Adams attacks Govt for war silence

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams today criticised the Government for not speaking out against war on Iraq.

He said his party’s experience of the Irish peace process had shown that dialogue and negotiation were the best way to resolve conflict.

Mr Adams – speaking ahead of Saturday’s anti-war demonstrations – urged tens of thousands of people to join in the marches through Belfast and Dublin.

“Sinn Fein is to the fore in the campaign against this war because we do not believe it is justified,” he said.

“If war is to be declared it should be a war against poverty and for equality.

“As an Irish republican party we support a strong independent foreign policy and military neutrality for Ireland.

“Our experience of the Irish peace process has shown us in a very real way that dialogue and negotiation is the best way to achieve the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

"It is regrettable that the Irish government is not promoting this in the UN.”

Organisers estimate that more than 20,000 people will march through the streets of Dublin during the international day of protest on Saturday.

“I am calling on people from across all 32 counties to join the protest rallies in Dublin and Belfast next Saturday and to use your voice for peace and justice,” Mr Adams said.

Sinn Fein’s leader in the Irish parliament Caoimhghin Ó Caolain announced the party would be using its first ever private members’ time in the Dail to debate the issue of war next week.

He said it would be bringing forward a Bill to write Ireland’s tradition of neutrality into its constitution.

“The Irish government’s support for US-British war preparations makes it essential that it is called to account fully on the issue of neutrality,” Mr O Caolain said.

“Both the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs have refused to say what their stance will be if the US and Britain attack Iraq either with or without a further United Nations Security Council resolution.”

Earlier today a group of independent TDs, along with Socialist Party leader Joe Higgens, voiced their support for Saturday’s anti-war march.

Meanwhile Labour party leader Pat Rabbitte said the government had failed to express the views of the Irish people on the threat of war.

“The Irish people can speak for themselves with a massive turnout on Saturday,” he said.