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Newslist Messages for
October 2000
Date: Tue Oct 3, 2000 1:18am Subject: HUMAN RIGHTS MOVE CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION WELSH WELCOME NEW RIGHTS Welsh First Secretary Rhodri Morgan has described the implementationof the Human Rights Act as an historic event for ordinary people. Speaking in Cardiff, at a ceremony to explain the implications ofthe Act to Wales, he said the Act was the biggest change to law inWales since the Middle Ages. The Act which gives people the chance to claim human rights in UKcourts was introduced in Scotland last year. The Manx government also plan to introduce parallel Manx legislationwhich is on passage through the House of Keys (Parliament) at present. J B Moffatt Secretary General 2/10/00 ============================ Date: Tue Oct 3, 2000 1:26am Subject: PEACE PROCESS THREATENED CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION TRIMBLE CONFIDENCE VOTE COULD DERAIL PROCESS A bid by hard-line unionists to oust Stormont First Minister DavidTrimble with a vote of no confidence poses great risks to the N. Irelandpeace process The Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party has tabled the motionin which a loss, it hopes, would force Trimble to stand down. Mr. Trimble's prospects are further compromised by the recent lossof the South Antrim Westminster seat. There is no doubt that the vote outcome may see N. Ireland at anothercross-roads with the prospect of a politically destabilised period. J B Moffatt Secretary General 2/10/00 ============================= Date: Tue Oct 3, 2000 4:35am Subject: SINN FEIN GIVE HRA CAUTIOUS WELCOME CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION SINN FEIN GIVE CAUTIOUS WELCOME TO NEW RIGHTS ACT Sinn Fein Party Chairman Mitchell McLaughlin has welcomed the newHuman rights Act as “a step in the right direction”. Mr. McLaughlinstressed the need for a bill of rights to safeguard a wide range ofissues not incorporated in the act. However, the assembly member said because the Northern Ireland CriminalJustice Review had not been completed “there is a real danger thatharmful human rights legal precedents may be set by a discreditedjudiciary”. The Criminal Justice Review (CJR) unveiled earlier this year calledfor sweeping changes to the courts system in N. Ireland which hasbeen the subject of International condemnation. The recommendationcaused outrage among unionists. The CJR's 300-plus recommendations included a single, independentprosecuting authority to take over the work presently undertaken bythe RUC and director of public prosecutions, and an overhaul of theway judges are appointed. One recommendation, he removal of the royal coat of arms inside courtrooms,has sparked particular fury from Unionists. J B Moffatt 3/10/00 ============================ Date: Tue Oct 3, 2000 5:13am Subject: BRETON TV CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION BRETON TV CHANNEL The first Breton television station, and the first regional interestTV station of any kind in France, went on air in August. TV Breizh, broadcasts throughout France in simultaneous Breton andFrench-language versions, is no amateurish community station withradical views and low production values. It is backed by some of thebiggest names in media, including Rupert Murdoch, Silvio Berlusconi. The station delivers up to six hours of new Breton language programmingeach day, as well as Celtic-interest films such as Braveheart and(less obviously) James Bond, dubbed into Breton. The intention is to make money, but also to satisfy the growing demandof the 4.2 million Bretons (8 million in France as a whole) for institutionsthat recognise their linguistic and cultural identity. J B Moffatt 3/10/00 ============================= Date: Tue Oct 3, 2000 5:41am Subject: ANOTHER SEA TRAGEDY CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION ATLANTIC TRAGEDIES POINTS TO NEED FOR RESCUE SERVICES REVIEW More bodies have been recovered from the water following the sinkingof a Spanish trawler 12 miles off Slyne Head Galway early this morning. Two men were rescued by helicopter but one of them died shortly afterwards,the other remains in a critical condition. The search for survivors is continuing off the Connemara coast forthe remainder of the 13 man crew. This latest tragedy brings the number feared drowned in sinkings inthe area to 20 and is sure to lead to calls for enhanced air sea rescueresources. Fifteen years ago the Celtic League cooperated with coastal communitiesin calling for improved sea rescue facilities. This led ultimatelyto the provision of dedicated air rescue facilities on the Atlanticcoast. In recent tragedies the air sea rescue services have displayedtheir usual determination and courage. However, there is surely nowa need for the issue of current service provision to be revisited. Both Irish government and EU funding should be provided to enhanceair sea rescue facilities. J B Moffatt 3/10/00 =============================== Date: Wed Oct 4, 2000 1:58pm Subject: AER LINGUS CRASH DID MOD LIE CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION DID MOD LIE ABOUT MISSILE TRIALS An Irish government, Mr. Hugh Byrne, has reaffirmed his belief thatthe British government has not revealed all its knowledge of the 1968Tuskar air crash. The Minister's appeal coincided with an appeal forassistance from international investigators who are conducting a newofficial inquiry into the crash. In July a review of all evidence surrounding the crash was publishedand this led to the present independent enquiry being established. The Celtic League pointed out in correspondence to both the BritishEmbassy in Dublin and the Irish government at the time that therewere deficiencies in evidence submitted by the MOD. In the section of the report headed - Missiles - under the sub heading- Recent Drone Finding - the report examined the issue of a part froma US AQM-37A target drone discovered near the crash site. These droneswere manufactured in the United Kingdom by Shorts as the SD.2 Stiletto.The report however was dismissive of any relationship between thisdrone and the crash, saying: "Further research conducted by AAIU indicates that the UK did nothave the capability to launch this type of drone before July 1968" We have since provided information to the Irish government which provesthis assertion by the MOD wrong. (See below 'SHORTS' HISTORY HIGHLIGHTSCRASH REPORT ANOMALY') In 1967 an RAF Canberra P.R. 3 Bomber (Serial Number WE146) was modifiedby Shorts as a launch vehicle for the SD. 2. A feature of modifiedmachines