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Newslist Messages for
May 2000
AER LINGUS CRASH - MILITARY INVOLVEMENT MOST CREDIBLE OPTION Lost Log books - Mystery Flight - Destroyed Records British TV pulled quite a stunt this weekend broadcasting a pre-emptivestrike before expected publication of the review of evidence intothe 1968 Aer Lingus crash. The Captain of HMS Penelope, a LeanderClass Frigate, first on the scene of the crash in March 1968 and longsuspected of responsibility, came barnstorming in over Tuskar in hislight aircraft to categorically refute any involvement. There is no doubt that Penelope was a mystery ship. Even the goodCaptain had to elude to its "trials" role. In later incarnations itdid carry out missile trials. However, most serious analysts of thecrash rule out Penelope's involvement due to the obvious lack of missile-firinggear apparent on footage of the ship at the time. The real mystery of EI-712 is not the role of Penelope but the manyunanswered questions that surround British military involvement. Mysteries abound. Why, on the Monday (25/3/68) after the crash whenAberporth range was closed, with its support vessels assisting withthe search for debris and bodies did its communications flight paya fleeting visit to Belfast. (Avro Anson 352 Llanbedr to Belfast 11:30- return - Belfast - Llanbedr 15:40). Urgent discussions over missileproblems perhaps? The MOD have lost the log books of many of the warships at the siteimmediately after the crash. There were admitted problems with missile firing from the Aberporthcomplex which, despite claims it was closed on the day, make it stillthe most likely culprit. Indeed, no one has explained why in the yearsafter the crash the Aberporth range danger area was dramatically extended? The current review is likely to be compromised by the inexplicabledestruction of records e.g. the British Air Accidents InvestigationBranch file relating to the accident trashed for no reason by theUK department of Transport in September 1994. Turning the attention off the UK military onto either the Irish governmentor Aer Lingus may have journalistic attraction but seriously Aberporthand the British guided missile testing programme is the only credibleoption to explain this tragedy. J B Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 1/5/00 Bernard Moffatt ====================================== MICRO COMMUNICATIONS WARNING OMISSION As caution is expressed over civil micro-wave communications. Whydo the MOD still hide their operations from safety scrutiny? A report to be published later this week will give warning aboutthehealth risks of mobile phones, urge a tightening of regulationsandalso suggest further research. The report by the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones willbeunlikely to quieten public concerns and in any case there is a significantomission in its research and remit. When we were contacted by the Group in October of last year and askedto submit evidence we spotlighted the omission of military communicationsfrom the committees agenda. Communications of this type are proliferatingaround military installations many of which are in the Celtic areas.We highlighted a particular concern about the large number of basesand observation towers in border areas of N. Ireland all of whichsprout a preponderance of micro wave emitting dishes and aerials.We pointed out that there is a very real fear in these areas of the"perceived dangers caused by the emission of non-ionising radiationfrom military communications and surveillance equipment". We continuedby pointing out that "The National Radiological Protection Board shouldalso be asked to provide assessment and guidance about the implicationsof military communications systems which mirror or parallel thosein the civil sector throughout the United Kingdom". At the time wewere awaiting a response to requests to the MOD for such an assessment.The MOD subsequently rejected any possibility of the NRPB carryingout such a survey arrogantly asserting that they carried out a policyof "self-assessment". It really begs the question. what credibility can a report by a Committeeestablished via the NRPB have when the British governments own DefenceMinistry have excluded NRPB from surveying its sites. What are theyconcealing? Bernard Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 1/5/00 ======================= NOT SO MUCH MAN MADE RADIATION ABOUT - SAYS WHO? How much credibility can we give last weeks report from the NRPBwhichindicated that UK civil nuclear discharges in the mid 1990s haddecreased. Throughout the decade contradictory information from a variety ofsources indicates that radioactive pollution is still a variableandworrying factor. Throughout the decade agencies in Ireland and the Isle of Manplotteda rise in technetium-99 pollution in shellfish which appeared to peaktwo years ago with a decrease thereafter (attached). The agencieswere anxious to stress that the levels were not at a level to causealarm but