Top US War Criminal, Gen. Richard Myers to visit Dublin on Wednesday

by redjade via eeekkk Wed Jul 20, 2005 18:33

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by redjade via eeekkk Wed Jul 20, 2005 17:52

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by Updater Wed Jul 20, 2005 16:04

By ireland.com reporters Last updated: 20-07-05, 13:13


A meeting between Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea and US Joint Chief of Staff Richard Myers will not take place, a spokeswoman for the minister said this afternoon.

This morning a spokesman for the Department said General Myers would discuss areas of "mutual interest" with Mr O'Dea in the Department's offices on Infirmary Road.

However, this afternoon the spokeswoman said an official meeting was "never on the cards" and that General Myers would have paid a courtesy call on Mr O'Dea, had the minister been in Dublin. He will not be in Dublin today, it has emerged.

General Myers is inspecting Irish troops and will hold discussions with his Irish counterpart Chief of Staff General Jim Sreenan.

Anti-war protesters organised rallies to coincide with the visit and vowed they would still go ahead. Richard Boyd-Barrett of the Irish Anti-War Movement said: "We still want to protest. We don't want senior members of the Irish military to meet him [Gen Myers] either given the US is involved in mass-murder in Iraq, and there are no other words for it."

Mr O'Dea's spokeswoman said Gen Myers visit was an official military visit. "If the Minister was in Dublin Gen Myers would have made a courtesy call", she said. But, she added, he had appointments in Longford and Mullingar and would not be returning to the capital today.

Independent TD Finian McGrath said earlier the proposed meeting was "wholly unacceptable", a day after it emerged that nearly 25,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed since the US-led occupation began in 2003.

"Over 4,000 of these civilians were innocent children who were butchered and slaughtered," said Mr McGrath.

© 2005 ireland.com

by Irish Examiner Wed Jul 20, 2005 15:07

Anti-war groups condemn US general's visit
http://irishexaminer.12hs.com/en_US/newsfeed/story.jhtml?s=54911615&r=2081&i=9228698&d=38143681

The visit of US Joint Chief of Staff Richard Myers to Dublin today has been condemned by the Irish anti-war community.

Demonstrators will hold a rally as Gen. Myers meets Defence Minister Willie O’Dea and inspects Irish troops.

He will also hold discussions with Irish Defence Forces Chief of Staff General Jim Sreenan at his HQ in the capital’s Phoenix Park.

Independent Dail TD Finian McGrath said it was "wholly unacceptable" for Gen. Myers to visit Ireland a day after it emerged that nearly 25,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed since the US-led occupation began in 2003.

"Over 4,000 of these civilians were innocent children who were butchered and slaughtered," said Mr McGrath.

"It is wholly unacceptable that an Irish Government Minister should meet Mr Myers in the current context.

"As a minimum demand, I am calling on Mr O’Dea to pass on the firm opposition of the Irish people to the current war in Iraq."

Irish Anti-War protester Ciaron O’Reilly called on supporters to gather for a rally at the gates of Phoenix Park this afternoon.

"General Myers must be arrested for overseeing acts of US state terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq," he said.

"Over 150,000 US troops have passed through Shannon in the first six months of this year. The Irish taxpayer continues to pay €10,000 a day to subsidise US military overflight fees."

by Justin Morahan - Peace People Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:38

On-line Irealnd report: http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=150024294&p=y5xxz5xxx

by Damien - DCW Wed Jul 20, 2005 02:29

A protest vigil will be held at the main gates of the Phoenix Park from 3.30pm tomorrow as US Joint Chief of Staff Richard B Myers meets Defence Minister Willie O’Dea at the Dept of Defence on Infirmary Rd.

As Myers inspects Irish troops and discusses with his Irish counterpart chief of staff General Jim Sreenan ways to combat terrorism, members of the Catholic Worker and other anti-war activists will demand Myers be arrested for overseeing acts of US state terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq.

They will also demand the Irish government apply the same ritual of troop and weaponry inspection at Shannon Airport, a key ally in the illegal and immoral invasions and occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Over 150,000 US troops have passed through Shannon in the first 6 months of this year. The Irish taxpayer continues to pay €10,000 a day to subsidise US military overflight fees.

For more information contact Ciaron at 087 9184552

See link for map: http://www.visitdublin.com/maps/map4.asp

Photos available: Contact Elaine at 087 6969799

http://www.peaceontrial.com

by redjade Tue Jul 19, 2005 15:16

http://irishexaminer.12hs.com/en_US/newsfeed/story.jhtml?s=54911615&r=2079&i=9194623

A Eurobarometer opinion poll has reportedly found that the Irish are the least supportive of a common EU defence policy among all 25 member states.

Reports this morning said the poll had found that 58% of Irish people support greater co-operation on defence and security issues, compared to the EU average of 77%

The reports said Ireland was also among the most sceptical member states when it came to a common foreign policy, with 61% supporting the idea, compared to the EU average of 67%.

Elsewhere, crime has reportedly taken over from health as the main issue of concern for Irish people, while the Irish are reportedly more optimistic about the future than any other EU nation.

. . . .

Eurobarometer
http://europa.eu.int/comm/public_opinion/index_en.htm

by redjade Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:11

Bertie Ahern says: Al-Qaeda watched 'closely'
Shannon not Al-Qaeda Fly Trap
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=70760

Will Shannon be on the agenda?
Will Ireland continue US use of Shannon if the US/UK attacks Iran?

I asked Joe Costello once if he thought anyone in the govt was considering the Irish position if the US used Shannon to send troops to Iraq to later be used against Iran.

He said: 'That's the elephant in the room everyone wants to ignore' (I think that was the quote)