PANA Campaigns for Neutrality Amendment
The Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA) has embarked on a
campaign to have Irish neutrality enshrined in the 26 County
constitution.
PANA is a campaign group to fight for an ``independent Irish
Foreign policy, to maintain our neutrality and support the United
Nations and the OSCE as the institution through which Ireland
should pursue its security concerns.''
In particular they are campaigning for an amendment to the
constitution. PANA proposes to amend Article 29.2 , which states
that ``Ireland affirms its adherence to the principle of the
pacific settlement of international arbitration or judicial
determination'', by adding, ``To this end the state shall, in
particular, maintain a policy of non-membership of military
alliances.''
Roger Cole, Chairperson of PANA, explains that by the Spring of
next year Ireland's participation in the UN peace missions will
end. Instead, we have committed troops to the EU's Rapid
Reaction Force. This signals the end of our neutrality and the
start of our involvement in a Federal Nuclear Armed Superstate.
``There is no doubt, whatever, that the Irish people oppose ending
neutrality, and joining any nuclear force. This is why the
government didn't hold the referendum they had promised us in
their manifesto.
``The Neutrality Amendment, if passed, would prevent the political
leaders from destroying our neutrality. It they oppose it, they
will be forced to expose their real objective of Irish membership
of NATO and the WEU, which they publicly oppose.''
The campaign needs the support of 7 TDs, in one party, to secure
discussion of the proposed amendment. To secure a referendum on
the amendment, PANA needs the support of a majority of TDs.
PANA can be contacted at Tel: 2806878,
Email:silchester@eircom.net.
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