Cruise missiles of justice says Minister's Office

national | miscellaneous | news report Sunday July 28, 2002 19:00 by Eoin Dubsky - Refueling Peace info at refuelingpeace dot org 087-6942060

Refueling Peace recently received a letter from the Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs in response to a letter sent by myself to the Minister some weeks ago. In it the Minister's Private Secretary explains why we're refueling US war planes at Shannon, why the so-called "war on terrorism" is legal and generally okay, and how our government feels about Iraq.

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The letter begins....

23 July 2002
(Ref: POL020402)

Dear Mr. Dubsky,
I refer to your recent letter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs concerning the Government's decision to allow the use of Shannon Airport by US military aircraft.

In giving permission for US military aircraft to overfly or land in Ireland the Government is acting under the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, which allows the Minister for Foreign Affairs, exceptionally, to grant permission to foreign military aircraft to overfly or land in the State. Confirmation is required that the aircraft in question are unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives and that the flights in question do not form part of military exercises or operations.

In addition to this, landing and refueling facilities continue to be provided for US military aircraft pursuant to the Governments' decision to offer such facilities in accordance with our obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 1368 of 12 September 2001 which classified the terrorist attacks of 11 September as a threat to international peace and security. This Resolution, which is binding on all Members of the United Nations, calls on all States to work together urgently to bring to justice the perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of the terrorist attack of 11 September and stresses that those responsible for aiding, supporting and harbouring the perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of those acts will be held accountable.

In offering overflight and refueling facilities to States whose forces are engaged in bring to justice those who carried out or assisted in the dreadful attacks on the United States and are seeking to prevent further such attacks, Ireland is living up to its responsibilities under resolution 1368. As a member of the Security Council, Ireland has a particular responsibility in this regard. In the case of the offer of assistance made to the US after September 11, the normal conditions were waived in respect of aircraft operating in pursuit of the implementation of the Security Council Resolution 1368.