The two main conservative parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, have produced their General Election 2024 Manifestos, both are long on details, outlining their plans and commitments.

However, PANA is concerned that the language used in these documents make these commitments very vague and confusing, especially on foreign affairs.

The Fianna Fáil / Fine Gael / Green 2020 Programme for Government stated: “The Government will ensure that all overseas operations will be conducted in line with our position of military neutrality and will be subject to a triple lock of UN, Government, and Dáil Eireann approval.”

This commitment was clear, so these parties now in government found it hard to convince the electorate on the need to abandon the UN mandate for Irish troops serving abroad on peacekeeping missions. Whilst the term ‘military neutrality’ can be interpreted by the author, what political adviser came up with the term ‘sensible reform’ of the Triple Lock legislation.

Today, the Fianna Fail General Election 2024 Manifesto states, we will ‘continue to protect and promote Ireland’s military neutrality including sensible reform of the ‘Triple Lock’ legislation.’ (Investing in Defence P. 128)

Abandoning the Triple Lock signifies a serious diminution of our commitment to the UN system, to UN peace-keeping efforts, and to multilateralism. This was borne out in the government’s March 2023 decision to withdraw approximately 130 defence personnel from the Golan Heights to ‘ensure that the Defence Forces have the capacity to fulfil their commitment to the EU Battlegroup 2024/2025’ https://www.pana.ie/

Fine Gael appears more open in their support for this emerging EU military structure, through EU Battlegroups, and the PESCO agreement.

Today, the Fine Gael General Election 2024 Manifesto states, ‘we will enhance cooperation between our Defence Forces and international partners, including the United Nations, European Union, and NATO’ (Support active military cooperation, P. 71)

According to Roger Cole of PANA, both FF and FG use this vague language in their Manifestos to cause confusion, and to convince us at election time that they have no plans to join this nuclear armed, warmongering NATO military alliance, we just want to cooperate more with them.

Ends.

To confirm this Press Release contact…

Tom Crilly, Communications Officer, PANA,

Roger Cole, Chairperson, PANA,

Padraig Mannion, Irish Language Spokesperson, PANA,

For more information:

Saving the Triple Lock

A three-tiered approval mechanism to authorise the deployment of troops to highly complex and volatile environments, including conflict zones, makes good sense. Yet the government is planning to dismantle it with no meaningful public debate.

Fianna Fail General Election Manifesto 2024, P. 128

Fine Gael General Election 2024 Manifesto, P. 71

Election Manifestos 2024 may promote Peace or War

Here is what I think is a reassuring reply from Matt Cathy. He was the only member of the Foreign Affairs committee to reply to me (so far).

Best Wishes
Elizabeth Cullen

Sinn Féin are committed to maintaining the triple-lock neutrality protection

Liz a Chara,

Rather than seeking to undermine Irish neutrality through its removal, government should be prioritising investment in the Defence Forces and addressing the recruitment and retention crises within the army, naval service and air corps.

Sinn Féin believe that Irish neutrality, and having an independent foreign policy, is a strength. It is valued and supported by the Irish people. On the international stage, neutrality has underpinned our contribution to peacekeeping and diplomacy. It has never been a weakness.

The Tánaiste’s proposals to abandon the triple-lock neutrality protection breaches multiple commitments given to the Irish people, particularly during the Nice and Lisbon EU referenda as you have pointed to. It represents a fundamental and negative shift in Irish foreign policy.

The Tánaiste has no mandate to remove the triple-lock – no government party included this in their 2020 general election manifestos, and even the Chairs Report of the Tánaiste’s so-called Consultative Forum found that there was ‘no public appetite for a change to the current position on neutrality’. Its removal also breaches multiple commitments given to the Irish people, particularly during the Nice and Lisbon EU referenda.

It is unfortunate that government voted against a Sinn Féin motion in the Dáil mandating them to put their proposals to remove the triple lock before the people through referendum.

Sinn Féin in government have committed to establishing a Citizens Assembly to be tasked with agreeing the wording of a constitutional amendment to insert neutrality into the Irish constitution, as outlined in our substantial submission to the Consultative Forum on International Security which can be read here:

https://www.sinnfein.ie/files/2023/Submission_to_Consultative_Forum_on_Foreign_Affairs_layout.pdf

Is Mise,
Matt Carthy TD
Cavan/Monaghan.
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs & Defence.
Leinster House, Dublin.

‍

Sinn Féin are committed to maintaining the triple-lock neutrality protection

This excellent text has been adapted from an oral presentation by Niamh Ní Bhriain at an event hosted by TD Catherine Connolly in Leinster House in April 2024.

Saving the Triple Lock

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) of 32 Western countries has formally declared its security interests to be global, despite its title and founding mandate as a trans-atlantic security alliance.

How NATO Went Rogue

By Tomasz Pierscionek, Morning Star, August 9, 2024

NATO: What You Need to Know by Medea Benjamin and David Swanson, OR books, £12.99

To mark the 75th anniversary of Nato’s creation, veteran anti-war activists Medea Benjamin and David Swanson have published a book that explores the alliance’s origins and critiques its role in global affairs over the past several decades.

The three big NATO myths

A new book by German MP Sevim Dağdelen shatters NATO's biggest myths: why the Alliance has nothing to do with defence, democracy or human rights
THOMAS FAZI, AUG 10, 2024

How the EU became a subdepartment of NATO

Wolfgang Streeck on how the European Commission used the proxy war in Ukraine as a way of surreptitiously achieving further supranational integration at the cost of greater vassalisation
THOMAS FAZI, AUG 09, 2024

Global NATO and the Expanding Theatres of Escalation

By Anuradha Chenoy, JULY 27, 2024 vol lIX no 30 EPW Economic & Political Weekly

Speech delivered by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Donna Cooney at the Annual commemoration of the Bombing of Hiroshima. This event organised by Irish CND was held in Merrion Square Park, Dublin on 6th August 2024. Pictures on PANA Facebook.

‍

This day 79 years ago, on the 6th of August 1945, the world witnessed the most deadly single act ever inflicted by human beings on other humans. The city of Hiroshima was bombed at around 8.15 in the morning, the first time an atomic bomb had been used in conflict. Around 80,000 people were killed immediately, and around 140,000 people died of injuries sustained from the bombing by the end of 1945. The numbers are so huge that it is impossible to form anything more than estimates of the casualties, and some estimates are much higher than these.

But these are not simply numbers: 80,000, 140,000, a further 75,000 killed instantly in Nagasaki – all of these were human lives, women, men, children; mothers, fathers, girls, boys, grandparents; human lives with hopes and fears, human lives which shared joy and sadness together, human lives with the right to dignity, all terminated by the blinding split-second flash, the unimaginable wave of heat, the immeasurable brutality of the atomic bomb.

Today, 79 years later, almost 14,000 nuclear weapons are held by nine countries. Russia, the United States, China, France, the UK, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea daily threaten global destruction by their refusal to engage in meaningful nuclear disarmament. An accident, human error, a software malfunction, a cyber-attack – any of these could set off a ghastly chain of nuclear devastation.

Two nuclear-armed states, Russia and Israel, are engaged in war. We have heard government representatives of both countries discuss the possibility of the use of nuclear weapons. Equally chillingly, we have heard some politicians in the United States speak all too casually about the potential use of nuclear weapons in both those conflicts. The memory of Hiroshima makes the horrific humanitarian cost of nuclear weapons tragically clear. No nuclear bomb must ever, ever, be used again.

In January this year, the Board of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists again set the Doomsday Clock, symbolising how grave the threat of destruction is, at 90 seconds to midnight. This is the closest to midnight – the point of destruction – that the Doomsday Clock has ever been. In making this dire judgement, the Board referred to the breakdown of international co-operation towards disarmament among nuclear-armed states, especially the United States and Russia, the renewal of the nuclear arms race, and the lowering of the barriers to nuclear war.

They also referred to the threat posed by climate change, and the lack of global government action to address this crisis. The lack of action is all the more pointed in the face of more and more evidence every year of the catastrophic impacts of climate change for the whole world. Both nuclear weapons and climate change are manmade threats to life as we know it. The power to limit, to reverse and to undo these threats lies in our hands also.

In a recent interview with the Future of Life podcast, this point was emphasised by former Irish president, Mary Robinson, who said in relation to both climate change and nuclear weapons: “The problems could be solved with political will. They are human problems. If we came together with understanding and collaboration based on reason – the long-view leadership that we’re advocating, we can solve all these problems.”

One example of global leadership in combatting the threat from nuclear weapons has been shown by the organisation “Mayors for Peace”, founded by the Mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to campaign for nuclear disarmament and against the targeting of cities and their citizens in war. In 1994, Dublin was the first Irish city to join Mayors for Peace, now a worldwide network of 8,403 member cities in 166 countries. The key aims of Mayors for Peace’s “Vision for Peaceful Transformation to a Sustainable World” are: a world without nuclear weapons; safe and resilient cities, and promoting a culture of peace. Speaking here today as Deputy Lord Mayor, I want to reiterate Dublin’s commitment to these aims of Mayors for Peace.

Ireland has long played an important role in working to end the threat of nuclear annihilation. Ireland was the architect of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and the first country to sign and ratify the treaty in 1968. Regrettably, over 50 years on, the treaty has not delivered the hoped-for disarmament.

Ireland was again to the fore in 2016, as one of a group of six countries which proposed a United Nations conference to negotiate a new international treaty explicitly outlawing nuclear weapons. The “Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons” was approved by 122 states in 2017, and entered into force in 2021. Its importance was recognised by the award of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, of which Irish CND is a member.

