President Bush continues to violate Shannon airport

by Update Sat Mar 04, 2006 01:42

http://www.jonahhouse.org/WitnessAgainstTortureWH06.htm

by iosaf - "in my cricket hat" Sat Mar 04, 2006 10:27

And usually wherever he goes, repression goes too - we know that. But I'd like to outline what happened in south Asia in this last week, as I've been spending a lot of time with Indians and Pakistanis whom we're helping in Barcelona as they deal with a "slavery shipping contract" & their home affairs have naturally popped up. just a few little details, to give the Irish reader a brief impression of the trouble being stored up for future generations "for all of us" by the Bush regime :-
* Imran Khan the former captain of the Pakistani cricket team was placed under house arrest so he couldn't protest the Bush visit. Khan is leader of the "Tehreek-e-Insaf" or "Movement for Justice party".
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/imran-khan-detained-ov....html
* there were reports of up to 60 people killed in the Pakistani provinces bordering Iran widely circulated in the Pakistani community, the people were said to be killed in "anti-terrorist actions" by their own army, loyal to yet another dictator, Musharraf said by Bush to be his number one ally in the war "on terror". we have been terrorised enough... .
*Not to be deterred Pakistani workers and children alike launched a national unofficial work stoppage and strike, leaving workplaces and schools, and Air Force one flew in with "blinded windows". It had previously given "security flight instruction" to the Indian government. heck don't worry about revolution my friend, you can fly through a nuclear bomb and a hurricane and still have a press conference....
http://www.geo.tv/main_files/pakistan.aspx?id=108953
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/20028432....html
*Imran Khan's party (more on the lines of something we would recognise, was not the only one to be locked up ahead of the gig, the much more weighty Islamist party Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) Islamist alliance saw at least 350 of its activists detained, _without charge_ infringing their _human rights_. Thats what a Bush visit is about.
http://paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=135359
But of course the Americans say its all about making friends. And only a few years after "doing Afghanistan" and might I remind you, not effecting Opium production or the availabilty of Smack on your streets "one iota" in the process, Bush has now made overtures on nuclear co-operation with India. The geo-political game is supposed to continue playing India off against Pakistan, what would Mahatma Ghandi have thought? and stop regional emergence of a Chinese superpower Meanwhile at least 3 people in India died whilst telling Bush, that his friendship is lies, his peace - war, his free trade nought more than slavery contracts, his ecological award winning bunker home in Texas -salt in the wounds of the hurricanes, his justice - theft.
http://english.people.com.cn/200603/04/eng20060304_2477....html
http://www.examiner.ie/pport/web/world/Full_Story/did-s...g.asp
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DEL241871.htm & behind it all, the simple yet very sophisticated ship-workers I've spent much of the week talking to, (who have travelled more and seen more of humanity than I might ever dream) say its all about the roads and pipelines they want to build between China and South Asia, so that the people of that continent may trade more efficiently amongst themselves, being neighbours, and not having to rely on shipping routes which are longer and more expensive. Of course those shipping routes were established by the Western powers, they were once the pearls of the British and other empires.
& that at end is what the USA and its allies are about. The continuation of global empire. But this time the pearls and swine are on the other side and Ireland is as much an oink! as any other satelite.

by RE: Ed Horgan Sat Mar 04, 2006 10:54

Ed, fair play to you for saying it as it is in relation to the US war machine. However, I doubt very much indeed that a cardiac ambulance is or was on standby for George Dubya when he touches down in Shannon! This seems a laughable notion, I have a picure in my head of the two lads out of The D'unbelievable's jumping out of the ambulance at the end of the runway, "C'mon lads, will ye clear away oura dat and let me poor man into the ambulance"!!! Somehow I don't think so...!!! ;-) I imagine any health problems can be sorted out on his airplane! I doubt the Secret Servce would be relying on any limb of our health service should the president have health issues while here!

by Edward Horgan - PANA, and Mid West Alliance against War Sat Mar 04, 2006 12:20

