1 - The Black Vault

• From: I ector ate of Air Staff (Visiting Forces)
MINI'S'l'R-~FENCE
Room 6/10 Metropole Building, Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 6BP
Telephone
(Direct dial)
(Switchboard)
(Fax)
Your Reference:
Sompting
Our Reference: D/DAS/71/22
Lancing
West Sussex Date: 9 August 2001
llllllr-------------------------
PINE GAP- DEFENCE SPACE RESEARCH FACILITY, AUSTRALIA
Thank you for your letter dated 9 April 2001 concerning the Pine Gap facility in Australia and
intelligence relationships. First of all may I apologise for the time taken to reply, but I understand
that your original letter never reached this office.
It may be helpful ifl explain that it is our long-standing practice not to respond to speculation on
alleged intelligence systems or activities. Information on the operations of the intelligence and
security agencies is withheld under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on access to Government
information on the grounds of national security.
Regarding your questions concerning the Pine Gap facility, this is clearly a matter for the
Australian government. However, you may wish to note that in 1988 the Australian Prime
Minister, R J Hawke, made a public statement about this facility:
'Pine Gap is a satellite ground station, whose function is to collect intelligence data which
supports the national security of both Australia and the US. Intelligence collected at Pine Gap
contributes importantly to the verification of arms control and disarmament agreements. '
You also enquire about the relationship between this facility and various US authorities. This is a
matter for the US government.
I hope this explains the position.