Campaigners believe that the new treaty is already playing an important role in stigmatising and de-legitimising the possession of nuclear weapons internationally, and will hopefully bring the eventual elimination of nuclear weapons closer. As well as explicitly banning the development and possession of nuclear weapons, the treaty contains provisions on providing assistance for victims, and on environmental remediation, and explicitly recognises the disproportionate impact of nuclear weapons on women and children.

In conclusion, I want to focus again on our remembrance of the lives and suffering of all victims of the testing and use of atomic and nuclear weapons, especially those of Hiroshima. This is part of a poem by Sankichi Toge, who survived the bombing but died in Hiroshima at the age of 36 some years later. He addresses young people dying in the hours after the atomic bomb:

You are simply thinking,
thinking
of those who until this morning
were your fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters
(would any of them know you now?)
and of the homes in which you slept, woke, ate
(in that instant the blossoms in the hedge were torn off;
now even their ashes are not to be found)
thinking, thinking – as you lie there among friends who one after the
other stop moving –thinking
of when you were girls,
human beings.

‍

On August 6, 2024, MATSUI Kazumi, Mayor of the City of Hiroshima, delivered the Peace Declaration at the Peace Memorial Ceremony, marking the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombing.

Peace Declaration

Citizens of the world, what do you think? Are more powerful nuclear forces necessary for national security? What about arms races, competing to maintain superiority over other nations? Russia’s protracted invasion of Ukraine and the worsening situation between Israel and Palestine are claiming the lives of countless innocent people, shattering normal life. It seems to me that these global tragedies are deepening distrust and fear among nations, reinforcing the public assumption that, to solve international problems, we have to rely on military force, which we should be rejecting. Given such circumstances, how can nations offer safety and security to their people? Is that not impossible?

Through the pillars under the Peace Memorial Museum, we can see the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims. Anyone praying at the Cenotaph can look straight through it to the Atomic Bomb Dome. Peace Memorial Park, with these structures on its north-south axis, was built in accordance with the Hiroshima Peace Memorial City Construction Law, enacted seventy-five years ago today. Built by the people of Hiroshima and many other seekers of peace, it has become a place to memorialize the victims and to think, talk, and make promises to each other about peace.

If, after the war, Japan had abandoned our Peace Constitution and focused on rebuilding our military, the city of peace Hiroshima is today would not exist. Standing here, we can all feel our predecessors’ determination to eliminate the scourge of war, trusting in the justice and faith of peace-loving people around the world.

Expressing that determination, one hibakusha continually communicated the spirit of Hiroshima. “Now is the time to turn the tide of history, to get beyond the hatreds of the past, uniting beyond differences of race and nationality to turn distrust into trust, hatred into reconciliation, and conflict into harmony.” This uplifting sentiment was written by a man who, as a 14-year-old boy, saw scenes from a living hell— a baby with skin peeled down to red flesh next to its mother burned from head to toe, and a corpse with its guts strewn out on the dirt.

In 1989, a massive people’s movement for democracy brought down the Berlin Wall, the predominant symbol of the Cold War. President Gorbachev expressed humanity’s collective need for peace and his determination to stop the arms race, end nuclear terror, eradicate nuclear weapons, and relentlessly pursue political solutions to regional conflicts. He and President Reagan worked together through dialogue to bring the Cold War to an end, which led to the United States and the Soviet Union concluding the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. They demonstrated that policymakers can overcome even critical situations through resolute commitment to dialogue.

Let us not be resigned to pessimism about the chaotic world situation. Instead, let us be as determined as our forebears, and, united as one, with hope in our hearts, take collective action. Our unity will move leaders now relying on nuclear deterrence to shift their policies. We could make that happen.

To extinguish the suspicion and doubt that create conflicts, civil society must foster a circle of trust through exchange and dialogue with consideration for others. We must spread beyond national borders the sense of safety we feel in our daily lives. The crucial step here is to share and empathize with the experiences and values of others through music, art, sports, and other interactions. Through such exchange, let us create a world in which we all share the Culture of Peace. In particular, I call on our youth, who will lead future generations, to visit Hiroshima and, taking to heart what they experience here, create a circle of friendship with people of all ages. I hope they will ponder what they can do now, and act together to expand their circle of hope. The city of Hiroshima, working with Mayors for Peace, which now has more than 8,400 member cities in 166 countries and regions, will actively support community endeavors to raise peace consciousness.

Last fiscal year, approximately 1.98 million people from around the world visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. This record number is evidence of unprecedented interest in the atomic-bombed city and a rise in peace consciousness. My hope is that all world leaders will visit Hiroshima, experience the will of civil society, gain a deeper understanding of the atomic bombing, and hold in their hearts the hibakusha plea, “No one should ever suffer as we have.” Then, while they are here, I hope they will, with iron resolve, issue a compelling call for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

Twice in a row the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference has failed to adopt a final document. These failures have revealed a harsh reality, namely, the enormous differences among countries with respect to nuclear weapons. I hope the Japanese government, which has declared repeatedly that the NPT is the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, will exercise strong leadership, calling all countries to transcend their positions and engage in constructive dialogue toward a relationship of trust. Furthermore, I request that Japan, as a practical effort toward a nuclear-weapon-free world, participate as an observer at the Third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons to be held in March next year. Subsequently and as soon as possible, Japan must become a party to the treaty. In addition, I demand that the Japanese government strengthen measures of support for the hibakusha, including those living outside Japan. Now that their average age has exceeded 85, the government must accept that they are still suffering the many adverse emotional and physical effects of radiation.

Today, at this Peace Memorial Ceremony marking 79 years since the bombing, we offer our deepest condolences to the souls of the atomic bomb victims. Together with Nagasaki and likeminded people around the world, remembering once again the hibakusha struggle, we pledge to make every effort to abolish nuclear weapons and light the way toward lasting world peace. Citizens of the world, let us all, with hope in our hearts, walk with Hiroshima toward tomorrow’s peace.

August 6, 2024
Matsui Kazumi
Mayor
The City of Hiroshima

2024 Annual Commemoration of the Bombing of Hiroshima

Annual Irish CND commemoration of Hiroshima bombing, will take place on Tuesday, August 6th at 1.10pm, at the memorial cherry tree in Merrion Square Park, Dublin

There will be short speeches by Deputy Lord Mayor Donna Cooney, Japanese ambassador Mr Norio Maruyama, and Irish CND vice-president Adi Roche (CEO of Chernobyl Children International). There will also be contributions of music and poetry, and a wreath of flowers will be laid at the tree at the close of the commemoration.

http://irishcnd.blogspot.ie/

According to Roger Cole of PANA, “the NATO military alliance will not accept an emerging multipolar world, our foreign policy is based on hypocritical "double standards" on international law and on global conflicts, and this has become the main driving force for a New Cold War Arms Race.”

The United States announced plans to install long-range Cruise missiles in Germany following an agreement reached at the recent NATO summit in Washington. Russian President Putin responded: “If the US implements such plans, we will consider ourselves free from the previously imposed unilateral moratorium on the deployment of intermediate and shorter-range strike weapons.

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) latest report "Surge: Global Nuclear Weapons Spending 2023" exposes the massive increase in global nuclear weapons spending. In 2023, nine nuclear armed countries spent $91.4 billion on nuclear weapons.

In 2023, military spending by NATO EU countries amounted to €215 billion, so you might expect that our Irish government representatives are out there trying to calm conflicts around the world, advocating peace, diplomacy and an end to this arms race. According to Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, newly promoted Fine Gael Minister of State with responsibility for EU Affairs and Defence. ‘We spend about €1.2bn (or 0.23pc of GDP) on defence. NATO members have a target of spending 2pc of GDP, or almost 10 times as much…I believe €3bn is a target we now need to be working steadily toward.’

PANA asks you to support those regular protests organised by Shannonwatch/IPSC at Shannon Airport for the month of August and the Annual Irish CND Hiroshima Commemoration that will be held next Tuesday 6th August in Merrion Square, Dublin.

To confirm this Press Statement, contact

‍Tom Crilly, Communications Officer, PANA,
Roger Cole, Chairperson, PANA,
Padraig Mannion, Irish Language Spokesperson, PANA,‍

For more information:

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill: ‘We need to double defence spending to €3bn a year so we can defend ourselves’
https://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/jennifer-carroll-macneill-we-need-to-double-defence-spending-to-3bn-a-year-so-we-can-defend-ourselves/a654840820.html‍

Mr Putin said: “If the US implements such plans, we will consider ourselves free from the previously imposed unilateral moratorium on the deployment of intermediate and shorter-range strike weapons, including increasing the capability of the coastal forces of our navy.”
https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-41445343.html‍

ICAN latest report "Surge: Global Nuclear Weapons Spending 2023" exposes the massive increase in global nuclear weapons spending.
https://www.icanw.org/nuclear_spending_get_the_facts‍

European Union foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell admitted the West has hypocritical "double standards" on international law, the Russia-Ukraine-NATO war, Israel's brutal bombing of Gaza, the US-led invasion of Iraq, and climate change. Ben Norton analyses the revealing comments of the top EU diplomat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQuUbBf6snA‍

Join Shannon Airport Vigils every Saturday and Sunday in August…
https://www.facebook.com/PANAIreland/

New Cold War Arms Race

The Peace & Neutrality Alliance totally condemns the decision of the Irish Government to give €12 million as an incentive to EU arms manufacturers as surveys reveal that the majority of people in Ireland and across the EU support peace and economic development.

About €12 million in Irish funds will go towards a €1 billion European Union initiative to replenish the ammunition and missile stockpiles of member states, which have been severely depleted by the war in Ukraine. The Act in Support of Ammunition Production (Asap) was drafted last year as an urgent measure to increase munitions production in Europe by offering incentives to arms manufacturers. (details below)

Last year PANA released the results of a major new commissioned Ipsos Omnipoll (May 2023), showing 87% of people in Ireland support a ceasefire to facilitate negotiations in the Ukraine war.

https://www.pana.ie/posts/ipsos-omnipoll-on-war-in-ukraine

The western think tank Institute for Global Affairs in their recent annual research (June 2024) on geopolitics and global affairs THE NEW ATLANTICISM compared changing attitudes across the US, UK, France, and Germany, included this question.

