Greens Slam Government Motion on Iraq

national | miscellaneous | news report Wednesday March 19, 2003 22:30 by Graham Caswell - Green party

Press Release

The Green Party has dismissed the Governments motion on the war in Iraq and the use of Shannon Airport as "completely spineless and a slap in the face for the majority of Irish people who are opposed to the continued use of Shannon as a military stopover".

Green Party Chairman and Foreign Affairs spokesperson, John Gormley, T.D., said that this motion is far worse that the Greens expected. "It is completely spineless and craven and could well have been written by the US State Department such is its support for the Bush Administration's war against Iraq. We had predicted that the Government would seek to convey the impression that they disapprove of the war, while at the same time justifying the continued use of Shannon as a military stopover. But this motion does nothing of the sort. The tone is entirely critical of Iraq and completely supportive of George Bush and his allies. While the Government merely regret that a second resolution was not possible there is no condemnation of this unilateral action."

Mr. Gormley said that the Green Party are now calling on all of those individuals in the Government ranks who have any principles to vote with the opposition on this motion. "Does everyone in this Government really believe that this motion is showing real respect for the UN and for Irish neutrality? Do they know in their hearts that by supporting the Government motion they are, in fact, approving an unjust, illegal and immoral war which will result in the deaths of thousand of innocent Iraqis, destabilize the entire Middle East and increase the risk of global terrorism. I am making a special appeal to the Progressive Democrat deputies, whose own supporters do not approve of this war or the continued use of Shannon. The message to backbenchers is straightforward - have the courage of your convictions and vote with the Green Party tomorrow."