonable citizens of conscience, we are compelled to take action to effectively address it. This is the "necessity defence", under common law, and under section 10.3 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code.

We'll be arguing that the Nuremberg Principles, along with the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ought inform any assessment of the Iraq emergency and its dire consequences.

We'll be arguing that the kind of nonviolent interventionary action we took, as part of a wider peace movement, is an appropriate form of action for citizens to take in addressing unjust and aggressive war. In particular we'll argue that the open and respectful nature of our action renders it "reasonable" and "proportionate" in the face of the military/terrorist threat.
We know our little action has been effective because, in response, various government agencies have dramatically over-reacted and brought out a "big gun" piece of legislation to use against us - designed during the cold war for spies and saboteurs.

We have been charged with 1-2 offences each under the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952 (DSU). Unlawfully entering a prohibited area, and operating a camera in a prohibited area. Unlawful entry carries a penalty of up to seven years imprisonment for trespass.

The DSU was enacted at the height of Cold War paranoia to maintain secrecy and prevent sabotage during the atomic tests by Britain at Maralinga and the Monte Bello Islands.

In response to the "communist menace", this Act and a companion Act (Approved Defence Projects Protection Act 1947) were approved to prevent industrial action or political action directed against Australia's assistance to the nuclear weapons programs of Great Britain and the United States of America. They do so till this day.
During the Parliamentary and public debates on these Bills, concerns were raised about the impacts on civil rights, on the Aborigines whose land it was, on the ability of the existing Crimes Act to safeguard defence projects, on disarmament as a better alternative to arms races, and on issues of sovereignty in joint defence relationships.

Unfortunately these concerns were only taken up by minority groups in the Australian polity. The ALP collaborated with the Coalition Parties in passing both Bills into Law.

We are the first people ever to be charged with offences under this Act.

The consent of the Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, was required before our prosecution could continue. In a remarkable act of Christian mercy, Philip gave his consent the day before Easter this year. We have no information about whether he washed his hands afterwards.

Our job in Court now is to first convince Justice Thomas to allow our defence to be argued, and then to try and convince a jury that the threat we face is grave, and that our actions in response were reasonable and proportionate under all the circumstances.

Outside the Court we'll use the opportunity to raise awareness and promote the use of nonviolence as a tool for peacemaking.

This will involve making use of both mainstream and alternative media, and further developing activist capacity in Alice Springs and Australia so as to accomplish the transformation of Pine Gap (among other things).

We propose a week of action between 2 October and 9 October 2006, in Alice Springs, and in solidarity around Australia and elsewhere (there are plenty of US bases and apparatus to choose among).

Plant Seeds of Peace. Throw sand in the cogs of war.

On Saturday 7 October there'll be a Peace Conversion Action Day. Bicycle along Hatt Road to the front gate of Pine Gape Terrorist base. (Re-face signage outside Pine Gap, some performance, ritual, magic, and fanatical peacemaking. We will transform Pine Gap.)
All nonviolence activists welcome. Come as autonomous affinity groups if possible. Come prepared for engaging, dramatic, theatrical, resolute action seeking conversion of Pine Gap to peace-making purposes.

There'll be all sorts of learning/action opportunities.

If you can't come, think about a solidarity action you might like to do in your locale.

Donna Mulhearn

Students from the 2006 Students of Sustainability (SoS) conference will be visiting the Shoalwater region this week to see first hand, the social, environmental and political impacts of the Joint Training Facility and US-Australia military exercises in the region.

Shoalwater is the fourth stop on the SoS Queensland Environmental Awareness Tour, which is travelling from Brisbane up to Townsville stopping at the sites of environmental significance, especially those at risk from mining activities and military uses.

Friends of the Earth and Brisbane Peace Convergence will be joining the students to highlight the far-reaching impacts of military bases and exercises in Australia and working with students and the community to explore sustainable solutions and to plan for action for next year‚s Operation Talisman Sabre exercises.