Should the NATO member countries push for a negotiated settlement for the war in Ukraine? When the list of options is added up, Yes in the United States totals 94%, Yes in Western Europe totals 88%.

More support a negotiated settlement to end the war, with a plurality of Americans and Western Europeans citing the loss of life and casualties as a primary reason.

https://instituteforglobalaffairs.org/2024/06/modeling-democracy-the-new-atlanticism/

A massive swing to centre-right and far-right MEPS will have a major influence on the 720 seat European parliament and the prospect of a second term for the controversial pro-war European commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

National leaders across the EU especially those in France and Germany may now listen to that growing opposition to war and that ever-increasing military spending, hopefully they will reflect the democratic will of their populations.

Roger Cole of PANA stated, Taoiseach Simon Harris could once again show how Irish neutrality is opposed to all wars, lead that opposition to ever-increasing EU militarisation and call for a ceasefire and negotiations to end the ongoing horrific slaughter in Ukraine.

To confirm this Press Statement, contact…

Tom Crilly, Communications Officer, PANA,

Roger Cole, Chairperson, PANA,

Padraig Mannion, Irish Language Spokesperson, PANA,

For more information:

Ireland to spend €12 million refilling EU arm stockpiles. Act in Support of Ammunition Production designed to restock member states’ armouries depleted by Ukraine war,

by Conor Gallagher of the Irish Times.

https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2024/06/11/millions-in-irish-funds-will-be-used-to-incentivise-european-ammunition-and-missile-production/

94% of Americans want to end Ukraine war, but US rejects China peace deal, opposes talks with Russia. Geopolitical Economy Report.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5eQd1E_Huo

Whilst the US is the biggest military aid donor to Ukraine, along with individual countries, EU institutions committed the largest aid package of €85 Billion to Ukraine.

https://www.statista.com/chart/28489/ukrainian-military-humanitarian-and-financial-aid-donors/

Leaders of the BRICS countries meet for the Second Day in Russia… TRT World

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1c10UhnGKI

Stop Arming Israel 12pm, this Saturday 15th June, Barnardo Square, Dublin City Hall, 3 Dame St., D2… https://www.ipsc.ie/

Majority oppose funding the EU Arms Industry

Stunned by War Propaganda

Letter from Roger Cole awaiting publication

Letter to the Editor
Irish Times
9/3/2024

‍Dear Editor,

The Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer was in Ireland last week for an official visit at the invitation of the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, and whilst here he addressed a meeting of the Institute for International and European Affairs. The IIEA receives funding from various government departments including the Department of Defence.

A report on this meeting in the Irish Times (8/3/24) by Stephen Collins stated that EU ambassadors were stunned by Admiral Rob Bauer remarks, it was not a question of "if " Russia would invade the EU, but simply a matter of "when ".‍

In recent months, we have witnessed a sustained war propaganda campaign by EU and NATO leaders aimed at convincing European citizens that Russia is bent on invading Europe, we must prepare for war by heavily boosting our “defence” capabilities. At the same time NATO has begun its largest military exercise in Europe since the Cold War, Steadfast Defender 2024, involving 90,000 troops, 50 ships and more than 80 fighter jets.

I find it hard to understand how Stephen Collins or those EU ambassadors who attended this IIEA meeting were stunned by this war propaganda. Perhaps a more balanced report would also suggest that Ireland as a neutral country should be working to reduce tensions between NATO and Russia before we are dragged into an all-out war, a nuclear war.

Let’s start with more genuine and open public debate on our International and European Affairs.

Yours Sincerely
Roger Cole
Chair
Peace & Neutrality Alliance

—

Why we should ensure our Neutrality is strengthened instead of just Abandoned

‍This letter by Edward Horgan was published in the Irish Independent on Saturday 23rd March 2024

‍Dear Editor,

Our Irish Government seems determined to bring Ireland ever closer to participating in unjustified wars and ending Irish neutrality by removing the Triple Lock which specifies that UN approval is necessary to send more than twelve Irish soldiers on overseas missions. Such a decision goes against the wishes of the vast majority of the Irish people who value active Irish neutrality.

226 Irish soldiers served in Afghanistan in NATO-led missions between 2001 and 2016. These soldiers included several members of the Army Ranger Wing, but it is not clear in what specific roles they served in. The Afghan war has been a disaster for the people of Afghanistan.

In 2022 the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled that the court’s prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, can proceed with a formal investigation into atrocities allegedly committed during the armed conflict in Afghanistan. by U.S. armed forces and CIA personnel.

In 2020, the Australian Defence Force released findings from a four-year inquiry which found credible evidence that Australian special forces soldiers unlawfully killed 39 people during the Afghan war.In December 2022 the British government announced an inquiry into allegations that SAS soldiers murdered scores of unarmed people during night raids in Afghanistan. This follows BBC Panorama revelations, in July 2022, that one SAS unit killed 54 people in suspicious circumstances.

Conor Gallagher’s book, (Is Ireland Neutral?) reveals that an Irish soldier serving in Afghanistan helped “to track down and kill Taliban bombers. This included assisting US forces in directing airstrikes against targets responsible for IED attacks.” Irish soldiers should not be involved in such missions.

With our history of centuries of colonial abuse, including starvation, we must strengthen our neutrality, not abandon it.

Edward Horgan,
Castletroy,
Limerick

—

The Triple Lock

Copy of e-mail by Anthony Coughlan sent to all TDs and Senators on the Triple Lock. 1 May 2024.

Dear Deputy, dear Senator,

May I appeal to you on behalf of my colleagues and myself to use your influence to counter Tanaiste Micheál Martin’s unwise and untimely proposal to abolish the Triple Lock which prevents Irish troops being sent on military missions abroad without a United Nations mandate.

Abolishing the Triple Lock would enable Ireland to participate without limit in the current Ukrainian war, as in the past it would have allowed us to take part in the Iraq war, the Afghanistan war, the Libyan war and other NATO/EU operations that did not have a UN mandate. It would mark a virtual end to any meaningful neutrality policy for Ireland.

Taking such a step would be a significant symbolic blow to the authority of the United Nations, which Ireland has always supported, at a time when that authority is being challenged as never before over the war in Gaza.

More importantly, it would be a breach of the solemn "National Declarations" that were made on behalf of Ireland by the Bertie Ahern Government in 2002 and the Brian Cowen Government in 2009 in order to get the Nice and Lisbon Treaty referendums through a second time round after Irish voters had rejected those Treaties previously, largely out of concern at their possible effects on Irish neutrality.

These “National Declarations” by Ireland – issued with a capital “N” and capital “D” at the time! – were formally recognised and responded to by the European Council of EU Prime Ministers and Presidents in 2002 and 2009 respectively, and were formally associated with the legal instruments of ratification of the Nice and Lisbon Treaties when these were deposited in Rome. Repudiating them now may arguably be a breach of international law under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.

It was because of these National Declarations to maintain the Triple Lock – in principle indefinitely – that large numbers of Irish voters changed their votes between the Nice One and Nice Two referendums in 2001 and 2002, and the Lisbon One and Lisbon Two referendums in 2008 and 2009 – thereby enabling these EU treaties to be ratified and come into force. The Lisbon Treaty, as you know, implemented the EU’s Constitution.

The commitments of the Ahern and Cowen Governments to maintain the Triple Lock at the time of the Nice and Lisbon Treaty referendums were supported by all parties in the Dáil and Seanad. Abandoning them now would assuredly induce deep public cynicism about Irish politicians and their promises and be a profoundly unhealthy development in our public life – not least when the agreed “Programme for Government” of the current administration contained an explicit commitment to maintain the Triple Lock.

As you doubtless are aware, Article 27 of the Constitution provides for the President to refer any Oireachtas Bill to the people for a referendum if one-third of the members of the Dáil and one-half of the Senate sign a petition to the President requesting that on the ground that "the Bill contains a proposal of such national importance that the will of the people thereon ought to be ascertained."

We have never had such a referendum before, but overriding the solemn commitments given to the people by two Irish Governments on behalf of the State in the Nice and Lisbon Treaty referendums would seem clearly to amount to "a proposal of such national importance".

Securing one-third of the Dáil and one-half of the Senate to support such a petition to the President should realistically be possible if concerned TDs and Senators went about it in a committed fashion. May we urge you therefore to consult with your Oireachtas colleagues with a view to organising or supporting such an Article 27 petition to the President if the Government should introduce and put through the Oireachtas a Bill to abolish the Triple Lock.

Standing by those Nice and Lisbon referendum commitments is surely something that all TDs and Senators of integrity should support.

To assist you in considering this matter I shall put in the post for you in the next few days photocopies of the “National Declaration” by Ireland and the responding Declaration by the European Council of EU Prime Ministers and Presidents – the so-called Seville Declarations of 2002, which were repeated for the Lisbon Two referendum in 2009. These are taken from the Government’s Information Guide on the 2002 Treaty of Nice. The Government’s Declaration at the time of the 2009 Lisbon Treaty is copied from the statutory Referendum Commission’s Extended Guide, introduced by its chairman Mr Justice Frank Clarke, which was issued to Irish voters at that time. I shall also send you a copy of a useful editorial on this matter which the Sunday Times carried last December when abolishing the Triple Lock was first mooted, setting out reasons why this should not be done.

