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S. E. A. Statements

Is Derry involved in Lebanon Massacre?

Sunday 30th July 2006

The atrocious bombing of Qana again raises concern that technology developed in Derry is aiding the Israeli assault on Lebanon and Gaza.

First reports suggest that the basements in Qana where the victims had sought shelter had failed to withstand the bombs. The bombs were apparently "bunker-busters," of a type which the US has been rushing to Israel over recent days. There has been controversy about the transport of these "GBUs"---guided bomb units--- through Prestwick in Scotland. The technology for the GBUs was developed by Raytheon.

Socialists and anti-war campaigners have been pressing for an end Raytheon's presence in Derry since the company set up here in 1999. The company was introduced to Derry by John Hume and David Trimble, who argued that its arrival would help consolidate peace!

Since then, the mainstream parties, the SDLP, the UUP, Sinn Fein and the DUP, have endorsed Raytheon's presence in Derry. In light of current events, we now call on members of these parties to tell their leaders to change their tune.

We specifically ask Nobel Peace Prize winners Hume and Trimble publicly to withdraw their support for Raytheon.

Raytheon has a long-standing close relationship with both the Israeli military establishment and the Pentagon. Raytheon missiles used by Israel include Mavericks, Sidewinders, Sparrows and Patriots---innocent-sounding names for high-technology killing machines.

Over the years, Raytheon has received hundreds of millions of US tax-payers' dollars to supply these missiles. Much of the money never leaves the US. Raytheon ships out the weapons to Israel and invoices the Pentagon.

This gives Raytheon a vested interest in the conflict. It is not just a company supplying a market, but a propagandist for Israeli policies. Adam Cherrill, manager of business development at Raytheon, has said that, "To qualify for self-determination, a people must show some kind of national identity...What political organisations, social institutions, literature, art, religion or private correspondence express any ties between the Palestinian people to the Land of Israel?"

Cherrill has also said that, "Israel has a far stronger claim to Judea and Samaria, which is considered the West Bank, than the Arabs."

This is not business talk but political talk. Raytheon is driven by ideology as well as by hunger for profit.

We again urge members of the main local parties to press their leaders to declare that Raytheon isn't welcome here.

Davy McAuley





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