Spokesperson for Friends of the Earth Brisbane, Kim Stewart, says "The Shoalwater Bay region is a precious natural area of Queensland that should belong to the people, not be allowed to be polluted and damaged by military uses."

" Young people are concerned about the future of our natural areas and want to connect with local communities to challenge those putting the future at risk in this way."

The students will be meeting the local community at Byfield, adjacent to the Shoalwater Bay Defence Training area on Wednesday night at the Byfield Community Hall and participating in a public meeting on Thursday at 7:30pm at the Yeppoon Sailing Club.

The community is invited to meet the students, share your perspectives on the issues with them and to join them in peaceful action.

For more information:

Friends of the Earth Kim Stewart 0413 397 839
Peace Convergence Robin Taubenfeld 0411 118 737
Students of Sustainability Miranda Gibson 0414 535 164

Anti-nuclear campaigners offered Premier Beattie a symbolic child’s coffin with images of Chernobyl victims to assist him in considering the possible consequences of supporting the nuclear industry.

Twenty years ago, the world experienced the largest ever nuclear power accident, the meltdown of the Number 4 nuclear reactor at Chernobyl.

Friends of the Earth Brisbane (FoEB) urged Queenslanders to commemorate Chernobyl Day, April 26th, as a poignant reminder of the dangers of nuclear technology in all its guises.

The Chernobyl disaster has left a toxic zone in which 9 million people living in the region are still victims to radiation’s legacy – untimely deaths, genetic damage, cancer and other radiation related illnesses. Everything they eat, drink and breathe, the soil their food grows in and their children play on, is poisoned by radiation.

Spokesperson for FoEB Robin Taubenfeld said, "Chernobyl demonstrates that nuclear power is neither peaceful, clean nor safe.

"The Howard government has been pushing to expand the nuclear industry – engaging in uranium deals with nuclear weapons states, imposing a nuclear waste dump on the Northern Territory, inaccurately presenting nuclear power as a solution to climate change and pressuring states, such as Queensland to open uranium mines. We are concerned that Labor is contemplating supporting these moves.

"Twenty years on, people are still being affected by the Chernobyl disaster. How would the people of Queensland feel if the uranium that powered such a disaster came from our state?

"Chernobyl is a lesson that should remind us that uranium mining is a toxic industry and nuclear power is never safe" Ms Taubenfeld concluded.

FoEB is an environmental NGO that campaigns on social justice and sustainability. FoEB is a member of the Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance.

Friends of the Earth Brisbane Anti-nuclear collective: Robin Taubenfeld 0411 118 737

“While Premier Beattie would like to see the prospect of opening uranium mines in QLD vetoed in his own party, we in the community are calling for an open debate!” claimed Dr Rachel Darken, spokesperson for the Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance (QNFA)

“The QNFA represents the interests of many thousands of people in our community who oppose uranium mining as the beginning of a dangerous cycle taking our resources into nuclear power stations in our region” stated Dr Darken.

“This week is the 20 year anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster and it is wise to reflect on the possibility of such an incident in our own region”

Dr Darken addressed a summit of the Alliance over the weekend and went on to say Australians have every right to be concerned about the mining of uranium and its consequent problems of waste storage, transport and security as well as the current use of uranium waste ore in so called ‘depleted’ uranium weapons.

“I would like to know how much of the 2000 tonnes of ‘depleted’ uranium now dispersed over Iraq came out of Australian mines?” asked Dr Darken.

“We want this issue debated at the Queensland ALP conference and not swept under the carpet!” said Dr Darken

“We applaud Deputy Premier Anna Bligh for her comments recently where she expressed her opposition to uranium mining, and the QLD Greens for making it a state election issue”

“Nuclear power is neither clean nor green and is economically a disaster. Contrary to the propaganda of the nuclear industry it is NOT a solution to global warming. Leave it in the ground Mr Beattie!”