nonetheless they show that any generalised statistics producedby UK government agencies which indicate improvements need to be analysedcarefully. Also three years ago research by in the UK produced theworrying statistic that the closer children were to Sellafield thehigher the concentration of plutonium found in there teeth. For thepast two years a parallel and fierce debate has raged between differinggroups of scientists about the incidence of leukaemia caused in childrenwho live close to nuclear plants. All this evidence directly contradictsthe rather rosy picture painted by the NRPB and for the most partis for the same period which their report covers. The one certain statistic is not that reduced discharges from Sellafieldmight create improvements but the clear knowledge that the discontinuationof reprocessing altogether would! Bernard Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 1/5/00 ============================= IRISH LEAD IN FIGHT AGAINST SELLAFIELD The Celtic League welcome the assurances, contained in correspondencefrom the Irish government, to continue International pressure on theBritish to end their reprocessing operations which continue to pollutethe Irish sea. The Irish government, and in particular EnterpriseMinister Joe Jacob, have moved swiftly to capitalise on the safetyconcerns of potential Sellafield customers. The Japanese, Germansand others are now experiencing themselves at first hand concernsthat peoples around the Irish sea have had to live with for decades Throughout those years agencies in Ireland and the Isle of Man plotteda rise radioactive pollution and although some pollution has in recentyears started to decline new dangers such as the detection in thepast decade of higher levels of technetium-99 pollution in shellfishneed to be carefully monitored. Three years ago research in the UKproduced the worrying statistic that the closer children lived toSellafield the higher the concentration of plutonium found in thereteeth and for the past two years a parallel and fierce debate hasraged about the incidence of leukaemia caused in children who livein coastal areas near to nuclear plants. Much of the evidence is stillinconclusive but whilst that is the case we must err on the side ofsafety and these new initiatives by the Irish to deal with the Sellafieldissue truly are a "watershed". Minister Jacob's letter to the League Secretary General say's that"the Irish government is not prepare to accept any further reassurancesabout the safety of Sellafield". This sums up accurately the attitudeof all concerned people around the Irish sea who have had to livewith this nightmare for so long. Bernard Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 5/5/00 ======================== NUCLEAR PLANTS POSE CIVIL DEFENCE NIGHTMARE The cause of the shutdown of the Wylfa nuclear plant over three weeksago is still a mystery according to correspondence sent to the CelticLeague by the British DETR. The Environment Department claim there is no link between this incidentand an earlier shutdown in January of this year and say the plantsoperations will remain in limbo until safety regulators are convincedit is secure. However, the Celtic League question the wisdom of the continued operationof these outdated facilities particularly in circumstances such asthis, where "mystery" problems occur. Wylfa is one of a number ofsuch plants in the UK many of which are sited around the Irish sea. A major malfunction of these ageing reactors would pose a civil defencenightmare for communities living in this area and the Celtic Leaguesupport calls by the Irish government for the shutdown of these plants. Bernard Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 12/5/00 ============================= COMMITTEE MISLED ON MILITARY MICROWAVE SAFETY It is extremely disturbing that an independent committee,establishedby the British government to examine the health implications ofmobilephones and transmitters, has been denied access to vital researchabout military communications. The research, carried out by theLatvianAcademy of Science, found that a military transmitter at SkrundainLatvia posed health implications for local schoolchildren Over the past two years the Celtic League has repeatedly tried tohave military communications facilities brought under scrutiny. Weparticularly highlighted the operation of such facilities in borderareas and at bases in N. Ireland. When we were invited to submit evidenceto the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP) we emphasizedthe issue and asked that the Committee should include in its reportmilitary sites and make a recommendation that: "The National Radiological Protection Board should also be asked toprovide assessment and guidance about the implications of militarycommunications systems which mirror or parallel those in the civilsector throughout the United Kingdom". It is clear however that the NRPB was at best negligent and at worstdeliberately obstructive in refusing to supply to the IEGMP a