Protesters attempt to halt joint military exercise/ Australian, American

[cal04]

Police have arrested six protesters from a group trying to stop Australian and American troops from taking part in a major military training exercise in central Queensland.About 17,000 military personnel from all sections of the two countries' defence forces are gathered at the Shoalwater Bay training area, north of Rockhampton.

Dozens of anti-war campaigners are forming a blockade at one of the main entrances to Shoalwater Bay to try to prevent military vehicles from entering the site. Organiser Hanna Middleton says such exercises promote violence and aggression as a solution to world problems."We believe that Talisman Sabre military exercises actually stop Australian troops defending Australia and train for us to take American orders in American pre-emptive strikes and coalition wars."

Police say the protesters have repeatedly refused requests to leave the Commonwealth facility and six have been charged with trespassing.Another protester, Ciaron O'Reilly, has defended their actions."They feel like it's time to move from protests to non-violent resistance," she said.

"We feel we have to escalate the amount of resistance to Australia's role in this war, and preparations for other wars. "They decided to occupy and blockade that road."The biannual exercise focuses on fictional scenarios and includes parachute drops and air combat training.The military has warned that while demonstrators have a democratic right to protest, they should keep clear of Shoalwater Bay as live ammunition is being used.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200506/s1390212.htm

[Karenina]

1. Wouldn't want any "accidents" to occur

now would we.

[bennywhale]

2. Further evidence of the amalgamation of the Anglo-Saxon World.

Britains armed forces are already being developed in such a way that they can only ever be deployed on a large scale with American forces. A retired general went bezerk when he found out (saw him on TV) but not a peep from anyone else at this backdoor destruction of sovereignty.