such as WE146 and an earlier modified Canberra bomber (XH132- modified to test fire Red Top missiles) was that they had distinctiveday-glo markings applied to their wings and fin. In fact either ofthese aircraft would appear to be very similar visually to that describedby at least four separate witnesses in the Fethard-on-sea area atthe time of the crash. We also pointed out that missiles and drones were used for tests sourcedfrom the British research bases such as Boscombe Down and urged thatenquiries look at missile trials which could have originated frombases other than the Aberporth complex (which has long been suspectedof involvement. Like Minister Byrne the Celtic League have never been satisfied thatthe MOD have been about their activities at the time of this aircrashin which 61 people died. Bernard Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 4/10/00 Text of our release issued in July in which we pointed out a book published one year before the Aer Lingus crash proved the MOD werelying about sensitive missile trials 'SHORTS' HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS CRASH REPORT ANOMALY British military authorities were able to assure Irish investigatorsthat they could rule out any connection between parts of a supersonictarget drone found near the crash site of an Irish airliner at TuskarRock over twenty five years ago. The observations form part of an in depth review of files releasedin a report last week by the Irish government which attempted toput distance between theories of airborne collision with a missileespoused in the original official crash report. The SD. 2 drone was manufactured by Shorts (from an American design)for the MOD but the British authorities were quick to assure the Irishthat they had no facility to launch the drone prior to the Tuskarcrash. However, unfortunately for the British authorities, a history of Shortsaircraft, published in 1967 the year before the 1968 Aer Lingus crashnear Tuskar Rock in which 61 people died, indicates that the aircraftmanufacturer adapted an obsolete twin jet Canberra bomber for theMOD as a launch vehicle for the drones. It was one of a number ofmodifications of these aircraft for either missile launching or missiletesting support duties. The Celtic League, which has campaigned for many years to uncoverthe truth about the crash, has written to the British Ambassador askingfor the anomaly to be cleared up. We have also again sought clarificationof the reason for a brief flight from the Aberporth missile supportairfield at Llanbedr to Belfast Aldegrove on the day after the crash. J B Moffatt Celtic League July 2000 ============================= Date: Fri Oct 6, 2000 1:30am Subject: BRETON TV - NOT SO BRETON! CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION TV BREIZH - NOT SO BRETON! The Celtic League news-group item on Breton TV has caused consternationamongst some contributors to forum-bretagne to whom our mail is down-loaded. Apparently the station is not carrying the output in the Breton languagethat pre launch news reports indicated it would. Obviously the Celtic League share the concern of our Breton friendsthat the station is not living up to the image implied by its name. The Celtic League will be investigating further and suggesting toTV Breizh that it improve its output without delay. J B Moffatt Celtic League 6/10/00 ============================ Date: Mon Oct 9, 2000 8:32am Subject: OFFENSIVE HAWKS CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION BRITISH HAWK TRAINERS DEPLOYED OFFENSIVELY AGAIN Aircrew trained at bases in Wales and the Isle of Man on Hawk fighter-bombernow used in offensive role against civilians of West Papua Britain is using Hawk fighter-bomber aircraft supplied by the UnitedKingdom offensively against the independence movement in the remoteWest Papua area. Controversy surrounded the supply of these aircraft by the Britishgovernment ostensibly for use as trainer aircraft The Celtic League highlighted that personnel for the Hawk trainerswere being trained under contract by the RAF and bases and rangesin both Wales and the Isle of Man were involved. Previous attention focused on the use of the aircraft by Indonesiain the ground attack role against freedom fighters in East Timor.However with Indonesian pull out from East Timor the equipment isnow being used in Papua in the area previously known as Irian Jaya. Reports last week from the territory noted their deployment over Wamena,Papua in tandem with operations by the military and paramilitary police.Hospital officials say at least 38 people have been killed. British government assurances that the aircraft would not be usedfor offensive purposes have proved worthless. Both the Welsh assembly and Manx governments should re-evaluate themorality of allowing facilities to be used for training of this typewhich ultimately results in the death of innocent men, women and children. J B Moffatt Celtic League 9/10/00 ============================= Date: Mon Oct 9, 2000 8:32am Subject: SEPARATISTS IN COALITION TALKS CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION SEPARATIST COALITION CHALLENGE TO FRENCH RULE A coalition of pro-independence groups from both mainland and overseasFrance joined forces, at a thee day meeting, in Paris last week. Eighteen groups were represented at the meeting which called for concessions,similar to those currently mooted for Corsica, to be extended to bothoverseas territories (i.e. New Caledonia, Guadeloupe, Martinique andFrench Guiana), the French Catalan and Basque regions and Brittany. The concessions to Corsica have caused controversy amongst the politicalcentralists in France but have been seized upon by the independencemovements as a rallying point for greater self determination. J B Moffatt Celtic League 9/10/00 ============================= Date: Mon Oct 9, 2000 8:32am Subject: NEW EVIDENCE OF TAX HAVEN COMPLACENCY CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION MORE EVIDENCE OF TAX HAVEN COMPLACENCY A regulator previously employed with the Isle of Man Financial SupervisionCommission has admitted using an alias to help a British stockbroker,Keith King. In a news report carried by the United Kingdom Independent on Sundaynewspaper it is claimed that "while working for King he required herto pose under an alias to deceive associates". The paper further claimsthat Mrs. Turner (in a statement to the FSC) said that she knew whatshe was doing was "probably" wrong. Mrs. Turner who worked for Kingbetween 1988 and 1990 later went on to work for the FSC from 1997to 1998. UK Independent on Sunday journalist, Paul Lashmar, asserts