copyof the Latvian report. It is also clear that there is a need for all military communicationsfacilities including the network in the Louth/S. Armagh area to comeunder proper health and safety scrutiny. In October 1999 Roger T. Moore the Deputy Chief Environment and SafetyOfficer told us that the MOD believed "there is no requirement foran independent verification of the health implications of our equipment".This is an oft repeated assertion by the British MOD and it was onthe basis of such an assertion that an Irish TD, Dermot Ahern, wasassured in the Dail in March 1995 "that the (radiation emitting) equipmentused by the (British) Army in South Armagh is not harmful to health".However, when we queried the basis for this assurance from Chief Environmentand Safety Officer (MOD) Dr. J. Connor in June 1999 he said "I havebeen unable to trace the source of the advice that formed the basisof the statement that you quote from the Irish parliament". Bernard Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 14/5/00 =============================== US COURT CASE PUTS CHINOOK SAFETY UNDER SPOTLIGHT The British Ministry of Defence may have acted in haste in dismissingcalls for a new enquiry into the Chinook Kintyre crash. A court case,unfolding in the United States, seems set to focus attention on thereliability of critical parts used in the transmission gears of Chinookhelicopters. The case is set for trial following a ruling in the CincinnatiFederal Court just over a month ago. It will be alleged that for more than seven years, Boeing Co. knewone of its subcontractors was supplying the Army with faulty gearsfor remanufactured Chinook CH-47D helicopters. A type similar to theRAF model. It will also be alleged that this led to a number of crashes. Earlier this year (February 2000) the US army temporarily groundedChinooks. A US Army inspection order required removal of faulty transmissiongears from the Chinook twin rotor helicopters. The move was interpretedas likely to be helpful to the case against Boeing brought by BrettRoby, a former quality inspector for Boeing supplier Speco, a componentssupplier that has since gone into liquidation. The move came onlysix months after a similar scare, in August last year, which groundedChinooks world wide including the RAF fleet. Roby's case, first filed against Boeing in 1995 was joined in 1997by the United States Justice Department. At the time U.S. AttorneyDale Ann Goldberg of Columbus Ohio, who filed the action, said: "To protect the lives and safety of our soldiers, we must be particularlyvigilant in ensuring that the critical parts used in military aircraftmeet the required specifications." Such sentiments would not seem to be shared by the British MOD whohave done all in their power to deflect claims that RAF Chinooks fellshort of required operational safety specifications. J B Moffatt Secretary General 16/5/00 Secretary of State for DefenceSecretariat (Air Staff) 1aMinistry of DefenceMain BuildingWhitehall, London SW1A 2HB Dear Sir, Further to my earlier letter concerning possible problems during there-manufacture of RAF Chinook helicopters are you aware of an actionwhich was cleared to go to trial in the US recently? The case is being brought by Brett Roby a further employee with theBoeing supplier Speco, a firm now in liquidation. Initiated in 1995it was joined in 1997 by the US governments Department of Justice. The case alleges that for more than seven years, Boeing Co. knew oneof its subcontractors was supplying the Army with faulty gears forre-manufactured Chinook CH-47D helicopters. A type similar to theRAF model. It will also be alleged that this led to a number of crashes. Can I also ask if RAF Chinook's were subject to the same examinationand inspection initiated by the US Army earlier this year (February).? Yours sincerely J B Moffatt 16/5/00 ================================ DRUGS SOLDIERS GET MARCHING ORDERS AS McBRIDE KILLERS MARK TIME This weeks announcement that a large number of soldiers were beingdischarged from the Army for drug-taking highlights the dubious standardsadopted by the British Army towards the murder, by its troops, ofPeter McBride in Belfast in 1992. In the case of Mr. McBride a wellorganised though morally misguided campaign has so far enabled thoseresponsible to remain in the British Army. Seven Welsh soldiers, members of the Queens Dragoon Guards (also knownas the Welsh Cavalry), were given their "marching orders" last weekafter being disciplined for taking drugs whilst on leave. Anothereight soldiers from a Scottish Regiment are also likely to be thrownout of the Army. The situation is a stark contrast to that of the two Scots Guardsmen,Fisher and Wright, who shot McBride twice in the back. In their case,although having served a prison term, the two were allowed to continueto serve. The issue is currently under further review after a judgementin the Belfast High Court that the decision to retain the Guardsmenwas flawed. The McBride family have campaigned ceaselessly