Must Read: Some true, up-to-date, UK/US history on Diego Garcia

[Ghost Dog]

...and the Chagos Archipielago.

--> There is so much quality information here (from the (International) Guardian, G2, today), so much perfidy and tragedy, it is hard to even begin to quote. Please read the entire article. But here goes (a very small snip):

Out of Eden

The Indian Ocean paradise of Diego Garcia was once home to more than a thousand contented British subjects. In 1966, Harold Wilson's government sold it to the US in a secret, illegal deal and terrorised the population into leaving. John Pilger reports on the islanders' long battle for justice

Monday May 29, 2006
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1784993,00.html

<huge snip to towards the (contemporary situation) end of the 4-page article>

The government had feared this, and, prior to the hearing, the Foreign Office mounted a disinformation campaign, led by Peter Hain. "The outer islands," Hain told the House of Commons, "have been uninhabited for 30 years, so any resettlement would present serious problems, both because of the practical feasibility and in relation to our treaty obligations."

A "treaty" implied an agreement scrutinised by parliament. There was no treaty: only a secret, criminal deal. On November 3 2000, in the high court, Lord Justice Laws and Mr Justice Gibbs stunned the government.

Citing the Magna Carta, which proscribed "Exile from the Realm" without due process, they unanimously squashed the 1965 ordinance used to deport the islanders as unlawful.

Lizette and Charlesia at last could go home, it seemed. But the Blair government had other ideas. That afternoon, the Foreign Office published a new immigration ordinance that banned the islanders from returning to Diego Garcia. Once again, "treaty obligations" with Washington were cited.

<snip>

Richard Gifford and the islanders refused to accept this and were back in the high court last year. On May 11, two judges found unreservedly in their favour, describing the government's behaviour as illegal, repugnant and irrational. The government is considering an appeal, knowing that the Americans, having attacked Iraq and Afghanistan from Diego Garcia, are furious. The bombing of Iran is planned to take place from this British territory. Both governments apparently still believe they can "wear down" the islanders' resolve. They are mistaken, I can assure them.

[Name removed]

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[dipsydoodle]

3. Remember the tsunami ?

That island was right in it's path and at first it didn't get a mention in the news. I emailed CNN to ask it if had sunk haha ! A week or so later odd minor news entries said it had been unaffected. In one respect that was good - it removed the arguement that it's not a safe place for the islanders to be which is the usual excuse.

The subject is worth searching from time to time - most sad subjects are.:-(

[Ghost Dog]

6. Yes, I was thinking about that.

I picked up and relayed in almost real time (for indymedia) news from the (very wet) Maldives at the time...

[Ghost Dog]

5. (BTW), try Google Earth or Maps on the BIOT

(I won't infringe copyright by reproducing here: http://maps.google.com/maps )

...and see how close you can zoom in on the Chagos Islands.

...Then compare with zooming-in on the Maldives (just to the north).

No surprise. But. Talk about sensitive, huh?

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

7. Link to the documenary "Stealing a Nation"

Realplayer unfortunately:

Download: http://www.indybay.org/uploads/stealing_a_nation.rm (35 megs or so)
Stream: http://www.indybay.org/uploads/stealing_a_nation.ram

[dipsydoodle]

11. Thanks for that.

I got it on the second link ok - only took about 30 secs to start playing. I watched it when it was originally aired. Pilger's a good man.

[Ghost Dog]

12. Thanks very much, Monkey see Monkey Do (and John Pilger and Indybay).

:-)
:-(

Made me cry at the outset. I shall also cry, it looks like, for the rest of my life...

Until we see justice.

[Ghost Dog]

13. This is one of the very few examples, in my experience,

where a well-made film (documentary) _really_ does speak louder than (well-written and -published) words. Thanks again, brothers and sisters.

Shame, though, this (as usual) doesnt reach 'greatest' here in DU.

[acmejack]

4. It is/was a beautiful island

I was htere for a few weeks in 1980, when there was about 100 people on the entire island. They were mostly Seabees building facilties for the airstrip.

[peacetalksforall]

8. The bombing of Iran to take place from Diego Garcia. Did you ever

expect in your lifetime that you would read those words?

Who is going to save Iran, therefore save us, the humans?

[donsu]

9. I agree - if america bombs Iran that will be the end for us

nt

[msongs]

10. rising sea levels will put an end to all that nonsense

coral atolls the world over will submerge as melting ice raises sea levels. a rise of several feet will submerge hundreds if not thousands of atolls and minimal elevation reef archapelegos like diego garcia.

Msongs
www.msongs.com
batik & digital art
mugs & shirts

[peacetalksforall]

14. This is a must read article. You won't believe the arrogant, dictator

action of the UK and US. This is an abomination of anglo-white pomposity.

There is no registration. It is easy to follow the story that ends up in the predator nations bombing Iran from Diego Garcia.

It appears we have another war crime to cry about.

[Ghost Dog]

15. Yes. n/t,