You may be right Knucle Dowen, and im sure Bush does have all the medical aids he needs on Airforce One. I am only reporting what I heard from a reliable source. The possibility is that our spineless leaders insisted on providing Clare's cardiac ambulance without it even being requested. After all, our Taoiseach offered the use of Shannon airport, Irish airspace, and Irish neutrality, and Irish sovereignty to the US about two weeks after 9/11. What is one cardiac ambulance, and the possible death one Co Clare person, compared with over 100,000 Iraqi dead, and the millions of Dollars we are getting from US investment?
Edward

by Conor Cregan Sat Mar 04, 2006 12:47

As I was walking throught the town of Shannon I encountered the "foot soldiers"of An Gardai Siochana gearing up for their peace vigil at the airport. Tonight they along with the Irish Defence Forces will stand sentry to the real presidental security provided by the american secret service. How many trolleyes could be shoved into the hospitals of Ireland for the price of this security operation while George W lies drowling on his pillow?

by Shannon Worker Sat Mar 04, 2006 12:51

Ed as usual it sounds like you are only making up stories to try to stir the pot, as knuckle down says AF1 is well equipped to deal with any cardiac problems the president may incur.

by anon Sat Mar 04, 2006 12:54

there wouldn't be an ambulance brought to the site of such a large gardai and army operation?

by redjade Sat Mar 04, 2006 15:44

Feb 28 2006
Reuters' photos by Jim Young

found at
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?p=bush+shannon...hotos

Reuters' photo by Jim Young

Reuters' photo by Jim Young

Reuters' photo by Jim Young

Reuters' photo by Jim Young

Reuters' photo by Jim Young

by redjade - {for the archives of history and The Haag} Sat Mar 04, 2006 15:51

Feb 28 2006
Photos by AP Photographer Charles Dharapak

found at
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?p=bush+shannon...hotos

Photo by AP Photographer Charles Dharapak

Photo by AP Photographer Charles Dharapak

Photo by AP Photographer Charles Dharapak

Photo by AP Photographer Charles Dharapak

Photo by AP Photographer Charles Dharapak

by redjade - {archived evidence for a future trial} Sat Mar 04, 2006 16:00

White House photos by Paul Morse

———
The US Dept of Defense has for years been very careful not to have photos or information about Shannon Airport on their websites. The link below shows how little there is....
http://www.defenselink.mil/srch/search?c=A3B245203F9EBE...eland
———

President George W. Bush poses for photos with U.S. Marines headed to Iraq, during a stopover Tuesday evening, Feb. 28, 2006 at Shannon, Ireland's international airport terminal. President George W. Bush meets with U.S. Marines headed to Iraq, during a stopover Tuesday evening, Feb. 28, 2006 at Shannon, Ireland's international airport terminal. President Bush visited with the Marines as part of his five-day visit to India and Pakistan.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/02/images/....html

President George W. Bush meets with U.S. Marines headed to Iraq, during a stopover Tuesday evening, Feb. 28, 2006 at Shannon, Ireland's international airport terminal. President Bush visited with the Marines as part of his five-day visit to India and Pakistan.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/02/images/....html

White House photo by Paul Morse

White House photo by Paul Morse

by redjade Sat Mar 04, 2006 16:09

This Condi quote from June 2004 is interesting because it implies that US Military use of Shannon is perhaps Irish Gov't payback for US involvement in GFA and other diplomatic efforts regarding the North.

Is the underlying blackmail from the USA, 'Support our war or we will no longer help you in ending your war'? Support War or you don't get Peace?

Sycophancy: 'abject or cringing submissiveness'
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sycophancy

—————————

Press Briefing by National Security Advisor Dr. Condoleezza Rice on the President's Trip to Ireland and Turkey

June 24, 2004

Q Dr. Rice, regarding the trip to Ireland, is the President and you, yourself, aware of how much political capital the Taoiseach put up by allowing the U.S. military to use Shannon Airport during the war with Iraq? And are you aware of the potential thousands of protesters who are planning to greet the President when he arrives?

