On the Aftermath of the visit

by Michael Hennigan Mon Jun 28, 2004 16:46

This week the UN Secretary General Koffi Annan will visit Sudan where an estimated 1 million Muslim Africans have been driven from their homes in recent months with the support of the Muslim Arab Government in Khartoum.

Earlier this year, Annan who was the head of the UN Peace Mission Unit in 1994, said that the world should not countenance another Rwanda.

Are there ever protests against political inaction and leaders who do nothing?

Ten years ago, it was still a year before the market carnage in Sarajevo prompted a reluctant Bill Clinton to engage the Serbs. Where was Europe and where would it be today?

The Muslim world is silent about the ethnic cleansing in West Sudan as it was against the past mistreatment of the people of Kurdistan, divided between the 4 countries of Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran.

So let us loudly oppose what is happening in countries other than Iraq, as well. Just because Darfur is not as big a media story as Iraq and we depend on news from brave aid workers and freelance journalists, it should not be ignored.

by Phil Boylan Sun Jun 27, 2004 15:35

I believe that the actual figure was 2 million euros spent on security. A princely sum I might add, but nowhere near 10 million euros as mentioned in the article. If you want this stuff to be taken seriously, then start being completely honest. If its something you demand of the government[s] you oppose so much, the lead by example. Bsically it sullies your work.

by Sedition Sun Jun 27, 2004 14:46

I acknowledge that this news article is erroneous and right wing. However, it details the contempt that we Irish have for dubya. Further, since those who read this (i.e Americans) have the power to get rid of George in the next election, the fact that it emphasises our hostility can only be a good thing.

by long-time activist Sun Jun 27, 2004 14:04

That "Reverend" Moon must be a miracle worker if he can turn what was a sizable protest against Reagan into a welcoming crowd of 100,000!
When Reagan came the government had to seal off part of the city with a ring of Gardai in riot gear to protect him. They did not fancy a repetition of that experience for the Bush visit, so they put him in a remote castle away from any big urban areas.

by ktruane Sun Jun 27, 2004 11:21 kanderuane at eircom dot net

along with "The Washington Times", half the Senate,and the Bush Crime Family.

You have to read UPI the way that Russians used to read "Pravda"--only between the lines and with rock of salt!

by Upset Sun Jun 27, 2004 02:18

With the world's number one terrorist soiling our country, I expected the Irish people to come out in their droves.
Instead, we got our usual core-supporters and no more than that. A very poor showing.

Before the war we got 100,000 people out on the streets. We need to talk about what's going wrong. Personally, I blame the SWP and Sinn Fein for politicisng the anti-war movement.

by Santa Clause Sun Jun 27, 2004 00:21

Well they got this wrong anyway:

"Ronald Reagan brought Dublin to a standstill, cheered by more than 100,000 people."

That's a new one on me. In fact there was a huge protest march AGAINST Reagan, and virtually nobody supporting him. Even Kennedy did not get those kind of numbers.
That's UPI's reputation gone for a hop.

by Sedition Sat Jun 26, 2004 23:47

Check this out:

http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20040626-012706-3604r