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'''Western Goals (UK)''' was |
'''Western Goals (UK)''' was an ] and ultra-conservative organisation in the ]. Its activities included campaigning against charities such as ], ], and ] which it saw as left-wing, and denouncing as "extremist", left-wing ] candidates. It was founded in May 1985 as the British branch of the American organisation the ], with Paul Masson, BA, Stuart Notholt, ] (Oxon), FRGS., and ], all members of the Young ]), as its directors. | ||
Western Goals also participated in the ] and sent delegates to the WACL Conference in ]. WG's Director of Information was the Secretary of the WACL Committee on international freedom struggles. Western Goals was also active in conjunction with a number of organisations involved in countering terrorism and terrorist propaganda, particularly that of the ] in ], and the ] in southern Africa. Western Goals UK was affiliated to similar anti-terrorist groups worldwide, most notably 'Victims Against Terrorism in South Africa'." | Western Goals also participated in the ] and sent delegates to the WACL Conference in ]. WG's Director of Information was the Secretary of the WACL Committee on international freedom struggles. Western Goals was also active in conjunction with a number of organisations involved in countering terrorism and terrorist propaganda, particularly that of the ] (IRA) in ], and the ] (ANC) in southern Africa. Western Goals UK was affiliated to similar anti-terrorist groups worldwide, most notably 'Victims Against Terrorism in South Africa'." | ||
In 1987 the group was active during the General Election "exposing Leftist candidates - of all major parties - and ensuring they were defeated". ], leader of the ] and a supporter of the |
In 1987, the group was active during the General Election "exposing Leftist candidates - of all major parties - and ensuring they were defeated". ], leader of the ] and a supporter of the IRA was high on their list. During the course of the campaign, a list of 100 Labour candidates with alleged Marxist affiliations was circulated and gained widespread press attention. One who was singled out for special vitriol was Kenneth Stewart, whom the Soviet government had presented with ''The Complete Works of Lenin'' after he had written to Kosygin complaining of "the shortage of Marxist literature" in his local public library. WG then produced an additional report on 67 candidates allegedly engaged in covert ultra-Left activities. This list formed part of a special 4-page supplement in the '']''. | ||
Its early 1988 publicity brochure stated that: "Western Goals UK is active on a number of fronts - highlighting and combating the insidious menace of liberalism and communism in all sectors of British society. The directors are experienced politicians and professional Public Relations executives, lawyers, authors, and journalists - a unique portfolio of skills which enables Western Goals both to counter the Marxist agenda and to strengthen the Western values of |
Its early 1988 publicity brochure stated that: "Western Goals UK is active on a number of fronts - highlighting and combating the insidious menace of liberalism and communism in all sectors of British society. The directors are experienced politicians and professional Public Relations executives, lawyers, authors, and journalists - a unique portfolio of skills which enables Western Goals both to counter the Marxist agenda and to strengthen the Western values of civilisation and free enterprise. Our media pack contains choice vitriol, lies and smears from the liberal and radical media - proof that Western Goals UK is hitting the Marxists where it hurts! Western Goals UK currently has three main projects: Domestic Affairs Unit (Charities), Africa Desk, and International Desk (mainly Europe)". | ||
By 1988 Mark D Haley, ]., was Chairman, and other additional members of the directorate were |
By 1988, Mark D Haley, ]., was Chairman, and other additional members of the directorate were barrister Michael McCrone, ], AKC, and Gideon Sherman, son of Sir ]. Its Parliamentary Advisory Board that year included the Rev. ], ] ] for ], (later also a Vice-President), ], MP, ] MP, and ], MP. | ||
In 1988, one of their pamphlets stated that they were "Britain's leading political research organization for investigating and exposing liberal and Marxist threats to Western values. It has been involved in highlighting Marxist control of 'Third World development agencies'." | In 1988, one of their pamphlets stated that they were "Britain's leading political research organization for investigating and exposing liberal and Marxist threats to Western values. It has been involved in highlighting Marxist control of 'Third World development agencies'." | ||