Hoping that you may find these points, together with the enclosures I am putting in the post for you, of use as you consider this important matter with your Oireachtas colleagues…

Yours sincerely

Anthony Coughlan
Spokesman
(Associate Professor Emeritus in Social Policy, TCD)

—

Triple Lock protects Irish Neutrality

This letter by Roger Cole /PANA was published in the Irish Daily Mail on Friday 3rd May, and again in the Irish Times on Saturday 4th May 2024. Both were slightly edited. 2 May 2024.

Letter to the Editor,

The Triple Lock mechanism sets out the conditions under which more than 12 Irish troops may participate in overseas peace support operations.

For troops to take part, the operation must be mandated by the United Nations, and it must be approved by the Government and by Dáil Éireann.

Spelling out the Triple Lock in the 2002 Seville Declaration was the key factor used to persuade the Irish people to change their vote on the Nice Treaty referendum.

On his arrival at the recent Brussels summit of EU leaders last week, Taoiseach Simon Harris stated that the Irish government had plans to abandon the Triple Lock and to support further moves towards EU militarisation.The decision of the FF/FG/GP government to destroy the Triple Lock means that they can send the Irish Defence Forces to take part in a war without United Nations approval.

Last year Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin decided to withdraw Irish troops from the UN peacekeeping mission on the Golan Heights in order as he suggests to have the capacity to fulfil his commitment to EU Battlegroups 2024/2025.

This Government now appears committed to totally destroying Irish neutrality and the core role of the United Nations. All three government parties supported the Triple Lock in their election manifesto at the last election. Perhaps they now fear allowing people express their opinions on these issues through a referendum. But in the upcoming June elections the electorate may express their anger that a key pre-election promise that protected our neutrality in Irish foreign policy was abandoned.

Yours Sincerely

Roger Cole,
Chair,
Peace & Neutrality Alliance,
Dalkey Business Centre, 17 Castle Street,
Dalkey, Co. Dublin

—

End US military use of Shannon Airport

This letter was published in the weekly paper ‘The Kerryman’ on Wednesday 15 May.

SIR,

The Genocide Convention 1948 states in Article III (e) that: The following acts shall be punishable: (e) Complicity in genocide. Article IV states that: Persons committing genocide or any of the other acts enumerated in article III shall be punished, whether they are constitutionally responsible rulers, public officials or private individuals.

While the case taken by South Africa against Israel under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice will likely take several years to reach a final judgement, it should be clear to all reasonable observers that serious war crimes, amounting to genocide, are being committed by the Israeli government against the Palestinian people.

The governments of the United States, United Kingdom, and several of the most powerful European Union governments have been actively supporting the Israeli attacks on Gaza by supplying huge amounts of weapons and munitions, as well as offering political support, and are therefore actively complicit in war crimes and genocide.By allowing the US military to use Shannon Airport since October 7, 2023, the Irish Government are at least indirectly complicit in these war crimes and acts of genocide.

Since at least 35,000 people, mainly civilians, have been killed so far in Gaza, Irish complicity in this slaughter must be ended immediately by ending US military use of Shannon airport.

By allowing US military use of Shannon, the Irish government has been acting on the wrong side of history, and on the wrong side of international and humanitarian laws,

Sincerely,

Edward Horgan,
Castletroy,
Limerick

—

EU’s Military Power

This letter by Elizabeth Cullen was published in the Irish Examiner on Thursday 16th May.

Dear Sir,

For the past 20 years, the EU has been moving to be a military power. The recent report by the Transnational Institute details how this has happened, namely out of public view, driven by the EU's own interests, and with very little oversight.

The only democratically elected institution in the EU, the European parliament has very limited decision making power in relation to foreign policy. The so-called European Peace Facility, which funds EU military missions, is beyond any democratic scrutiny.

In a world which more than ever needs peace, Ireland must stand up to the military-industrial complex, keep the triple lock and take seriously its constitutional obligation to be peacemakers.

Yours sincerely

Elizabeth Cullen
Thomastown
Kilcullen
Co Kildare

—

Allowing US military use of Shannon Airport makes Ireland complicit in war

This letter published in at least 2 papers today (Wednesday 22nd May), and it was published in full by both the Irish Independent and the Irish Daily Mail. It coincides with the announcements of recognition by Ireland and others of the Palestinian state. This recognition of Palestine as a state is a very important development also.

Dear Editor

The Irish government is responding to the wishes of the vast majority of the electorate by moving, albeit belatedly, to recognise Palestine as a state.

This decision is to be welcomed. The decision by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to seek arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders should also be welcomed by all who value the rules of international and humanitarian laws. Complicity with war crimes and genocide is also a crime that comes within the remit of the ICC and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The US and several Nato and EU member states have been actively supportive of Israeli war crimes and probable genocide in Gaza, by supplying large amounts of the weapons and munitions that Israel has been using to commit those crimes.

By allowing US military aircraft to use Shannon Airport and Irish airspace, Ireland and its leaders and officials are at least indirectly complicit in war crimes and probable genocide.

Edward Horgan,
Castletroy,
Limerick

___

I had this letter published in the Irish Daily Mail on Monday 27th.

Over the past weekend, at least 200 Palestinians, mainly women and children, were murdered by Israeli bombing in Gaza, in several separate locations in Gaza. Edward
Condemn war crimes

Dear Editor,

The Jewish people suffered discrimination and pogroms for centuries leading up to the Holocaust, which was the most serious genocide in the history of humanity.

The victims of genocide include not only those who are killed during the genocide but also the survivors, and the future generations who should have been born to those who were murdered.

I and millions of others have campaigned to commemorate the Holocaust, and we should continue to do so, in spite of, and because of, what is now happening to the Palestinian people.

The damage caused by genocide and war crimes afflicts not only the victims, but also the perpetrators. Moral injury and PTSD are modern terms, but historical reality. The Israeli government, supported by the US and others, has been committing war crimes amounting to genocide, and many Jewish people in Israel and worldwide opposed to these crimes are also indirectly victims.

All racism including anti-Semitism is unjustified, but prejudice against Jewish people will likely rise because of what is happening in Gaza. It is not the students and others who are justifiably protesting against the actions of the Israeli government who are causing anti-Semitism. By our silence or inaction, we would be complicit. All war crimes and acts of terrorism whether committed by states or non-state groups such as Hamas must be condemned and prevented.

The proper and just application of international and humanitarian laws must be applied to end such wars and war crimes.
DR EDWARD HORGAN, Castletroy, Limerick.

___

Letter Sent to Newspapers on 29/5/2024 and still awaiting to be published…

Dear Editor,

The Government's plan to dismantle the Triple Lock, removing the requirement for UN authority when our troops are deployed overseas, breaks solemn Declarations given in order to override the people’s rejection of the Nice and Lisbon Treaties. Either those declarations still hold, or they were deceptive from the start; either way, we should be wary of the current proposal.

The chairperson of Tánaiste Martin’s forum, Dame Louise Richardson, reported (a) that the UN needed to be reformed, and (b) that there was no consensus on the Triple Lock but that there was a “preponderance of views” against it. Even she had to note that this “preponderance” was “especially among the experts and practitioners”. This is hardly surprising given their “preponderance” within the Forum’s carefully selective line-up.

In 1995 the then Government formally invited lifelong UN servant Erskine Childers III to advise on a forthcoming foreign policy White Paper. He detailed how “a handful of governments” had hijacked and downgraded the UN and urged Ireland to work for reform. Tragically, successive Irish governments have systematically rejected his profound analysis and advice.

Their focus is rather on copperfastening the stranglehold over the UN of the “handful of governments” dominating the EU/NATO Strategic Partnership, even at the cost of preserving Russia’s and China’s vetoes. This emerged blatantly on St Patrick’s Day when then-Taoiseach Varadkar defended his failure even to question US arming of Israel with a contemptuous gibe: critics should “spend a bit more time reading foreign policy” – the staple fare of the Forum’s “experts and practitioners".

Yours etc.,
John Maguire
Professor of Sociology Emeritus,
University College Cork

___

Dear Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs,

World Beyond War Ireland Chapter welcomes the decision by the governments of Ireland, Spain and Norway to recognise the State of Palestine. We also welcome the initial ruling by International Court of Justice (ICJ) in January 2024 following a submission by South Africa, that Israel had a case to answer on a charge of genocide against the Palestinian people, and a further ruling by the ICJ on 24th May 2024 ordering Israel to halt its military operation in Gaza.

All states including Ireland who have ratified the Genocide Convention are obliged to comply with all the articles of this convention including Article III (e) that forbids being complicit in genocide. Compliance with Article 29 of the Irish Constitution and pursuing a policy of active neutrality are essential prerequisites for the Irish Government’s compliance with international and humanitarian laws.

We welcome also the decision by the International Criminal Court to seek arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders for crimes committed on and after 7th October 2023. Over the weekend 25/26th May 2024, over 200 Palestinian people, mainly women and children were killed in a series of bombing attacks in several locations in Gaza.

Since 7th October 2023 over 100 aircraft associated with the US military have been refuelled at Shannon airport on their war to and from the Middle East and eastern Europe, making Ireland complicit in serious war crimes.

With limited resources and a small population, Ireland can never be a military power. Our only role in military alliances will be towards providing our precious young people as soldiers whose role will be to kill the young soldiers of other countries, before being killed themselves. In World War 1 up 50,000 Irish soldiers died in a war they were told was a war to end all wars.

A nuclear World War 3, will be a real war to end all wars, as there may be no one left to fight a World War 4. The only sensible military and defence option for the Irish people, including our Irish diaspora, is to pursue a policy and practice of active neutrality with the active element focused primarily on promoting international peace and global justice, thereby lessening the risk of World War 3. Since the end of the Cold War successive Irish Governments, have been eroding Irish neutrality contrary to the wishes of the majority of the Irish people. Examples include:
Joining NATO’s Partnership for Peace.