that therevelations will be "another setback for the offshore tax havens reputationfor regulation". Only two weeks ago the Celtic League asserted that the Manx governmentand Treasury were to complacent about the Financial Services sectorand these new revelations reinforce that view. Bernard Moffatt Celtic League 9/10/00 ============================ Date: Mon Oct 9, 2000 8:32am Subject: SELLAFIELD FINE PUNY CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION PUNY FINE NO INCENTIVE TO SELLAFIELD SAFETY There has been outrage at the derisory nature of the penalty imposedon BNFL for safety breaches at Whitehaven magistrates court. British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. (BNFL) admitted four charges of failingto comply with an improvement notice, served on it by the Health andSafety Executive (HSE) in March last year, and of mismanaging the1,613 sealed radioactive sources at the Sellafield site. It was thesecond occasion in four months that the plant had to admit safetyblunders. BNFL was already the subject of a £40,000 imposed in June for safetybreaches. However, despite the prosecution proving its contentionthat "The breaches of regulations, most particularly the failure tocomply with the improvement notice are very serious offences" themagistrates imposed a fine of just £24,000. The judgement must call into question the suitability of magistratescourts for dealing with cases of this nature. To put the penalty incontext BNFL's turnover in 2000 was over 2 billion pounds! BNFL will never put safety at the forefront of activities and performanceif safety omissions of this gravity result in a puny fine! Bernard Moffatt Celtic League 9/10/00 =================================== SPANISH MOUNT PROVOCATIVE MILITARY EXERCISES IN BASQUE COUNTRY As the Spanish government continue provocative military exercisesin the Basque country a further attack, believed to be by ETA, hasclaimed the life of a member of the Spanish judiciary. The tension in Spain's Basque region is being increased as Spanishmilitary manoeuvres continue throughout the region. Spain confirmedthat military troops are conducting training throughout the Basqueterritories, a move seen by many Basques as war preparations and anopen attack and mockery of efforts aimed at a political settlement. However, in what is seen as a response by ETA to the provocation,a Spanish prosecutor was shot dead in Granada today, apparently byBasque separatists. There have also been three recent attacks on soldiers. The Spanish government seems intent on ignoring the lessons that theUnited Kingdom learned the hard way in northern Ireland. There canbe no military solution to the conflict in the Basque region. It canonly be resolved by meaningful negotiations towards a political solution. For three decades the British poured troops and resources into N.Ireland and fuelled a spiral of violence which oscillated betweensuccess and failure on both sides. Now there is peace although difficultiesstill remain. Spanish Premier, Aznar, is pursuing a disastrous policy which hasalready resulted in further needless killing and violence, includingthe latest death. Bernard Moffatt Celtic League 9/10/00 ============================= Date: Mon Oct 9, 2000 0:17pm Subject: NEW SELLAFIELD PLUTONIUM THREAT CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION NEW SELLAFIELD PLUTONIUM THREAT A new tide of nuclear filth is coming our way. It will dramaticallyincrease the amount of dangerous waste stored at Sellafield, whichthreatens the communities around the Irish sea. Atomic Energy chiefs have unveiled a multi-million pound plan to decommissionDounreay nuclear plant at Caithness in northern Scotland. The reprocessingplant is due to close in 2004 and has come under fire repeatedly overits safety record. The total bill for closing the site is estimated at £4bn and willcreate many jobs in the area. These will no doubt be welcomed by thelocal community. Plans to decommission the Dounreay nuclear plantin Caithness have been welcomed by Friends of the Earth. However, the down-side for the communities in SW Scotland, Irelandand around the Irish sea generally is not quantifiable. There are25 tonnes of plutonium stored at the site. The options are to storeit or to transport it to Sellafield. Another possible option, to reprocessthe plutonium prior to shipment, seems politically unacceptable inScotland. However, treatment, including the reprocessing option, may be undertakenby BNFL when it is delivered to Sellafield. The accelerated decision to close the Dounreay site has been promptedby its appalling safety record. Ironically the safety record of Sellafieldis no better. The Manx and Irish governments, acting with coastal community localauthorities around the Irish sea, must demand inclusion in any discussionsbefore this dangerous waste is delivered to our doorstep! Bernard Moffatt Celtic League 9/10/00 ================================== Date: Thu Oct 12, 2000 6:51am Subject: WITHDRAW OBSOLETE 'CHOPPERS' CALL CELTIC LEAGUE PRESS INFORMATION WITHDRAW OBSOLETE 'CHOPPERS' CALL Last weekend a forty year old military helicopter crashed in SouthArmagh. Will it take another crash like that which killed three youngpeople in N. Wales in 1993 before this type is withdrawn? The Celtic League have expressed grave reservations to the MOD aboutits continued operation of obsolete helicopters in N. Ireland (see attached). Earlier this year we highlighted the fact that BritishLynx helicopters were being kept airborne by fitting them with defectivesecond-hand spares, subsequently the fleet was grounded. RAF Chinooks have also been subject to a less well publicised butessential replacement of defective parts. Last Sunday the oldest helicopter type in the RAF inventory the Wessexwas involved in a crash in South Armagh. It's the latest in a seriesof such accidents in the area. Quite frankly it beggars belief that the RAF are still operating ahelicopter type of this age. The Wessex as a type is now fifty yearsold, those in RAF service HC 2 came into use in 1961!. Following afatal crash at Padarn Lake in Wales (1993) which we investigated,we established that in those forty years no serious upgrade has beenundertaken. Furthermore for a machine of this age its highly likelythat defect servicing is being effected by the use of second handspares as with the Lynx. The Wessex should have been withdrawn following the crash in Walesin 1993 in which three young people (air cadets) were killed. It seemsthat the Ministry of Defence will not withdraw this type from serviceuntil another equally serious tragedy