Press Releases & Updates 1998

Just after 11a.m. this morning three For Mother Earth campaigners, working full-time in the international office in Gent (Belgium) were remanded in custody till court appearance September 29th in Helenbrough, near Glasgow. Katri Silvonen (20) and Hanna Jarvinen (21), Finland, and Krista van Velzen (23) from the Netherlands broke into the base last night and reached the fuel depot before being apprehended and arrested at 11.55 p.m. This morning in court, having been asked if she was aware that she could go to Scottish women’s prison in Cornton Vale, Krista van Velzen replied "Yes, I understand. But you’ve got the wrong people." Krista Van Velzen referred to the historic UN World Court advisory opinion of July 1996 outlawing nuclear weapons. Although previous attempts at serious dialogue have been unsuccessful, the campaigners are continuing to follow every avenue, to try to press the UK government to comply with its international obligations and to go ahead and disarm the illegal Trident nuclear weapons system.

Earlier this morning Pol D’Huyvetter, press contact of TP2000 and For Mother Earth spent between ten and fifteen minutes informing the duty officer and another sailor -who refused to give their names- about the legal problems with the Trident nuclear submarines. The officers were aboard board HMS Vigilant. Earlier the MoD denied the existence of berth 12 [where HMS Vigilant was docked] after the first succesful penetration into the heart of Britain’s nuclear weapons system by swimmers Katri Silvonen and Krista van Velzen (see also today’s excellent story and pictures in ’The Guardian’).

The three For Mother Earth campaigners will join three other campaigners currently being held on remand. Angie Zelter (Norfolk - UK) and Helen John (Yorkshire - UK) are being held at Corntonvale women’s prison, Angie facing trial on September 22, Helen on September 29, both in Helensburgh. Jens Light, an Australian national from Canberra, is also being held at Greenock prison, with his trial on September 22, Helensburgh. A further two women, Sylvia Boyes and Rachel Wenham, are currently having their case heard, each facing jail sentences.

Today the non-violent direct disarmament campaign will spread to all Trident related sites in the UK, as well as to other countries with nuclear weapons. Especially the US B-61 tactical nuclear weapons in Kleine Brogel both in Belgium and Volkel in the Netherlands are now being targetted.

High quality & spectacular TV footage available (pool) at Reuters TV and Associated Press TV in London. Hi-8 footage and stills are available at TP2000 Press office in Scotland (cfr. press contact).

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