Greens want government to support France & Germany

national | miscellaneous | news report Monday February 10, 2003 12:23 by Graham Caswell - Green Party

Press Release

The Green Party today called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen and the Government to support the Franco-German proposal to the UN.

Party Chairman, John Gormley T.D., said the proposal was now the only option that could avert a full scale war. "It is time for this Government to display some diplomatic courage by wholeheartedly endorsing this Franco-German proposal.

It is astounding that, to date, a so-called neutral country like Ireland has sounded almost as belligerent as the U.S.. Now is the time for Ireland to show its commitment to the UN and to our own constitution by displaying our European credentials in our whole-hearted support for old Europe. It is time for Brian Cowen to cease the bellicose rhetoric and to seek more creative solutions to the Iraq crisis. To date, Minister Cowen and the Government have behaved in a craven an cowardly fashion and shown nothing but contempt for the Dáil, the constitution and the laws of our land. It is time now for Brian Cowen to get off the fence."

Mr. Gormley said that the Greens would continue to put pressure on the Government this week in the Dáil and would be taking part in next Saturday's Anti-War march in Dublin.