occurs. Bernard Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 12/10/00 Text of protest letter to Ministry of Defence: The Secretary of State for Defence Rt. Hon. Geoffrey Hoon MP c/o Secretariat (Air Staff) 1a Ministry of Defence Main Building Whitehall London SW1A 2HB Dear Sir, Ref. Royal Air Force Wessex helicopter - crash in South Armagh. I understand that a RAF Wessex helicopter crashed in South Armaghon Sunday last. You will be aware of the concerns we have expressed in the past concerningthe continued operation of obsolescent helicopters by the Britisharmed Forces and the consequent danger to both air crew and the civilpopulation in the areas in which they operate. It beggars belief quite frankly that the Wessex still continues inoperation as a more appropriate location for those still in servicewould be in a junkyard or aviation museum. There has been a catalogueof accidents?incidents many of which go unpublished due to the MOD'sdubious process of categorisation and the propensity to speedily removedamaged helicopters immediately an incident occurs Lest you think I am being facetious, I draw your attention to thecomments of your own MOD officials. It was accepted over six yearsago that the Wessex was past its sell by date. The MOD confirmed tous, when we sought information about second hand helicopter procurementoverseas, that there was a need to replace what, your Department describedas, "the RAF's ageing Wessex Fleet". The Wessex has a type is now approaching its half century. Those inRAF service have been operational for forty years! In 1996 when the Celtic League were investigating the Wessex accidentat Padarn Lake in North Wales (1993) in which a number of young aircadets were killed the then Parliamentary Under Secretary of Statefor Defence, Earl Howe, confirmed that the type unlike others in servicehad not in that period "been the subject of a fleet-wide upgrade". It is obvious even to the layman that to keep the Wessex type operablemust create difficulty both in obtaining spares and in respect ofexcessive maintenance. There is also the question of corrosion ornatural deterioration of the air-frame and engine. This was certainlya feature of another accident we looked at over ten years ago (Shawbury7 December 1990). I would request that you impose a moratorium on the use of these machinespending their withdrawal from service. There also needs to be an honest assessment of the operable fleetof RAF and Army Air Corps types in use, particularly in N. Ireland.It is clear these are either obsolete or obsolescent and that in manyinstances only what best can be described as questionable maintenanceusing second hand spares is keeping some of the types airborne. Operating the Wessex beyond its age and maintenance limitations hasalready, during the past decade, cost young lives. Will it take anotherseries of deaths before you take action? Yours sincerely, Bernard Moffatt Secretary General 12/10/00 ============================== Date: Thu Oct 12, 2000 10:06am Subject: IRISH MOVE ON TANKER POLLUTION CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION IRISH IN EU AND INTERNATIONAL MOVES ON OIL SPILL THREAT The Irish government has said that it shares the concern of the CelticLeague about the dangers posed to coastal areas of the British Islesby oil tanker spills. The issue had been highlighted at the AGM of the Celtic League, heldin August, in the Isle of Man. Oil spills in recent years, includingthe Braer disaster off Shetland, the Sea Empress disaster off Pembrokeand last years Erika spillage off Brittany have had catastrophic results.The Sea Empress incident resulted in widespread pollution not justin the Pembroke area but up the east coast of Ireland into the northIrish sea. The disastrous Erika spillage is still causing pollutionseveral months after the immediate incident and the spill has causedlong term damage to the fishing and tourist industry of Brittany.The tanker which broke up in heavy seas spilled over 10,000 tonnesof heavy oil which contaminated around 400 kilometres of coastline The League have written to several European government agencies callingfor united action. In a reply from the Irish Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources,Mr. Frank Fahey, TD his private secretary, Katherine Licken, writesthat; "The Minister and his colleagues in Government share your concern"she goes on to advise that "the Department is engaged in discussionat EU and International level with a view to reaching agreement onmeasures which will hopefully lead to a reduction in such incidentsand minimise loss of life or injury to persons and damage to the environment". The League had called for effective action, which included establishinga European Agency to address the problem and also improved safetyspecifications such as double hulls on tankers. This we believe wouldgreatly eliminate the dangers posed. Sadly, some governments are setting themselves against moves suchas this which would protect our mariner environment. The Isle of Man,which has a substantial shipping register including many super-tankers,recently spoke out against a unilateral ban on single hulled vessels.This negative reaction to environmental protection calls is deplorable. J B Moffatt Celtic League 12/10/00 =============================== Date: Fri Oct 13, 2000 11:14am Subject: MANX TRIBUTE TO DONALD DEWAR MANX MOURN SCOTTISH FIRST MINISTER Flags on the Isle of Man will fly at half mast next Wednesday, the day onwhich the funeral of Donald Dewar, the Scottish First Minister, takes place. The Islands Chief Minister, Donald Gelling, has paid tribute to Mr Dewarsrole on the British-Irish Council. The Chief Minister described him as a"fine and sincere man" who was "respected throughout politics". There has recently been greater cooperation between Manx politicians andtheir Scottish counterparts and this was stimulated by the establishment ofthe British-Irish Council. The role the Manx people played in salvaging the wreck of the Scottishfishing boat "Solway Harvester" and recovering the bodies of the crewmembers has also strengthened ties between the two nations. J B Moffatt Celtic League 13/10/00 =============================== Date: Fri Oct 13, 2000 11:38am Subject: NEW LEAGUE SITE AMERICAN LEAGUE SITE TAKES SHAPE The Celtic League American Branch have a new web site under construction at: www.celticleague.org/ It will contain a range of information both about the Celtic countries andthe League. The site is likely to have a strong emphasis on the Celtic Language,Culture, Mythology. It will, also have a section on each of the CelticNations and information