Open Letter To Bertie

national | miscellaneous | news report Thursday February 06, 2003 01:32 by dataflow

Mailed to IMC today

.

Mr. Bertie Ahern TD,
Rionn an Taoisigh,
Tithe an Rialtais,
Sraid Mhuirfean Uacht,
Baile Atha Cliath 2.

Tel: 01-6194020
Fax: 01-6789791
Email: taoiseach@taoiseach.irlgov.ie

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04th February 2003

Re: Warmongering on Irish Soil at Shannon Airport

Dear Mr. Ahern,

Further to my letters to you, dated 18th March 2002, and 26th April 2002, and your reply to me, dated 27th March 2002.

You continue to aid and assist the American Government and their Military, by providing Airspace, an Airport, resources and Irish Soil belonging to the People of Ireland, whom you have a responsibility and are answerable to, and yet you continue to ignore the wishes of the people, who are specifically expressly against this.

I understand your intention is to assist in the fight against terrorism, and against dictators who repress the rights and the will of their people, but can you not see that you are doing exactly that. You are not listening to the people you represent. We are saying that we do not want to be involved in this fight in this way. We are not simply stating that we are not involved, or that we do not have some form of responsibility in the “fight against terrorism” (although I feel that term is very inappropriate as it is the USA who are the protagonists of terror in this case), but we, the Irish People and all Persons residing in the state should not be subjected to the potential threats that you are making us vulnerable to, by taking this action.

You have also been quoted relating to the protestors at the Peace Camp at Shannon Airport, as saying "We see that maybe we have been a bit over-tolerant with people protesting when they are not one bit peaceful." (These people were not engaged in peaceful protest and)"we cannot tolerate that". That is exactly what the protestors are saying straight back at you. The Americans have not been one bit peaceful. Their hearts and minds are set on war, and WE cannot tolerate that. You are assisting them, and because of your position you have put us all in a compromising situation against our wishes.
I do not understand why you are attempting to prosecute Peace Protestors, who are trying to get global attention because you fail to listen to their calls for help. I imagine the issue is money, after all.

You have said that refuelling represents 40% of the business of Shannon, and that it is important for the area and there was "a real danger" of losing that business, which would be "devastating".

Have you considered what would happen to the Island of Ireland if there was a genuine terrorist attack on Military operations taking place at Shannon? If a terrorist organisation against any of the American Military actions throughout the world, decided that Ireland was an easy target, and detonated any kind of bomb, whether it be Nuclear or Chemical, firstly it would generate massive global publicity, as we are seen as a Neutral nation by most and well liked for that reason, secondly it would interrupt the American assault on Iraq at the present time, although they can and will find alternatives,

but much more importantly………..

We rely heavily on Agriculture and Tourism as being our main industries. Long before the Americans waded in and brought I.T. or multi-national corporations onto these shores, we had and still have a beautiful green Island capable of producing it’s own food, more than we need and the very best at that, and we have a natural resource that is the countryside and shores surrounding us, the green forests, fields, lakes and streams, our golf courses, natural wildlife, and all the things we have come to take for granted.

If we are attacked….. these industries and natural resources will be wiped out.

Where will we all be then? We will have no edible food to grow, or animals to raise. Nobody will want contaminated food, especially the countries we export to. Nobody will want to visit a contaminated country, tourism will die, and that is all apart from the actual numbers of people already on these shores that will actually suffer death.

You risk the entire future of OUR nation, on economic policies and money…. …….Now THAT would be “devastating”.

I have asked you before, and I am now demanding of you that you stop directing your efforts against the people in the peace camp in Shannon, with the use of unnecessary force, and start giving attention to the real issue at hand…..
……….We want American Military out of Shannon.

Listen to us now or learn to live with the consequences.

I eagerly look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely,

______________
Kealan Coleman