Sending Irish soldiers on NATO and European Union led military missions that were falsely claimed to be peacekeeping or humanitarian.
Allowing the US military to use Shannon airport and Irish air space to wage wars of aggression against Serbia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and elsewhere.
Sending Irish soldiers to train Ukrainian soldiers and providing them with so-called non-lethal military equipment, for their war against Russia.
Planning to remove the triple lock under which Irish soldiers can be sent on overseas missions.

Being complicit in Israeli war crimes and probably genocide against the Palestinian people, by continuing to allow US military to use Shannon airport.
The most recent example of the erosion or ending of Irish neutrality is the appointment of Lt. General Sean Clancy to the position as Chairperson of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC). The Irish Government should not have nominated Lt General Clancy for this position, because in so doing it is a further substantial step towards ending Irish neutrality.

Historically since the foundation of the state, and especially since we joined the United Nations our senior politicians, diplomats, and the Irish Defence Forces have been to the forefront in promoting international peace, global justice and decolonisation. By abandoning active Irish neutrality, Ireland will be joining the US and NATO led West against the rest of humanity, and Ireland will end up on the wrong side of history.

World Beyond War Ireland Chapter earnestly supports the restoration of Irish neutrality and the continuation of Irish government support for the United Nations and for reform and compliance with international and humanitarian laws.

Yours sincerely,
Barry Sweeney
Signed on behalf of World Beyond War, Ireland Chapter.

___

Irish News, (11/7/2024)

Assange deserves nothing less than a total pardon

ANYBODY interested in a peaceful world will celebrate the belated release from prison of the political prisoner and award-winning journalist and publisher Julian Assange, whose work in the public interest has served the cause of peace-making.

Julian’s work sought to bring transparency and accountability to the dark, corrupt and criminal activity of governments and militaries, particularly the war crimes of the US government in Iraq and Afghanistan.

His work endangered nobody. The US government admitted under oath as far back as 2013 that it had not found any evidence that anyone had come to harm as a result of WikiLeaks publications.

Yet he was made to suffer incredibly, pursued by the US government while locked up in a tiny cell 23 hours a day for over five years in the notorious Belmarsh prison, often termed Britain’s Guantanamo.

Julian should never have been imprisoned and could have been released much earlier had media organisations and governments joined the international campaign to free him.

In October 2021, many people penned a detailed letter to the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, to lobby by all means necessary, including via Ireland’s then membership of the United Nations Security Council, for Julian’s release.

The letter was subsequently launched as an Uplift Campaign and signed by several hundred people including many Irish personalities and trade unionists.

We are still awaiting a reply from Simon Coveney.

If media pundits and organisations, including those who benefited from Julian’s journalism, are concerned that his understandable plea deal may restrict investigative journalism in the US then let them lead a campaign for a total pardon for Julian. He deserves no less.

JIM ROCHE
Dublin 1

___

Truth is again the first casualty of war

Letter to the Editor,

ALL those who support peace and neutrality will welcome the release of WikiLeaks founder and journalist Julian Assange.

He has been freed after five years incarcerated in Britain’s notorious Belmarsh Prison and travelled home to Australia after he agreed to plead guilty to a single charge of breaching the espionage law in the United States.

The United States sought to extradite Julian Assange, who is an Australian citizen, after the website WikiLeaks published thousands of US documents in 2010, some that exposed US war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The politically motivated charges represent an unprecedented attack on press freedom and the public’s right to know – seeking to criminalise basic journalistic activity.

Throughout his years of imprisonment and persecution, an incredible movement of people from around the world came together to support Julian and what he stands for – truth and justice. Hopefully this campaign will continue.

Sadly, the Irish government remained silent on the plight of Julian Assange and missed the chance to be on the right side of this important geopolitical issue, once again allowing truth to be the first casualty of war.

ROGER COLE
Peace & Neutrality Alliance
Dalkey
Co Dublin

___

Letter from Roger Cole to the Irish Times awaiting publication

Letter to the Editor,
Irish Times,
20/7/2024

Time for Diplomacy to end Ukraine war

Sir,

My congratulations to former Irish diplomat Dr Ray Bassett on his excellent letter published in the Irish Times (18/7/2024).

I agree with Dr Bassett, it is indeed time to stop this obscene conflict and in a way which guarantees the legitimate security interests of Ukraine and Russia. Yet the Irish Government continues to support the hardline no negotiation policy of Brussels and the Biden administration in Washington.

Opinion polls across Europe including Ireland show an ever-increasing number of people favouring immediate peace negotiations.

Let us remind everyone of that important Ipsos Omnipoll commissioned by PANA (May 2023) showing 87% of people in Ireland support a ceasefire to facilitate negotiations in the Ukraine war.

Yes indeed, time for diplomacy and to give peace a chance,

Yours,
Roger Cole,
Chair, Peace and Neutrality Alliance,
17, Castle Street,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin

https://www.pana.ie/posts/ipsos-omnipoll-on-war-in-ukraine

___

Irish Daily Mail, 26/7/2024

We must restore real respect for international law
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on 19 July 2024 on Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, which has important implications for the rule of international law, and for all of humanity.
Given the Israeli war crimes and probably genocide in Gaza, the US invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to address the Houses of Congress is an afront to the proper rule of international laws and to most of humanity including to the Jewish people, who suffered catastrophically in the Holocaust.
A Lancet medical journal report estimates that the number of fatalities caused by Israeli military attacks on Gaza may reach 186,000. At least 108 media workers, and 366 UN staff and family members have been killed in Gaza.

There were at least 700,000 Israeli illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem prior to 7th October 2023. This does not include Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands prior to 1967.

The ICJ opinion obliges Israel to return all such illegal settlements to the Palestinian people or provide adequate compensation. Israel is not alone in breaches of international laws, and it has been supported by the US and by many members of NATO and the EU. The US-led wars of aggression since the end of the Cold War in breach of the UN Charter have caused the deaths of millions of innocent civilians, and trillions of dollars in destruction, in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and elsewhere. The Gaza war crimes must be a turning point, towards the restoration of the proper rule of international and humanitarian laws.

The ICJ opinion also details the duties and legal consequences for all UN member states. This and other rulings and opinions by the ICJ and the ICC, oblige Ireland not to support Israeli war crimes in any way, and to fully comply with its international law duties with respect to Israeli illegal occupation of Palestinian lands and the rights Palestinian people to self-determination.

Edward Horgan
Castletroy
Limerick

___

The Kerryman on 7 August

Dear Sir,

In an interview with Euro News on 22 May 2024 An Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “Europe is on the wrong side of history for failing to do enough to stop the bloodshed in Gaza” and “There will be a moment in the future where your children and your grandchildren and great-grandchildren will ask, what did you do?"

On 27 July 2024 at least 30 people, including children, were killed by an Israeli air attack on Khadija school in central Gaza.

RTE news reported that Taoiseach Simon Harris described the Israeli strike as "inhumane" and "despicable", and the attack "by the Israeli military is a further demonstration of brutal, unconscionable violence". These comments are fully justified given that the war crimes being committed by Israel are likely to be judged by the International Court of Justice as amounting to genocide.
The US government has been actively supporting and participating in these Israeli war crimes and therefore likely to be in breach of the Genocide Convention. Likewise, any countries and their leaders who are assisting Israel and the US in these crimes, may be judged as having been complicit in genocide. Successive Irish governments have been in breach of international laws on neutrality, as well as being complicit in multiple US war crimes by allowing the US military to use Shannon airport since 2001. This complicity in war crimes has continued since 7 October 2003, while the Israeli attacks on Gaza have caused the deaths of up to 20,000 Palestinian children. In your old age Mr. Simon Harris, Mr. Micheál Martin, and multiple ministers, how will you explain this to your children and grandchildren? Europe and Ireland are acting on the wrong side of history, at enormous cost, not only to the Palestinian people but also to all the victims of US led wars across the wider Middle East and Africa. Sincerely,
Edward Horgan, Castletroy, Limerick.

And just to reinforce the above argument the following aircraft associated with the US military passed through Shannon in the past in the past 24 hours or so. Several more passed through Irish air space. US Navy Hercules KC130T number 16-4106 arrived at Shannon about 0600 this morning 8 Aug. coming from Naval Air Station Port Mugo near Los Angeles CA, with a stop at Pease airport near Boston.

Omni Air N846AX on contract to the US military landed at Shannon on 7 Aug. about 20.05pm coming from Kuwait with a stop at Constanta Romania. It took off again on 8 Aug. about 01.50am and flew on to Marine Corps air station Cherry Point, and then also to Fort Biggs El Paso.

Omni Air N468AX on contract to the US military landed at Shannon on 7 Aug. about 20.05pm coming probably from Djibouti via Oman with stops in Crete and Naples. It took off again from Shannon about 01.05 and flew on to Naval Air Station Norfolk VA.

Omni Air N351AX on contract to the US military as previously posted flew through Shannon on 7 Aug, and landed at Bratislava, Slovakia. Since then it landed at Tallinn, Estonia, twice at Rzeszow in SE Poland (on the border with Ukraine) and at Constanta Romania and Poznan Poland.

This is not Active Neutrality; it is active complicity in war crimes and genocide.