on the activities and publishing schedule of theAmerican branch. The US branch publications are: Six Nations One SoulKeltoiCARNCeltic Languages GuideCeltic Calendar 2001 US branch Secretary is Margaret Sexton who can be contacted via the web site. J B MoffattCeltic League 13/10/00 ============================= Date: Wed Oct 18, 2000 11:11am Subject: CRASH PLANE APPALLING RECORD CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION APPALLING SAFETY RECORD OF HAWK TRAINER Today's crash - almost a year to the day since two men died - lessonshave not been learned. The latest crash by an RAF Hawk trainer focuses attention once againon the appalling safety record of this aircraft in RAF service Today's crash, south of Berwick, comes a year after a similar incidentin which two aircraft died. Thankfully in the latest incident thecrew parachuted to safety. There were no casualties on the ground. The Celtic League have monitored the operational record of this aircraft,which operates extensively over the Celtic areas, for many years.Based at Valley in Anglesey, the Hawk operates regularly over areasof N. Wales and simulates approach and take-off training at the commercialairfield on the Isle of Man. It is also a regular participant in exercisesin Scotland and the Borders. We first started collating information in the early 1980s after fatalaccidents in North Wales and the Isle of Man. In 1990 the MOD confirmedto us, that up to that time, of 176 Hawk trainers introduced intoRAF service 25 had been lost in accidents. That appalling attritionrate has continued to climb. Three years ago following the grounding of the entire RAF Hawk fleetwe wrote expressing our concerns about the aircrafts record and comparingthe attrition rate of RAF aircraft, a staggering 20+% , with the aircraftsservice record with overseas air forces. In February 1997 the Junior Defence Minister Earl Howe pointedly assuredus in correspondence that the the MOD "had every confidence in theHawk aircraft". The catalogue of incidents since, culminating with todays, gives thatendorsement of Hawk safety a hollow ring. It poses a danger not just to aircrew but also to the communitiesover which it operates. J B Moffatt Secretary General 18/10/00 =============================== Date: Wed Oct 18, 2000 1:52pm Subject: PRESCHOOL LANGUAGE INITIATIVE CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION LEAGUE URGE SUPPORT FOR PRESCHOOL LANGUAGE INITIATIVE The Celtic League have urged more support for an ambitious programmeby Mooinjer Veggey, the Manx preschool movement, to expand the rangeand scope of the facilities it provides. In a letter to Education Minister Steve Rodan the League say theyare appreciative of efforts being made by a range of agencies, includingthe Department, to promote the teaching of the language to young people.However, they say it is vital the Mooinjer Veggey initiative getsfull Departmental support. The League suggest that support for the initiative will bring Manxgovernment assistance more into line with that in other Celtic countries.The initiative would provide 6 new Mooinjer Veggey groups, more thandoubling the number of children attending. The project would alsoestablish staff training courses in preschool language transmissiontechniques, open courses for staff and parents to learn Manx and/orimprove their current standard in the language and courses on thedevelopment and support of bilingual preschool children. Overall the project would provide support to 220 preschool childrenattending Mooinjer Veggey as well as providing Manx preschool resourceswhich will be made available to all preschool children on the Isleof Man. Bernard Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 18/10/00 ========================== Date: Wed Oct 18, 2000 2:17pm Subject: APPEAL TO EDUCATION MINISTER The Celtic League have written to the Manx Minister for Education urgingsupport for Manx preschool education should be stepped up: Mr. Steve Rodan MHK Minister for Education Department of Education Murray House Douglas. Dear Minister, I was approached recently by Mr. Phillip Gawne one of the organisersof the successful Mooinjer Veggey playgroups which provide nurseryeducation via the medium of Manx at various locations around the Island. Mr. Gawne outlined to me the levels of support for such initiativesenjoyed in other Celtic countries and expressed concern that comparablefunding was not available on the Island. I subsequently spoke to the Director of Education about the issueand urged that the Department give consideration to further assistingMooinjer Veggey in the expansion of its work. I commented that wewere appreciative of the steps currently being undertaken by a rangesof agencies to promote the teaching of the language to young people. I am now following up my approach to the Director with a direct appealto you to support the expansion of the programme of Mooinjer Veggeyacross the Island. I attach the briefing note which Mr. Gawne providedto me which spells out clearly the direction in which the group wishesto expand: Note on MV preschool training and support project Mooinjer Veggey has expanded rapidly over the past year to try tomeet the growing demand for Manx preschool groups. To provide a basiclevel of support for its groups, Mooinjer Veggey staff and committeeare currently offering 3,320 hours of voluntary unpaid work each yearwhich if paid would cost the group at least £23,240. Consequently,Mooinjer Veggey has identified the acute need to establish a PreschoolTraining and Support Project, employing a full time officer, to ensurethat all its groups offer the highest possible standards of preschoolprovision and language transmission. In addition to relieving some of the current pressure from MooinjerVeggey staff and committee, the project is expected to provide 6 newMooinjer Veggey groups, more than doubling the number of childrenattending. The project will also establish staff training coursesin preschool language transmission techniques, open courses for staffand parents to learn Manx and/or improve their current standard inthe language and courses on the development and support of bilingualpreschool children. Overall the project will provide support to 220 preschool childrenattending Mooinjer Veggey as well as providing Manx preschool resourceswhich will be made available to all preschool children on the Isleof Man. I am sure you will agree that this is a positive and far sighted programmefor securing a preschool base of education via the language. I sincerely hope that the Department will build on steps already takenand give full support to Mooinjer