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In "An Open Letter to the Conservative Party Conference" in October 1988 (see below), the group's Patrons were: General Sir ], KCB, CBE, DSO., Major Sir ]. MC, VRD, RM (Retd)., and its Vice-Presidents were Peter Dally, Professor ], MA (Oxon), DLitt, Linda Catoe Guell, Tryggvi McDonald, Rev ], MP, Merlin Hanbury-Tracy ], Rev Basil Watson, OBE, MA, RN(Retd). | In "An Open Letter to the Conservative Party Conference" in October 1988 (see below), the group's Patrons were: General Sir ], KCB, CBE, DSO., Major Sir ]. MC, VRD, RM (Retd)., and its Vice-Presidents were Peter Dally, Professor ], MA (Oxon), DLitt, Linda Catoe Guell, Tryggvi McDonald, Rev ], MP, Merlin Hanbury-Tracy ], Rev Basil Watson, OBE, MA, RN(Retd). | ||
Also in 1988, they helped organise a visit to Britain by ] leader of ]'s ] rebel group, following which WG Director Stuart Notholt visited |
Also in 1988, they helped organise a visit to Britain by ] leader of ]'s ] (UNITA) rebel group, following which WG Director Stuart Notholt visited Angola and ], and issued an "Open Letter to the ] Conference" in October 1988, the opening paragraph stating: "We urge all Conservatives to take cognizance of recent developments in South Western Africa where a disaster for Western Interests unparalleled since the loss of Vietnam is unfolding" and calling for "the Angolan patriots of UNITA" who faced "the might of a Cuban army equipped with the most modern Soviet equipment" to be given every possible support. | ||
Following ]'s claims that the |
Following ]'s claims that the ANC and the IRA had been "plotting" together, and his public call for ] to deport ANC members from Britain ('']'', 16 July 1988), Western Goals UK held a fringe meeting at the October 1988 Conservative Party Conference on the subject of "International Terrorism - how the West can fight back". The speakers were Andrew Hunter, MP, Sir ], and Dr.]. Peter Dally of the ]'s UK Chapter, the ], was in the chair and a message was read to the meeting from General Sir ]. Andrew Hunter spoke on high-level connections between the IRA and ANC, in which he stated that "the ANC ultimately relies on the ] for virtually all its weaponry and explosives. The IRA also depends appreciably on Eastern European sources for its weapons of war." In September Hunter had given the Prime Minister a lengthy dossier detailing his evidence. (Refer WG Press Release, 13 October 1988). | ||
The London magazine ''City Limits'' (October 20, 1988) gave extensive coverage to what they called the "Tories' Loony Fringe" activities at that month's |
The London magazine ''City Limits'' (October 20, 1988) gave extensive coverage to what they called the "Tories' Loony Fringe" activities at that month's Conservative Party Conference at ], and included Western Goals' finge meeetings. | ||
The group published numerous policy sheets and a newsletter entitled ''Young European'' and edited by Stuart Notholt. The October 1988 edition carried a leading article by Andrew V R Smith, |
The group published numerous policy sheets and a newsletter entitled ''Young European'' and edited by Stuart Notholt. The October 1988 edition carried a leading article by Andrew V R Smith, "Freedom from Communism - the hope of millions", and an article by Peter Dally opposing the British withdrawal from ]. The December edition cited AVR Smith as Secretary-General of the "Young Europeans for World Freedom". | ||
Western Goals issued a Press Release on the 16 November 1988, headed "British Conservative Group warns Botha against 'going soft on communism'". On Saturday 10 December a delegation from Western Goals took part in the ''European Freedom Rally'' in ], organised by the European Freedom Campaign, whose Secretariat included the Rt. Hon. Sir ], ], CBE, and ], editor of the ]'s ''Freedom Today'' newspaper. | Western Goals issued a Press Release on the 16 November 1988, headed "British Conservative Group warns Botha against 'going soft on communism'". On Saturday 10 December a delegation from Western Goals took part in the ''European Freedom Rally'' in ], organised by the European Freedom Campaign, whose Secretariat included the Rt. Hon. Sir ], ], CBE, and ], editor of the ]'s ''Freedom Today'' newspaper. | ||
Andrew V R Smith had a long letter from Western Goals UK published in '']'' on 1 January 1989, entitled |
