Anti-war movement targets summit

Thousands of anti-war protesters gathered outside a major EU-US summit in Ireland today as the nation launched its largest ever security operation.

US President George Bush led a high-level American delegation at the talks aimed at repairing relations between Washington and the EU, which had been damaged by differences over the war in Iraq.

As talks got underway in the luxurious Dromoland Castle in Co Clare, up to 1,000 protesters marched to the security cordon less than a mile from the summit venue.

At least 4,000 police officers and 2,000 troops were on duty outside the castle walls where Mr Bush spent the night in the presidential suite before holding a round of meetings this morning.

Groups of protesters waved placards calling for the arrest of Mr Bush as military helicopters circled the skies overhead.

The NGO Peace Alliance, an umbrella group for 50 separate anti-war movements, said the protests were entirely peaceful despite the unprecedented security force presence

“Everyone is in good spirits and there is no hassle at all,” spokesman Brendan Butler said.

“We are very happy with the turnout considering all the security restrictions.”

Another smaller group of around 100 protesters set off from a peace camp outside Ennis and marched to Shannon Airport as Air Force One prepared for its afternoon departure.

Terry Clancy from the Dublin Grassroots Network said people were determined to show their opposition to Mr Bush’s foreign policy.

“We are all united against the Bush visit,” he added.

Inside the castle walls, diplomats attempted to smooth over differences which emerged over the war in Iraq and focus on the post-Saddam future of the country, the Middle East and increasing trans-Atlantic trade.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern led the EU delegation at the summit in his current role as President of the European Council.

Mr Ahern also held a separate meeting with Mr Bush where he briefed him on the political situation in Northern Ireland following his talks yesterday with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London.

The summit was also expected to see the signing of a declaration, which will lead to the strengthening of trade links between the EU and US.

Mr Bush was accompanied on the trip by his wife Laura and an entourage including Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice.

The US President is only expected to spend 18 hours in Ireland before jetting off to attend a UN summit in Turkey this afternoon.

Four naval ships, Air Corps planes and specialist decontamination and bomb disposal teams will be on high alert to guard against a possible chemical or biological attack throughout the visit.

Up to 700 armed US Secret Service personnel have also accompanied Mr Bush on the trip, while riot police and water cannons are on standby to deal with any trouble from anti-war protesters.

The Dromoland Summit is the first to take place between the US and the enlarged European Union of 25 Member States and the first since the conclusion of negotiations on the EU Constitutional Treaty.

Mr Bush is expected to leave Ireland at 2.30pm and fly straight into another major security operation.

More than 23,000 police will be on duty during the Nato summit in Istanbul, which Mr Blair and French President Jacques Chirac – among others – are to attend.