Veggey. Yours sincerely J B Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 18/10/00 =========================== Date: Sat Oct 21, 2000 11:39am Subject: BRITISH NUCLEAR SUB MENACE CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION MARINE CHERNOBYL NARROWLY AVERTED Nuclear submarines with a known defect have been operating off ourcoasts in recent weeks. We ask is the British Government playing "Russianroulette" with our Marine environment? Problems which have beset the British nuclear submarine fleet mayseem remote to people in the Celtic countries. However, the implicationsof the defects now admitted in reator cooling systems on the vesselscould have been catastrophic. The British nuclear submarine force operates extensively in the watersoff the west of the British Isles and also in the comparatively confinedareas of the Irish and Celtic sea. Over the past month there have been reports of British submarine operationsin the submarine exercise area to the south of the Isle of Man, offthe Co. Louth coast. The weld defect discovered in the submarine HMS Tireless which hasbeen tied up in Gibraltar for several months, is now admitted to beprevalent throughout the fleet. All British submarines, includingthose which had been operational off our coasts, are now in or returningto port. Once they are docked with reactors shutdown the problem iscontainable. However on vessels at sea it could trigger a "catastrophicfailure" in the reactor followed by a radioactive leak. The MOD has some serious questions to answer about its decision tokeep these vessels operational for weeks after the extent of the problemmust have been known. The Parliaments and Assemblies in the Celtic countries need to questionif the future operation of nuclear submarines in coastal waters isjust too risky. J B Moffatt Secretary General 21/10/00 TEXT OF LETTER URGING ACTION BY IRISH GOVERNMENT SET OUT BELOW - SIMILARLETTERS WITH SLIGHT AMENDMENTS HAVE GONE TO THE MANX, SCOTTISH ANDWELSH AUTHORITIES An Taoiseach Mr. Bertie Ahern TD Government Buildings Kildare Street Dublin 2 Ireland Dear Mr. Ahern, I write with reference to the decision bythe MOD to recall to port all operational nuclear submarines of theHunter /Killer type. The decision follows the identification of apossible generic fault in welds associated with the reactor coolingsystems. The problem was identified on a nuclear submarine which docked atGibraltar and apparently has been known by the British governmentfor sometime. Whilst it is accepted that the problem is containablewhen the vessels are in port with the reactors shutdown; on vesselsat sea it could, according to nuclear experts, trigger a "catastrophicfailure" in the reactor followed by a radioactive leak. You may be aware that submarines of this type have reportedly beenoperational over recent weeks in submarine exercise areas off thecoast of Co. Louth and south of the Isle of Man. Others with the defectare likely to have been on transit through the Irish sea followingthe recall to bases at Devonport and Faslane. We trust the Irish government will express concern to the United Kingdomabout the continued operation of the vessels after the defect wasidentified, and in view of the dangers posed ask for assurances aboutfuture operations around our coasts. We are also writing to the Manx government, the Scottish First Ministerand the Welsh First Secretary urging similar action. Yours sincerely J B Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 21/10/00 ================================ Date: Wed Oct 25, 2000 2:32am Subject: DISTASTEFUL EXERCISE IN COLONIALISM CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION COLONIALISM IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM? A distasteful exercise in Colonialism will be played out this morningin the Isle of Man as a new Governor, who is not the choice of theManx people, is sworn in Whichever way the government and media try to dress up todays ceremonyat Castle Rushen, in the Isle of Man, the latest incumbent to thepost of Lt. Governor is not a welcome person. The Manx people, through its elected representatives, had made itclear that they believed that the time was right for a Manx person,former Deemster* Jack Corrin, to hold the post. In one sense thiscould be seen as an endorsement by the people of the current constitutional"status quo". A more subtle and accurate interpretation is that itwas a further step or manifestation of a desire for greater self determination. The position of Lt. Governor, is by its very title, a historic andanachronistic "left-over" from the days of colonialism. It is incumbenton the British government, under International law, to develop thesituation in dependant territories like the Isle of Man so that suchconstitutional relics are disposed of. The British government, however,is making it clear that this is not to be. The British government is imposing their man. The Manx government,despite the pleasantries of Manx First Minister Mr. Gelling, havemade it clear he is "not our choice". Whatever sycophantic comment radiates from Castle Rushen later today,the fact is that this appointee to the position of Lt. Governor ismired in controversy from day one! Bernard Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 25/10/00 * Manx High Court Judge ============================ Date: Thu Oct 26, 2000 2:31pm Subject: CELTIC CHAIR SAVED PRESS INFORMATION - CELTIC LEAGUE BREAKTHROUGH IN CELTIC STUDIES FIGHT University officially endorses campaign to retain Chair of CelticStudies. The Celtic League has learned that a decision has been taken by Universityauthorities at the Humboldt University, Berlin, which will securethe future of the Chair of Celtic Studies. The League have campaigned for some years against proposals to discontinuethe Chair and the campaign received a boost last year when the closurewas put on hold. At the time although some at the university wereactively campaigning for its retention and support from governmentsand politicians in the Celtic countries had emerged the universityauthorities were still ambivalent about the future of the Celtic StudiesDepartment. However, following a meeting this week we understand that a decisionhas now been taken at Presidential level within the University anda programme of financial assistance from the governments in the Celticcountries will now be formally sought. The Irish government have alreadypledged a considerable funding commitment and this is luckily to bematched by others. Prospects now look much brighter for the continuation of Celtic studiesat Humboldt. Coincidentally the future of the Chair is being securedas