#Wales peace groups to hold vigil for #Yemen at gates of RAF Valley Wed 7th Nov


A PRESS STATEMENT by the Bangor & Ynys Môn Peace & Justice Group, Cymdeithas y Cymod, the North Wales Religious Society of Friends(Quakers), Conwy County Peace Group, CND Cymru and Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg

Monday 5th November 2018

Peace and justice groups across North Wales strongly oppose the use of RAF Valley and Welsh airspace by pilots from Saudi Arabia as they prepare to contribute to the war in Yemen.

They call upon their supporters to gather outside the main gates of RAF Valley to hold a vigil at 5.30pm on Wednesday 7th November. In doing so, they are addressing the following issues to Anglesey County Council, the Welsh Government and Parliament in Westminster.

The Freedom of Anglesey is awarded to celebrate a special contribution to the Isle of Anglesey. Prominence is given to RAF Valley as the recipient of this important honour. However, 30 pilots from Saudi Arabia are being trained at Valley to use their new skills in the atrocious war which is killing thousands in Yemen. That is why Cymdeithas y Cymod, the Bangor and Ynys Môn Peace & Justice Group, the Conwy County Peace Group, the North Wales Society of Friends(Quakers), CND Cymru and Cymdeithas yr Iaith call upon the Isle of Anglesey County Council to withdraw the Freedom of the island from the Airforce as long as this continues.

“We are saddened and disappointed to learn that pilots from Saudi Arabia are being trained at RAF Valley’, said Anna Jane Evans, spokesperson for Cymdeithas y Cymod. She added, “The Westminster Government is selling weapons of war worth many millions to the oppressive Saudi government, and the contract includes training the pilots in how to use them. Let us be perfectly clear this leads directly to the killing of children and innocent people who have nothing to do with the war in Yemen.”

The organisations call upon the Welsh government to condemn this use of RAF Valley and to intervene urgently to persuade the Westminster government to stop using Welsh land and airspace for the purpose of preparing for the slaughter of the inhabitants of Yemen.

These Welsh peace movements also call upon the government in Westminster to cancel the arms and training contract with Saudi Arabia immediately. Instead they urge the government to work towards peace in Yemen through the United Nations.

“How can the Westminster government claim to be commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War – the war that was supposed to end all wars – whilst promoting death, suffering and warmongering in Yemen?”, said Anna Jane.

CONTACT: Awel Irene, Cymdeithas y Cymod on 0786 7790 971 or cymdeithasycymod@gmail.com

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