Dr Rachel Darken is the current Vice President of the Medical Association for the Prevention of War(MAPW) and a spokesperson for the QNFA

The QLD Nuclear Free Alliance represents a range of environmental, peace and justice organizations including Just Peace QLD, MAPW, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Friends of the Earth QLD, QLD Greens, Democrats, and a range of interested individuals.

The Alliance works towards the eradication of the nuclear industry and opposes uranium mining and military/industrial uses. It supports socially and environmentally sustainable alternatives.

Contact details
Dr Rachel Darken
0417 182 325

[Peace Convergence is a member of the QNFA]

On Thursday 20 April, four of us, Donna Mulhearn, Bryan Law, Adele Goldie, and I were arraigned to go to Supreme Court trial later in the year (possibly between August and December) for our Citizens Inspection of Pine Gap last December.

The committal hearing began yesterday morning. The magistrate soon realised nothing was going to be simple when he couldn’t even get us to agree that the property in question belonged to the Commonwealth. I was quick to point out that the traditional custodian for the land was an Arrente man, Patrick Hayes, who had given us permission to be on it at the time of our inspection.

One of the first prosecution witnesses was the Deputy Director of the base, Mike Burgess. Although most of his responses to our questions were “classified information”, we were still able to make clear our reason for being there and our belief that the base was engaged in providing targeting information for terrorist bombing campaigns.

We asked Mr Burgess about the presence at the base of a suspected international terrorist, John Negroponte. Mr Negroponte was at the base on the same day we arrived in Alice Springs last December. Mr Negroponte is presently coordinator for all US intelligence agencies including the CIA and NSA. He was also formerly known for supporting death squads in Honduras and Contra terrorists in Nicaragua during the eighties.

Also in the spotlight was the infamous Raytheon Corporation. Mr Burgess informed us that Raytheon was responsible for all maintenance at the Pine Gap base from fixing a broken tile on a roof to hi-tech repairs. It was in this capacity that Raytheon charged Pine Gap $12,000 to repair the three small cuts in their security fences. At this point it was important to point out that Raytheon has been exposed a number of times for defrauding or overcharging the US Government.

But overcharging for fixing toilets or fences is not the prime way Pine Gap helps Raytheon make their billions. Raytheon is one of the largest weapons manufacturers in the world, making Tomahawk Cruise Missiles as well as many other lesser known weapons of mass destruction. Pine Gap provides targets for the US military who then drop Raytheon missiles and bombs on those targets. At a million dollars for a cruise missile, it is easy to see how Raytheon could make the $22 billion they did last year. All they need is for the US Government to give them the contract for the hospitals and morgues in their occupied territories and Raytheon would have the whole game sown up!

It has become even more apparent that a political decision has been made to punish us rather than playing it low key and avoiding publicity. After the committal hearing the police took Bryan aside and informed him that there would be more charges made against us including one for making a model of Pine Gap.

During this Easter season we have more faith in the power of life and love than fear of the power of death. So we continue to struggle in hope. May you do the same.

Jim Dowling
Ph 34253003
Donations for travel and legal expenses can be direct debited to “Sean O’Reilly” Commonwealth Bank, Kippa-Ring, BSB 064-166 Account Number: 102 66 104
Cheques can be posted to Sean O'Reilly c/-2705 Mt Mee Rd, Ocean View Q 4521

On Good Friday, six vine- and figtree planters were arrested after planting an orchard at the Ericsson Microwave arms factory in Mölndal [just south of Gothenburg]. The planters came from The Church of Sweden, the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden and the Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation. They planted a vine by the fence, then climbed over and continued the planting of fig trees and vines on a green area by one of Microwave's buildings. At the same time as a conversation between guards and planters was initiated, the vine- and fig tree planting continued.

"We have read the prophet Micah's vision that each of us should sit under his vine and his fig tree, and nobody should threaten him or her. As Christians, we believe that the prophet's visions are something we must begin to live here and now, and not wait passively," says Klaus Engell-Nielsen. "The planting is a way to connect our Christian faith to our resistance to injustices."

