Irish Anti-War Movement National Assembly

national | miscellaneous | news report Monday May 05, 2003 17:14 by Dominic Carroll - Clonakilty Against the War (personal capacity) clonakiltyagainstthewar at eircom dot net

Agenda Fails to Reflect Diversity of Anti-War Movement

The agenda for this week’s Irish Anti-War Movement National Assembly has been published. The assembly could provide a necessary forum for discussion as to the way forward for the anti-war movement in Ireland. However, this potential is not likely to be realised, due to the poorly conceived agenda for the day.

The agenda for this week’s Irish Anti-War Movement National Assembly has been published. The assembly could provide a necessary forum for discussion as to the way forward for the anti-war movement in Ireland. However, this potential is not likely to be realised, due to the poorly conceived agenda for the day (partly to do with a failure to consult with activists in the anti-war movement when drawing up the agenda).
Below, I make a number of observations, criticisms and proposals.

1. Rally, not forum for discussion and debate
Essentially, the assembly is been planned as though it were a rally – an opportunity for the ‘leadership’ of the movement to educate the membership. Given the constraints of time and – more importantly – given that most, if not all, in attendance are likely to be well-informed on the meaning of this war, the proposed lectures are not necessary and an unwise use of time.

2. Party dominance
Though the diversity of the anti-war movement has been very apparent, the selection of speakers does not reflect this diversity. Overwhelmingly, the anti-war movement has been composed of non-party activists. Party activists have been in a minority. Yet, the non-party element has been largely ignored in favour of three political parties, which in itself negates the involvement of people from parties and organisations other than those mentioned below. The 3-party rivalry is reflected in the carve-up of speaking rights:

3 from the Socialist Workers Party
2 from the Socialist Party
2 from the Green Party

In addition to the 7 speakers from these 3 parties, the 4 other speakers can be said to reflect the diversity of the movement:

1 from the ‘leadership’ of the IAWM
1 from US Citizens in Ireland for Alternatives to War
1 from Ireland–Palestine Solidarity Campaign
1 Iraqi exile

3. Time constraints on discussion and debate
The agenda allows for lectures and introductions by 11 people. On the basis of the estimates below, these speakers will utilise 145 minutes (29%) of available time. Discussion from the floor will be limited to a maximum of 350 minutes (71%) of available time; taking into account late starts and the practicalities of running a meeting, the time available to speakers from the floor is likely to be nearer to 300 minutes – creating, roughly, a 33–67% split in time between the selected speakers and speakers from the floor. This is not enough time for speakers from the floor.

Time allocation
11.00-12.30pm: Forum: End the Occupation of Iraq: Resist the US Empire
Speakers: Nuria Mustafa (Iraqi Exile), Kevin McLoughlin (Socialist Party), Eamonn McCann (Socialist Workers Party), John Gormley TD (Green Party).
40 mins main speakers (est.)
50 mins speakers from the floor (est.)

1.30-3.00pm Workshops x 3 (includes plenary session)
25 mins main speakers at each workshop (est., total 75 mins)
65 mins speakers from the floor at each workship (est., total 195 mins)

3.15-5.30pm
Forum: The Irish Anti-War Movement: An Assessment and Where to Now
Speaker: Richard Boyd Barrett (Chair, Irish Anti-War Movement)
30 mins main speaker (est.)
105 mins speakers from the floor (est.)

4. No real opportunity for discussion and debate
The movement against the war was clearly diverse in composition and outlook. Whilst there was a large degree of agreement, there was also some disagreement on strategy and tactics. In addition, the way forward is likely to be a topic of debate. Yet, the agenda for the national assembly fails to recognise the importance of this debate. It should be the main topic of discussion on the day, with ample time for contributions from the floor.

5. Democracy
The assembly will be the first national gathering for the anti-war movement in Ireland. But it is unclear if this is an assembly of the Irish Anti-War Movement or a broader assembly for those opposed to the war in Iraq.
If it is actually a conference of the Irish Anti-War Movement, then it presents an opportunity to discuss the national structure of the Irish Anti-War Movement.
At present, the movement is not a democratic movement. It is ad hoc. Those who assumed responsibility for running a national campaign should be thanked and congratulated. Now, however, we have the time and space to properly and democratically constitute the Irish Anti-War Movement. The forthcoming assembly provides the first opportunity to set this in train.
The status of this assembly should be seen as interim or provisional; a preliminary gathering dedicated to the proper establishment of a democratic Irish Anti-War Movement.
Resolutions pertaining to the establishment of a democratic Irish Anti-War Movement should be accepted and put to a vote.
In addition, the steering committee should be re-elected. However, this steering committee should be an interim body, charged with responsibility for clarifying and building membership of the Irish Anti-War Movement, and with organising a delegate conference of the Irish Anti-War Movement.

6. Alternative agenda
I propose an amended agenda for the forthcoming National Assembly of the Irish Anti-War Movement, as follows:

11.00–1.00
The Irish Anti-War Movement: Who was involved; what were our successes; what were our failings; what were our differences
Introduction: Richard Boyd Barrett (Chair, Irish Anti-War Movement): 20 mins Chairperson: Nuria Mustafa (Iraqi Exile)
Discussion: 100 mins

Lunch (1 hour)

2.00–4.00
The Irish Anti-War Movement: What next? Our direction, our activities, our structure
Introduction: John Maguire (Cork Anti-War Campaign) 20 mins
Chairperson: Colin Coulter (Dept of Sociology, Maynooth)
Discussion: 100 mins

4.00–4.45
Resolutions pertaining to the establishment of a democratic Irish Anti-War Campaign
Chairperson: Raymond Deane (Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign)

Break (15 mins)

5.00–5.30
Elections to interim Steering Committee
Chairperson: Mary Van Lieshout (US Citizens in Ireland for Alternatives to War)