Cowen says No vote would unleash ‘dark forces’

SAYING No to Nice would be regarded as perverse rejection by Ireland of a fair and reasonable deal, Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen said yesterday.

Wrapping up the Nice campaign, Minister Cowen said Ireland’s reputation and standing would suffer, as would its country’s relations with the countries waiting to join the EU.

“This week we have heard a great number of voices in the applicant countries appeal to the Irish people to vote Yes. Lech Walesa and Vaclav Havel - people who struggled for freedom and led their people out from under the yoke of communism - are calling on us not to stand in their way.