Anti-war protesters target RAF base

From the archive, first published Monday 27th Jan 2003.

Oxford peace campaigners joined hundreds of people from across Britain to protest outside an RAF base which they believe will play a major role in the war against Iraq.

More than 70 anti-war protesters left St Giles in Oxford on January 26 to travel to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, where a number of US bombers are housed.

Members of the peace group, the Oxford Pledgers, believe military action against Iraq would be unjust and immoral.

Pledger Paul Greening, 45, of east Oxford, said: "This is a major bombing location in Europe.

"They store a Stealth Bomber here and other jets which could be responsible for the loss of hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.

"I've seen the effects the last war had on the Iraqi people and it's shocking. It will be these innocent people who suffer if we go to war."

Mr Greening believes war in Iraq would go against section 51 of the UN charter which states there should be no presumptive strike against a country.

He said: "There's a real lack of evidence against Saddam Hussein. If the UN backs military action, it will be breaking its own rules.

"We're protesting against this in a non-violent, civilised manner."

The group held a peace party on January 25 at the Asian Cultural Centre in east Oxford to raise awareness of its campaign.