to have the two killers,who were branded as liars by their trial judge, kicked out of theArmy. No doubt they will share the concern of the Celtic League thatthe British Army regard the issue of off-duty drug taking as moreserious than murder! We have written to the MOD asking them to explain the ambiguity (attached). J B Moffatt Secretary General 20/5/2000 B T Burton Head of Adjutant General SecretariatMinistry of DefenceBuilding 398Trenchard LinesUpavonPewseyWiltshire SN9 6BE BY FAX & POST Dear Sir, I understand that this week a large number of soldiers, members ofthe 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards, have been discharged after being testedpositive for drugs. I understand a similar large number of anotherregiment may also be discharged. Whilst we welcome the fact that the British army adopts a tough (zero-tolerance)policy on drugs, we are astounded at the continuing prevaricationon other serious issues. I refer specifically to the case of the murder of Peter McBride bytwo members of the Scots Guards in 1992 and the fact that these twomen were retained in the service after discharge from prison havingbeen convicted and sentenced for the murder. ( I am aware that thisissue is under further review). Off-duty drug taking is serious but pales into insignificance whencompared to cold blooded murder. Can you explain the apparent ambiguity in current MOD policy on these matters? Yours sincerely, Bernard MoffattSecretary General 20/5/2000 ========================================= CHEMICAL DEATH FACTORY LIES The British MOD are now known to have lied about chemical weaponsdisposal at their Nancekuke weapons plant. Can we accept that theywere truthful about the chemical and explosives dumps which litterour coasts? The British admission that they did indeed dispose of deadly chemicalweapons by land burial at Nancekuke in Cornwall is an astonishingvolte-face on their previous stance. In 1991, in answer to questions from the Celtic League, the MOD (CBDE)said "No chemical warfare or toxic material was ever disposed of byburial at Nancekuke". In 1995 the MOD (CBDE) reiterated this saying"no chemical warfare material was disposed of by land burial". It is now clear that large quantities of potentially deadly chemicalsused in the manufacture of nerve gases and also explosive materialwas discarded. In some instances tipped into old mine workings. Environmentalsurveys are now under-way to determine the extent of any pollution. However, the Nancekuke revelations have major implications for otherareas of the British Isles. When it became clear five years ago that large quantities of explosivesand chemical weapons had been disposed off around the coasts of Britainand Ireland British assurances about the location and quantities ofmaterial dumped were accepted. The MOD revealed a staggering diversityof dump sites. Some such as those at Beauforts Dyke (off BelfastLoch), Loch Linnhe (Scotland) and Milford Haven (Wales) are in sightof land. Others such as those in the Atlantic off the north-east ofIreland are further off shore but straddle important fishing grounds. It is now clear that the British government and specifically the MODhave been prepared to lie to conceal the true facts about their chemicalwarfare legacy. Is is safe therefore to accept assurances about thenature and extent of the dumps and their contents J B Moffatt Secretary General 21/5/2000 ============================== CAMPAIGN TO SITE LANGUAGE BODY IN WEST BELFAST The Belfast based Irish language newspaper Lá has initiated acampaignto ensure that the Northern Ireland headquarters of the newcross-borderlanguage body, An Fhoras Teanga , is based in West Belfast. The Celtic League supports this campaign and all branches of theLeaguewill be asked to communicate their support. A petition has beenlaunchedby the paper and this will be presented to Irish Minister of StateEamon O Cuiv and his northern counterpart Michael McGimpsey. Individual League members are also being urged to express supportby contact Lá at the address below: 301 Bóthar na Ghleanna, Béal Feirste, Fon: 01232 501111, Facs: 01232501112 An e-mail petition is also under-way and this can be supported bycontacting the e-mail editor Eoghan O Neill on eoghan@nuacht.com Bernard Moffatt Secretary General A translated text of the Lá editorial is set out below. The Irishlanguage version of the front-page opinion can be read at: www.nuacht.com "Next week, the cross-border language body, An Foras Teanga, willdiscuss proposals before it about the location of its new NorthernIreland offices. Let there be no beating about the bush: The Northern offices of theBody should go to West Belfast, that vibrant district where Irishis widely spoken. The Body is already planning to locate its offices in Belfast buta decision should be taken to place the initiative at the heart ofthe area already known as the Irish language capital of Ireland. The Language Body should be active among that pioneering communitywhich has ensured Irish lives. In