Anti-war movement says war has begun

The Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) claimed today the war on Iraq had essentially already begun and it was only a matter of time before a full-scale military strike took place.

"The US decided long ago they were going to attack Iraq. Talk of awaiting the outcome of UN weapons inspections is purely window dressing for public consumption. The US is going in to take over Iraq," said Richard Boyd Barrett, chairperson of the IAWM said.

The IAWM condemned the failure of the Irish government to oppose the US war drive on the UN Security Council.

The IAWM are planning a major national demonstration, which will march to the US embassy on Saturday December 7.

The march is calling for a halt to the US war drive and an end to the use of Shannon by the US military.

"We are calling on all citizens opposed to this war to join us on the march to the US embassy on December 7. Only people power can now prevent a bloody slaughter in Iraq," said Mr Boyd Barrett.