Republican News · Thursday 16 January 2002

Europe-wide Day of Action against Iraq attack announced

On 15 February, Dublin will play its part in an International Day of Acton against war on Iraq. Mass protests have been organised in every major European capital and in a number of US and Canadian cities also.

The details of the Irish protest were announced by Roger Cole of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance at a press conference on Wednesday. Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Green MEP Patricia McKenna, Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa, Brendan Butler of the NGO Peace Alliance and Richard Boyd-Barrett of the Anti-War Movement all spoke.

Roger Cole said that there is enormous support for the day. "It is very clear that George Bush intends to go to war," Cole said. "The only thing that we can do at this stage is engage in mass protest and bring the force of public opinion down on America.

"We are receiving unprecedented support from people vehemently opposed to Irish involvement in what they see as an unjust war."

Aengus Ó Snodaigh said that it is imperative that Irish complicity in the war build-up ends. "Brian Cowen's ministerial authorisation of overflights and landing of both US military aircraft and civilian aircraft chartered to carry US troops and supplies are in violation of Article 2 of the Hague Convention," Ó Snodaigh said.

"For months now, Sinn Féin has been calling for a debate in the Dáil on this issue of crucial national and international importance, but the government in its typical arrogance has refused. They need to take their heads out of the sand and respond to the Irish public's concerns on this."

Brendan Butler added that if the Irish spoke out against Shannon being used by US troops, it would have an international knock-on affect.

Aengus said that the reason the government wants to remain complicit is because a number of mercenaries will benefit financially from a war. "Shannon Airport has been in dire straits for years, so the landing fees from the US planes are a Godsend. In addition to that, a number of businesses will benefit from a war with Iraq.

"It has been speculated that this war will cost America $380 billion. If America was serious about ending terrorism, why isn't it putting this money towards peaceful reconciliation?"

Aengus concluded: "Sinn Féin is looking forward to playing our part, together with other progressive peoples of the US and Europe, on this most important issue."

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No War On Iraq

International Day Of Action

Saturday 15 February

Starts 2pm Parnell Square, Dublin

Finishes with city centre rally and music