Sindo claims Greens accept neutral states available for military

by Joe Mon Mar 24, 2003 16:24

Dan the issue is not simply that the Greens were 'too busy' to be at Shannon on March 1st.

The issue is that the day before they went on state radio and told everyone not to go on EITHER protest.

The issue is that Seargent attacked Mary Kellys disarming of a warplane.

The issue is that other gobshite attacked the protest outside the Dail (cause he had to get his car out, ha, ha).

The issue is that the GP are keen to flood demos with placards and do media photoshoots with their TD's but are actively opposing effective ACTION against the war.

And you position on Kurdistan stinks as well for what its worth.

by Dan Boyle - Green Party/Comhaontas Glas Mon Mar 24, 2003 14:11 dboyle at oireachtas dot ie 99, Douglas Street, Cork 087-2772701

Looking at a number of posts recently made to Indymedia, questions about Green Party positions have been raised. Some posters have raised legitimate questions, some for their own reasons seem intent to misrepresent. With this posting I hope I can explain some of the positions that have been questioned.

Firstly on the European Greens common position, the Brussells meeting stressed that neutral countries should NOT make facilities available to belligerants in this war.

On the question of Kurdish self-detirmination, as Green Party whip in the Dáil I can explain what happened and why. The amendment in question raised by Sinn Féin firstly called on all weapons in the region to be put 'verifiably beyond use' and subsequently went on to talk about Kurdish autonomy.

We couldn't take the first part of this amendment seriously and felt it compromised the second clause. We also feel that Kurdish autonomy should not be isolated by referencing Iraq alone. Kurdish autonomy involves Turkey, Syria and Iran as well. On these grounds we abstained, but did not vote against.

On Sunday I spent a very enjoyable afternoon with the Kurdish community in Cork celebrating the Kurdish New Year. As I said there I, and my party are as committed as ever to helping to bring about full Kurdish autonomy.

Briefly on other matters. Relating to the sit down outside the Dáil last Thursday, it obviously was a legitimate protest but unfortunately it wasn't very effective. Most TDs escaped through the Merrion Street gate. Government ministers, were free to escape through Government Buildings.

I have to confess I also had my car at Kildare Street. I drive to the Dáil three to four times a years to bring stationery back to my full-time constituency office. I was also anxious to get back to Cork to attend the Anti-War/Peace concert being held that evening. I must admit that I had mixed feelings about the protest!

Finally on the our lukewarm support for certain anti-war actions, It is worth pointing out that our Party conference was on during the Shannon protest in question. I have attended all previous Shannon protests.

We have already paid a political price by being associated by implication with actions that could not be seen to be non-violent. Our central position remains the same. We continue to support non-violent direct action.

I hope this explains, and while it may not satisfy, and any future concerns may have can be met openly and honestly.

by fuinseog Mon Mar 24, 2003 14:02

The Irish Greens issued the following on Friday.

Did they get what they want?

Time for another press statement from them.

21 March 2003

SARGENT JOINS GREEN PARTY LEADERS IN BRUSSELS

for Green European Summit To Adopt Common Resolution on Iraq

Green Party Leader, Trevor Sargent TD, will be seeking agreement among Green
Party leaders that airspace and refueling facilities of all neutral EU states
should not be available for military operations during the Iraq war.

Mr. Sargent is attending a meeting in Brussels today with Green Party leaders
from the EU and the accession countries for a Green summit to discuss a common
resolution on the Iraq war and the foundation of a European party.

Mr. Sargent will be seeking agreement among Green Party leaders that airspace
and refueling facilities of all neutral EU states should not be available for
military operations during the Iraq war.

The Co-Presidents of the Green/EFA Group in the European Parliament, Daniel
Cohn-Bendit MEP and Monica Frassoni MEP will welcome more than 30 party leaders
to the meeting. A common resolution of all European Green parties on the Iraq
war will be discussed and adopted in the afternoon.

Mr. Sargent said that he will be urging Green Party leaders to support cases
taken in Ireland and elsewhere to establish the illegality of the US led war on
Iraq and will look for a united demand from European Green parties for war to
end. "I will also be calling for a ban on the use of landmines, cluster bombs,
depleted uranium, nuclear weaponry and biological and chemical weapons. I will
also be highlighting the presence of EU citizens in Iraq and, in particular
Irishman Michael Birmingham, who has joined concerned US citizens to bear
witness to the war."

TREVOR SARGENT T.D. 087 254 7836
STEPHEN RAWSON PRESS OFFICER 618 4088 / 087 254 7836

by Victor Mon Mar 24, 2003 11:37

Last I heard, Austria (and Switzerland) are not currently allowing US military use their airspace.

by lord haw haw Sun Mar 23, 2003 23:21

Austria really is a neutral state - its constitution states it in black and white (drafted ca. 1955 I think).
The "meaning" of this neutrality has to be seen in the context of the Cold War - i.e. Austria wasn't supposed to side with either the US/NATO or the Russians/Warsaw Pact.

Like Ireland, Austria is now internally debating the meaning of "neutrality" in the post cold war world.

The present government (conservative + Haider's "liberal" party) are probably to be seen as pro-NATO membership - at least the conservatives would tend in that direction. But there is a lot of popular opposition to any change in the "permanent neutrality" anchored in the constitution.

Austria is currently allowing US flights in its airspace but has blocked US transport overland (heading towards the Adriatic). There are no US military bases in Austria.

Just for information.

by GK Sun Mar 23, 2003 23:14

Like the Labour party the Greens are always trying to distance themselves from their parties in Europe for obvious reasons. We should not accept this. The Greens in Ireland are the same on fundamental questions as the Greens in Europe, there is no reason why the Greens in Ireland will not take these positions in the near future all it will take is the promise of a coalition deal. I do have respect for Gormley and McKenna, they seem genuine enough but I have no time for their new career minded element such as Sargaent and Gogarty.

by Cliona Towne Sun Mar 23, 2003 22:57

That neutral states should be available for military purposes: surely this is to severely abuse the English language. How can a neutral state be used for military purpose? But the Indo probably got it wrong. Its not very reliable, and sometimes the writing is barely literate.

by lord haw haw Sun Mar 23, 2003 22:35 munich

Well I can't point you to any "official" information but in Germany the Green Party is a coalition partner. To date they have supported US/NATO operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan. A certain amount of protest from the grass roots but the party leadership seems to be prety much co-opted into the establishment by now.

In the present "war", they seem happy enough with the arrangement that Germany is a non-participant but is allowing US to move troops & equipment through their territory.

Not 100 per cent comparable with Irish situation re. Shannon. US still has real bases here - legacy from WWII and Cold War.

Also Germany particpates in so-called NATO AWACS surveillance missions in the no-fly zone on the Turkish-Iraq border (probably UN approved).

The SPD-Green coalition has made some noises about withdrawing personnel from these missions in the case that Turkey (officially !) enters the war.

by Shelta Sun Mar 23, 2003 22:30

Ireland is the only 'neutral' European country making facilities available to the warmachine. Switzerland won't even allow overflights. Yes Germany and France allow re-fuelling, but they are members of NATO, and have never been neutral. Clearly Ireland, North and South, is not independent, but is completely subordinated, politically and economically, to the Anglo-American imperial axis. Thanks to Irish-America Sinn Fein has been assimilated to this imperial structure. They have no anti-imperial credibility. As for the Greens.... well what have they to say?