Dear Mr Worthington

I recently read your piece in CounterPunch, dated 20th October 2007, entitled “The Shame of Diego Garcia”. You may be interested to hear what a small band of concerned people are doing to try to highlight this matter further. If you have a few minutes to spare please go to our website http://www.peoplesnavy.com for details. You will see pledges from politicians, professors, authors, doctors and people from all walks of life listed.

Pete Bouquet (original captain of “Rainbow Warrior” and long time member of Greenpeace) and his son Sam are sailing to the Chagos islands in January with the express purpose of highlighting the issues and history of the islanders. They will be taking photographs and movies and making general observations of the state of the islands and surrounding waters (particularly illegal fishing activities) and the houses and associated infrastructure. They will also take note of any obvious neglect by the British Authorities of Chagossian property, and vandalism or damage which has occurred during the absence of the rightful owners.

After learning of the plight of the Chagossians and the intended voyage 4 weeks ago, my partner and I have built a website for this expedition and would be very interested in your feedback. The website will keep everyone updated on their journey with a constant feed from both boats.

We showed Jon Pilger’s “Stealing a Nation” to 150 boat owners here in Marmaris and the response was overwhelming in its emotion and shock. They have rallied round and donated many useful “yachtie” bits of equipment and knowledge. We all feel that our community, which is worldwide and made up of every culture has a role to play in seeking justice for the Chagossians and people like them. We are inviting fellow sailors to sign up their boats to “The Peoples Virtual Navy” and to pledge their support for the project.

”The main and overriding reason for using boats for peaceful protest is that we can get to places that others cannot. We can shine the spotlight on hidden and secret abuses. We can bear witness to injustices and get the message to the outside world. A boat arouses emotion and sympathy in the eyes of observers who have no preconceived ideas or prejudices. They identify with the struggles of those on board, who have the courage and ability to pit themselves against the elements.” Pete Bouquet, June 2004.

Sam was recently interviewed for the Mauritian Times and you can see the article here: http://www.mauritiustimes.com/071207chagos.htm

Kind regards

Liz Cleere

Bob Fearn wrote, “Thanks, Andy, for the Diego Garcia piece. You might be interested in a short chapter that deals with that issue on page 273 in this book that can be downloaded for free. Go to: http://www.amoralamerica.info.”

And Mary Catherine Barton wrote, “Thank you for this wonderful article published in Counterpunch. I am so sorry to learn about my government deliberately secretly brutalizing foreigners. In fact, I am sick to death of so much evil done by our powerful military against the caged unarmed. Please keep the spotlight on. You are doing so much good.

“In my studies of the history of Ireland, in particular, I am well aware of the willingness of the English to torture without giving a damn. Now I know about us, US, maybe Mukasey won’t be affirmed for AG. I’ve let Congress know what I think.”

And German Leyens let me know that it has been translated into Spanish at: http://www.rebelion.org/noticia.php?id=58039

Thanks to both of you.