Irish Anti War Mvmt update

national | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday September 10, 2002 19:06 by Aoife Ni Fhearghail - Irish Anti-War Movement info at irishantiwar dot org D8 087 7955013

S/11 one year one; report of Irish Anti-War Movement AGM; public rally with Denis Halliday, upcoming events

Anti-War News

Tuesday 10th September 2002

S/11 – one year on
Denis Halliday public rally
Report of Irish Anti-War Movement AGM
Anti-War Demonstration Saturday 28th
Upcoming events – help needed

S/11 – ONE YEAR ON …

Tonight relatives of those killed in the World Trade Centre will join with Vandana Shiva, Daniel Berrigan S.J., film-maker Michael Moore, Afghan Amercians and hundreds of peace activists in an all-night anti-war vigil in Washington Square Park, New York. Families for Peaceful Tomorrow’s - organisers of the event – are calling for an end to military intervention and an end to the use of their grief to justify the bombing of innocent civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Sadly, international media looks set to ignore this moving demonstration as the memory of 9/11 is cynically used again to whip up war fever. As cities across the world observe a minute’s silence tomorrow for the victims of S/11, final preparations are being made for phase II of the ‘war on terror’ – a new attack on the people of Iraq.

The S/11 anniversary falls all too conveniently for Bush & Blair as on the following day the UN General Assembly will meet. As pressure builds internationally for a return of UN weapons inspectors rather than unilateral US action against Iraq, it is highly likely that the warmongers will use Thursday’s meeting to obtain a UN stamp of approval for war on Iraq.

Addressing the TUC in Blackpool today, Blair said that it must be made clear that “should the will of the UN be ignored, action will follow”. Of course, UN Resolutions have been repeatedly ignored by Israel but Ariel Sharon will not feel threatened by this speech.

White House officials have hinted at the possibility of coercive inspections, in which foreign troops would be prepared to shoot their way into suspected weapons sited if denied access by Iraq. Whether or not he gets the support that he needs from world leaders, Bush is expected to get Congress approval for the use of military force within weeks. And, if the UN is not forthcoming, President Bush can always depend on Tony Blair’s unconditional support.

Meanwhile world leaders continue to ignore the more than 9,000 innocent Afghan civilians murdered by US & international forces over the past year. In last Friday’s Irish Times, Miriam Donohue revealed how only $570m of the $1.8b in aid promised by the international community has actually been delivered to Afghanistan while the country falls increasingly under the hands of local warlords. And, while the US makes big of the $280m given to Afghanistan, this is only a fraction of its war budget - $10b spent so far this year keeping US troops in Afghanistan and a staggering $1.8b each month allocated to the ‘war on terror’.

Just like Afghanistan, war on Iraq will not bring democracy. All that it will achieve will be the killing and injuring of thousands of innocent civilians. It is vital that we oppose our government’s support for this war before it begins by turning September 28th into a major national mobilisation against any attack on Iraq.

PUBLIC RALLY WITH DENIS HALLIDAY

Friday 13th September 7.30pm
The North Star Hotel, Amiens St – for info 087 6329511

In October 1998, Denis Halliday, the then United Nations Assistant Secretary General and at that time UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Baghdad resigned in protest at the genocidal consequences of the UN economic sanctions on the people of Iraq. Since then he has written and lectured extensively on the subject.

Last year, Denis spoke at the launch rally of the Irish Anti-War Movement opposing the war on Afghanistan. Hundreds turned up to the public rally to hear Denis and other speak about the war on terrorism and the situation in Afghanistan.

We are delighted that Denis will be speaking at Friday’s event and we hope to use the event to build support for a major anti-war demonstration on Saturday 28th September. Other speakers include Councillor Deirdre de Burca (Green Party) and Kieran Allen (Socialist Workers Party). Make sure you arrive early to guarantee a seat.

REPORT OF IRISH ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT AGM

The first AGM of the Irish Anti-War Movement took place in the Teachers’ Club in Dublin last Saturday. Nearly 80 people came from Dublin, Cork, Galway, Belfast, Derry, Limerick and beyond to the extremely successful meeting.

