Shannon figures reveal govt's role in escalating Iraqi conflict

national | anti-war / imperialism | press release

Friday January 06, 2006 14:50

by cf - Labour

Labour Party President and Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Michael D Higgins TD, has said new figures showing that over 300,000 US troops passed through Shannon airport in 2005 will outrage the Irish public as the loss of the life of ordinary Iraqis increases by the day.

On a related issue, involving a blatant breach of international law, Deputy Higgins also said that the Irish public would support any demand that their Government take immediate steps to inspect all aircraft suspected of carrying prisoners for so-called ‘extra-ordinary rendition’.

Deputy Higgins commented, “This has been one of the bloodiest weeks in the recent history of the Iraq conflict with hundreds of lives lost in bomb attacks and ongoing fighting. At such a time, it is necessary to consider the Irish Government’s role in the war through the continued use of Shannon by the US military both for sending troops to Iraq and for the transfer of prisoners without legal process.

“That the number of US troops using Shannon has more than doubled in the last year is evidence that there is little sign of an end to the US’s illegal occupation, and that the conflict itself is escalating.

“On the further issue of extraordinary rendition which is in clear breach of international law and conventions with which we have a clear duty of compliance, the Government refuses to give reality to such compliance by inspection. Indeed the independent Irish Human Rights Commission, which has a statutory duty to advise the Government on human rights issues, has stated that the Government is ignoring its obligations in failing to demand these inspections.

“It is clear that the Government’s position of unquestioningly accepting ‘the assurances of a friendly nation’ is not sufficient to meet our obligations under international law. Given the increase in US troops using Shannon, and in the context of an illegal war that is deteriorating rather than moving towards a peaceful end, the Government must ensure that their tacit support for the war does not include facilitating the torture of prisoners.”

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Comments (5 of 5)

Inspection of Planes

by Kieran O'Sullivan - IAWM

Fri Jan 06, 2006 16:02

kieran.osullivan at ireland dot com

There has been a lot of focus on the CIA planes flying through Shannon and whether they are carryint prisoners or not. This has lead to people calling for inspections of planes.

While it is perfectly legitimate to point out that the Irish government failed to implement the Criminal Justice United Nations Convention Against Torture Act 2000 it is not enough to simply call for inspections.

The government will argue that you can't question 904 soldiers a day. So the argument sould be getting US troops out of Shannon.

If the government does bow to the pressure and inspect the planes it will be a half harted stunt and won't solve the problem.

For example will they only look for prisoners in orange jups suits, who will do the inspections and will they question regular US soldiers about their own records.

when the state fails us

by dunk

Fri Jan 06, 2006 17:41

in todays media

Council of Europe backs calls for Shannon flights probe
http://www.unison.ie/breakingnews/index.php3?ca=9&si=85008

Call For Inspection Of CIA's Shannon Flights
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ireland/2005/1206/633371789HM5SHANNON.html

if the state authorities are not doing there job what is civil society to do..........................

vigils on
today
Aviation Authority Vigil - Demilitarise Shannon Airport 4pm-6pm
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=73641

and tomorow
An Evenings Vigil 4.00 pm onward
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=73477

only a few months till the anniversary of the strart of the war

hello

by bill hurley - usmc (retired)

Fri Jan 06, 2006 18:53

glandore3 at hotmail dot com

Many thanks to the Irish Government and the folks at Shannon Airport for the support they are giving the World in the fight against terrorism. Keep up the good work and pray for our service men and women, especially those wounded and dead coming thru Shannon.

Bill Hurley

Support the troops!

by Dr. Coilín ÓhAiseadha

Fri Jan 06, 2006 20:13

Thanks for your comments, Bill.

Please accept my assurances that the American soldiers being killed in Iraq and Afghanistan are daily in my thoughts - together with the Iraqis dying gory deaths alongside them at a rate of 20 to one.

Unfortunately, as you know, the invasion and occupation of Iraq has provided an ideal training ground for anti-American forces, including Islamist groups (what you might call "Al-Qaeda"), but also various indigenous Iraqi resistance groups who may never thank the United States for invading Iraq.

