Shannon Warport - 'A great Moneyspinner'

by DMoran Tue Jul 19, 2005 01:48

http://www.thepost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqid=6524-qqqx=1.asp

by redjade Sun Jul 17, 2005 17:37

Sardinia Says It's Time for the U.S. Navy to Leave Port
The military's presence impedes the island's
growth as a tourist haven, locals say.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-sardinia17jul17,1,4264845,full.story?coll=la-headlines-world

By Tracy Wilkinson, LA Times Staff Writer

[....]

Sardinia may be best known as a lush playground for the rich and famous who cavort amid its pristine waters and secluded beaches, but it also plays host to U.S. nuclear submarines and more military installations and activity — American, Italian and NATO — than anywhere else in Italy. Plans to draw down the U.S. military elsewhere in Europe and in the United States do not apply here.

That does not sit well with the man who governs Sardinia and a small but growing movement of activists who say the soldiers and sailors have overstayed their welcome.

"The real issue for us is, after 30 years, we still have an American base here in our archipelago. Is that necessary?"

[....]

It is not that Sardinians don't like Americans, he insisted. It is a matter of national sovereignty.

"We love American tourists, entrepreneurs, professors…. We are good friends with the U.S.," Soru said. "But would you want a nuclear submarine next to your house?"

[....]

As U.S. military deployments go, the contingent in this part of Sardinia is pretty subtle. La Maddalena still has the feel of a sleepy Italian seaside town, not another Panama Canal Zone.

But residents who oppose the military presence blame it for holding back Sardinia's economic development. No-go zones set up by the Navy, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Italian armed forces cut into potential tourism and other public uses, the critics contend.

"It is such a contradiction to have a military base in the middle of a national park," said Francesco Palazola, a 52-year-old philosophy professor who lives in La Maddalena. "You can't fish. You can't set anchor. You can't stop. You can't pass through," he said, pausing on a cornice overlooking the water and gesturing toward a line of floating rubber "sausages" that the Navy has laid to block access.

"Instead of nuclear subs, let's have yachts and sailboats."

by Ciaron - Pit Stop Ploughshares Sat Jul 16, 2005 20:50

Last Thursday, six of us gathered at the time the bombing attacks occured in London a week previously.....we came from Poland, Australia & Ireland. Countries from where some of the victims of this slaughter in London originated from. Our countries are also involved in the ongoing slaughters in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The lack of acknowlegement that the attacks in London are an extension of the British & U.S. slaughters and facilitation by Ireland at Shannon Airport was central to the 2 minutes silence organised by Irish and British governments set for 12 noon later that day.

We have carried our banner "War is Terror is War" for the last 3 years in an attempt to speak truth to power and break from the escalataing spiral of violence.

We continue to vigil - stay awake - at the G.P.O. every Monday 4pm-6pm. we invite you to stand with us for what evr time you can.

by redjade Sat Jul 16, 2005 16:59

July 15, 2005
Time to Pull Out. And Not Just From Iraq.
By JOHN DEUTCH

Those who argue that we should "stay the course" because an early withdrawal from Iraq would hurt America's global credibility must consider the possibility that we will fail in our objectives in Iraq and suffer an even worse loss of credibility down the road.

[....]

I do not believe that we are making progress on any of our key objectives in Iraq.

[....]

Our best strategy now is a prompt withdrawal plan consisting of clearly defined political, military and economic elements.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/15/opinion/15deutch.html?ex=1279080000&en=2aad5f84356c2f70&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

by br Sat Jul 16, 2005 16:28

"It is a great money-spinner for Shannon and should be welcomed."
Pat Breen, Clare Fine Gael TD, supporting the increased US military use of Shannon

If this is a common view of members of this new coalition, well what does Labours anti-war policy actually mean? Whats more if both parties form a government, will US toops pull out of Shannon airport in reality?

by B.T. Sat Jul 16, 2005 14:41

Sean Mac think your confusing concepts of collective mediocrity with democracy here. Could be a byproduct of colonisation? It doesn't martyr to me. Your contributions are a distraction.

There's a war on and it could be coming to your hometown soon with the absence of a courageous nonviolent reistance movement in the West (and in a country that has serviced 70% of the invading forces) it has left a vacuum for predicatble violent payback. Wake up and smell the coffee

Big bombs little bombs, the Catholic Worker has a long history of courageously opposing both.....you either support them or you don't as they face the courts.

