Thursday, December 16, 1999 EUROPE TODAY BRITAIN by IAN MARKHAM-SMITH
The United States navy is to bomb a remote Scottish beauty spot with live ammunition after being banned from its Caribbean firing range. The navy was forced to pull out of its base in Puerto Rico after accidentally killing a security guard in April. Ships and planes will descend on Cape Wrath, the northwestern tip of Scotland within weeks. A taskforce headed by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower includes two guided missile cruisers, four guided missile destroyers and two frigates. The ships will have a complement of 8,360 crew. They will be allowed to drop high-explosive bombs, and fire shells and missiles at the tiny island of Garvie and at a restricted area on the mainland for several weeks. The manoeuvres have caused outrage in Scotland. Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond said: "America has an abundance of its own natural coastline. I would have thought their navy could have practised there." The Scottish Green Party's Robin Harper said: "It is completely preposterous. The United States navy has a terrible record for incompetence. So why are they coming to blast Scotland?" The navy was forced to abandon its base on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques after a Marine corps jet dropped two 227kg bombs off target, hitting an observation tower. Islanders occupied the site and demanded a halt to the use of live explosives. Just a month later, a Marine fighter jet accidentally fired 263 armour-piercing shells loaded with depleted uranium into the range, breaking several laws. The navy had used the range on Vieques, between Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, for live firing for 58 years. President Bill Clinton is desperately trying to negotiate a return. But while talks continue, the US has been allowed to use Cape Wrath.
Saltah'na
Chinese Canadian, or 75% Commie Bastard.
Member # 33
posted
WHOOHOO!!!!! oops, i mean.......
Kidding ya really, but hey, why can't the US use their coastline? Because they are afraid of killing their own people? So the logic follows that it's okay to kill a foreigner? riiiiight........
The U.S. has a naval testing ground off Vancouver Island in British Columbia. In a recent dispute between the US and British Columbia over fishing rights, the BC Government has attempted to close the site.........
------------------ I can resist anything....... Except Temptation
posted
"Kidding ya really, but hey, why can't the US use their coastline? Because they are afraid of killing their own people? So the logic follows that it's okay to kill a foreigner? riiiiight........"
Correct. Nations have an obligation to protect their own citizens only.
How about all these simulations end and someone starts a real war?
------------------ Frank's Home Page "Ou tou kratountos h� polis nomizetai" - Creon
posted
This sounds rather odd. I suspect the Scottish government has granted permission to the U.S. to use those targets in exchange for some sort of consideration (perhaps monetary). I think I might want evidence that the U.S. Navy had resolved its problems regarding the errors that prompted the change before allowing them to drop live ordinance in my neighborhood. Perhaps Scotland was offered such assurances, but I wouldn't plan any field trips to the bombing range's vicinity while they were in use.
--Baloo
------------------ You can't seriously want to ban alcohol. It tastes great, makes women appear more attractive, and makes a person virtually invulnerable to criticism. --Mayor Quimby http://members.tripod.com/~Bob_Baloo/index.htm
posted
Noooooo please - don't bomb Scotland... I'm sure someONE or someTHING i.e. wildlife use that Island... I would like to go to Scotland one day - I don't want to see a diseased coastline dotted with undetonated US ammunition...
------------------ "Its a CLOCK!" - Sisko, "Dramatis Personae" DS9.
posted
Wow, I love the great grasp of international geography every American citizen is blessed with. Of course, Andrew's from Australia, so he has even less of an excuse.
Okay, anyone know the definition of an island? Okay...
Now, anyone want to describe Scotland to me?
------------------ "Obesity. Adiposity. Corpulence. Whatever word you use, it represents one thing: being a big fatass."
Geraldo Rivera
[This message has been edited by PsyLiam (edited December 17, 1999).]
posted
I think Andrew was refering to the fact that, as per the news story above, the actual target range is located on a small island just off the coast of Scotland.
------------------ "The demon was an idea, the demon is awake. Scratch mark left across the surface of your mind. This hour now upon us, the hour has now arrived." -- Soul Coughing
posted
If I had to guess, I'd say it's probably just some rock sticking out of the water, or something. I wouldn't think they would bomb an area w/ a bunch of animals in it. The SPCA would have a collective aneurysm...
------------------ "Back in the 14th century, stair-stepping to the oldies was not considered manly." -John Scalzi, on the longbow as the best weapon of the second millennium
posted
Hmmmmm Liam... *tsk* thanks Sol - of COURSE I was reffering to the small island of the coast they will/have bombed... never EVER put me in the same basket as an American - ESPECIALLY about Geography... I LIKE geography... sheesh.
Quick quiz...
What is the capital of... the Seychelles - don't look at a map now... - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Victoria
[This message has been edited by AndrewR (edited December 18, 1999).]
posted
Doh. Sorry. Chalk it up to not really reading the first post, and just reading Andrews, and trying to be as sarcastic as possible (hey, as the only remaining Brit whose name is a deriviated from William, it's my job).
------------------ "Obesity. Adiposity. Corpulence. Whatever word you use, it represents one thing: being a big fatass."
If they get kick out of one country after bombing them.. they just go to another!!! and bomb them.. screw bombing their own country .. heck .. that's unconstitutional.. but bombing somebody else's land for practice.. now that's sport!!
[This message has been edited by Alshrim Dax (edited December 18, 1999).]
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