Andrew V R Smith had a long letter from Western Goals UK published in '']'' on 1 January 1989, entitled "Links with Terrorists", which was wide-ranging in those it encompassed but included the ANC, ], the ], and urged readers to write to the ]. On 15 January, Smith had another letter on behalf of Western Goals in '']'' attacking Sir Brian Young, Director of ] and their political activities in Britain and abroad. On the 22 January Western Goals UK was mentioned in '']'' (in an article about the deportation of the ]n, Viraj Mendis) as criticising the British Council of Churches. | ||
In a BBC interview on |
In a BBC interview on 31 January 1989, Western Goals Director ], stated "Western Goals deplores the general and moral decay of the West, and opposes the free market. We are most concerned with national self-determination, independence, and non-alignment. It does not worry us if the media call us the 'loony right'. Such a comment can only be made by those who have not read our literature or ar too thick to comprehend it." | ||
Western Goals UK issued a |
Western Goals UK issued a press release on 20 April 1989 headed "]n Crisis Worsening, say research group". The preamble states that the details herein are compiled form "first-hand material from the local population and inteeligence sources" and much is made of ]'s connections with the ]; it attacks ]. | ||
On 5 May 1989 Western Goals UK issued a joint Press Release with Major-General ]'s Free World Foundation attacking ]'s ], referring to him as "Latin America's Gaddafi", and "a modern-day Stalin", and urging ] to shun him during his visit to London the following week. The same month, Western Goals UK published a |
On 5 May 1989 Western Goals UK issued a joint Press Release with Major-General ]'s Free World Foundation attacking ]'s ], referring to him as "Latin America's Gaddafi", and "a modern-day Stalin", and urging ] to shun him during his visit to London the following week. The same month, Western Goals UK published a "Briefing Paper", entitled ''IRA/ANC: Partners in Terror''. | ||
As a result of their expanding activities, membership and organisation, Western Goals UK was reformed later in 1989, becoming the ], independent of the US foundation. | As a result of their expanding activities, membership and organisation, Western Goals UK was reformed later in 1989, becoming the ], independent of the US foundation. | ||
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==Some Western Goals UK publications== | ==Some Western Goals UK publications== | ||
* ''European Dawn'' short-lived tabloid newspaper on quality paper. The July 1989 edition carried headlines on ] elections and |
* ''European Dawn'' -- short-lived tabloid newspaper on quality paper. The July 1989 edition carried headlines on ] elections and "Reds to come clean over 1940?"; page 6 carries an article: "Outcry grows over ] sell-out", and on page 7 there is a "Tribute" to Senator ]. The September 1989 edition carries the headline "AIDS Crisis Deepens" with quotes by ]; another front-page article states "Drugs Menace Crosses Atlantic"; page 4 carries a full-page article by ] entitled "Legacy of Betrayal"; page 6 carried a picture and article on the visit to Britain of Dr. ], and page 7 carries an article entitled "Communist Tactics in ]". | ||
* ''Family Protection Scoreboard'' magazine - |
* ''Family Protection Scoreboard'' magazine - special full edition on ], , editor David W. Balsiger, published by the National Citizens Action Network, Costa Mesa, CA92627, USA.,1989. | ||
* ''Hit-job on ]'' WG Viewpoint Paper, by John Wilkes, April 1990, in which it was claimed that "there is a conspiracy to undermine the Prime Minister, led by liberal establishment figures." | * ''Hit-job on ]'' WG Viewpoint Paper, by John Wilkes, April 1990, in which it was claimed that "there is a conspiracy to undermine the Prime Minister, led by liberal establishment figures." |
Revision as of 12:36, 28 May 2006
Western Goals (UK) was an anti-communist and ultra-conservative organisation in the United Kingdom. Its activities included campaigning against charities such as Oxfam, War On Want, and Christian Aid which it saw as left-wing, and denouncing as "extremist", left-wing Labour Party candidates. It was founded in May 1985 as the British branch of the American organisation the Western Goals Foundation, with Paul Masson, BA, Stuart Notholt, MA (Oxon), FRGS., and Andrew V R Smith, all members of the Young Conservative Monday Club), as its directors.
