US official’s visit sparks anti-war protest

ANTI-WAR and human rights campaigners yesterday protested over a visit by US Health Secretary Tommy Thompson to Ireland.

Mr Thompson was the guest speaker at a conference in Cork for EU health ministers. He told a press briefing that the American people and US President George W Bush were upset about recent revelations of torture in Iraq.

Mr Thompson said the nature of war gave rise to shameful actions. “You cannot control every human impulse, you cannot control every human act,” he said.

Mr Bush does not condone these violations and the US government is making every effort to change the procedures and ensure it never happens again, the minister added.

Asked if he thought US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld should resign because of the human rights abuses in Iraq, Mr Thompson said: “No, I do not think it is time for him to resign. Secretary Rumsfeld has shown not only his mettle but his leadership qualities in regard to improving the military in America and therefore the free world.”

Mr Thompson said the US defence secretary had a good record and overall the war in Iraq was right. “It rid the world of a despot who was himself a weapon of mass destruction,” he said.

Mr Thompson said he would brief Mr Bush about anti-war protests in advance of his June visit to Ireland.

Health Minister Micheál Martin, who hosted the meeting of the 25 EU health ministers, said Mr Thompson was very welcome in Ireland.

He added that Mr Thompson had given support to information technology links between Dublin, Belfast and Washington which helped improve cancer diagnosis, clinical trials and prevention.

Protesters objecting to plans for a €90 million toxic waste incinerator in Cork Harbour and supporters of abortion rights also targeted the summit.