Ahern stands firm on Bush meeting

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today said he would not “insult” the United States by cancelling his visit to meet President George Bush on Thursday.

He rejected calls from opposition parties and anti-war protesters to boycott the visit in protest at US war preparations.

The Taoiseach said although he held different opinions he respected the United States and appreciated what it had done for Ireland.

“I will be at the White House,” Mr Ahern told the Dail.

“I respect the United States, I respect their President, I respect what they stand for in the free world.

“I appreciate what they do for this country. I appreciate the friendship they have and also that of the United Kingdom.”

He said however that he differed on the subject of war and would set out his point of view accordingly.

“I stand with the United Nations as I have done since I met Kofi Annan,” he added. “But I will not insult the United States.”

Mr Ahern was responding to questions in the Dail from the Socialist Party’s Joe Higgins, who said the plan to present Mr Bush with the traditional bowl of shamrock would be seen as “solace and support for that president’s war plans“.

Mr Higgens said the majority of people in the Republic would be “deeply shamed” by the action.

He asked Mr Ahern to stand up and send a message that Ireland was opposed to the “bloody adventure that is about to unfold” by boycotting the visit to the White House.

Earlier today, anti-war protesters also urged the Taoiseach to cancel his visit, accusing him of complying with American war preparations.

During a news conference in Dublin, peace activists also called on the people of Ireland to hold a 10-minute stoppage in the event of war breaking out.

Representatives of the NGO Peace Alliance, the Peace and Neutrality Alliance and the Irish Anti-War Movement called for the action at midday on “Day X“.

Talks between Mr Ahern and Mr Bush on Thursday are expected to be dominated by the Iraqi crisis.

The Taoiseach and his Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen have consistently repeated their support for any decision taken by the UN, but have refused to say what they would do if war went ahead without a UN mandate.