that way, the Foras would be at the heart of the language revivaland not looking down at it. The Foras has a role to play in the regeneration of the North. Indeed,that is the very basis of the body. If it operates as a part of the Irish language cluster in West Belfast,it will add to the dynamism and energy of the language groups andIrish language community of the area. Imagine the power of an Irish language cluster which would boast theCross-Border body as well as the head offices of Glor na nGael, CultœrlannMcAdam-O Fiaich, Ionad Uibh Eachach and Gaelscoil na bhFál, the newTelecottage, An Telelann, Meánscoil Feirste, the Irish language unitof the Queen's University at St Mary's College and much, much more. The location of the Foras in this area would send out the signal tothe Irish school parents and to Irish activists that the Body supportsthe work they are doing and is proud of their efforts. The Foras will also be saying that West Belfast is a great area wherethe community has kept the language alive despite years of discriminationand neglect. That is a crucial message when so many of the suits atStormont cling to the old agenda. The rivers and loughs' commmission will go to Derry, the cross-bordertourism body to Coleraine, the cross-border enterprise body to Newryand Armagh will host meetings of the Inter-governmental body. It'sonly sensible then that the Language Body should be based in the areawhere Irish is strongest. There are reports that the Body may be located in South Belfast. Thatwould be a shameful blow to the Irish-speaking community of West Belfast. Though the South Belfast 'ghetto' is well known for the fortunes madethere during the worst years of the Troubles, it will not go downin history as an area which cherished the Irish language. It must be admitted that 'nice' people live there, people who havelittle in common with the 'natives' of Ballymurphy or Andersonstown.That's why the area received only buttons from the old Stormont. But times are changing. This is the time for the two putative ministersMichael McGimpsey and Eamon O Cuiv to make a decision, which wouldgive recognition to the long hard struggle of the Irish language community.They should insist that the Northern offices of the Foras go to WestBelfast. Let the future begin today" ============================ NEW CALL TO NAME "DIRTY CASH" BANKS A man, ostensibly with an income of £60 per week social welfarebenefits,deposited more than £600,000 sterling in a Vienna bank. Thetortuousprocess for the transfer of the monies included accounts in theIsleof Man. Kevin Meehan was found guilty, by the Irish Special CriminalCourt,of six charges of money laundering connected with criminalactivity.Interestingly, Meehan is the father of Brian Meehan who is servinga life sentence for the murder of campaigning Dublin journalist VeronicaGuerin in 1996. Veronica Guerin campaigned ceaselessly to expose the Dublin underworldand its drugs Mafia and paid for it with her life. At the time of her death the Celtic League wrote to the Irish (TheMinister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner) and British (theHome Secretary) authorities urging action to clamp down on the FinancialServices Centres such as those in Dublin, the Isle of Man and theChannel Isles. We said they provided a conduit for vicious and evilpeople to conceal and launder the income they generated from theircriminal Empires. We also re-iterated our believe that the banks thathandled this business should be named and shamed. Although some banks in Ireland involved in shady transactions in recentyears have been identified a cloak of secrecy still hangs over off-shoreoperations. Beneath that "cloak" corrupt public servants such as formerDublin Council official George Redmond (arrested as he arrived inDublin on a flight from the Isle of Man with £300,00) were able tohide their spoils. But more insidiously criminal elements such asthe Meehan family were and still are able to launder the profits fromtheir evil empires. How many more of these rotten accounts provide bolt holes for criminalswhilst Manx Politicians and Bankers (and their counterparts in otherjurisdictions) look the other way? J B Moffatt Secretary General 23/5/2000 =================================== CELTIC CULTURAL BODY MEETS The International Celtic Congress has been staged at Bude inCornwall About 70 delegates attended this year's congress. The CelticCongresspromotes the ideals, cultures and language of the Celtic people.andincludes delegates from Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man,Brittanyand Cornwall were. Unlike the Celtic League the Congress eschews apolitical agenda. During the week, two new honorary bards were welcomed to theGorsedd- Dr. Brian Stowell, from the Isle of Man, and Dr. Erwen Price,fromWales. The conference also considered and adopted three resolutions whichcalled on the International Celtic Congress Committee to: a) use more pressure on governments, councils etc. to make sure Cornishmatters are taken