Anti-war lobby group hits back

The anti-war lobby hit back today at a government claim that their views were prompting anti-Americanism and hostility to Tony Blair.

The charge was made yesterday by Mary Harney. She spoke of her admiration for Tony Blair’s role and conviction and called him “a great friend of Ireland“.

Ms Harney said she was “very unhappy about the stoking up of hostility to Tony Blair here in Ireland“, and added: “Mr Blair has taken risks for peace.

“He has done more for peace and improved relations between Ireland and Britain than any other British prime minister.

“He has also constructively used his moderating influence in Washington, by working with the Americans, rather than against them.”

On anti-Americanism, Ms Harney said: “A trans-Atlantic rift does no-one any good.

“I am clear that there are some people who are working to grow anti-Americanism in Ireland and Europe. They are doing this on the back of peaceful protest and humanitarian concerns.”

Responding to Ms Harney’s comments, though, former minister Michael Higgins, who has joined anti-war demonstrations at Shannon Airport said the Tánaiste had shown herself to be “narrow-minded and out of touch“.

He added: “It is remarkable that the Tánaiste’s first significant intervention in the debate over Iraq should be to attack those who are desperately trying to avert a war that according to the United Nations’ own figures would lead to half a million direct or indirect casualties among the Iraqi population.

“She has shown herself to be out of touch not just with public opinion, but with the views of her own supporters as expressed in a recent opinion poll.

“Her cheap attempts to smear are to be despised.”