In the Green Party's spring conference held this weekend, there was an implicit acceptance of the legitimacy of military action as conference delegates met to consider new policies. There were aalls for more 'democratic' [ie, parliamentary] control over military action and expanding the size and role of the Territorial Army. In fact, motion PD308 stated that 'the responsibility and complexity of the military role envisaged by us will require a much higher level of training and remuneration than offered at present', suggesting that Greens could be in favour of increased defence expenditure!

The Greens' stance on arms manufacture and trade is also ambiguous. Although there is a stated commitment to the 'conversion of the military industry' (motions PD311 and PD312), motion PD414 stated that 'an acceptance of military means of defence and peace-enforcement requires the acceptance of the existance of arms manufacture. Hence, ... moderate quantities of conventional weapons and vehicles will [be made under a Green Government]'. Sales of military equipment to other countries is also advocated, although 'not for profit' (whatever that means). Even military intelligence is recognised as playing 'a crucial role in building rational, informed deficisions' (PD420).

The Green party agenda is also committed to multi-lateral action and agreement under the aegis of the UN (albeit a reformed one, if the Greens ever got their way). Since the UN is a puppet of military superpowers, particularly the aggressive and militaristic US, it seems unlikely that a Green government would be able to effect any genuine achievements in nuclear disarmament. There is, in fact, no comprehensive analysis of the terrorist attacks on citizens of foreign countries, such as Afghanistan and Yugoslavia, by the US and British military forces or the links between neo-liberal globalisation and militarism. The spring conference was a missed opportunity for the Greens to establish themselves as something other than the vague, fuzzy-minded reformists they have always been.

The Green party's 'anti-war' approach shown in the recent Stop the War protests is not grounded in a rejection of militarism. In fact, the German Greens' support for the genocide and environmental destruction unleashed on Afghanistan is testament to the fact that the Green movement is as likely as Labour to sell out on pacifism to please the establishment. The British Greens would do just the same in the event of being elected into government.

Don't have any illusions about the Green Party - it's not a radical alternative to the military-industrial order that is destroying this planet. The only option is revolution.