more seriously; b) investigate the possible appointment of a full-time paid secretaryfor the congress; c) urge the Microsoft Corporation to produce software in Celtic languages. Like the Celtic League the Congress holds rotational meetings, onan annual basis, in each of the Celtic countries. Next year, in July,it will be the turn of Brittany to stage the event. Bernard Moffatt ================================ "NAME AND SHAME" POLICY ON MONEY LAUNDERING URGED The Celtic League have written to the British and Irish governmenturging that action is taken to "name and shame" banks involved inmoney laundering. It follows the conviction of two Dublin underworld figures for moneylaundering. Kevin Meehan (61), of Kimmage, Dublin, was convicted thisweek of handling bank drafts totalling £92,351.17 sterling, £4,500in cash and a cheque for £4,000, knowing that the money was the proceedsof criminal activity which took place in 1995 and 1996. His brother,Thomas Meehan, of Ballymount, Dublin, had pleaded guilty to a numberof money-laundering offences He admitted handling sterling bank draftswith a total value of £148,386.34 in 1996, knowing that the moneywas the proceeds of drug-trafficking or other criminal activity. Healso pleaded guilty to handling cash and bank drafts also in 1996,worth a total of £145,167 in punts and sterling knowing that themoney was the proceeds of criminal activity. The court was also told that one of the men, Thomas Meehan, had openeda bank account in the Isle of Man which was used as a "stepping stone"to accounts in Vienna which were controlled by Brian Meehan, the murdererof Veronica Guerin. The Celtic League has repeatedly called for more adequate scrutinyof accounts in the off-shore financial services centres and has expresseda particular concern about the use that criminal elements in Irelandincluding paramilitary's might make of accounts in the Isle of Manand Channel Isles. J B Moffatt Secretary General 26/5/2000 Text of letter to Irish Government below. Similar correspondence sentto the British Home Secretary whose has a responsibility for the Isleof Man and Channel Isles dependencies. The Minister for Justice Mr. John O'Donoghue Department of Justice 72-76 St. Stephens Green Dublin 2 Ireland Dear Sir, I refer you to the attached correspondence to your predecessor andto the British government in 1996. In it we expressed a concern aboutthe use of financial services centres by criminal elements to launderthe profits from drug-related crime. (You will recall that we alsowrote to you on the 4/9/98 receiving a reply dated 12/10/98). We alsoreferred to the decision to toughen up legislation in both jurisdictionsfollowing the murder of campaigning journalist Veronica Guerin, whohad exposed the activities of figures in the Dublin and Internationaldrugs underworld. Recently the father and uncle of a man serving a life sentence forVeronica Guerin's murder was convicted, by a Dublin Court, on moneylaundering charges. It is clear that they used the off-shore dependenciesin an attempt to conceal and move illicit monies. The court was alsotold that one of the men, Thomas Meehan, had opened a bank accountin the Isle of Man which was used as a "stepping stone" to accountsin Vienna which were controlled by Brian Meehan, the murderer of VeronicaGuerin. What continues to disturb us is that Banks associated with this, andother money laundering activity, are not named and thereby exposedto public scrutiny. Please note the attached cutting which refersto our campaign for over a decade to have such a "name and shame"policy adopted. We urge that you take action to end any anonymity for those banksand institutions associated with money-laundering. To that end, asa considerable amount of this dishonest business is carried on viaBritish Crown dependencies, will you raise this issue with the Britishgovernment? Yours sincerely, J B Moffatt Secretary General, Celtic League 26/5/2000 ==================================== DELAY OVER "AMBER ROSE" REPORT IS A SCANDAL The Celtic League believe more money and resources should be madeavailable so that sea tragedies can be analysed and acted on moreswiftly. Delays in learning why a vessel founders can causefurtherloss of life. The news that the report into the sinking of the Northern IrelandMotor Fishing Vessel (MFV) Amber Rose is to be further delayedmustcause distress to the family of the Skipper of the vessel, ThomasHughes who was drowned when the fishing boat sank suddenly off thesouth east of the Isle of Man in October 1998. They, above all others,desperately need to know the circumstances surrounding the loss andyet almost two years will have elapsed before the final conclusionsare published. This is a scandal! It raises general concerns about the speed with which the Marine AccidentInvestigation Branch (MAIB) is able to deal with these matters. InFebruary of this year our statement that "MAIB enquiries seem undulyprotracted, notwithstanding the complex nature of some of the investigations"prompted a quick