Stop the St Athan Military Academy!
www.cynefinywerin.org.uk
SAT 26 APRIL
CARDIFF
Assemble1.30pm opposite City Hall
Imagine a world in which the armed forces are trained by arms dealers.
And we subsidise their profits.
That world will become reality unless we stop the proposed school of death
at St Athan. The creation of a military super-academy at St Athan, between
Cardiff and Swansea, was announced as a done deal in January 2007. Despite
the fact this represented the biggest PFI in history, involving £14 billion
of taxpayers¹ money, there had been no debate in either Westminster or the
Welsh Assembly (Senedd). A promise of 5500 local jobs was trumpeted loudly
by an uncritical news media and presented as a great victory for Wales. No
wonder the politicians didn¹t want any debate. The new super-academy,
replacing many smaller centres, means that military training will now be in
the hands of shameless profiteers. The winning bidders for the project were
the Metrix consortium. This consortium includes Qinetiq, the privatised
research and development wing of the MoD. Qinetiq was recently the subject
of intense criticism by the National Audit Office. Its privatisation was
proposed by MoD managers ­ who then saw their shares rise 10,000% on the day
of the sale! 33.8% of Qinetiq was also bought by the US-based Carlyle
Group, a sinister lash-up of politicians and arms dealers with a vested
interest in promoting war. Former members of its board include one George
W. Bush. Then there is the US arms manufacturer Raytheon. Raytheon make the
missiles which deliver cluster bombs, the horrendous weapons which are
estimated to have killed 100,000 people ­ 98% of them innocent civilians.
The world can also thank Raytheon for the depleted uranium weapons which
have led to thousands of horribly deformed babies and large increases in
cancers in war zones and beyond.
Raytheon, Qinetiq and friends will not just be training UK armed forces at
St Athan. They will train any soldiers, sailors and air force personnel that
are willing to pay for the privilege. And like all PFIs, the St Athan
academy will be subsidised by the taxpayer, and if necessary, bailed out
with public money.

There has never been a detailed breakdown of the jobs the academy will
bring. However, even Metrix admit that many of the military trainers will
relocate from elsewhere. Every PFI has secured profits by cutting costs.
St Athan will mean less MoD jobs overall, and the poorest pay and conditions
for low-skilled workers.

In any case, imagine what else could be done with £14 billion! With
hospitals and schools closing throughout Wales and the UK, with a desperate
need to improve social facilities, create sustainable sources of energy etc,
such public money could be invested in socially useful projects rather than
the preparation for future wars of occupation like Iraq. If this development
goes ahead, 21 nightmare. If you want to stop the war profiteers in their
tracks, support the campaign and raise it in your union, student union,
workplace and community. To join our mailing list, email
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> Cardiff
CF10 3AP.