Neutrality in tatters, says Green Party
The Government's stance on Iraq and allowing the United States to use Shannon airport shows that the Seville Declaration on neutrality is a meaningless con-job, according to the party's foreign affairs spokesman, John Gormley.
"The Americans now treat Shannon as a domestic military airport. Soldiers in desert fatigues can be seen walking around the airport complex and will talk openly about their destination.
"These transports are clearly being used to build up forces for an attack on Iraq and yet our Government says absolutely nothing. How is this compatible with Ireland's status of neutrality," he said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen has done more to dismantle Irish neutrality than any other minister, Deputy Gormley said.
The war in Afghanistan was a turning point, he said, as the assent of the Dáil for the use of Shannon airport by the US military was not sought.
The German Government had opposed any attack on Iraq, yet the Irish Government remained silent, Deputy Gormley said.
"It is unethical and it is unjust to attack these people. I believe the majority of Irish people share that view," he said. The use of Shannon was unconstitutional and was being challenged in the High Court at present, Deputy Gormley said.
Ireland could be proud of its record on the UN Security Council of raising human rights issues, GP Cllr Deirdre de Búrca said, but had been remiss in not speaking out on US attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq.
"It seems that the Government has felt that because of our size, we have had to row in behind the larger countries," she said.
GP transport spokesman Eamon Ryan said there was no doubt that the principal motivation behind the US threats against Iraq was the consolidation of oil sources in the Persian Gulf.
Launching its position paper opposing a war on Iraq, the Green Party said it wants the government to:
l Oppose any UN Resolution enabling military action to be taken against Iraq.
l Work for lifting of the sanctions against Iraq.
l Highlight the need for the removal of all Weapons of Mass Destruction from the region.
l Call for a total ban on the use of depleted uranium weapons. l Speak out against the unauthorised "no-fly" zones.
