Ahern downplays chance of direct criticism of US policies

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern last night downplayed his raising of direct criticism of American foreign policy in Iraq and the Middle East during the course of the EU-US summit with US President George W Bush in Co Clare today.

Speaking shortly before Mr Bush's arrival in Shannon last night, Mr Ahern said he was more anxious to raise the 'seven important measures' that will be on the summit agenda and on which the EU and US are seeking agreement.

The issues to be discussed at Dromoland Castle do include the Iraqi situation, as well as a declaration of support for the Iraqi people.

The meeting will also focus on the broader Middle East situation, counter-terrorism, measures to prevent the proliferation of WMD and strategies to combat the HIV-Aids problems.

Asked would he adopt a critical tone in relation to the treatment of prisoners in Abu Ghraib prison and in Guantanamo Bay, Mr Ahern indicated it would not be his primary priority but would be outweighed by the agenda items.

"I have given those views in the G8 meetings. I gave the views on St Patrick's Day. The tone of the meeting will be, I want to be very clear about this, we will make those points again.

"The issues that we want are issues that have European Union support to get an agreed position with the United States.

He referred to some of those issues WMD, Aids saying, "these are quite frankly more important issues for the people in Africa and the World than re-stating what was said."

When asked, in an RTÉ interview, if prisoners had been transported through Shannon, Mr Ahern appeared to skirt around the issue by saying the matter had now been made redundant by the adoption of Resolution 1546 by the Security Council.

"Part of that resolution says that members of UN should help, in every way they can, the Coalition forces in Iraq. So whatever the arguments of last year, those arguments are dead.

"[Resolution] 1546 deals specifically with this. Those arguments are history. That issue is now over," he said.

During an interview on Thursday evening, Mr Bush had thanked Mr Ahern for his support for America's war effort.

Last night Mr Ahern responded by saying: "From our perspective, we always would have always liked to see the UN Resolution adhered to. That was the Irish position. We stuck with that to the very last day.

"We did not take part, would never accept that we took part in the Coalition forces. We did less than those people who have been seen to have taken strong lines like the French and the Germans who were participating fully in all those issues.

"[During the Summit] we will be very firm with our comments. But to be clear about this, what we are here to do is to get seven major resolutions passed," he said.

The EU-US Summit is scheduled to run for two hours this morning. It will be preceded by a bilateral Irish and US meeting, at which Mr Ahern and Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen will attend. Mr Bush will then depart Shannon Airport for the NATO summit in Turkey.