Waihopai protestors use WikiLeaks info

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Sat, 22 Jan 2011 6:20p.m.

By Janika ter Ellen

Protestors claim the Waihopai spy base assists a US agenda and involves New Zealand in unjust wars.

And the international whistleblowing site WikiLeaks has provided them extra ammunition. One cable released by the site in December revealed NZ spied on Fiji during the 2006 coup - and gave the information to the US.  

“It revealed the fact that NZ uses it as an opportunity to sit at the table with the big boys,” says protestor Murray Horton.

“Why should we be collecting intelligence to serve American foreign policy through a system which is of very little use to New Zealand,” says the Green Party’s Keith Locke.

But today's demonstration wasn't unopposed, thanks largely to three activists' attack on the dome with a sickle in 2008 - causing over a million dollars worth of damage.

Today marked Father Peter Murnane's first visit to the site since he and two others successfully avoided conviction for the attack.

“We feel successful about showing NZ what the spy base does, and the evils with which it is connected,” says Father Murnane.

They may be just 30-strong in a country of 4 million - but these activists say they won't give up until the Government shuts Waihopai down.

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Comments

25 Jan 2011 08:11p.m.

Nathan wrote:

At least 919,967 people have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq since the U.S. and coalition attacks, based on lowest credible estimates. About 303 times as many people have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq than in the ghastly attacks of September 11, 2001. More than 130 times as many people have been killed in these wars and occupations than in all terrorist attacks in the world from 1993-2004, according to data compiled by the US State Department. Take a moment to digest these numbers? Then remember that two countries have been illegally invaded, based on lies. And that NZ is still actively involved in destroying one of them. Don't believe everything 'reported' in the mainstream corporate media. Research things for yourself. Everyone has an agenda, & the corporate media's agenda is making money, with no regard for truth.

23 Jan 2011 05:05p.m.

Greg wrote:

As Fiji are a nation we send a great deal of aid to, I don't think it hurts to know what they spend our money on when a dictator takes over and refuses to talk to us. What the Wikileaks document shows is that it is being used in the way it is intended. Also as Fiji is half way between us and the USA, who also support the island and have territory close to it, I can see why they would want to know what's up too.

23 Jan 2011 02:45a.m.

Brett wrote:

When will these clowns get a life?

I still can't beleive they got off that charge... i mean they admitted to going onto private property and destroying property costing more than a million dollars to replace/repair?

22 Jan 2011 10:51p.m.

Dav wrote:

Most nzers dont care yawn, successful? you guys are starting to sound like politians yourself, we know you guys are achieving sfa.

22 Jan 2011 08:49p.m.

MrMan wrote:

Yeah your right Wolfman you couldn't be more %100 right why give this guy air time? When will all new Zealanders just wake up to the fact that this country is not a democracy and we have no real vote on what goes on here. The spy base is there for hidden/secret agendas to serve a global authority global oligarchy government.

22 Jan 2011 07:08p.m.

Wolfman wrote:

Why do news agencies keep giving air time to that air head Locke.