Western Goals also participated in the World Anti-Communist League and sent delegates to the WACL Conference in Geneva. WG's Director of Information was the Secretary of the WACL Committee on international freedom struggles. Western Goals was also active in conjunction with a number of organisations involved in countering terrorism and terrorist propaganda, particularly that of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) in Ulster, and the African National Congress (ANC) in southern Africa. Western Goals UK was affiliated to similar anti-terrorist groups worldwide, most notably 'Victims Against Terrorism in South Africa'."
In 1987, the group was active during the General Election "exposing Leftist candidates - of all major parties - and ensuring they were defeated". Ken Livingstone, leader of the Greater London Council and a supporter of the IRA was high on their list. During the course of the campaign, a list of 100 Labour candidates with alleged Marxist affiliations was circulated and gained widespread press attention. One who was singled out for special vitriol was Kenneth Stewart, whom the Soviet government had presented with The Complete Works of Lenin after he had written to Kosygin complaining of "the shortage of Marxist literature" in his local public library. WG then produced an additional report on 67 candidates allegedly engaged in covert ultra-Left activities. This list formed part of a special 4-page supplement in the Daily Mail.
Its early 1988 publicity brochure stated that: "Western Goals UK is active on a number of fronts - highlighting and combating the insidious menace of liberalism and communism in all sectors of British society. The directors are experienced politicians and professional Public Relations executives, lawyers, authors, and journalists - a unique portfolio of skills which enables Western Goals both to counter the Marxist agenda and to strengthen the Western values of civilisation and free enterprise. Our media pack contains choice vitriol, lies and smears from the liberal and radical media - proof that Western Goals UK is hitting the Marxists where it hurts! Western Goals UK currently has three main projects: Domestic Affairs Unit (Charities), Africa Desk, and International Desk (mainly Europe)".
By 1988, Mark D Haley, BSc., was Chairman, and other additional members of the directorate were barrister Michael McCrone, LLB, AKC, and Gideon Sherman, son of Sir Alfred Sherman. Its Parliamentary Advisory Board that year included the Rev. Martin Smyth, Ulster Unionist MP for South Belfast, (later also a Vice-President), Neil Hamilton, MP, Bill Walker MP, and Nicholas Winterton, MP.
In 1988, one of their pamphlets stated that they were "Britain's leading political research organization for investigating and exposing liberal and Marxist threats to Western values. It has been involved in highlighting Marxist control of 'Third World development agencies'."
In "An Open Letter to the Conservative Party Conference" in October 1988 (see below), the group's Patrons were: General Sir Walter Walker, KCB, CBE, DSO., Major Sir Patrick Wall. MC, VRD, RM (Retd)., and its Vice-Presidents were Peter Dally, Professor Antony Flew, MA (Oxon), DLitt, Linda Catoe Guell, Tryggvi McDonald, Rev Martin Smyth, MP, Merlin Hanbury-Tracy Baron Sudeley, Rev Basil Watson, OBE, MA, RN(Retd).
Also in 1988, they helped organise a visit to Britain by Jonas Savimbi leader of Angola's National Union for Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) rebel group, following which WG Director Stuart Notholt visited Angola and South Africa, and issued an "Open Letter to the Conservative Party Conference" in October 1988, the opening paragraph stating: "We urge all Conservatives to take cognizance of recent developments in South Western Africa where a disaster for Western Interests unparalleled since the loss of Vietnam is unfolding" and calling for "the Angolan patriots of UNITA" who faced "the might of a Cuban army equipped with the most modern Soviet equipment" to be given every possible support.
Following Andrew Hunter's claims that the ANC and the IRA had been "plotting" together, and his public call for Margaret Thatcher to deport ANC members from Britain (Daily Express, 16 July 1988), Western Goals UK held a fringe meeting at the October 1988 Conservative Party Conference on the subject of "International Terrorism - how the West can fight back". The speakers were Andrew Hunter, MP, Sir Alfred Sherman, and Dr.Harvey Ward. Peter Dally of the World Anti-Communist League's UK Chapter, the British Freedom Council, was in the chair and a message was read to the meeting from General Sir Walter Walker. Andrew Hunter spoke on high-level connections between the IRA and ANC, in which he stated that "the ANC ultimately relies on the USSR for virtually all its weaponry and explosives. The IRA also depends appreciably on Eastern European sources for its weapons of war." In September Hunter had given the Prime Minister a lengthy dossier detailing his evidence. (Refer WG Press Release, 13 October 1988).
