IAWM Bulletin

national | anti-war / imperialism | opinion/analysis Thursday December 18, 2003 20:07 by Colm Stephens - Irish Anti-War Movement info at irishantiwar dot org PO Box 9260, Dublin 1

17 December

1. Capture of Saddam Hussein
2. Bertie claims that he was ‘anti-war’ all along!
3. Steering Committee Report
4. Fintan Lane – Temporary Release for Christmas
5. Website is Down!
6. IAWM and other events

Capture of Saddam Hussein
‘One criminal captures another’ is an appropriate way to sum up the reaction of anti-war activists to the news that Saddam was captured by US forces. Now that he has been caught the only ones that have a right to try him are Iraqi people – the main victims of his tyranny. Any fair assessment of Saddam’s career as a despot should also put the US and Britain on trial – for supporting him through the worst of his war crimes, and for their own vicious attacks on the Iraqi people.

We should all remember the thousands of innocent civilians have died and the lies that the US and Britain used to justify the war. The US supported Saddam while he was using chemical warfare on the Kurds and continues to support vicious dictators who co-operate with US economic and military interests.

Appalling crimes against civilians continue: the 15 children killed in Afghanistan earlier this month were slaughtered by an American A-10 attack aircraft – a type of craft that has been photographed on the ground in Shannon Airport. More than 14,000 US troops passed through Shannon last month alone, on their way to wage war on Iraqis, or on their way home with shattering injuries.

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Bertie claims that he was ‘anti-war’ all along!

These grim facts outlined above put Bertie Ahern’s claims to be a longstanding peace activist in some perspective. However, they also show the effect that the anti-war movements are having. Even the bold Bertie realises that it is deeply unpopular to be seen to be supporting the US war machine. Of course, his actions tell a different story! Can we expect him on the Anti-War demo in Dublin on 20 March 2004 to mark the first anniversary of the invasion of Iraq? We doubt it!

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Steering Committee Report

The SC met on Sunday, 14 December and decided that priority for the next couple of months will be to build for a huge demonstration in Dublin on 20 March (details see below). The first anniversary of the invasion or Iraq has been proposed by the US anti-war organisation ANSWER and endorsed by the ESF as a worldwide day of mobilisation against all occupations. The IAWM has chosen the slogan ‘End the Occupations – U.S. Military out of Shannon’. All IAWM groups are encouraged to build for this by organising local meeting, stalls etc. We are also organising large meetings with top-name anti-war speakers leading up to the 20 March.

It was also decided that until after 20 March that the IAWM will not be organising any further protests at Shannon. This decision is purely tactical. It is believed that the best way to get large numbers of people at later Shannon protests is through a huge mobilisation on 20 March when we will be protesting against the use of Shannon at the seat of political power in Ireland.

It was decided that in future that SC meetings will not be open to observers but that the SC will proactively invite members and others to speak at SC meetings about specific topics when required.

It was agreed to mobilise around the upcoming trials of Mary Kelly and the Pitstop Ploughshares (aka Catholic Workers). Mary’s next court appearance will be on 19 February. Details will follow.

In accordance with a resolution passed at the AGM it was decided to hold a National Steering Committee Meeting on Saturday, 31 January 2004. All affiliated local groups should send a representative. Note that each affiliate should have paid its sub for 2003/04 by then! The sub is €50 (local groups) and €100 (national/regional organisations).

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Fintan Lane – Temporary Release for Christmas

Fintan will be granted temporary release for 36 hours over Christmas. We still say he should be released immediately and permanently and all the charges against other anti-war protesters should be dropped. ‘Free Fintan Lane’ posters are available from ../mailto:clonakiltyagainstthewar@eircom.net and ../../mailto:irishantiwar@utvinternet.com.
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Website is Down!

Due to a catastrophic crash at our server providers the IAWM website and the e-mail are down. We are working to get them back up. In the meantime please use ../mailto:irishantiwar@utvinternet.com as a temporary e-mail address!

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Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year
in a world without war to all!
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Up-coming IAWM events
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Wednesday, 24 December Christmas Eve Peace Vigil
Organised by Tralee Anti-War Group Anti-War Group.
2.30 – 4.30 pm, Outside Penny’s, The Mall, Tralee, Co. Kerry
Contact Kieran at 087 671 6009 for more details or e-mail traleeantiwar@yahoo.com
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Thursday. 15 January 2004 Picket of Bertie Ahern’s Constituency Office
Organised by Drumcondra and Phibsborough Anti-War Groups.
5.00 – 6.00 pm, Outside ‘St. Lukes’, Lwr. Drumcondra Road, Dublin 9
Contact Colm at 087 294 7100 for more details or e-mail irishantiwar@utvinternet.com
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Thursday. 31 January 2004 National Steering Committee Meeting
Details will follow. Affiliated local groups and organisations please send a representative!
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Saturday, 20 March 2004 End the Occupations – U.S. Military out of Shannon
National demonstration on day of worldwide mobilisation to mark 1st anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.
Assemble 3 pm, Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin 1
Posters and leaflets will be available in January.
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Other events
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Until 08 Feb. 04 The House of Osama Bin Laden at IMMA
An exhibition featuring an interactive digital model allowing a virtual exploration of the former home of Osama bin Laden opens to the public at the Irish Museum of Modern Art on Wednesday 10 December 2003. Further information on http://www.modernart.ie/News/WhatsOn.asp?id=1095
Open daily at Irish Museum of Modern Art, Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin 8
The bulletin would like to hear people’s reaction to this exhibition. Please send your comments to our temporary e-mail ../mailto:irishantiwar@utvinternet.com
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