"Everything went very calmly," says Ulla from Denmark, one of the planters. "The planting was the beginning of a dialogue between us, the guards and the police," Annika Spalde, deacon in Gothenburg, adds. The police arrived after a brief interval, six planters were taken into custody and one of them was still being held by the police overnight.

"We have read the prophet Micah's vision that each of us should sit under his vine and his fig tree, and nobody should threaten him. As Christians, we believe that the prophet's visions are something we must begin to live here and now, and not wait passively," says Klaus Engell-Nielsen. "The planting is a way to connect our Christian faith to our resistance to injustices."

"Vines and fig trees are in the Bible powerful symbols for peace, security, freedom from oppression. Through our planting, we want to begin on the transformation of this area that we think must occur, from weapons production to an enterprise that manufactures something that gives people security," says Annika Spalde.

"This is proactive resistance – not a protest action," says Les Gibbons from the United Kingdom. "We are not saying 'No' or asking our leaders to do the job for us. We want to begin on the change that we want to see and invite others to take part."

The group consists of nine persons and works with non-violence and civil disobedience.

Contact person: Annika Spalde, tel. +46 (0)76-246 1994 (or Per Herngren, tel. +46 (0)70-88 77 211).

The vine & fig tree planters
Annika Spalde, deacon The Church of Sweden, 36, from Gothenburg, Ulla Röder, 51, from Denmark, Pelle Strindlund, The Church of Sweden, 34, from Gothenburg, Les Gibbons, 41, from the United Kingdom, Per Herngren, Mission Covenant Church, 44, from Gothenburg, Klaus Engell-Nielsen, The Church of Sweden, 37, from Tidaholm.

In a political and legal first, Attorney General Phillip Ruddock has made a political decision to legally prosecute four Christian pacifists who broke into Pine Gap military base under a previously unused law.

Northern Territory chief prosecutor, Paul Usher, worked overtime on the Easter weekend to give the four notice of the charges by e-mail, after keeping them in suspense for more than four months.

He chose Easter Saturday to let them know that Attorney General Phillip Ruddock had decided to charge them under the never before used 1952 Defence (Special Undertakings) Act, the decision blurring the separation of political and judicial powers.

This law carries a penalty of seven years jail for merely trespassing on Pine Gap land, as well as two years jail for taking photos. The members of the group are already charged with a number of more usual charges (also carrying possible jail terms) under the Crimes Act.

The four go to court in Alice Springs this Wednesday April 19 to face a committal hearing on all the charges.

The charges all arise from the incident last December when a group of six people calling themselves Christians Against All Terrorism notified the Defence Minister of their desire to inspect the Pine Gap base for terrorist activity as they believed it was being used to provide targeting information for terrorist bombing in Iraq.

When the minister refused they announced their intention to inspect the base anyhow. Despite the warning and the posting of extra security at one of the most sensitive spy bases in the world, two members of the group managed to enter the base and climb on the roof of a building and take photos before being found. An hour later, in broad daylight two other group members walked through the outer restricted area right up to the high security fence and one member started cutting through it before being stopped by the security.

Group member Donna Mulhearn said the government and military are obviously highly embarrassed by the ability of a small group of unarmed, untrained, unfunded Christian pacifists to so easily break their security after telling them we were coming.

“No one can claim the decision to try to punish us severely is not a political decision coming as it does from Phillip Ruddock and not the Public Prosecutor," she said.

"It is quite amazing and perhaps appropriate that they chose the Easter Weekend to make the decision." Donna said. "This is the time all Christians remember the crucifixion and resurrection of the Prince of Peace. We were arrested for peacemaking. We were trying to expose the criminal role of Pine Gap in the slaughter of hundreds of thousands innocent people."

Phone: Donna 0422749319; Bryan 07-40521563; Adele 0439353587; Jim 07-34253003