Ahern pledges support for Bush's war on terror

national | miscellaneous | news report Wednesday March 13, 2002 21:15 by Hell's Kitchen

Ahern falls in line...

I urge all Irish people to reject the USA's unjust militarism and crusade for oil in Central Asia. As a U.S. citizen, opposition to this war is weak right now in the USA. The only hope in stopping Bush and Company is with the European people. Those of us in the USA,who are opposed to Bush's war, will be having a massive demo on April 20th. I urge the Irish people demand that their country withdraw support for this war. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$Ahern pledges support for Bush's war on terror$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
The Taoiseach this afternoon offered Ireland’s support for the US-led war on terrorism at a meeting with President Bush in Washington.
Mr Trimble, who today shared a platform with Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Mr Mark Durkan at a seminar in Washington, defended his statements saying the language he used was nothing new.
"What I was doing was drawing a contrast on what is undoubtedly a multinational and multiethnic state such as the UK.
Mr Trimble then used the recent abortion referendum as an example of sectarianism in the Republic. "The vote on abortion was very sectarian and I think that is why my comments have touched a raw nerve."
Mr Durkan challenged First Minister’s comments.
"As far as the referendum was concerned, I do not think the campaign was sectarian and I certainly do not think the vote was sectarian.
"I, like many people in the South and many in the North took exception to David's description of the Republic," he said.
Sinn Féin party leader Mr Gerry Adams, also at the White House this afternoon, said Mr Trimble’s comments had deeply offended Irish-Americans.
A spokesman for Mr Adams said the matter had been discussed with Mr Richard Haas, Bush’s special advisor on Northern Ireland.
Mr Ahern and leaders of the Northern Irish political parties will attend a number of St Patrick’s Day events with President Bush.
Additional reporting by PA
© The Irish Times/ireland.com