Rally planned by more than 10,000 protesters opposed to war with Iraq

MORE than 10,000 demonstrators opposed to war with Iraq are expected to hold a rally in Dublin next month.

The rally is planned as part of an

international day of protest against war on Iraq, which will see large gatherings in every capital city in Europe. And the European gatherings, planned for February 15, will coincide with similar demonstrations in the US and Middle East.

Peace activists organising the day's events are aiming to spark one of the largest demonstrations ever and are predicting a possible turnout of up to 10 million worldwide.

Last September, more than 150,000 marched in central London urging Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush not to invade, while a similar demonstration in

Florence last November saw almost half-a-million people take to the streets. Details of the Irish event were finalised last night at a meeting of three Irish peace groups; the Irish Anti-war Movement (IAWM); the NGO Peace Alliance, and the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA).

Roger Cole of PANA said the march would be a significant world gesture in solidarity with the citizens of Iraq.

"We will all be there to support the march, but this is not just about us. There will be millions of people taking to the streets in every capital city of Europe," he said.

And the Labour Party last night also threw its full support behind next month's event as Michael D Higgins criticised the Government for its

silence on Iraq. "I really feel the present government hasn't the courage to come out publicly and say that what they are actually doing is supporting America's wishes for war. It is appalling that (foreign affairs minister) Brian Cowen and the Taoiseach are keeping their silence about this issue," said Deputy Higgins.

Deputy Higgins, who is due to visit Iraq as part of an Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee delegation before the end of this month, also called on the Government to come clean about the use of Shannon Airport by US military flights bound for the Gulf.

"The Taoiseach and the minister for foreign affairs have both been very evasive about how Shannon is being used and what undertakings were

given to Bush on the build-up for war in Iraq," he said.