Waihopai update (Thursday and Friday)
The Waihopai ploughshares trial continues in the Wellington District Court. All day Thursday and Friday morning, Father Peter Murnane gave evidence as to his ‘state of mind’ when committing the deflating of the spybase dome and outlining the things that had influenced his views and beliefs. In particular, Father Peter spoke of two matters: torture and depleted uranium. His friendship with a young nun who had been kidnapped and tortured in Guatemala under the dictatorship of General Rios Montt – a dictator funded and empowered by the US was a significant portion of his evidence. He linked his reaction to the torture of prisoners detained in Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq to the harrowing experiences of this woman. Murnane also spoke at length about the devastating effects of depleted uranium (DU) and its widespread, although denied, use by US forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and the former Yugoslavia.
Sam Land took the stand this afternoon and also outlined his state of mind at the time of committing the action. He repeatedly stated in response to crown cross examination that the primary goal of the action was to prevent the loss of life and to defend people who were being targeted by US intelligence. Sam also noted the UN processes for holding states to account were muddled by ‘red tape’ and that peoples lives were at stake while the Security council decided what to do. He noted that regardless of what the UN might want to do, the US was not a signatory to the Rome Convention (International Criminal Court) thus US soldiers, bureaucrats or politicians were unlike to ever be held to account for their actions.
A CLOSED court resumes Monday when Judge Harrop will hear legal submissions from each side about proposed defence witnesses. Upon conclusion of those matters, court will be opened (likely on Tuesday morning at 10am) and the defence will continue its case. The ploughshares really appreciate supporters so please pop down at any point during the day you can (note: morning tea is 11:30-11:45, lunch is 1-2:15 and afternoon tea 3:30-3:45). In any event, the trial is likely to last until Wednesday.
