A brief report of Sunday's IAWM AGM

national | anti-war / imperialism | news report Tuesday September 30, 2003 20:48 by Fintan Lane - Cork Anti-War Campaign corkantiwar at hotmail dot com 087 1258325

I'm sure somebody will write a more substantial report of the IAWM AGM held at the Teachers' Club last Sunday, but in the meantime...

*SHANNON AIRPORT AND REFUELLING: There was a good deal of discussion on Shannon and the refuelling issue, and it clearly emerged as the central concern of most who attended. Representatives/delegates from Cork, Fairview, Tralee, Limerick, and other areas, argued that the IAWM should focus on Shannon airport as the anti-war movement's campaigning priority.

It was agreed to hold a demonstration at Shannon in November (or in the first week of December at the very latest). I argued for mass peaceful civil disobedience at Shannon and this position went uncontested, which I assume means general agreement, rather than a reticence to openly argue an opposing perspective.

There was vigorous criticism with regard to the absense of representatives of the Pitstop Ploughshares (or Catholic Worker 5) from the platform at Saturday's march. Considering the seriousness of their upcoming court case, it was hardly surprising that delegates were annoyed. In response, Aoife Ni Fheargail explained that their request for a speaker had come very late (the speakers had already been selected) and that 'direct action' activists were fully represented by Mary Kelly (who, unfortunately, couldn't make it in the end, though her speech was read out by Paul O'Toole), and Caoimhe Butterly (who also didn't make it to Dublin on time). Ultimately, it was clear that those present want the IAWM to be proactive in supporting the Catholic Worker 5. Aoife made the point that she had already contacted Ciaron O'Reilly to ask how the IAWM could best offer assistance in the lead up to the trial.

The AGM also passed a motion that made "a commitment to take regular action promoting the boycott of Top Oil", and local groups will be asked to appoint a contact person who will liaise with that campaign.

In sum, it is clear that most activists see Shannon as the central priority and it is now incumbent on the steering committee and local groups to mobilise for the biggest possible demonstration there in November. The precise date will be set by the incoming steering committee.

EUROPEAN SOCIAL FORUM: It was agreed that the IAWM supports the forthcoming European Social Forum in Paris, recognises the importance of international links, and organises to send a significant delegation. The motion on this issue was amended to read "supports" the ESF rather than sees it as "a priority", which some delegates felt would make it appear to be of more importance to the movement than Shannon. Nonetheless, it is clear that those present want the IAWM to engage positively with the ESF and also with the Irish Social Forum.

FIANNA FAIL ARD FHEIS: This is being held in Killarney on 11 October (the date orginally set for a Shannon demo), and the AGM passed a Tralee motion calling for a large anti-war picket on the day. Because 11 October is little more than a week-and-a-half away, it is important that anti-war activists start organising for this immediately. The focus, obviously, will be on the integration of Shannon airport into the U.S. war machine. The Catholic Workers are also organising a vigil and I imagine they'll post details of that in due course.

IRISH ARMY: The AGM agreed to draft an information leaflet aimed at Irish soldiers "on the reality of the 'war on terror' and today's application of UN peacekeeping".

STEERING COMMITTEE: A new 16-person steering committee was elected: Kieran Allen (Dublin), Richard Boyd Barrett (Dublin), Harry Browne (American Citizens Against War), Glenda Cimino, Colin Coulter (Maynooth), Raymond Deane, Kirsten Foy, Aoife Ni Fhearghail (Dublin), Tim Hourigan (Limerick), Fintan Lane (Cork Anti-War Campaign), Michael O'Brien, Mick O'Sullivan (Fairview Against the War), Colm Stephenson, Laurence Vize (Boycott Top Oil Campaign), Cara Wallace (Tralee), Dominic Walsh.

This, obviously, is very far from a complete report; many other motions were passed and issues discussed. The discussion was quite robust at times, and left-wing parties received a hard time now and again, but the atmosphere remained constructive and positive.