Republicans Condemn British Military Presence
Crashed RAF Tornado highlights dangers
27 Jan 2011
The socialist republican group Saorsa has again blasted British military forces after
an RAF Tornado from the Lossiemouth base was forced to ditch in the Minch a few
miles west of Rubha Reidh, Gairloch.
Speaking in Inverness tonight, Sean Mac Micheal, a spokesman for Saorsa stated,
“We have continually warned about the dangers RAF low-flying manoeuvres present to
the local population. Now we have yet another example of the risks that are being
taken daily in the skies above us.”
“Once again we ask the question what would have happened if this had taken place
above more populated areas of the Highlands such as Inverness, the Moray towns
close to the RAF bases, or the frequent training runs over Easter Ross? We could
have been looking at mass casualties.”
“We must also ask what would have happened if this plane had ditched into the weapon
dumps at the Loch Ewe NATO base, only a few short miles from this incident?”
“This incident itself occurred only a few miles from another near miss last March when
an RAF Tornado came within 100ft of crashing into the rear of a Coastguard helicopter.”
Stressing their opposition to “Britain’s murder machine” Mr Mac Micheal continued: “We
stand apart from the Imperialist consensus. We see a future for Scotland’s youth that
does not involve going out to kill and be killed in the interests of British capitalists.”
"We call for the immediate closure of these bases of mass destruction. We want their
land taken over by local communities and put to use for the collective good of all. For the
expenditure on the so-called “defence” industry to be diverted into more socially productive
public spending and the development of northern Scotland’s infrastructure.”
Close RAF Lossiemouth
End Recruitment to British Armed Forces
[ENDS]