Before the invasion, the Ba'athist regime of Saddam Hussein wanted nothing to do with Al-Qaeda. Because of their political differences, they detested each other. But after the invasion, Walter Pincus reported in the Washington Post that former members of the Ba'ath Party were providing Islamists with explosives for suicide attacks. Go figure!

So it seems to me that, if the objective of the invasion was to make Americans and everybody else in the world safer from terrorism, then the mission is a dismal failure.

That's bad news for the American troops on the ground, it's bad news for Iraqi civilians dying in suicide attacks, and it's bad news for people all over the world who may some day be threatened by terrorists currently training on a battlefield that offers them favourable circumstances under which to attack your comrades in arms.

It greatly saddens me to read daily of the deaths of Americans in Iraq - many of them young men and women, America's finest, who signed up as the only way they could earn the money to get on in life. And it saddens me to think that some day soon some of the people training to fight your troops in Iraq may bring their training to bear on targets back in the United States.

Behind your cheery pep-talk, Bill, I think you know that the so-called war on terrorism, as it is being fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, is a disservice and a dishonour to everybody serving in the armed forces of your country.

And your president recognises this, too. That's why he is now working to bring the troops home. He's very wise to cut his losses ASAP!

I deeply regret the fact that, despite the great friendship that exists between our two countries, my government did not have the strength to persuade yours to keep away from the hornets' nest in the first place.

Best,
Coilín.

US Troops, Warplanes and CIA out of Shannon now

by Edward Horgan - PANA Peace and Neutrality Alliance

Mon Jan 30, 2006 01:56

I fully agree with Kieran O'Sullivan above.
Lets stop demanding inspection of US planes at Shannon.
Just how many more Iraqi dead will we tollerate, and cooperate, with before we stop the gross misuse of Shannon airport for this unlawful killing spree?

If you can make it to Shannon tonight, 30th January 2006, please express your views on the Ireland's complicity in crimes against humanity.

Press Release

Torture and Killing:
Iraq and the Shannon Connection

An ex-US Marine will give a first-hand account of his time in Iraq, including how his Platoon killed over 30 innocent Iraqis.
at a public meeting in Shannon on Monday.
The talk, title "Torture and Killing : Iraq and the Shannon Connection" will take place in the Oakwood Arms Hotel in Shannon, at 7pm, Monday January 30th.

The meeting will also feature two local peace activists, Ed Horgan, a retired Irish Army Commandant, and Tim Hourigan, who monitors US military use of Shannon. The various speakers will discuss how Shannon Airport, is a major hub for CIA torture jets, US military personnel and cargo, while Mr. Massey will give personal accounts of his time as a platoon sergeant in Kuwait and Iraq.
Mr. Massey is in Ireland as part of a short round of anti-war talks. He was in Dublin last October to testify in a court case. Under oath, he told the judge and jury, that his Marines were told to consider all Iraqis as potential terrorists, to shhot first and ask later, and that as a result of these Rules of Engagement, his platoon killed over thirty innocent civilians. Mr. Massey told the court that the 3rd Battallion 7th Marines regularly used Shannon Airport as a transit point, and that he would categorise it as a military supply and logistics port for transporting US Marines and their equipment.
Ed Horgan, spent 20 years in the Irish Army, serving at home, and abroad on UN peacekeeping missions, including the Middle East.
In 2003, he returned his medals in protest at the US military use of Shannon to attack Iraq. Mr Horgan said that "US military use of Shannon is the most shameful act by Ireland since the foundation of the State". Along with fellow speaker Tim Hourigan, Mr. Horgan has helpd to record US military use of Shannon, and has testified to the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee.
Mr. Hourigan will also talk about his investigations of CIA use of Shannon, and how the government is turning a blind eye to torture.
All members of the public are encouraged to attend and give their opinions on the use of Shannon for war.
Contact :
Ed Horgan 085-1026631
Tim Hourigan 087-9777703
Oakwood Arms Shannon
Monday 30th January 2006

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Shannon figures reveal govt's role in escalating Iraqi conflict

Comments (5 of 5)