Entry denied to Tangimoana base

SAM BAKER/Manawatu Standard

NO ENTRY: Anti-base activist Cora Fabros had to stand out the front of the Tangimoana spy base after having a request to enter turned down.

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Veteran Filipino activist Cora Fabros believes New Zealand spymasters are monitoring the airwaves of our Pacific neighbours and supplying the information to foreign parties.

Ms Fabros, the Asia Pacific Abolition of Foreign Military Bases co- ordinator, visited the Tangimoana spy base this week during her New Zealand speaking tour.

Her entourage applied for entry to the base, but were denied by the Government Communications Security Bureau.

Stopped at the front gate, Ms Fabros spoke of the unfair economic advantage the United States was gaining from the high frequency radio information.

"The function of these particular bases is to monitor communications in Pacific regions with independence struggles like Bougainville, East Timor and West Papua.

"If, for example, the US is interested in selling its arms, that information is important. It would also be very important information for the existing governments of the places with the struggles."

Evidence for the claims are based largely on Nicky Hager's book Secret Power.

Inspector Mark Harrison was at the gate during the visit to ensure Ms Fabros did not trespass onto the base.

"We were just asked to keep a bit of a watching brief, but this is very low key," he said.

Earlier this week, Ms Fabros spoke to one of the protesters who attacked the Waihopai Base, near Blenheim, last month.

"I asked them how they planned the assault.

"These people have not done it to have an adventure. They are really serious about what they done and they prepared for six months."

Asked about Ms Fabros' claims, Prime Minister Helen Clark, the minister responsible for the Communications Security Bureau, said she "never comments on security matters".

- © Fairfax NZ News