[Peace-discuss] Irish peace group says new govt policy means US can't use Shannon for war transit

[Robert Naiman]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Roger Cole <info at pana.ie>
Date: Tue, Mar 8, 2011 at 5:09 AM
Subject: Victory for Peace Movement
To: naiman at justforeignpolicy.org


 Press Statement 8/3/2011  Peace & Neutrality Alliance

                                                                Victory for
Peace Movement in new Programme for Government

The Peace & Neutrality Alliance (PANA) welcomes the statement in the new
Labour/Fine Gael Programme for Government, promising to implement
international law in terms of the use of Irish airspace and airports by
foreign powers. Under the section Foreign Affairs, ODA and Defence, the
Programme says: "We will enforce the prohibition on the use of Irish
airspace, airports and related facilities for purpose not in line with
dictates of
international law."

PANA Chair, Roger Cole, a delegate to the Conference, asked for
clarification of this statement in the Programme for Government. He pointed
out that a key part of international law governing the behaviour of Neutral
States is the Hague Convention of 1907 which prohibits the use of a neutral
state's territory to prosecute a war. Switzerland quotes the Hague
Convention to explain why no US planes land in Zurich Airport on their way
to and from their wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Mr. Cole asked: " Does this
mean the termination of the use of Shannon Airport by US troops in these
permanent ongoing wars?" citing Afghanistan and Iraq.

Eamon Gilmore in his closing speech to the Conference, replied to Roger
Cole's call for clarification. The Labour Party Leader stated that: "Yes,
Roger Cole has pointed out an area where is there is a difference" and "that
it may be hard to believe" but that the statement in the Programme for the
Government " does mean what is says".

In the context of the question asked and the reply given, this means the new
government will, like the Government of Switzerland, implement the Hague
Convention, and terminate the use of Shannon Airport by US troops on their
way to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. We would hope the new incoming
government would do so on Easter Monday, the 95th anniversary of the 1915
Rising. PANA will also seek an early meeting with the new Minister for
Foreign Affairs.

for more information contact Roger Cole, Chair of PANA Tel: 087-2611597 or
Seamas Ratigan Tel: 086-8369793

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-- 
Robert Naiman
Policy Director
Just Foreign Policy
www.justforeignpolicy.org
naiman at justforeignpolicy.org
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