State should ban landings if US attacks

WHEN is a debate not a debate? The answer is when Dáil deputies address such thorny issues as the implicit contradiction between Irish neutrality and the increasing use of Shannon Airport

With US President George W Bush giving his clearest indication yet that a declaration of war is inevitable whether the UN likes it or not the growing number of American aircraft refuelling at Shannon has triggered yet another Oireachtas "debate" about operations there.

Concern is now growing over the substantial increase in the number of US civilian aircraft seeking permission to carry munitions on their way through Shannon. This follows a tightening up of regulations since the Government reminded airlines of rules on transporting munitions of war through Ireland.

The implication is that the regulations have been more or less ignored up to now.

From the outset, the Government must make it absolutely clear to Mr Bush that America's use of Shannon will end if he embarks on a go-it-alone war in Iraq without getting the backing of the UN Security Council.

If Saddam Hussein is prepared to defy world opinion, that does not entitle America to follow his example in a unilateral declaration of war on Iraq, especially when Middle East oil is the real objective of the Bush regime.

The UN has yet to hear proof of claims made by Mr Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair that Saddam Hussein has links with al-Qaida, the terrorist organisation behind the September 11 attack on America and masterminded by Osama bin Laden.

In addition to demanding proof linking Saddam Hussein with international terrorism, the UN also requires hard evidence that he is still in possession of weapons of mass destruction.

Presumption is no substitute for proof.

In the Shannon context, embarrassing questions of national security face the Coalition following yesterday's penetration of the airport's three-mile perimeter fence by a female protester, who allegedly used a hatchet to smash the nose of a US cargo plane.

Such tactics fly in the face of peace and neutrality. Doubtless, however, the alleged assault will become a symbol of opposition to the daily landing of military aircraft on Irish soil in the relentless build-up to war.

As well as raising doubts over security, the incident illustrates how the US military presence has turned Shannon into a target not just for peace activists but possibly for al-Qaida, which specialises in hitting soft targets.

There is no ample proof US military traffic passing through Shannon has increased hugely since American forces were put on a war footing. Long distance refuelling operations have been going on there for years with the blessing of successive administrations.

What is worrying is the palpable sense this Government has given America free rein in its use of the airport in a looming conflict scenario.

In the event of a US go-it-alone attack on Iraq without UN approval, all planes carrying troops and munitions should immediately be banned from landing at the airport. There can be no question of Ireland caving in to threats based on the economic importance of US companies located here.

Such arguments are spurious and tantamount to blackmail. When it comes to the perilous question of war or peace, the UN Security Council is paramount not George W Bush.