the University celebrates a centenary of academic work on the languagesand culture of the Celtic peoples. J B Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 26/10/00 ============================= Date: Thu Oct 26, 2000 2:32pm Subject: MERSEYSIDE POLICE DISCREDIT POT ACT PRESS INFORMATION - CELTIC LEAGUE MERSEYSIDE POLICE BRING MORE DISCREDIT TO INIQUITOUS ACT Bumbling cops enlist ferry Clerks to do their work The revelation that Merseyside Police have been soliciting a ferry company to pass passenger detail on people travelling between Liverpooland Ireland may yet backfire. The information ostensibly is sought under the terms of the iniquitousand discredited Prevention of Terrorism Act. The Act introduced nearly two decades ago has been used as a crudeweapon to harass and intimidate Irish people. Nowhere has that abusebeen more manifest than in the north-west of England and this latestinstance is just a further example. The Celtic League have urged Irish Premier Bertie Ahern to take upthe issue at the inter governmental conference. We hope the Taoiseachwill act because many Irish people will be sick of the apparent inertiaof his government over POT harassment. The operation of the Prevention of Terrorism legislation in the UnitedKingdom gives no automatic right to the Police to request informationfrom third parties. The provisions of the Act as far as we can determineto not extend the power to co-opt private companies as agencies forthe gathering of routine intelligence information of this type. Perhaps next the Merseyside police will be enrolling the clerks ofNorse ferries as "Special Constables". J B Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 26/10/00 Text of letter to Irsh government: An Taoiseach Mr. Bertie Ahern TD Government Buildings Kildare Street Dublin 2 Ireland Dear Mr. Ahern, I write to express the Celtic Leagues concern at revelations thata ferry company Norse Irish Ferries has passed on personal detailsof passengers travelling to and from Ireland on its Liverpool - Belfastservice. The operation of the Prevention of Terrorism legislation in the UnitedKingdom gives no automatic right to the Police to request informationfrom third parties. The provisions of the Act as far as we can determineto not extend the power to co-opt private companies as agencies forthe gathering of routine intelligence information of this type. It may seem a small point but the fact is that the operation of thePrevention of Terrorism Act as always been subject to abuse of process.Nowhere has interpretative abuse in the operation of the Act beenmore calculated than by the Merseyside Police. We trust that via the appropriate inter governmental forums you willraise with the British government this latest intrusive abuse of power. Yours sincerely J B Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 26/10/00 ================================== Date: Fri Oct 27, 2000 11:45am Subject: CRASH JET POLLUTION THREAT CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION CRASH JET TOXIC FALL-OUT FEAR MOD hide the hidden pollution of air crash sites Following yet another accident in SW Scotland today a less immediatefeature of the danger posed, but one that is more deadly than noisepollution or impact damage, is virtually ignored. Modern Jets contain a high proportion of man-made fibre. In the immediateaftermath of a crash toxic fumes of resin vapour and clouds of dustcontaminate an area of many square miles around the site. The dustcloud contains needle-stick filaments, which if inhaled are potentiallycarcinogenic. Crash crews attending the site, which is assessed by the RAF usingso called POST CRASH MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, have to wear special breathingequipment. The site, in bad crashes where there has been partial ortotal burnt out of the aircraft, should be sealed. To quote from theRAFs own documentation: "The hazards actually present at a particular crash site depend ona variety of factors such as the extent of post crash burning, thenature of the terrain and other environmental factors...... It maybe necessary to remove contaminated topsoil; from a large area andliaise with local civil authorities for its safe disposal". In 1996 we asked for assurances that all crash site locations in Scotlandand Wales were decontaminated. We also asked why the MOD did not publicisemore widely the dangers posed to people who may live in the area aroundthe crash sites. The MOD were evasive: "You can be assured that we are mindful of the need to publicise ourpost crash management techniques..this task is not, however, as straightforwardas it might sound" The MOD also admitted that their "post crash managementprocedures", which are not as thorough as those carried out by theUnited States Air Force, "have not been subjected to any independentassessment" The MOD should come clean about the long-term danger these pollutedcrash sites cause. There should be independent assessment of all crashsites (particularly those involving Harrier, Jaguar and Hawk aircraft)in the past twenty years in which the aircraft have contained carbonfibre material which burned on impact. Bernard Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 28/10/00 ================================ Date: Sat Oct 28, 2000 0:17pm Subject: MCBRIDE - DAY OF PROTEST CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION DECEMBER DAY OF PROTEST FOR PETER MCBRIDE Family and supporters of murdered Belfast teenager Peter Mc Brideare calling for a Day of Protest on Friday December 1 to demand thedismissal from the British Army of the two British Soldiers convictedof the 1992 murder. The Ministry of Defence are continuing to prevaricateover a court order that it should reconsider its decision to allowthe two, Scots Guards Mark Wright and James Fisher, to remain in theBritish Army despite their murder convictions. The Celtic League has been a continuous critic of the decision inthis, and in other cases which has allowed troops convicted of seriouscrimes, including murder, to continue to serve. We highlighted thecontradiction between the Army attitude to drug taking, for whichtroops are discharged on a monthly basis, and murder. The Northern Ireland based Rights Organisation, the Pat Finucane Centre,has listed a range of options that can be utilised to support theprotest. These include: 1) Picket Embassies/ Consuls and request a meeting between Consularofficials and a delegation. 2) Lobby elected representatives at local, regional and national levelto have the case raised and discussed on or before December 1st. 3) Circulate a focused petition, as was done in Sydney. 