Refueling Murder at Shannon
international |
anti-war / imperialism |
news report 
Saturday March 19, 2005 12:14
by Edward Horgan - peace and neutrality alliance
Fuel Tankers and Warplanes at Shannon on second aniversary of war
On the second aniversary of the war against Iraq, US Hercules C 130 warplane abuses Irish so-called neutrality, and refuels as it participates in this continuing war.
Out in the Shannon estuary an oil tanker delivers aviation fuel to help refuel this murderous war.
Today at Shannon – Hercules on the runway
This morning at 0715 hours a US air force Hercules C 130 warplane with markings ANG Wyoming 21534 was parked at a specially prepared inner secure compound in the centre of the airfield at Shannon airport, guarded by both Gardai and Irish army, and being serviced and refuelled by FBO company. Meanwhile at the airport marine terminal, or jetty, an oil tanker was unloading aviation fuel to help send such warplanes on their killing missions (see photo). I was shadowed by airport police and Garda (“normal” police) vehicles, as I monitored and photographed this aircraft. However on this occasion they declined to arrest me. No attempt was made by the Irish authorities to arrest and intern this aircraft and its occupants who were in uniform, and are likely to have been carrying weapons and munitions. Since virtually most armoured piercing ammunition now in use by US forces in Iraq contains depleted uranium, it is also likely that this aircraft or others like it are regularly transporting quantities of depleted uranium through Shannon airport.
This particular Hercules took off on the main runway (photo attached) at 0810 hours.
Spent or used depleted uranium ammunition is causing an epidemic of cancer among children in Iraq as a result of the use of this ammunition in the Gulf War in 1991, and war and occupation of Iraq that began in March 2003.
This weekend 19/20th March, marks the second anniversary of this war. The death toll is now well over 100,000 and rising.
lest we forget.
Edward Horgan