Maybe you should consider getting another hobby?

by Sean Mac Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:51

Well, I admit I dont want to be a hero or a martyr or have my own calvary, or bear witness.. and, by the way, I dont have any political sectarian feelings towards anyone in the peace movement, I even raised money for those would be christian martyrs. But reading "please refresh my memory" stuff from Mr Moran stinks of some kind of misguided conceit; maybe its all part of his "saved/martyr complex"- knowing more than ther rest of us poor non-believers, not much different from the koran kids really. I have been at all those pathetic demos at shannon, I dont need my memory refreshed, they are etched painfully there. Sure we need to raise the issues in the public arena, but theres no need for Mr Moran to talk down to anyone. And if he wants to go to gaol, then bully for him

by Justin Morahan - Peace People Sat Jul 16, 2005 01:58

I detect enmity from outside the gate - not inside it - in Seán Mac's comment.
I don't know of anyone in the anti-war movement who would suggest cynically or otherwise that anyone "become a bit more combustible and make a splash like the Koran kids", as he so crudely puts it.
You don't have to be "holier than thou" to set out Damien's comments as he has done above. Of course there is frustration when Shannon airport continues to be used as a warport - as if there had never been a demonstration against the war in Iraq. Damien put his freedom on the line, what have you done, "Seán Mac"?
Why pretend to be "burrowing away" against the US military use of Shannon airport when your comments are obviously derisory of those who really burrowed the hard way.
If you were interested in restoring Shannon to civilians, you wouldn't care about the religion or lack of religion of your fellow travellers.
But you are not a fellow traveller, are you?

by BT Sat Jul 16, 2005 01:20

Whatever Sean Mac, stay sitting on your first world ass, have another pint and we'll wake you up when it's over. ,

by Sean Mac Fri Jul 15, 2005 21:15

Dreadful situation in Shannon, equally exasperating is what happens when demos are called down in Shannon, few turn up. Some people throughout the country are still burrowing away, even if you dont see us Mr Moran. Your comments are bit too holier than thou. Maybe you bible thumpers, who believe in all that goobledeegook about life after death, should pack in setting up ur altars and become a bit more combustible - make a splash like the koran kids

by Damien Moran (DCW/PSP) Fri Jul 15, 2005 20:31

Unclear as to how this significant piece evaded our attention, but probably got to do with G8 focus.

Anyhow, this is a very interesting article where Dr. Tom Cloonan highlights just how complicit Ireland is in the Iraq War.
We refuel US Armed Forces planes.

Our Irish security forces provide protection to US warplanes at Shannon.

Our gvt./political representatives still claim we've maintained our neutrality status despite ferrying 450,000+ US troops to and from war preparations/engagements since early 2002.

The fact that we are paying such a substantial sum each day should spark righteous anger and nonviolent direct action amongst all anti-war folk.

Damien Moran
www.peaceontrial.com

******************************************************

Paying €10,000 a day for US military overflights has not really registered on the taxpayers' radar

by Dr. Tom Cloonan - Irish Times

******************************************************** As US military aircraft entertain the crowd at the Salthill air show this weekend, many may wonder why we are spending €10,000 a day to help them fight the war in Iraq, writes Tom Clonan

As Salthill prepares to host its annual air show tomorrow, a number of protest marches are scheduled to demonstrate against the presence of US and British military aircraft in the line-up.

This year's display will include a US military UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and an RAF Tornado fighter, aircraft types deployed by coalition forces in Iraq.

However, those concerned about foreign military aircraft in Irish airspace would do well to divert their gaze from Salthill this weekend and consider more dramatic military developments at higher altitude in Ireland's skies.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), under Government direction, is providing vital navigation support - free of charge - to US military aircraft passing through our airspace on their way to Iraq.

By picking up the cost of these navigation charges, the Irish taxpayer, perhaps unwittingly, is making a considerable cash contribution towards the US war in Iraq.

Figures released to the Labour Party last month reveal that the Department of Transport has paid the IAA almost €10 million over the past five years in respect of foreign military aircraft passing through Irish airspace.

Such payments are made by the taxpayer to reimburse the IAA for a Government decision to exempt all foreign military aircraft from "en-route" air traffic control charges through Irish airspace.

This decision is based on Ireland's participation in a Eurocontrol (the European organisation for the safety of air navigation) multilateral agreement.

The Eurocontrol agreement is a reciprocal arrangement whereby its parties exempt military aircraft from charges for communications and navigation services facilitating their passage through "friendly" airspace.

Ireland does not enjoy much by way of reciprocity through this agreement. Indeed, the only Irish military aircraft that regularly enters foreign airspace is the Government jet.

The figures released by the Department of Transport are significant in that they reveal a doubling and trebling of annual payments for foreign military overflights by the Irish taxpayer over the last two years.

In 2003, as the US and Britain invaded Iraq, Government repayments to the IAA shot up from an average of €1 million per annum to almost €2.2 million. These charges reflect a doubling of military activity in Irish airspace coinciding with the start of US and British military operations in the Gulf.

Last year alone the Irish taxpayer paid over €3.6 million to the IAA in respect of military overflights.

This represents an average payment by the Irish taxpayer of approximately €10,000 per day for the facilitation of foreign military activity within our airspace.

Most Irish citizens associate military traffic through our airspace with the transit of US military personnel bound for Iraq through Shannon airport. However, the vast majority of those troops - 110,766 during the first four months of this year - travel on chartered civilian aircraft that pay full landing and associated charges to the relevant authorities.

Indeed, the revenues accruing from these charges prompted one Minister to state that the transit of US forces through Shannon was "good for business".

