While the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) conference continues in New York, a peaceful blockade closed the main entrance of the AWE, blocking all access to the West Gate complex.
Only three lorries have got into the AWE this morning, and work for new weapons developments has been stopped by the blockade.

NOTE: updates and photos can be found at  http://www.aldermaston.net/camp_news/

"We believe that these new developments will equip the UK to test, design and build new weapons which will violate the UK's commitments under Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)", Block the Builders stated.

The protest - which is calling on the government to come clean about its real plans for AWE Aldermaston - takes place at the same time as the NPT Review Conference in New York, where the UK delegation is coming under increasing diplomatic pressure to honour disarmament commitments made in 2000. At the last NPT Review Conference in 2000, the UK, as a nuclear-weapons state, made a series of commitments, including, "An unequivocal undertaking [by the nuclear-weapon States] to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals leading to nuclear disarmament to which all States parties are committed under Article VI"

"What we're seeing every day at Aldermaston does not look like measures towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons, but the first stages of building the next generation of nuclear weapons", said Aldermaston Women's Peace Camp-aign, who are supporting the protest.

Despite the National Statement on 5 May 2005, made to the NPT conference by UK Ambassador John Freeman, Head of the UK Delegation, reaffirming "the UK's unwavering commitment to all its obligations under the Treaty",[1] earlier this week, the Independent revealed that Tony Blair had already decided to replace Trident with a new generation of nuclear deterrent. [2]

Work started on clearing the sites of at least two new buildings last month, following the approval in February of final planning permission for two I.T. buildings, thought to be associated with a new super-computer, and an office building for staff and contractors working on the new developments. AWE also started a major recruitment drive last month.

It is this work that has been stopped by this morning's protest, as the lorries and machinery used for clearing the site enters by the West Gate. "Block the Builders" campaigners at the protest can be contacted on 07887 802879, and the blockade is expected to continue for some time.

For further details: ring 07887 802879; email btb (at) aldermaston.net

Notes
[1] For the text of the Ambassador's speech, see  http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1061396428128
[2] PM secretly signs up to a new deterrent as UN tries to cut global threat, 2 May.
[3] For a summary of recent history of new developments at AWE Aldermaston, see Peace News article, Behind the Wire: UK's Pork Pies at the NPT,  http://www.aldermaston.net/articles
[4] For more information about the Block the Builders Campaign, see  http://www.blockthebuilders.org.uk