___

Irish Times (7/8/2024)

Dear Sir,

The situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate with the death toll in Gaza likely to exceed 186,000 according to a Lancet Journal report. The standing ovation reception given by US Houses of Congress to Israeli PM Netanyahu, who has been accused of war crimes and possible genocide by the ICJ and ICC, demonstrates the extent of the destruction of the rule of international law, by the US and other powerful states. Israel’s assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Fuad Shukr Hezbollah military commander in Lebanon, indicates that the present Israeli government seeks to widen the conflict rather than seek peaceful solutions. Over 200 aid workers with UNRWA have been killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza since 7 October 2024. UN peacekeeping (PK) missions should be predicated on there being a reasonable prospect of a peaceful settlement within a reasonable time frame. Prolonged PK operations such as UNTSO Middle East (1948), UNFICYP in Cyprus (1964), UNPROFOR Golan Heights (1974) and UNIFIL Lebanon (1978), have failed to achieve a peaceful solution to these conflicts. Prolonged PK missions enable the conflict participants to avoid making peace and have enabled Israel and its enemies to wage wars every decade since 1948, at huge costs to local populations. Far too many UN peacekeepers, including 47 Irish soldiers, have been killed while serving with UNIFIL in Lebanon. This should call into question the continuing presence of Irish soldiers in Lebanon. There are other more effective ways to provide humanitarian assistance to the Lebanese people, and there are other conflicts where good quality UN peacekeepers are more urgently needed. In the Middle East there is no peace to keep while genocide is being perpetrated with active support from the world’s most powerful country.

Edward Horgan (former UN peacekeeper)
Castletroy
Limerick

___

Irish Independent (20/8/2024) and in the Irish Daily Mail

Dear Editor,

The implications and real damage locally and globally arising from the Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people cannot be easily summarised in a 300-word letter.

The war crimes and probable genocide that are occurring in Gaza have catastrophic implications for the Palestinian people, up to 50,000 of whom have been killed already. These crimes also have damaging implications for the people of Israel and Jewish people globally, and critical implications for the proper rule of international law and global justice. They are being perpetrated by a country that claims to be democratic, with the active support of the USA, and supported by several NATO and EU member states. The Holocaust, perpetrated against the Jewish people by the German nazi regime, was the worst genocide in the history of humanity so far. It is now likely that the best interests of the people of Israel and Jewish people globally will be seriously damaged by the crimes committed in Gaza. It has already resulted in increased conflict in the wider Middle East and serious threats to international peace. The United Nations was founded so that such atrocities could never happen again. The rule of international law was reinforced by several important conventions and international humanitarian laws. All these vital laws and conventions are being broken or set aside, not just by Israel, but by the US and its allies. The governments of many other countries are also partly complicit by their silence or inactions. Such crimes provide dreadful examples for dictators and human rights abusers worldwide and are likely to result in increases in such crimes, including genocide. While the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court have made important rulings and opinions against Israel, they have little power to stop these crimes or to sanction Israel because the US will use its UN Security Council veto. This causes further damage to the proper rule of international and humanitarian laws.

Edward Horgan
Castletroy
Limerick

___

Irish Independent (30/8/2024) and some local newspapers

Dear Editor,

Individual cases, rather than statistics, illustrate depravity of Israeli attacks.

Our human minds have difficulty coping with the reality of large statistics of human suffering. It’s important to focus on individual cases of suffering and trauma to better understand the level of trauma being suffered by the people of Palestine.

On 18 Aug 2024 an Israeli bomb struck the home of teacher Hala Khattab in Deir al-Balah Gaza killing her and her six children. They included her oldest son, Hussein age15, her 9-year-old quadruplets, Kinan, Hamman, Lujain, Sibal, and her baby girl, Wakeen aged 18 months.

115 newborn babies have been reported killed in Gaza since October 2023. This statistic includes twins Ayssel Arafa and Asser Arafa who were three days old when they and their mother Joumana Arafa, a medical doctor, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza on 13th August. Doctors, teachers, hospitals and schools have all been targeted by the Israeli military. The killing of children and adult civilians in Gaza, by bombing, snipers bullets, starvation, and destruction of the water and sewerage systems, is neither accidental, nor due to ‘military necessity’.

The grim statistics, amounting to genocide, include at least 40,265 people killed, including 16,500 children, injured more than 93,144 people, missing more than 10,000. At least 289 UNRWA and aid workers and 885 health workers have been killed. At least 116 journalists and media workers were killed. More than half of Gaza’s homes, 80 percent of commercial facilities, 85 percent of school buildings, destroyed or damaged, and only 16 out of 36 hospitals are partially functioning. 65 percent of road networks are destroyed, 65 percent of cropland damaged. The slaughter of so many innocent children especially cannot be allowed to continue.

Edward Horgan
Newtown
Castletroy
Limerick

Letters from Peace Activists 2024

Triple Lock debated in Dail Eireann

Concerns were raised following the announcement by Taoiseach Simon Harris on his arrival at the Brussels summit of EU leaders that the Irish government had plans to abandon the “Triple Lock” and to support further moves towards EU militarisation.

A meeting was held in Dail Eireann on Wednesday 24th April with peace activists and political representatives, chaired by Catherine Connolly TD to debate this issue and how this Irish government continues to dismiss the important role of Irish neutrality in foreign policy. The main speakers were anti-war activist Niamh Ni Bhriain, Eamon Rafter representing the Irish Neutrality League, and John Maguire of Swords to Ploughshares StoP.

TRIPLE LOCK OR NATO BLOC? A contribution to the Briefing in Leinster House 24th April 2024 John Maguire

Nick Lowe asks: what’s so funny about peace and love and understanding? If we cringe when uttering these words, we have abandoned the heart of our country’s foreign policy, Article 29. Sister Michael of ‘Derry Girls’ might well ask: have we lost our actual minds, and our souls as well?

Our leaders celebrate Ireland’s peace process whilst calibrating ‘an acceptable level of violence’ around the world. They refuse to confront the US’s arms supplies to the Zionist regime and decades-long abuse of Shannon Airport. They respond to Russia’s atrocities in Ukraine by egging that country on towards the tragic myth of sacred victory. This is the allegedly rational ‘reality’ to which Tánaiste Martin now tells us to wake up…

If our leaders had been open, active militarists it would have been easier to confront them, but no. Sixty years ago, when Britain applied to join the EEC, TK Whitaker laid down two fateful markers. Domestic economic policy should be subjected to the “externally applied discipline” of EEC free trade, and “we should not ourselves raise obstacles to our being admitted as members of the EEC. To say that we would withdraw our application if membership of NATO were insisted upon would be extremely unfortunate.” (Quotations from Gary Murphy, In Search of the Promised Land [Mercier, Cork 2009], pp. 141 and 278-9.)

But how to square this with Article 29 – peaceful conflict-resolution, judicial determination and international law – and the Irish people’s commitment to active neutrality? Answer, the twin-track strategy: pursue integration at all costs, deny the increasingly obvious NATO-based EEC/EU militarisation, and promote a celestial neutrality allegedly compatible with, indeed requiring, the drift towards our current complicity in hell on earth.

Thus the Irish people, who have reserved to ourselves under Article 6 the final say on “all questions of national policy”, were deliberately misled as to our leaders’ intentions and undertakings by the 1972 White Paper, a strategy followed remorselessly in the SEA- and subsequent referendums.

Tánaiste Martin’s injunction to wake up and smell the cordite rounds out a process of political abuse: gaslighting us that nothing sinister is happening; a double-bind message that of course it is happening, indeed is necessary and even good for us; denigration of those who point to the truth, and whittling down of channels of debate – too often mirrored by the mainstream media. Then, the ultimate double-bind message: powerful figures who have told us for decades ‘Nothing to see here!” finally turn on us with “Why on earth weren’t you watching?!”

While we confront this abusive history, and continue our critical activism, we might remind ourselves that there is nothing funny about peace and love and understanding, that killing people and destroying their world is actually wrong and doesn’t solve problems, and that our current policies and practices, however they have emerged, are fundamentally mistaken and must be reversed.

Official Ireland for decades held its nose and swallowed whatever EU/NATO were up to, with studious inattention to our own defence forces. The result now is a toxic synergy of genuine grievances about pay, conditions and career structure with the emergence of a bright, brash cohort of young soldiers gagging to join in NATO’s ethically and geographically grotesque adventures.

Ireland’s ‘own’ Rangers are soon to morph into IRLSOF: Ireland’s Special Operations Force. ‘Special Operations’: where did we first, and where most recently, encounter this revolting euphemism; when might we come to terms with this island’s own experience of it; what are we to make of our soldiers’ involvement in Afghanistan, West Africa and elsewhere, let alone the recent reports of rogue adventures in Libya?

The furtive twin-track process has recently produced a Commission on the Defence Forces. Its Report leveraged the increasingly dangerous world situation, to which NATO/EU had significantly contributed, as an argument for deepening, rather than reconsidering, our informal co-optation into NATO. The Commission is critiqued in Afri’s booklet A Force for Good? Its deeply flawed recommendations in turn preceded and prejudiced Tánaiste Martin’s ‘Consultative Forum on Security Policy’.

StoP’s publication Freedom to Choose? critiques the composition and conclusions of the Forum. Not only was the exercise packed with the very experts, military and civilian, who have landed us into hell on earth; they also failed to provide the clear and compelling analysis which, we were promised, would remedy the alleged ignorance and negligence of the sovereign Irish people.

Might the horrors of Gaza, and the cruel reenactment of World War One in Ukraine, even at this late hour confront our leaders with where their reckless behaviour has landed us? If not, how do we confront them, and reclaim the principles and practices which informed our rightly lauded Irish Peace Process?

People justifiably invoke the guarantee given after Nice I that a Triple Lock, including UN authorisation, would govern any use of our troops abroad. Breaking the UN lever of the Triple Lock would be a flagrant breach of that guarantee, reiterated as recently as the current Government programme. We have reason however to look closely at those Nice and Lisbon ‘guarantees’.

The Seville text of 2002 was a mere Declaration about the Nice Treaty. Declarations describe treaties; only Protocols can alter them: a palpable truth flatly and falsely denied by our leaders. The Protocol which was then promised in order to get Lisbon II adopted bizarrely once more merely redescribed a treaty: not even a restatement of the Triple Lock, but a pious promise of adherence to “the principles of the United Nations” rather than its authority – as interpreted and ‘enforced’ by guess who?

