Taoiseach wants a war on Iraq, claim Greens : FF Backbenchers demand recall of Dail

national | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday March 18, 2003 14:42 by v a c c u m

Taoiseach wants a war on Iraq, claim Greens FF backbenchers intensify bid for Dáil recall

Taoiseach wants a war on Iraq, claim Greens
By Piaras Murphy Last updated: 18-03-03, 13:00

Green Party spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr John Gormley, has accused the Taoiseach of wanting a war in Iraq and of only supporting a second UN resolution on Iraq as justification for war there.

Mr Gormley also called on the Progressive Democrats to "stand up and be counted" by joining the opposition and voting against the Government. Mr Gormley was speaking at a joint press conference of groups against war hosted by the Irish Anti-War Movement.

He also asked "where were the Robin Cooks" of the Government - a reference to the resignation from the British cabinet by Mr Robin Cook in protest at the British involvement in war in Iraq.

"Where are the Fianna Fáil backbenchers who said that a second UN resolution was necessary?" asked Mr Gormley. "Will they now resign?"

Also speaking at the press conference was SIPTU general secretary Mr Noel O'Flynn who rejected claims that jobs would be lost if Ireland were to stop US military aircraft from using Shannon Airport.

"US companies come here for the quality of the Irish workforce," said Mr O'Flynn, who agreed with Mr Gormley's assessment that US companies are attracted to Ireland because of its favourable tax regime.

Sinn Féin's spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr Aengus Ó Snodaigh, said the Government was in violation of Ireland's neutrality by allowing US military aircraft to use Shannon Airport and Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel.

"It appears the Government has also been allowing the US Air Force to land at Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel. We need to establish the full extent of this Government's neutrality violations through full public disclosure, not ad-hoc information squeezed out of a secretive Government," said Mr Ó Snodaigh.

"What we need is a public audit on the state of Irish Neutrality," he said.

Mr Richard Boyd Barrett, chairman of the Irish Anti-War Movement, outlined the protests that would take place when an attack on Iraq is announced.

He said that there would be a protest at noon on the day war was announced and he called on workers nationwide to stop work for ten minutes to protest at that time. Mr Boyd Barrett also called on people to protest outside the US embassy in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, at 6 p.m. on the same day.

"By continuing these protests we will encourage more Americans to join in the growing anti-war movement there," he said. Mr Boyd Barrett added that it was the US anti-war movement that had the potential to force the Bush administration to stop war in Iraq.

There will also be protests in Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Derry and Waterford on Saturday, March 22nd.

FF backbenchers intensify bid for Dáil recall
By Mary Dundon, Political Reporter

FIANNA FÁIL backbenchers stepped up pressure on the Taoiseach last night to recall the Dáil to allow them debate the threatened war in Iraq and continued use of Shannon Airport by the US military.

Six Fianna Fáil backbenchers have stated their opposition to the US military’s use of Shannon.

The Taoiseach has signalled the Government will continue to allow the US use Shannon even if it goes to war without a UN mandate.

Mr Ahern met with Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen yesterday as diplomatic efforts to find a solution to the growing crisis failed.

The Cabinet will meet tomorrow to formulate the Government’s official position on Shannon Airport.

Fianna Fáil backbencher Martin Brady yesterday called on the Government to stop the US military using facilities at Shannon.

“We believe the Government should stop the US using Shannon because it will also become a genuine target for terrorists attacks,” the Dublin North East deputy said.

Another Fianna Fáil backbencher, John McGuinness, said the Dáil must be recalled immediately to review the use of Shannon because there is no UN backing for war.

Opposition parties also intensified pressure on the Taoiseach yesterday to recall the Dáil.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the Government will have to tell the US we are closing off Shannon if America invades Iraq without a UN mandate.

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said the Taoiseach must fulfil his pledge to allow a debate on the imminent war in the event of unilateral action by the US.

Green Party chairman John Gormley claimed the Government will put intense pressure on Fianna Fáil backbenchers opposed to the US military’s use of Shannon to toe the line in the coming week.

Responding to demands for the Dáil to be recalled, a Government spokeswoman said there were still no plans to do this.

But if war breaks out the Taoiseach is expected to recall the Dáil immediately.

“The Taoiseach has said if there was no second UN resolution sanctioning an attack on Iraq, the Cabinet would meet to decide our position and the Dáil will be given a chance to debate the issue,” the spokeswoman said.

Meanwhile, CIÉ workers yesterday said they will down tools for 10 minutes at noon on the day of an attack being launched on Iraq.