Labour challenges Taoiseach's comments on Iraq

national | miscellaneous | news report Friday February 07, 2003 12:17 by Flanagan head_office at labour dot ie Ely Place, Dublin 2 6784700

Michael D. Higgins claims the Taoiseach appears to be more prepared to attach greater weight to the presentation of Secretary of State Powell, than to the findings of the United Nations arms inspectors on the ground in Iraq

The Labour Party Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Deputy Michael D. Higgins, has challenged comments made by the Taoiseach during a visit to Portugal in which Mr. Ahern claimed that the Colin Powell presentation to the U.N. Security Council had produced ‘clear evidence’ that Iraq has secretly produced weapons of mass destruction.

“It appears that the Taoiseach is prepared to attach greater weight to the presentation of Secretary of State Powell, than to the findings of the United Nations arms inspectors on the ground in Iraq. It is the UN arms inspectors who have been given responsibility for establishing the situation in Iraq, not the U.S. government.

“Colin Powell’s presentation to the Security Council was simply that – a presentation – and it cannot be regarded as evidence until the claims made have been tested by the Inspectors.”

“The Taoiseach’s comments appear to reflect a shift in the government’s position bringing it closer to those who seem determined to go to war, at virtually any cost.”

“It goes without saying that Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi authorities have an obligation to abide by United Nations resolutions and to do all they can to end this crisis. But the Taoiseach and other world leaders have also a responsibility to the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians and children who would among the first victims of a massive war.”

“War is not inevitable and rather than beating the military drum, the Taoiseach should be joining with other counties such as France and Germany to work for a peaceful solution to this crisis.”