DR. RICE: First of all, in terms of protesters, that's what democracy is about. And I -- every time, I'm asked this question, I remind people that actually now people in Baghdad and also in Kabul have the right to protest. They were under the most brutal regimes where you had your tongue cut out for protesting. So the people who protest anyplace in the world, Ireland, or wherever else, when they protest I hope will just remember that what has been delivered as a result of this war effort is the freedom to exercise the very liberties that they are exercising to other people who were denied that for so long -- and not just denied it, but punished for it, oppressed by it, killed by it, tortured for it. It's very important that people who live in freedom not assume that it is their gift alone to live in freedom, but understand that sometimes that gift has to be extended to others. And that's the only point that I would make.

Now, in terms of the Taoiseach and Irish support, I think the Irish, perhaps as well as anybody, understand political processes when you've been through periods of great violence and terrorism, understand what it means to try to rebuild a society, to have economic prosperity spring from what used to just be considered a chaotic situation. And I very often find myself when I'm talking to groups of Europeans, in general, to ask people to look back at their own histories and to look at the darkest points in their own history, and to ask what it would have been like if people had abandoned them in those dark moments. The Iraqi people, as Prime Minister Allawi said in his opening line, are going through a difficult period now. They need those who are lucky enough to be on the side of -- who live in freedom to stay with them and not abandon them.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/2004062....html

by phamvandong - vaiw.org Sat Mar 04, 2006 16:44 joeoleddy at yahoo dot com 1-508-896-6932

. The idea is to make the 'Black Shamrock' the symbol of Irish Resistance to the Iraq War and our complicity in it (Shannon in Ireland and Frankfurt in Germany are the major hubs for the US conquest of the Middle East) just in time for Paddy's Day. There's some more info below but that's about it. it's just an idea at the end of the Bush's trip back to Fauxlandia Feel free to design your own and distribute them as they may. If you find yourself outside of Ireland, in New York, or boston, or Philly or Dayton or Dallas maybe you could approach the owner of your nearest Irish bars/pubs or see what the plans are for any St. Patrick Day's celebrations and get the idea out there, international solidarity and awareness raising to the campaign in Ireland would be great.

No to Bush War, either in Eire or the colonies!

WEAR A BLACK SHAMROCK!

SIOCHAN! SALAAM! SHALOM!

BUSH MILITARIZES IRELAND AGAIN -SINN USAF BASE

by redjade Sat Mar 04, 2006 17:35

phamvandong,

Not a bad idea - as a symbol it chimes in nicely with Route Irish
(note top listing on Google)
http://www.google.com/search?&q=route+irish

———

Details emerged Friday of Blair's interview on an ITV1 television talk show where he said God and history would judge his action in joining the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003.

"That decision has to be taken and has to be lived with, and in the end there is a judgment that -- well, I think if you have faith about these things then you realise that judgment is made by other people," Blair said in the interview with host Michael Parkinson which will air Saturday night.

Pressed to clarify what he meant, Blair, a devout Christian, replied: "If you believe in God, it's made by God as well."

more at
http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/news/story.jsp?id=200603041...view=

by Knuckle dowen now lads! Sat Mar 04, 2006 17:52

Ed,

I agree with your views on the use of Shannon by the US forces. But telling us that a cardiac ambulance is on stand by for George Bush coming here is just taking the piss whether you heard it from a reliable source or not.

Maybe the cardiac ambulance is on stand by for Gardai or Army personnel, but to suggest that in the event that George Dubya has a heart attack that he will be whisked off to the Ennis Regional in a cardiac ambulance is so stupid that whoever told you that muct have been out to wind you up!

