For many years the act of spying would be treated as serious business in any country, the person caught spying would find themselves under terrible interrogation and finally the spy would be executed or be subject to a very large prison sentence, the only escape would be death or an exchange if the spy was thought of as a valuable asset.
So how do we as states decide who is a spy and who is not, how do we see a spy, is it someone who takes “Top Secret” papers, makes drawings and notes of military bases or somebody who takes photographs of military machinery, aircraft and installations. We all know that the description above is the definitive description of a spy. So why is there such a fuss over the arrest of the so-called “Plane Spotters” in Greece?
We have air bases and military installations in our countries and neighbourhoods, so I ask what would the authorities do if some “Plane Spotters” of middle eastern looks were taking photographs and notes at the perimeter of Andrews or Nellis Air Force Base’s we know that there is a authorised deadly force in action there and at other bases in the USA and the UK, so what makes these people different, yes there are a dozen or so of them, and they may not all be spies, but it only takes one of the twelve to be dishonest and this is what we have to be careful of.
The tour was arranged through Touchdown Tours a company that organises plane spotting tours or holidays, the company website brags of clashes with the security forces and publishes photographs of military and civilian aircraft, the very subject of which strikes fear into many of us who travel regularly by aircraft since the terrible events witnessed by millions on 11th September 2001, we all need to exercise caution with every action that we do, even where we park our cars and leave our shopping bags.
We hear almost every day that the spies held in Greece are being treated as criminals, but is that not what they are, they have photographs and notes on several Greek military installations, which is spying whatever the intention it is gathering information on the military strength of a state.
We hear plenty of sound bites from the local MP of whom I am sure would also be as quick to voice his opinion if the “Plane Spotters” were caught outside a USAF base hear in the UK, and appeared to of middle eastern appearance.
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