This being the case, it highlights the fact that the dramatically increased overflights in question - being paid for by the Irish taxpayer - comprise aircraft with specific military functions. These would include high-altitude bombers, strike aircraft, in-flight refuelling aircraft, reconnaissance and target-acquisition aircraft.

For operational and security reasons, the international military do not normally disclose the aircraft-type, unit designation or onward destination of military aircraft passing through non-aligned airspace. The US military is no exception in these matters.

It is clear, nevertheless, based on intelligence estimates and circumstantial logic, that the majority of military traffic overflying Irish territory consists of US air force aircraft. It is also extremely unlikely that all of the military aircraft passing through our airspace are bound for RAF Lakenheath, Mildenhall, in Britain, or Ramstein and Spangdahlem airbases in Germany.

Routine US flights to European airbases are reflected in the lower numbers of overflights recorded in Ireland prior to 2003 and the invasion of Iraq.

The lack of a clear inventory of the type of military aircraft passing through our airspace - suggesting increased operational sensitivity and secrecy - coupled with the exponential increase in air activity at this time strongly suggest that many of the military aircraft in question are participating in the war in Iraq.

Austria, a neutral state and like Ireland a member of Nato's Partnership for Peace (PfP) Organisation, denied Nato aircraft access to its airspace during the 1999 Serb air campaign. It does not exempt foreign military aircraft passing through its airspace from routine air traffic control charges.

Many PAYE workers and other taxpayers in Ireland would be alarmed at their tax deductions forming such a significant material contribution to the US war in Iraq. This is particularly so when such funds - up to €10,000 per day - are needed in areas such as healthcare and education.

In such circumstances many would demand that the US military pay its own way through our neutral airspace.

Dr Tom Clonan is a retired Army officer. He currently lectures in the school of media, DIT

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/opinion/2005/0625/905285319OP25CLONAN.html

***********************************************************

Previous Associated Dáil Question
No: 180


*To ask the Minister for Transport the amount paid by Government to the Aviation Authority in respect of US military aircraft over-flying Irish airspace for each year from 2000 to 2004; and the proportion of these funds which related to US military planes travelling to and from Iraq.
- Joe Higgins.

* For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 15th December, 2004.

Answered by the then Minister of State at the Department of Transport
(Ivor Callely)

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) provides air traffic control and communications services to aircraft which pass through Irish controlled airspace (en-route) and aircraft landing and taking off from Irish Airports (terminal). Only a small proportion of military flights through Irish administered airspace actually pass through Irish sovereign airspace. Irish administered airspace covers 135,000 sq miles of which 32,000 sq miles is sovereign airspace.

Under a Eurocontrol (European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation) Multilateral agreement to which Ireland is a party, various categories of flights (Flights under Visual Flight Rules, flights performed by small aircraft, flights performed for the transport of Heads of State and search and rescue flights) are exempt from paying en-route charges. In the case of other categories (military flights, training flights, flights performed to test air navigation equipment and circular flights), States have the option to exempt such flights from payment of the en-route charge.

In common with most Eurocontrol Member States, Ireland exempts all such flights, including military flights of Member States of Eurocontrol, United States and Canada, from payment of the en-route charge and this arrangement has applied since Ireland joined the Eurocontrol en-route charging scheme in the early 1970’s. Because of this arrangement the IAA costs in relation to military flights are met from my Department’s vote.

From information received from Eurocontrol it is understood that Austria, Finland, Switzerland and Moldova do not at present grant exempted status to US military flights. However, my Department understands that invoices issued by the above States to the US authorities in respect of military flights have not been paid.

Ireland also exempts military aircraft flights from payment of the communications charge and the IAA costs in relation to those charges are also met from my Department’s vote. Efforts to collect this charge in the early 1990’s were unsuccessful and, following advice from the Attorney General, debts then outstanding were written off with the agreement of the Department of Finance and a decision taken to cease charging the communications fee to military aircraft.

The total amounts (not including VAT) paid to the Authority in the years 2000 to 2002 in relation to all exempted flights other than flights under Visual Flight Rules are as follows:
2000 € 1,139,283
2001 € 1,377,560
2002 € 1,642,541

While it is not possible to provide an exact breakdown of these totals between military and other exempt flights, it is estimated that the latter comprises a very small proportion of the total payment. Eurocontrol has been requested to provide a more detailed breakdown, including the proportion relating to U.S. military flights. I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.

A total of €2.751m (not including VAT) was paid to the IAA for both en-route and communications charges in respect of all exempted traffic in 2003, with U.S. military flights accounting for approximately 90% of the total amounting to €2.48m. The total paid between January 2004 and September 2004 amounts to €3.38m, with U.S. military flights accounting for approximately 86% of the total amounting to €2.9m.

The proportion of these amounts which related to U.S. military flights travelling to or from Iraq is not known.

*******************************************************

Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Our only hope today lies in our ability to recapture the revolutionary spirit and go into a sometimes hostile world declaring eternal hostility to poverty, racism, and militarism."