I'm sure the Secret Service lads check out this website before he main man comes, to see if there are any mutterings of disorder and the like and I'd say they are breaking their arses laughing that that one! ;-)

Nee Naa, nee naa, nee naa, "lads, would yez ever mind pullin into the hard shoulder there for a bit, we've trying to get your man down to the Ennis Regional, he's after chokin on a fuckin Pretzel again!"

by iosaf Sat Mar 04, 2006 18:17

I was present for the conference on Y2K in which Gates made his "information is power" comment. And what really creeped the people out working at the conference centre in London was the fact that three of the central London hospitals were taken over by spooks a full 12 hours before he arrived. *Not one but three* My flatmate was working in one of the Emergency rooms that night, the spooks took up position and had medical teams on standby to deal with everything, "if anything happens to the target this is our hospital" sort of attitude. & what was really weird was, no-one but no-one said peep. As for Airforce One, we know (coz its on the historical record) (and has to be true) that after the back of JFK's head was taken off in Dallas, they put him on the plane and tried to put it back together again in flight, and then Johnson was sworn in as president of the USA *mid flight* which for conspiracy heads has always been an illegal and unconstitional act. Its rumoured airforce 1 has escape pods, certainly one popped up in a yankee hollywood movie. But when you talk about state aircraft, the one that took the greatest piss had to be the Irish presidential jet. Not content with ordering the most expensive commerical jet on the market, the government on delivery complained that there was no microwave. "Microwaves intefere with the navigation equipment" the makers explained patiently to them. "Not good enough for the great and good of Ireland" came the reply. And so when most of us were doing without hospital beds, school dinners or free school books, (unlike now) the government sent it back and ordered the jet to be reshielded for microwaves. The final delivered vehicle cost almost twice the original "most expensive" price, but at least "an uachtaran" or "an taoiseach" or whomever could have a go in it, could re-heat their cup of tea while making the 20 minute journey from Baldonnel to anywhere else in the state.

I know its irrelevant. but its human interest.

by Conor Cregan. Sat Mar 04, 2006 18:49

We have just finished our afternoon vigil at the Airport. There weems to be a marked increase in the amount of security than last tuesdays operation at Shannon. The mounted unit and the dog unit are busying themselves by touring the airport and town. Makes me think they see this as much of a training exercise than the real deal. Also the Garda helicopter in attendance and there is double the amount of army and Gardai roving patrols. The security around the perimeter fence has been increased. It isa now my intention to inspect the other instalations around the area. i.e.Ballygreen and the radar near the honk pub at the back ofthe airport.
The harrasment level for peace activists was at an all time high as the guards tried unsucessfully tried to keep any disent away form the airport. A group of four activists breached the security cordan and mounted their protest outside the terminal building. At the industrial estate a group of guards tried to play hard ball but this reporter has played this game all too often before. When we regrouped at the roud about at the gantry of the airport a plain clothes garda started taking photos of all those present. When asked he refused to identify himself nut this is a story I will let Tim Hourigan tell................

by Fiona Sat Mar 04, 2006 19:55

It is my understanding that Clare does not have a cardiac ambulance as such. It does, however, have some ambulances with defibrillators.
On the night that George Bush was in Shannon an ambulance with a defibrillator was needed in the Ennistymon area. The relatives of the person who had the heart attack were told that such an ambulance was not available because it was at Shannon Airport because of George Bush's visit.
Ed Horgan was not suggesting that it was for George Bush's use. It would, however, appear that it was out of commission for those who were entitled to it, namely, the sick in Clare.
Is tonight' s visit to cost the state a further €333,000 in security costs when Shannon Town does not even have its own ambulance?

by Conor Cregan Sat Mar 04, 2006 20:02

While plenty of councilors paay lip service to this cause how many will come out tonight and protest this securtiy operation.
There is more boots onthe ground here at Shannon tonght than was at the riots of Dublin last week while members of An Garda Siochana burned alive.

by Hedley Lamaar Sat Mar 04, 2006 20:04

I have to ask some questions here from people who are involved in the demonstrations in Shannon, in one sense to get some conversation going on this particular part of what is happening. My first question is or comment is, does it appear that the behaviour of the machinery of the state is being coordinated??? The way the Gardai are continually facing down requests to board these rendition aircraft (I know this is a bit off the subject of George Bush landing at Shannon but I think it's relevant here for the moment), there is obviously a huge degree of direction, command and control behind the enforcement of the decisions that the gardai are making, probably at Garda inspector, Superintendent and Chief Superintendent level.