response from the MAIB head, Rear Admiral J. S. Lang.We were specifically citing the example of the MFV Amber Rose anddespite Rr. Adm. Lang's rebuttal of our concerns this latest unexplaineddelay does seem to bear out our concerns. The MAIB took over the functions of the former investigative agency,the Marine Directorate of the Department of Transport. The MarineDirectorate itself attracted criticism because of the delays and bureaucracywhich surrounded its deliberations. However, reports were producedwith conclusions, generally within a twelve month period. There is of course a critical reason why the analysis of these accidentsshould be expedited. In many instances lessons are learned from theloss of a vessel which can be utilised to improve safety and thereforepossibly save other fishermen's lives. The British system of investigatingthese matters seems protracted and bureaucratic. If it is a questionof money or resources these should be made available to the MAIB bythe government. The bereaved families of mariners and the industryitself deserve better! J B Moffatt Secretary General 26/5/2000 ================================= NUKE COMMUNICATIONS BASE DAMAGED Mystery surrounds damage caused at a top-secret nuclear communicationssite on the Welsh/English border at Criggion. An enquiry is under way after part of the aerial complex at the site,which is reputedly used for communications with the British Tridentnuclear submarine force, came down on land near Criggion Quarry. Thelocal media have reported that police sealed off all the roads aroundthe area after the incident on Sunday May 14. However since then policehave been tight lipped about the incident. Criggion is a Very Low Frequency (VLF) transmitter and the facilitywas originally set up during World War 2 to facilitate direct radiocommunications between the UK and United States. British Telecom (BT),the site operators, describe the site as an installation "which ispart of the BT. network which sends out information to a dedicatedcustomer". No one is in any doubt that the "customer" is the MOD. If it is the work of anti-nuclear saboteurs it will create a majorheadache for the MOD, more used to dealing with more public protestsat major nuclear weapons sites such as Faslane. Places like Criggion,and the other Trident communications bases, are sited in areas muchmore difficult to regulate. They are vital to communications withthe British ballistic missile submarine force. The peace movement was boosted by last October's ruling, by a ScottishCourt, that three women who did £80,000 of damage at the Trident nuclearbase at Faslane were not guilty of any crime. The court accepted defencearguments that as the nuclear weapons programme is illegal under InternationalLaw they had committed no crime. Criggion VLF site, and the other radio communications sites whichcomplement it, are used to sustain the British military's potentialfor response using weapons of mass destruction. As such they are anaffront to the International community and direct action against themis more than justified! J B Moffatt Secretary General 27/5/2000 ============================== Date: Mon May 29, 2000 1:02pm Subject: CHINOOK OPERATED WITH DEFECTS CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION CHINOOK OPERATED FOR SIX MONTHS WITH KNOWN DEFECT In February this year the Celtic League highlighted the fact thatthe MOD were continuing to operate Lynx helicopters, despite a knowndefect. Last month, after a number of incidents with the type operatingin Ulster, they were grounded for repair. We can reveal that this is not the first time that the lives of aircrewand others in areas over which the MOD carry out helicopter operationshave been put at risk. One of the largest machines in the RAF inventory,and a familair sight to people in Ulster, is the twin rotor Chinookhelicopters. Last year, in a little publicised move (in August), allChinook's were grounded for urgent gear assembley maintenance. Theentire US Army fleet were grounded at the same time. However, we candivulge that the defect was identified at an RAF maintenance centre,over six months earlier, in February of 1999. Despite the discoverythe machines continued in operation. It is not the first occasion that the Chinook has continued to operatewith known defects. In December 1994, the Department of Defense inspectorgeneral issued a "Notification of Defective Transmission Gears" concerningthe CH-47D. The notification advised military and civilian authoritiesto take "any action deemed appropriate." Asked what action was taken in response to the notification, the USArmy said in a written response to the US media, "The U.S. Army continuedto fly the CH-47s." The notification, the Army said, was eventuallywithdrawn. RAF Chinook operations remain mired in controversy with the relativesof those who died in the Kintyre incident in 1994 unhappy with theofficial view that the crash was due to pilot error. J B Moffatt Secretary General 29/5/2000  Back to Celtic League News |