Our crafty mandarins may well feel they have insulated themselves from legal action focused on the Triple Lock as such; the lawyers will advise us on whether to mount such an action. In any case it could be merely one part of a broad campaign to retrieve and reaffirm Article 29 as the basis of our foreign and defence policies. This could well involve a legal and constitutional challenge to the manifest deceptions, and disastrous consequences, of the entire twin-track strategy since 1972 and indeed before.

We are a former colony which joined the United Nations at a fateful juncture in 1955: the Neutral and Non-Aligned Movement first met, the Warsaw Pact was formed, and Albert Einstein and Bertrand Russell issued their chilling manifesto, warning of the danger of nuclear catastrophe.

Most of us are not neutral in feeling, but, as human beings, we have to remember that, if the issues between East and West are to be decided in any manner that can give any possible satisfaction to anybody, whether Communist or anti-Communist, whether Asian or European or American, whether White or Black, then these issues must not be decided by war. We should wish this to be understood, both in the East and in the West.

These words should put to bed forever any notion that Neutrality means indifference: it means a commitment to a world where all may live, where differences are a problem to be resolved, rather than a pretext for slaughter. Two years later Frank Aiken echoed the warning, at the 1957 UN General Assembly, invoking:

a vision of what the Third World War would mean for mankind. No one who has that vision… is likely to be satisfied with anything less than a full-scale all-out campaign for peace. That campaign… must bring the end of imperialism in all its shapes and forms, whether direct or indirect, Eastern or Western, diplomatic or military, capitalist or communist.’ (Quotations on p. 33 of A Force for Good?)

If only we had been reminded of all this in more recent times – but we were! I have no space here to detail the warnings of Erskine Childers III, who was brought to University College Cork in 1995 by the Irish Government of the day, who were preparing a White Paper on foreign policy. I summarised them in an article last June (https://www.echolive.ie/corkviews/arid-41165224.html). Sadly the Government proceeded, like their successors, to disregard his analysis and proposals meticulously, detail by detail, step by step, year after year.

Erskine Childers III, son of our fourth President, reminded us that there is a world out there, groaning under the weight of economic and military policies totally at odds with the UN Charter. Across a span of three decades he challenges us to realise that Article 29 is the very hinge of our doorway to the wider world, a world to which we need bring no imperial design or overweening remedies, but in which we have committed ourselves to be decent citizens and to contribute modestly to peace and to human flourishing.

We must not join in the crocodile tears over a ‘failure of the UN’ manufactured by NATO, and happily exploited by the increasingly audacious armed gangs besetting planet and peoples. Let us not be misled by mirages of ‘sovereign freedom’, but rather reclaim Article 29 and reaffirm the Triple Lock rather than copperfastening our own disenfranchisement and that of all the peoples of the UN.

Check recent publications from Afri Ireland including, Freedom to Choose? Report on the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy…on this link.

https://www.afri.ie/publications/afri-reports/

TRIPLE LOCK OR NATO BLOC? by John Maguire

On his arrival at the Brussels summit of EU leaders this week, Taoiseach Simon Harris stated that the Irish government had plans to abandon the “Triple Lock” and to support further moves towards EU militarisation.

This statement by Mr Harris indicates an ideological shift to the right and an attack on Irish neutrality that may help to undermine the United Nations itself. The government’s case for ditching the “Triple Lock” rests on the contention that the Security Council of the United Nations is deeply flawed, and a hard to imagine concern that our sovereignty is now endangered by the Veto held by the five permanent members here.

According to Roger Cole of PANA, attempting to run a large international organisation that is constantly being undermined by the United States regarding itself as the sole super-power, that can disregard the interests of lesser members, in an evolving multi-polar world, this has not made for smooth operational development. Working through the United Nations is not easy, and everyone agrees on the need for reform, but there can be no reason for giving up or helping to undermine this important global structure.

And what would be the result of making the momentous change in foreign policy that ending the Triple Lock would signify? Irish troops fighting Russia in Ukraine under the guise of defending international law, as laid down in propagandist terms? Or perhaps Irish military involvement in North Africa, defending French commercial interest under an EU flag? Or maybe Irish forces might be required to assist German forces on the borders of Israel?

Ends…

To confirm this Press Release contact…

Tom Crilly, Communications Officer, PANA,

Roger Cole, Chairperson, PANA,

Padraig Mannion, Irish Language Spokesperson, PANA,

For more information:

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, supported by more than 100 other Irish civil society groups, has called another National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 20th April, starting at the Garden of Remembrance at 1pm and going to the Dáil on Molesworth Street/Kildare Street to bring our demands to the Irish government’s doorstep.

https://www.ipsc.ie/

Ending the Triple Lock—A Recipe For Incoherence by Dave Alvey

https://www.pana.ie/posts/ending-the-triple-lock--a-recipe-for-incoherence

2024 Roger Casement Summer School

This event will kick off on Fri, Apr 26, 2024 at 7:30 PM at the Eblana Club in Dun Laoghaire. From 9.30 am on Sat, Apr 27 till late that evening we have a schedule of talks with a focus on international affairs. Vijay Prashad will speak on the Multi-Polar World Order.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/2024-roger-casement-summer-school-tickets-847149897147#:~:text=The%20event%20will%20kick%20off,See%20you%20there!

Statement issued by Shannonwatch on US military use of Shannon airport. Sunday 14 April 2024 on PANA Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PANAIreland/

A large crowd of protesters gathered in Clare last Sunday to demonstrate against the use of Shannon Airport by the US Military. Hundreds of people from major anti-war organisations and the Ireland/Palestine Solidarity Campaign turned out to show support. Watch Virgin Media report on PANA Twitter

https://twitter.com/PANAIreland?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Clare Daly MEP, Yanis Varoufakis, and Bernadette McAliskey, as three of the most incisive political commentators of the current moment, will address an event on 29 April in the Button Factory Dublin, that asks: Is Europe going from crisis to catastrophe?

https://www.facebook.com/ClareDalyMEP/

Undermining Irish Foreign Policy and the United Nations

Stop US Planes Sending Weapons to Israel via Shannon Airport

The Irish Times failed to print these letters from Anthony Coughlan (National Platform) and from Roger Cole (PANA) sent last weekend March 2024, that highlighted concerns on their on-going war-mongering propaganda. We reprint these letters below so you can judge if this is indeed the case, and if this is the case with Irish mainstream media in general.

Stunned by War Propaganda

Letter to the Editor,

Irish Times,

9/3/2024

Dear Editor,

Let’s start with more genuine and open public debate on our International and European Affairs.

Yours Sincerely

Roger Cole

Chair

Peace & Neutrality Alliance

17 Castle Street, Dalkey,

info@pana.ie

The National Platform EU Research and Information Centre

Varadkar's war-mongering statement... Open letter from Anthony Coughlan to Pat Leahy of the "Irish Times"..

Crawford Avenue

Dublin 9

TO: Mr Pat Leahy, The Irish Times,

Monday 11 March 2024

Dear Pat,

That is an extraordinarily alarmist article you wrote in last Saturday’s Irish Times: “As the EU prepares for war, Ireland’s head is in the sand”.

You open your piece with a war-mongering statement by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Ukraine: “This is our war too ...The least we can do is to provide them with the tools they need to defend their country and their homes.”

Varadkar’s judgement on Ukraine as being “our war” is almost certainly as flawed as his judgement of the Irish people’s views in last Friday’s referendum.

You go on to quote approvingly the EU’s Von Der Leyen’s call for “turbocharging our defence industrial capacity in the next five years.” You say you spoke to two senior Government ministers who told you that the EU is preparing for war, and the whole thrust of your piece is to hold that we should prepare for war along with them.

You write: “If Putin does not lose in Ukraine…then there is a real and justified fear that he will test NATO’s mutual defence pact with an attack on one of these countries.” I suggest that the real fear is that of the warmongers of NATO and the EU who worry that they may be frustrated in their plans for a new Cold War in Europe in order to keep the arms orders rolling in for the military-industrial complex and to give a rationale for the NATO/EU military bureaucracy. The political purpose of this new Cold War is to renew the objective of NATO as being “to keep Russia out, America in and Germany down”, as the old witticism put it, and to keep the EU in vassalage to the USA.

With all due respect to you, your article last Saturday was quite over-the-top and based on a total misreading of political events. Do you not realise that if there were a real war in Europe nuclear bombs would almost certainly be used and we would not be immune from their effects?

You should know well that the Ukrainian war began in 2014 when the US and EU supported the Maidan coup d’état that overthrew the legitimate Russian-oriented Government there and the coup regime then banned the political parties representing Russian speakers as well as the Russian Orthodox Church and killed some 14,000 people in the Russian-speaking provinces between 2014 and 2022.

You sneer in your piece at Ireland’s “pro-neutrality lobby” and call for much increased military spending here to defend ourselves against the nasty Russians, whom you imply threaten us in some way. Surely you have not forgotten that Russia has been invaded by the so-called “West” six times since 1800, and four times since 1900? Russia is no threat to this country if we do not participate in NATO/EU war-mongering and maintain a meaningful neutrality policy

You really should heed Cillian Murphy’s call at the Oscars and join the ranks of the peacemakers!

Yours sincerely

Anthony Coughlan

Spokesman

P.S. am copying this letter to your editor and assistant editor and sundry other current affairs journalists at your paper and elsewhere for their information. The accompanying article by Rome-based commentator ThomasFazi, who is a friend of mine, seems relevant to these matters also.

A psychoanalytical analysis of Western elites

How should we explain the near complete absence of feelings of guilt or shame on the part of Western politicians — especially over Gaza?

