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US weapons flights through Prestwick will continue

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Published Date: 01 August 2006
US FLIGHTS carrying weapons to Israel will continue to call at British airports, including Prestwick, a minister said yesterday.
David Cairns, a Scotland Office minister, is the first member of the government to confirm publicly the UK will authorise more military deliveries.

Margaret Beckett, the Foreign Secretary, last week criticised the US over two flights carrying bombs that had stopped at Prestwick. But officials later revealed that Mrs Beckett had only objected to an apparent US failure to follow UK aviation rules, not to the principle of the delivery.

Mr Cairns told BBC Radio Scotland: "We are bound by international conventions and provided that the correct procedure is followed - which it wasn't initially - then we will allow these things to continue."

He added: "I understand why people are concerned about this ... but I cannot say that our airports will never be used for this sort of activity ever again."

On Sunday, hundreds of protesters rallied at Prestwick. Yesterday, 30 activists gathered at RAF Mildenhall after two US flights carrying "hazardous" cargoes had landed there.



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1

Corbett Hunckers,

Fife 01/08/2006 10:44:06

To reiterate, this is an embarrassment to the whole of Scotland. I for one feel ashamed that we are aiding and abetting the Americans with their policy of blatant war mongering.

I am sure history will look at the British government's involvement very unsympathetically when the dust settles(not that the dust will ever settle!). When this current or next crisis escalates, this country will have played its part and I hope the politicians will hang their heads in shame.

The Scottish people have a choice!!!

2

james 1st,

nz 01/08/2006 11:06:48

politicians know no shame

3

JoeO,

West Lothian 01/08/2006 12:24:15

"We are bound by international conventions", yes, like the UN statement that this war is illegal, because a disproportionate burden is falling on innocent civilians. IF the war is illegal by UN standards, then surely we are breach of International Law for allowing weapons to be shipped from our shores to support one side in this conflict?

4

Gerald,

USA 02/08/2006 06:04:55

I'm an American and I'm even more embarassed than you that my country is aiding and abetting (our so called ally) Israel.

5

Grimnir,

Wales 02/08/2006 07:05:45

This is proof - once again - that Britain has no guts to stand up the the bully-boy tactics of the Americans. Going in to a War situation and clearing up after their mess is one thing we repeatedly do, but to allow them to continue this.......I thought Mr Bush wanted to "...wipe terrorism from the map..." - well, Mr President....you are now fast becoming one yourself!

6

Darren - wdpics.com,

Edinburgh 03/08/2006 03:09:11

hey - the usa are our friends - hisbullah decided to come in to israel, kidnap a couple of soldiers, and now the usa are helping israel with weapons - i dont see the problem - but they should use RAF grounds to help out but i dont see any problem with using UK for refueling....


 

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