Behind this layer of direction, there is obviously a political campaign to ensure that the status quo remains, and that hopefully the elephant in the room will dissappear.

Think of this scenario: A general election is imminent, our government, not exactly ppoular at the moment but with no hugely popular alternative has a lot to play for. Say our Taoiseach is being told by some decision makers in Ireland "Bertie, we need your support on this one, if we can't get your help, we have a good few US (completely non-unionised) companies employing a large number of people in Ireland, they will relocate and announce the relocation before the election if the shit hits the fan on this one".

The whole thing makes me think that our Taoiseach has a gun to his head, it's the only thing that explains the manner in which the government are acting on this one. I don't think it's an implied gun either, I think our government is actually being threatened like this, there is something about this whole affair that doesn't sound right, the way the government are being so coy, evasive and silent, its like watching someone in a hostage drama. When I saw Dermot Ahern explaining why our authorities would not board these aircraft, I thought he looked like a man who knew a whole lot more than he was telling us, and who feared for his job.

I'm wondering would any FOI requests to the relevant government department, asking for information on any communications between for example relevant lobby groups and the government throw up any light on this one??? Maybe the conspiracy runs much deeper than this...

by Knuckle Dowen Sat Mar 04, 2006 20:17

Having read your post Fiona, I couldn't agree more with you. It's a sad reflection of our times that enough people are not protesting about matters such as this. I hope the people of Clare remember this at the next election. It's weird, no matter what the government do, no matter how disgusting the last act was, Irish people will still accept it. That's our problem in Ireland, we tolerate being treated like shit by our government because we are conditioned to it by now to such as degree that it is what we consider to be normal.

by iosaf Sat Mar 04, 2006 20:59

The Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast issued a statement paying tribute to Professor Pantridge upon his death at 88 years of age in 2004. It said: "It was thanks to him that in the late 1960s, Belfast was often described as the safest place in the world to have a heart attack." He installed the first portable defibrillator which ran on car batteries in an ambulance in 1965. Its a simple device which uses electricshocks to restart the heart. We've all seen them in the movies and on TV. A 1985 UK survey found that early pre-hospital treatment among patients under 65 reduced deaths by 38%. In 1990, the UK saw £38m to equip all front-line ambulances in England with defibrillators.

If you don't have a defibrillator, or a cardiac ambulance, don't worry, we don't have hospital beds either, and after the electric shock to start your heart, you won't be sent home in a hurry. Which is the sort of logic which allows the PD minister of health to lose over 150,000,000€ on a computer system. thats 200,000 beds,or a cardiac ambulance for every county of the republic, and two new hospitals with beds. don't tell anyone. its only human interest. start a global empire based on software and information, and you'll get spooks to commendere hospitals for you and they'll fly you there in helicopters.

by Margaret Tue Mar 07, 2006 19:06

A follow up to redjade's post

A few days ago I did have a look around the US Department of Defense and State Department websites for photos and articles relating to US troops and high-ranking members of government at Shannon. I was interested in seeing how the American government represents Ireland's role in the transport of troops and weapons through Shannon to the rest of the world. A large number of press releases are filed from Shannon by American media organisations such as CNN and Reuters. These usually report on official press releases issued on board US government flights enroute to Shannon or feature Question and Answer sessions with the government member in question but I just concentrated on one or two of the official goverenment sites. (This is not an exhaustive search)

The USO entertainment group has been through Shannon a couple of times bringing American Idol contestants, football players and Robin Williams among others.

