Vigil at Polish Embassy Dublin

We Urge Poland to Reject US Missile Base Plans in Poland

Nine people took part in today's vigil outside the Polish Embassy in Dublin where a letter was handed in to the Polish Ambassador, Dr Tadeusz Szumowski.

We vigilled from 12 noon to 1.15 pm when the rain became very heavy. The letter, signed by all nine and handed in by Fintan, read as follows.

Dear Ambasador

Rejecting the US Missile Base Plans in Poland

We are here to vigil at the Polish Embassy in solidarity with our anti-war friends in Poland who are trying to prevent the United States of America from locating new "defence" bases in your country.

The US, as you know, has stated that it is planning to locate up to ten silo-based long-range missile defence interceptors in Poland, probably in Redzikowo. The majority of Polish people are opposed to this plan but there is a danger that your Government appears willing to bargain. The plan has been opposed in the United States by the large and vocal anti-war movement, also by peace and human rights and humanist associations. Democrats in the House of Representatives have voted to cut funding for it.

The present plans of the Bush administration, named "the US National Missile Defense Programme" are a follow-up to the infamous Star Wars programme of the Reagan administration. This programme is now being sold to the world - and to Europe - as a necessary element of the “war against terror”. It has more the appearance of a necessary element of Bush's pursuit of global military domination. It is a further unwarranted incursion by the United States of America into Europe and the affairs of Europe. The US claims that it needs this "shield" in order to protect itself from what it calls “rogue states” like Iran, and North Korea. The country that lied openly to the UN and to the world about the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq in order to facilitate the Bush invasion of that country is now trying to install weapons of mass destruction in Poland on the very same pretext as it used to deceive the world about Iraq.

We oppose the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction from whatever source, we oppose USA or other domination agendas using the pretext of defence, we oppose the waste of money and resources on weaponry and militarism while poverty is rampant in the world.

We urge you not to agree to this US base on European soil but to learn from the lessons of recent history. Don't let Poland - and Europe - become a target for hate by going along with this ill-advised and dangerous project. We are confident that the Government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk will not make the same mistakes as its predecessor.

(Signed) Justin Morahan, John Fitzgibbon, Gearóid Kilgallen, Colm Roddy, Fintan Mullally, Mártín Mac Maoláin, Darren Mac Gearailt, Ciarán Mac Fhearghusa, Máire Mhic Fhearghusa.