The conference took in 4 separate sessions:
War on terrorism,
Iraq,
Nice, the Arms Trade & Irish Neutrality,
Building the Irish Anti-War Movement.

Representatives came from many different peace groups from all across the country. Discussion focused on recent US foreign policy & so-called humanitarian intervention, the myth of Irish neutrality, the causes of global conflict and the role that the Irish Anti-War Movement had played in building opposition to the ‘war on terrorism’. We agreed that we needed to place major emphasis on building the anti-war movement and to have better co-ordination amongst peace groups around the country.

The following resolutions were passed by the meeting:

RESOLUTIONS

That the Irish Anti-War Movement organise a major “Don’t attack Iraq” national demonstration on Saturday 28th September

That following the public rally in Dublin with Denis Halliday local anti-war activists organise “Don’t attack Iraq” rallies with speakers from different anti-war groups to take place before the September 28th demonstration

That a national demonstration take place in Shannon on Saturday 19th October with all details including bus bookings available by September 28th (** passed with the proviso that this date may change depending on the date of the Nice Referendum)

That the Irish Anti-War Movement takes a position against the Nice Treaty

That the new steering committee undertake to build support for the IAWM and the upcoming demonstrations amongst peace groups, trade unions, students, community groups etc.

That the new steering committee design a pledge/petition which members of the public sign to say they will participate in a work stoppage in the aftermath of any attack on Iraq (in line with the George Galloway pledge in Britain)

That the committee seek to have the pledge signed by significant national groups and celebrities and that it is launched at a major press conference

That local groups organise a point where anti-war activists can gather to protest in the aftermath of any attack in Iraq (in Dublin this will be the day following any attack at 6pm at the US Embassy in Ballsbridge)

That a new steering committee is elected with the following delegates: Glenda Cimino; Monica Flynn; Joe Moore; Colin Coulter; Clare Lee; Tom Lonergan; Richard Boyd Barrett; Michael Birmingham; Mary Van Lieshout; Kristina McElroy; Kieran Allen; Kelly-Ann Mullan; Florence (Campaign Against Iraq Sanctions); Colm Bryce; Catherine Boothman; Conor Joyce; Aoife Ní Fhearghail

That the new steering committee approach peace & solidarity groups asking them to send representatives to the steering committee meetings.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Derry Anti-War Coalition meeting Wednesday 11th September in Badgers’ Bar, Orchard St.

‘No war on Iraq – public rally with Denis Halliday – 7.30pm Friday 13th September – North Star Hotel, Amiens St., Dublin – 087 6329511 for details

‘Don’t attack Iraq’ - National Demonstration – assemble 3pm Garden of Remembrance, Dublin Saturday 28th September – March takes place on the 2nd anniversary of the outbreak of the Palestinian Intifada – if anyone is available to make placards & banners saying ‘Don’t attack Iraq’ & ‘Freedom for Palestine’ contact Aoife on 087 7955013 – bus leaves Belfast City Hall at 11am on the 28th contact 07900 353 816

Anti-War Movement Belfast meets every Tuesday at 7.30pm in Catalyst Arts, Donegall St. – contact 07900 353816

Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign – organise regular Boycott Israeli Goods stalls at supermarkets across Dublin and are also organising a major Palestinian Cultural Awareness Week 20-29 September – contact 01 6770253 for details

‘Warplanes out of Shannon’ – National Demonstration – Saturday 19th October – buses running from Dublin – contact 087 6329511 for details - ** date may change subject to Nice Referendum

P.S.: Congratulations to Eoin & Tim for their recent imaginative anti-war stunt & for their persistent monitoring of the daily infringements of Irish Neutrality at Shannon airport. For info on US warplanes at Shannon contact them at [email protected]

please contact Aoife on 087 7955013 if you have noticed any errors or omissions in this bulletin – email events for next anti-war news to [email protected] by Friday