The London magazine City Limits (October 20, 1988) gave extensive coverage to what they called the "Tories' Loony Fringe" activities at that month's Conservative Party Conference at Brighton, and included Western Goals' finge meeetings.
The group published numerous policy sheets and a newsletter entitled Young European and edited by Stuart Notholt. The October 1988 edition carried a leading article by Andrew V R Smith, "Freedom from Communism - the hope of millions", and an article by Peter Dally opposing the British withdrawal from Hong Kong. The December edition cited AVR Smith as Secretary-General of the "Young Europeans for World Freedom".
Western Goals issued a Press Release on the 16 November 1988, headed "British Conservative Group warns Botha against 'going soft on communism'". On Saturday 10 December a delegation from Western Goals took part in the European Freedom Rally in Westminster Central Hall, organised by the European Freedom Campaign, whose Secretariat included the Rt. Hon. Sir Frederick Bennett, Norris McWhirter, CBE, and Philip van der Elst, editor of the Freedom Association's Freedom Today newspaper.
Andrew V R Smith had a long letter from Western Goals UK published in The Sunday Telegraph on 1 January 1989, entitled "Links with Terrorists", which was wide-ranging in those it encompassed but included the ANC, Christian Aid, the British Council of Churches, and urged readers to write to the Charity Commission. On 15 January, Smith had another letter on behalf of Western Goals in The Sunday Telegraph attacking Sir Brian Young, Director of Christian Aid and their political activities in Britain and abroad. On the 22 January Western Goals UK was mentioned in The Sunday Telegraph (in an article about the deportation of the Sri Lankan, Viraj Mendis) as criticising the British Council of Churches.
In a BBC interview on 31 January 1989, Western Goals Director Andrew V R Smith, stated "Western Goals deplores the general and moral decay of the West, and opposes the free market. We are most concerned with national self-determination, independence, and non-alignment. It does not worry us if the media call us the 'loony right'. Such a comment can only be made by those who have not read our literature or ar too thick to comprehend it."
Western Goals UK issued a press release on 20 April 1989 headed "Namibian Crisis Worsening, say research group". The preamble states that the details herein are compiled form "first-hand material from the local population and inteeligence sources" and much is made of Sam Nujoma's connections with the People's Republic of China; it attacks South-West Africa People's Organisation.
On 5 May 1989 Western Goals UK issued a joint Press Release with Major-General John K. Singlaub's Free World Foundation attacking Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega, referring to him as "Latin America's Gaddafi", and "a modern-day Stalin", and urging Margaret Thatcher to shun him during his visit to London the following week. The same month, Western Goals UK published a "Briefing Paper", entitled IRA/ANC: Partners in Terror.
As a result of their expanding activities, membership and organisation, Western Goals UK was reformed later in 1989, becoming the Western Goals Institute, independent of the US foundation.
Some Western Goals UK publications
- European Dawn -- short-lived tabloid newspaper on quality paper. The July 1989 edition carried headlines on European Union elections and "Reds to come clean over 1940?"; page 6 carries an article: "Outcry grows over Hong Kong sell-out", and on page 7 there is a "Tribute" to Senator Joseph McCarthy. The September 1989 edition carries the headline "AIDS Crisis Deepens" with quotes by Jean Marie Le Pen; another front-page article states "Drugs Menace Crosses Atlantic"; page 4 carries a full-page article by Gregory Lauder-Frost entitled "Legacy of Betrayal"; page 6 carried a picture and article on the visit to Britain of Dr. Andries Treurnicht, and page 7 carries an article entitled "Communist Tactics in Chile".
- Family Protection Scoreboard magazine - special full edition on Liberation Theology, , editor David W. Balsiger, published by the National Citizens Action Network, Costa Mesa, CA92627, USA.,1989.
- Hit-job on Margaret Thatcher WG Viewpoint Paper, by John Wilkes, April 1990, in which it was claimed that "there is a conspiracy to undermine the Prime Minister, led by liberal establishment figures."