“The trip left Washington and ran into the first troops at Shannon Airport in Ireland. The chairman's aircraft stopped to refuel, and soldiers returning from Iraq just happened to be there.”
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jan2006/20060104_3828.html

Another tale of “celebrities” meeting troops at Shannon
On the way over to the Middle East, the chairman's aircraft stopped at Shannon, Ireland, to refuel. A planeload of American servicemembers were coming back to the States for rest-and-recuperation leave. As John Elway came out of the ramp from the plane, a lifelong Denver Bronco fan recognized the former quarterback.
"Oh my God, it's John Elway," the sergeant yelled at a volume that could be heard back across the Atlantic Ocean. And he added an expletive when he noticed Williams.
Another soldier spotted Myers. "Are those four stars on his collar?" he asked. Immediately, Myers, Williams, Clark, Elway and Tweeden were surrounded by a group in desert camouflage. Digital cameras appeared, pads of paper came out, and the soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen talked and laughed with the celebrities.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Dec2004/n12182004_20041....html

Accompanying high-res photo: http://www.defenselink.mil/photos/Dec2004/041213-F-2270....html

There were a lot of official and non-official reports and photos from Rumsfeld's visit in 2004 when he met the Oklahoma National Guard at Shannon

Rumsfeld on meeting members of the Oklahoma National Guard at Shannon
Rumsfeld: Well, I'll make a quick comment and then Pete can comment. But I was en route to Iraq -- coming out of Iraq -- last week, week before, and went into the Shannon Airport to refuel. And I walked into a exit lounge and there were 250 Oklahoma National Guard. They were just going in, and I guess it just shows that they're a part of the total force. They are a critically important part of the total force.
http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/2004/tr20040312-....html

Similar to above
RUMSFELD: We currently have 115,000 Americans leaving Iraq, and 115,000 Americans going into Iraq. I landed in Shannon, Ireland, for refueling on the way over here, and I happened to run into an airplane with 225 Oklahoma National Guardsmen en route to Iraq. They were eager to do it, proud of their assignment, all people who volunteered to do it. I’ll say to you what I said to them. Peacekeeping is noble work. You’ll look back in 20 years on what you’ve done in Iraq, and be proud of it. You will have contributed to the liberation and freedom and opportunity for some 25 million Iraqi people. I thank you for it. Your countrymen should thank you for it. And 25 years from now, the Iraqi people will thank you for it.
http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/2004/tr20040225-....html

High res photo of above: http://www.defenselink.mil/photos/Mar2004/040222-F-6655....html

There are a range of official press releases filed from or en-route to Shannon with Donald Rumsfeld's being more frequent leading up to the start of the war

Rumsfeld – Secretary of Defence

Rumsfeld 'Pleased' With Georgia Visit, Moved by Troops' Dedication in Iraq
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Dec2003/n12062003_20031....html

Secretary Rumsfeld En-Route to Shannon Sunday, December 7, 2003
http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/2003/tr20031207-....html

War on Terror Requires Commitment and Money, Rumsfeld Says
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Sep2003/n09082003_20030....html

Rumsfeld Enroute to Shannon, Ireland April 26, 2003
http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/2003/tr20030426-....html

Spring Thaw Likely to Spark Attacks in Afghanistan, April 25, 2002
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Apr2002/n04262002_20020....html

(Briefing en route to Shannon International Airport, Ireland) April 25, 2002
http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/2002/t04262002_t....html

Media availability en route from Washington, D.C. to Shannon, Ireland
December 14, 2001
http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/2001/t12172001_t....html

Rumsfeld to Bush: Don't Veto Bill Over Base Closure, Dec. 15, 2001
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Dec2001/n12142001_20011....html

Opposition Forces Advance 2 Kilometers in Tora Bora Dec. 15, 2001
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Dec2001/n12142001_20011....html

Condoleezza Rice – Secretary of State

Briefing En Route Shannon, Ireland February 24, 2006
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/62076.htm

November 10, 2005
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2005/56773.htm

October 10, 2005
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2005/54639.htm

February 11, 2005
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2005/42167.htm

Donald Rumsfeld with the Oklahoma National Guard, Feb 2004

Colin Powell, Shannon, May 2003

by Paratruth Sun May 28, 2006 19:36

The incident you refer to is utter rubbish! Whilst an ambulance may have been deployed for the visit of Bush . All ambulance's in the state are Cardiac Ambulance equiped. Please get the facts correct as unresearched material makes your case very weak!