The response: Must... Tighten... Security...
Security shambles as airport is invaded for third night in row
ALASTAIR DALTON TRANSPORT CORRESPONDENT
http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1152342006
* More break-ins at Prestwick as protesters board US aircraft again
* 17 protesters appear in court
* 'war crime detectives' said they were searching for arms bound for
Israel
Note: There will be an attempted weapons inspection at the Lockheed
Empire Grade Facility near Santa Cruz California today. The former
manufacturer of explosive separators for ICBM stages has recently (and
of course secretly) been retooled to build thermonuclear device
detonator asemblies for Trident MIRV missles. <http://www.scwit.org/>
Key quote "The situation needs looked at very closely. First the
protesters are able to cut through the fence, then get into the airport
and on to a plane, which sounds very bad indeed. It would be of concern
to me if I was a passenger using Prestwick." - David Capitanchik, a
terrorism expert
ANTI-WAR protesters broke into Prestwick airport for a third night
running, prompting alarm among security experts that aircraft could be
vulnerable to terrorists.
Five activists were arrested by police after boarding an aircraft
belonging to the US Air National Guard in the latest incident, just
before midnight on Monday.
The group from Trident Ploughshares broke through the airport's
perimeter fence and boarded the plane.
The peace group described themselves as "war-crime detectives" and said
they were searching for arms being sent to Israel for use in attacks
against Lebanon.
A total of 17 people appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court yesterday on charges
relating to the three protests.
David Capitanchik, a terrorism expert and former Aberdeen University
academic, said the US military would be very concerned at the break-ins,
which he said should also worry passengers using the airport.
He said: "Clearly, it's very embarrassing for the airport, but for this
to happen to military aircraft makes it even worse.
"Questions have to be asked about the security of these planes, because
the US military should have made sure security was tight. It looks
pretty bad from a US point of view.
"The situation needs looked at very closely. First the protesters are
able to cut through the fence, then get into the airport and on to a
plane, which sounds very bad indeed. It would be of concern to me if I
was a passenger using Prestwick."
According to the protesters, the group managed to search through
documentation on the aircraft before attempting to examine another cargo
plane.
However, airport security officials said the group had been spotted
before they reached the plane and staff were advised by police not to
approach the protesters until officers arrived.
The incident came just hours after Strathclyde Police called on
Prestwick officials to launch a security review following the previous
incidents, which, among other security breaches, saw three protesters
manage to board a US military aircraft. One of them reached its cockpit.
A Ploughshares spokesman said of the latest incident: "Inspectors
searched a USAF Air National Guard plane and examined documentation and
manuals before moving on to attempt to examine a Polar Air aircraft that
was also present. The aim is to try to find out what's going on and
highlight Britain's hypocritical contempt for international law."
Prestwick airport said that security officers had identified the
protesters and monitored them until police arrived.
"Protesters and airport security did board an empty aircraft while being
monitored," said a spokesman.
The spokesman added: "We are satisfied that our security measures are
working effectively as these people were identified by our security team
and contained until the police arrived. Aviation security is a
multi-layered approach.
"These incidents are frustrating, but the airport has been taking a
measured and controlled approach commensurate with the threat that these
protesters are considered to pose."
All 17 protesters in court yesterday denied the charges put before them.
Two, Sylvia Boyes, 65, and Steven Van Velsen, 25, were detained in
custody. The other 15 were released on bail on condition they did not
enter or attempt to enter Prestwick airport.
Trials are set to take place on 6 and 11 September and on 20 November.
The incidents follow revelations that Prestwick has been used as a
refuelling stop by US flights carrying "hazardous" material to Israel.
Two flights carrying missiles to Tel Aviv landed last week at the
airport without official approval.
George Bush, the US president, apologised to Tony Blair, but the Prime
Minister in turn denied that the UK had acted inappropriately.
Last week, campaigners descended on the airport, demonstrating against
the shipments, which they claim are being used indiscriminately in
Israel's war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Ryanair, which operates the vast majority of passenger flights at
Prestwick, said it was happy with security measures if the airport was
satisfied.
• The full list of 17 people who appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court yesterday
and the charges they face is: Sylvia Boyes, 65, of Keighley, West
Yorkshire; Katherine Halcombe, 45, of Evesham, Worcestershire; Rosalind
Bullen, 36, of Edinburgh; and Belgian Steven Van Velsen, 25, of the
Faslane peace camp in Helensburgh, charged with entering a restricted
area at the airport on Sunday.
Richard McKean, 38, of Glasgow; Joseph McLaughlin, 26, of Perth; Ludwig
Appeltons, 35, of Govan, Glasgow; Anna Rundberg, 26, of Helensburgh; and
Philippa Robertson, 21, of the Faslane peace camp, charged with entering
a restricted zone, getting into a C130 US military aircraft without
permission, damaging the aircraft and damaging a perimeter fence on Sunday.
Sarah Lazenby, 68, of Oxford; Jean Oliver, 46, and Douglas Shaw, 57,
from Biggar in South Lanarkshire; and Matthew Bury, 51, of Somerset,
accused of entering a restricted zone on Monday without lawful authority
or reasonable excuse.
Angela Zelter, 55, of East Runton in Norfolk; Marcus Armstrong, 46, of
Milton Keynes; and Christopher Blunel, 25, of Southampton, charged with
entering the restricted zone and getting into a C130 US Air Force
military craft on Monday without permission.
Olivia Agate, 65, of Menston near Leeds, charged with aiding and
abetting four protesters by driving them to the airport on Monday.
