CND Cymru

press release

10^th February 2009

press office:

Jill Gough t: 0845 313 8 414 m: 07704 67 57 87 heddwch@cndcymru.org

Press Information

Our shame - from Glascoed to Gaza

Welsh Assembly Government implicated in Israeli war crimes

As Palestinian survivors of the Israeli onslaught in Gaza huddle in the ruins of their devastated communities, it will be cold comfort to them to know that the weapons used against them have been developed - in part - in a country proud to be committed to a sustainable future: Wales.

While the Welsh Assembly Government talks of having "a real part to play in influencing change at home and on the international stage"*, the truth is that Welsh taxpayers' money is being used to subsidize the arms industry in Wales - an arms industry that is deeply implicated in Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

Targeted restrictions on sales of armaments and components to Israel are said to be in place and export licences are turned down by the Westminster Government if it can be shown that the armaments could be used in situations where human rights are under threat.

Just some of the ways that Wales is implicated in the attacks on Gaza:

Drones:
"Targets" are identified by Israeli Hermes 450, are a pilotless drone (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or UAV ) made by Israeli firm Elbit Systems, using engines built in Birmingham. These are tested at Aberporth, Ceredigion, a facility supported by £8.7m in grants from the Welsh Assembly Government.

Bombs:
The Israeli military use Apache attack helicopters, described by Palestinian human rights activists as "a symbol of indiscriminate military violence". The Apaches rely on transformers made by Penny & Giles Controls of Cwmfelinfach, Gwent.

Delivery Systems:
Israeli Airforce F-16 fighter jets, use components made by BAE Systems, which operates a munitions factory in Glascoed, near Usk in Gwent and runs a military training school in Cwmbran. provider of training solutions in "Electronic Warfare and Air Defence".

These same jets bombed the Shij'ia Family Health Care Centre in Gaza , which runs a mobile dental clinic wholly funded by the people of Wales through the Near East Council of Churches.

In addition:
Over 180 "aerospace sector" companies have set up in Wales, including General Dynamics and Raytheon, makers of tanks, submarines, bombs and rockets.

CND Cymru Vice Chair Ray Davies today called these revelations "the shame of Wales".
ENDS

For Comment/interviews Contact CND Cymru press office (see above) or Vice Chair John Cox 01495 773 495 e: drjohncox@aol.com

EVENTS:
CND Cymru Chair Jill Evans MEP is this week in Gaza with a European delegation. More information and to arrange interviews with Ms Evans regarding the visit please contact: David Bradley 01824-709700 / 07901-862907 or Steven Cornelius (0032-228-41665 / 0032-473-560967

Wednesday February 11^th Launch of Disarm Cardiff! Campaign. Cardiff University currently invests £225,000 in 3 companies who arm oppressive governments (including BAE Systems & Smiths Group). At 1pm they will be holding a demonstration and petition signing outside the Union steps calling for divestment in these companies. 7pm - meeting in Beverton 1.40 (Main Building Cardiff University). Speakers to include Professor Justin Lewis (JOMEC), Ray Davies (Vice Chair CND Cymru) and Jonny Jones (Stop the War). Sam Coates Young Greens m: 07590 008249

Tuesday April 7^th Protest at “Aerolink Wales 2009” exhibition (aerospace and military hard and software), The Vale Hotel, Cardiff. <file://www.aerolinkwales.co.uk> www.aerolinkwales.co.uk The Vale Hotel,Hensol Park, Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan, CF72 8JY

COMPANIES:

UAV Engines Ltd, Lichfield. (parent company, Elbit Systems of Israel) uav@uavenginesltd.co.uk
Penny & Giles Controls, Cwmfelinfach, Gwent sales@pennyandgiles.com
BAE Systems Land Systems Munitions, Usk, Monmouthshire.
BAE Systems: Cwmbran Training College Llantarnam Park, Cwmbran, Gwent. www.cwmbrancollege.com/
www.aerolinkwales.co.uk The Vale Hotel, Hensol Park, Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan, CF72 8JY
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*from the Welsh Assembly Government website about ‘Sustainable Development’: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/sustainabledevelopment/?lang=en