Greens Join Proterst Against Bush/Blair visit

national | miscellaneous | news report Monday April 07, 2003 17:10 by Graham Caswell - Green Party

Press Release

Members of the Green Party left Dublin today on their way to Belfast for a protest meeting against the visit of George W Bush. Party Chairman, John Gormley, T.D., who is speaking at the Belfast rally said that “Mr Bush, Mr Blair and the Taoiseach should be in no doubt about the opposition of the Irish people to this illegal war in Iraq".

"The Taoiseach should not try to wrap the UN flag around himself when he has supported a war, which has no UN sanction. The UN may have a role in post-war

Iraq, but the Americans and the British who have destroyed parts of the country should pay the bill for re-construction. It is ironic that President Bush and Mr Blair portray themselves now as peacemakers in Northern Ireland, while they create a new Northern Ireland in Iraq. Their pre-emptive strike, apparently in search of weapons of mass destruction, has created the ideal conditions for long-term terrorism in that region. They have planted the seeds of distrust for many generations to come. This war has, in fact, destabilised the region and will result in a more dangerous world.”

“Again we call on parties who claim to be opposed to this war not to meet with Mr Bush and Mr Blair. The argument that it is in our national interest to meet with them is precisely the same argument that has been used in relation to the Shannon military stopover. What it means, in effect, is that morality and principles will always play second fiddle to these interests. Just what exactly does George W Bush have to do before he becomes persona non grata with the political leaders of this country?" concluded Deputy Gormley.