Mx Train Set To Run Through A2
MX Train Set to Run Through A2
by Tom Morse and Laurie Wechter
ANN ARBOR--As ludicrous as it seems given the current friendly relations between the U.S. and U.S.S.R., the U.S. Air Force is still planning to deploy a first-strike mobile missile system, the MX Rail Garrison at seven sites around the nation, including Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan.
Wurtsmith will house three to four trains, each carrying two 10-warhead missiles. In times of undefined "crisis" the MX trains would be moved from the base, go south to Midland (4-6 hours) and then head out on a rail line running through Ann Arbor, Plymouth, Detroit, Flint, Lansing and Grand Rapids. The plan is scheduled to be in place by 1994.
Opposition in Michigan is key to stopping deployment of the MX missile system nationwide, said Jeff Tracey, Coordinator of the National Campaign to Stop the MX in Washington, D.C. in a recent interview. "The Rail Garrison program is a package deal," said Tracey. "If any state is able to create enough resistance to pressure the Air Force to change their plan, then the whole program will be brought into question. Michigan, with relatively receptive public officials and well-organized peace and justice organizations, is in a good position to create the necessary response.
Michigan peace organizations say the garrison plan is unnecessary and unsafe. The propellant fuels of the missiles are highly explosive and contain dangerous chemicals including hydrochloric acid and nitrogen tetroxide. In the event of an explosion, the air would carry potentially fatal chemicals for miles. "In Ann Arbor, citizens live as close as 20-feet from railroad tracks. There is no way citizens can be safe," said Ann Arbor City Council member Anne Marie Coleman in a phone interview.
On April 16, 100 Ann Arborites packed a public hearing discussing a resolution to stop the MX in Michigan. A vote on the resolution is expected June 4.
Ann Arbor's local drive to stop the garrison is a smaller version of the campaign by the Michigan Coalition to Stop the MX, a 60-organization group. The coalition's goal is to get a state resolution against the MX passed. The resolution is sponsored by Sen. Lana Pollack (D-Ann Arbor) and Rep. David Gubow (D-Huntington Woods) and has 57 House sponsors. The coalition would like to see the resolution referred to the transportation committee which is chaired by Rep. Curtis Hertel (who has stated that he would support the resolution).
On the federal front, although support is eroding for the MX program, President Bush and Secretary of Defense Cheney are still backing it. Congress will vote this fall on continued funding for the MX as part of the 1990 Defense Authorization Bill. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Michigan) has introduced legislation to cut MX funding and has reportedly found support from Sen. Sam Nunn, Chair of the Armed Forces Committee.
But, says Women's Action for Nuclear Disarmament activist Tobi Hanna-Davies, "Just because there is talk of cutting the MX from the military budget, we must not assume it will happen. People have been fighting the MX for a long time and several times they thought they had won. But it kept coming back. This is the 38th basing plan for the MX. There is a powerful lobby for first-strike weapons. Someone wants them very badly and we must not stop fighting."
On June 16 the Michigan Coalition to Stop the MX is sponsoring a rally In Lansing In support of the resolution to stop MX funding by the state. Caravans from Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Flint, Detroit and Grand Rapids will converge at the Capitol steps at 2 pm. For more Information about local, state or national Stop the MX legislation, call SANE/Freeze at 663-3913.