4) Flood Consulates/MOD/Army Recruitment Offices/MPs by telephone,fax and email on December 1st. 5) Organise ‘surprise visits’ at appropriate venues. A group as smallas five people can significantly disrupt normal business in a Consulateor army recruitment office by asking awkward questions. 6)Call radio talk shows and write letters to newspapers. 7) In the London area - Join the flying picket which will visit variouslocations in and around the city of London between 1pm and 4pm onDecember 1. The Celtic League will be urging all National branches to supportthe protest. Letters of protest will be sent to the British governmentand in tandem with this the Irish government will again be urged toraise the matter with British PM Tony Blair. Bernard Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 29/10/00 ============================ NO SAFETY CLEARANCE FOR TROUBLED NUCLEAR PLANT The NII are still prevaricating about giving safety clearance to theaccident prone nuclear plant at Wylfa. The Celtic League say thisplant poses an unacceptable risk to all the communities around theIrish sea and should remain shut-down. BNFL plans to restart the troubled Wylfa power station have receiveda setback. The nuclear power station will not reopen before the NewYear, it was confirmed this week. Both reactors at Wylfa Nuclear Power Station, on Anglesey, have beenclosed since the end of April - the longest period in the station’s30-year history and the closure is reputed to be costing £400,000per day. The station shutdown in March 2000 with problems related to its reactorsfuel system The Celtic League has protested about the decision toresume operations to the British and Irish governments. We pointedout that the Magnox stations, including Wylfa, are being operatedbeyond their original service life. We believe the prevarication ofthe NII over complete closure of the plant is highly irresponsible Wylfa station has suffered unplanned shutdowns on 30 occasions overthe past decade. Reactor one has been closed down on 13 occasionsand Reactor two on 17 occasions. This excludes planned maintenanceshutdowns. The station was the site of one of the worst nuclear emergenciessince the Sellafield fire and in 1995 the operators were fined £250,000for breaches of safety regulations. Despite this the stations operators,BNFL, make no secret of their intention to continue operating thestation for another twenty years if the NII give safety clearance. Clapped out power plants such as Wylfa pose an unacceptable risk tothe communities around the Irish sea it should never be allowed toreopen. Bernard Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 31/8/00 =============================== Date: Mon Oct 30, 2000 7:08amSubject: MURDER GANG ENQUIRY CALL CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION LEAGUE BACK MURDER GANG ENQUIRY CALL The Celtic League has added its voice to calls for an independentenquiry into the murder of a Co. Louth man in 1976. Seamus Ludlow a forestry worker was killed in an apparently sectarianattack by a Loyalist paramilitary gang. There is believed to havebeen knowledge of or complicity in the killing by the British SecurityServices. In calls to the Irish Premier Bertie Ahern (attached) the League backcalls for a public enquiry. Parallel correspondence to Northern Secretary(attached) queries if the extent of Security Services collusion wasinvestigated by the RUC. The killers of Seamus Ludlow are apparentlyknown to the police north and south of the border. However, as inother cases, their inertia in progressing a prosecution is unexplained. Bernard Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 30/10/00 An Taoiseach Mr. Bertie Ahern TD Government Buildings Kildare Street Dublin 2 Ireland Re. The Murder of Seamus Ludlow in County Louth, May 1976 Dear Mr. Ahern, I write with reference to the death of Seamus Ludlow who was murderedon the night of 1/2 May 1976, inside County Louth, Ireland, by membersof a Loyalist murder gang believed to be acting in concert with membersof the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR). I understand that the family of Mr. Ludlow and supporters have forsometime been campaigning to achieve an open enquiry into the circumstancesof his death. There have also been open and public concerns aboutthe inability of the Police Services, north and south of the border,to bring the perpetrators of this crime to Justice. We urge that an open and full enquiry is established into this incident.It is becoming increasingly obvious, with the passage of time, thata great number of crimes were perpetrated during this period withthe active support of the British Security Services. It is thereforedesirable that full and open enquiries are held into this, and otheratrocities, so that the extent of this involvement can be tested. Yours sincerely, J B Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 30/10/00 The Minister for Justice Mr. John O'Donoghue TD Department Of Justice 72-76 St. Stephens Green Dublin 2 Ireland Re. The Murder of Seamus Ludlow in County Louth, May 1976 Dear Minister, I draw your attention to the attached letter to Mr. Ahern which supportscalls by the Ludlow family for a full public enquiry into the circumstancesof the death of Mr. Ludlow and subsequent failings on the part ofthe police services in Northern Ireland and the Republic to bringthe perpetrators to justice. I understand that in addition to calls for an open enquiry the Ludlowfamily has made repeated requests for the release of a Gárda Síochánainvestigation report from the 1998 inquiry, headed by Chief SuperintendentTed Murphy, and other relevant files from 1976 and 1979. If the State is not prepared to grant the family a full and open publicenquiry can all relevant documentation pertinent to the Ludlow murderenquiry be released to them so that they can seek other avenues forredress of grievance? Yours sincerely, Bernard Moffatt Secretary General 30/10/00 The Secretary of State for N. Ireland Castle Buildings Stormont Belfast N. Ireland Re. The Murder of Seamus Ludlow in County Louth, May 1976 Dear Secretary of State, I refer you to the attached correspondence to the Irish governmentconcerning the death of Mr. Ludlow. Could you advise if all relevant documentation pertinent to this casehas been passed by the RUC to the Gárda Síochána. Can you further advise if enquiries by the Police authorities in NorthernIreland have considered the possible knowledge or involvement of theSecurity Serives in this crime. Yours sincerely J B Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League 30/10/00  Back to Celtic League News |