By Thomas Fazi, Rome, 11 March 2024

Michael Brenner — Professor Emeritus of International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh and a fellow of the Centre for Transatlantic Relations at SAIS/John Hopkins — isn’t that well known. Also due to his non-existent social media presence; but he’s one of the most insightful political thinkers out there. The best way to keep up with his writing is to sign up to his newsletter, which you can do by writing to him atmbren@pitt.edu

His latest piece is a little political-literary masterpiece. In it Brenner tries to explain the puzzling and apparently irrational behaviour of Western elites from a psycho-political perspective, in a similar fashion to the approach I took in attempting to explain the hysterical reaction of the British Establishment to George Galloway’s recent election. In that piece I argued that much of the behaviour of Western elites — especially their crackdown on domestic dissent — can be put down to fear:

“Our ruling elites are hugely powerful, but their power is illegitimate — they rule, and are able to reproduce their rule, for no other reason other than the fact that they are powerful. It’s a purely autochthonous form of power, but one that lacks the legitimacy of previous forms of autochthonous power, such as monarchies. They have no legitimating symbolic reservoir, or “secular theology,” to draw from. Alongside fear — their claim to be protecting us from evil forces out to get us, be it Russia, terrorists, viruses, etc. — the only legitimising force the oligarchs have left is “democracy”. The vote is ultimately the only thing that lends some legitimacy to their de facto absolute rule.

This is why they go to great lengths to control the democratic process — but can’t afford to do away with it altogether. Because, if they were to do so, all that would be left would be raw, naked elite rule, revealed in all its illegitimacy. But even this so-called democratic legitimacy is wearing increasingly thin — and elites know this. Hence their fear, which in turn leads to a constant tightening of the bolts of social control (greater censorship, repression, etc., as well as the constant search for foreign enemies) — and to hysterical reactions to even the slightest challenge to their rule.

Brenner reaches a similar conclusion — “deep down [Western elites] are scared, fearful and agitated”, he writes — but argues that this in itself isn’t sufficient to explain their apparent lack of guilt or shame, nor their apparent obliviousness to the self-defeating nature of the actions, from a strategic perspective. In order to explain this, Brenner draws on a rather wide range of philosophical and psychoanalytical insights. This is the most salient part of his analysis in my opinion:

“Western leaders are experiencing two stunning events: defeat in Ukraine, genocide in Palestine. The first is humiliating, the other shameful. Yet, they feel no humiliation or shame. Their actions show vividly that those sentiments are alien to them — unable to penetrate the entrenched barriers of dogma, arrogance and deep-seated insecurities.

[How should one explain this] near complete absence of feelings of guilt or shame — especially over Gaza, of being humiliated in the eyes of the world? In conditions of nihilism, matters of conscience are moot. For the implicit rejection of norms, rules and laws frees the individual self to do whatever impulses or ideas or selfish interests impel it. With the superego dissolved, there is no felt obligation to judge oneself in reference to any external or abstract standard. Narcissistic tendencies flourish.

A similar psychology obviates the requirement for experiencing shame. That is something that can only exist if we subjectively are part of a social grouping wherein personal status, and sense of worth, depend on how others view us and whether they grant us respect. In the absence of such a communal identity, with its attendant sensitivity to its opinion, shame can exist only in the perverse form of regret that one has been unable to meet the demanding, all-consuming need for self-gratification. That applies to nations as well.”

The mindset described by Brenner is well-known in psychology — it’s called psychopathy. As a paper on the topic explains:

“Individuals with high levels of psychopathic tendencies tend to show a lack of guilt, a lack of empathic concern, and a disregard for the impact of their decisions on others.

Psychopathy is a personality construct characterized by impaired social-emotional processing combined with a tendency to display disruptive and antisocial behaviours. The interpersonal-affective disturbances that lie at the core of this construct encompass a lack of empathy, guilt, and remorse, and are considered to be unique to psychopathy.

Psychopathy has repeatedly been linked to poor social decision-making, partly hypothesized as due to a diminished capability for making appropriate social inferences and for following social norms and rules.”

I find the last paragraph particularly interesting because a specific trait of the behaviour of Western elites in the current historical phase, beyond their ability to engage in, or support, crimes against humanity on a mass scale with no apparent remorse/guilt — a psychological trait that arguably could be applied to most state leaders throughout human history — is precisely their apparent inability to infer the way in which their actions are perceived by others, in this case the wider international community. Hence their pursuit of policies which are having the effect of weakening, at every turn, the legitimacy of the Western-led international order.

So perhaps what we are dealing with in Western societies isn’t just rule by the oligarchy, but more specifically, and more disturbingly, rule by a psychopathic oligarchy — a pathocracy.

Letters to The Irish Times from Anthony Coughlan and Roger Cole

Dave Alvey is chair of the Roger Casement Summer School. This year the school takes place on the evening of Friday 26th April and all of Saturday 27th April in the Eblana Club in Dun Laoghaire. The cost of a ticket is €15 (€17 includes the booking fee) which entitles you to admission to all events, complimentary tea and coffee, a free lunch (sandwiches) and free refreshment (food and water) at the social.

Some very interesting talks on foreign policy include:

Publication Launch - 'Misunderstanding Islam, Misunderstanding Al Aqsa
'A Multi-Polar World Order? Vijay Prashad

For more information, please go to their Facebook.

Ending the Triple Lock—A Recipe For Incoherence

Given its stated intention of removing the Triple Lock—the policy by which Irish troops cannot be despatched abroad without agreement by the Government, the Dáil and a United Nations mandate—the present Irish Government is simultaneously defending the UN and preparing legislation to undermine it.

The case for ditching the Triple Lock rests on two contentions. The first is that, by depending on a UN mandate, Irish sovereignty is being compromised since any of the five Permanent Members of the Security Council (known in diplomatic circles as the P5) can exercise a Veto on UN operations. Theoretically, Government representatives are arguing, Russia or China could block an engagement abroad by the Irish Defence Forces, even if such an engagement had the enthusiastic support of the Irish people through their public representatives.

The problem with that argument is that it betrays a lack of understanding of how the UN works. Granting the major Powers a Veto is a precondition for having a United Nations Organisation. Having a powerful international body requires a balance between the wants of the major military Powers and the wishes of the multiplicity of smaller States. Following World War I, a clear international consensus emerged that international security should not be left in the control of the Great Powers. The League of Nations was formed, but its effectiveness was severely curtailed through the machinations of Britain and France. After World War II the League was replaced by the UN, and that body was designed to avoid the pitfalls that had hampered its predecessor. But the victors of that war were still given a privileged status, expressed in the power of Veto granted to them individually as the P5. The principle underlying the UN as an important international body is that the big Powers are prepared to put up with interference from the smaller States, expressed as international opinion, provided they can protect their interests. In a word, no Veto, no UN.

(None of these points should obviate the need for reform of the Security Council—at the very least, India should be added to the P5.)

Now Ireland could accept that the existence of a power of Veto by each of the P5 is essential to having the UN and still choose to make a policy change that would allow Irish peacekeeping missions to operate abroad without a UN mandate, but such a decision would have significant consequences. It would represent a vote of No Confidence in the UN system from a State that has been exemplary in supporting it for nearly seventy years. That last sentence is an understatement. Throughout those years Ireland has been a leading proponent of the basic concept of the UN, in words and deeds.

A weakness in the Government’s argument about the Veto is that Russia has never used it to block a peacekeeping mission.

China did block a mission to Macedonia in 1999 (Ireland was to have been a participant) because Macedonia had opened diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but that represents a rare exception.

In general, the Veto has not been used to block peacekeeping missions; the Government is proposing a radical change on the grounds of an abstract and unlikely theoretical possibility.

The second contention behind the Government’s case against the Triple Lock is that the UN Security Council has become dysfunctional, and that no peacekeeping missions have been authorised since 2014. This argument has some substance but it appears that little attempt to analyse why the UN is beset by these problems.

One important reason is that, following the end of the Cold War, the US moved back from the UN and began undermining it. It regarded itself as the sole Super-Power and saw no need to take account of the interests of lesser members!

Attempting to run a large international organisation without the support of the Superpower has not made for smooth operational development. It is also the case, and Irish diplomats and military leaders know this more than anyone, that running a UN peacekeeping mission requires exceptional competence at the political, diplomatic, and operational levels. Working through the UN is not easy but that is not a reason for giving up on it.

Impressive Irish Support for the UN

In just the last month, Ireland has intervened in support of the UN on at least two occasions. On February 15th the Government announced it was donating €20 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), an action for which the Commissioner General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzerini, travelled to Dublin to express his agency’s gratitude. And, on 22nd February, the Irish Attorney General, Rossa Fanning, made a strong case in the Hague before the UN’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) challenging the legality of Israel’s long-term occupation of Palestinian territories.

(The case against the Israeli occupation before the ICJ should not be confused with South Africa’s case, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza—even though the two cases are increasing international pressure on Israel. The former arises from a UN resolution passed by the General Assembly in December 2022 that was strongly opposed by the US. It is a request to the Court for an advisory opinion on the Occupation. Fifty-seven submissions from States and international bodies, mostly sympathetic to the Palestinians, were lodged last August. In recent weeks 30-minute oral submissions have been given by all 57—this included the presentation from the Irish Attorney General.

Notably the UK submission ran along the lines that the question of the occupation should be left to the two parties in conflict: Israel and Palestine!

Which other States, one wonders, could argue such an untenable position!

While it can certainly be argued that neither of the two cases can have enforceable outcomes and are therefore substantially pointless, they are being conducted under an international spotlight at a time when Israeli transgressions against the Palestinians are undeniable and when movement away from US hegemony is progressing.

Some observers are saying that Israel is pulling down the dominant position that the West has enjoyed in international affairs.

These are both significant interventions that have been recognised as such in international media. Al Jazeera reported the countries which were continuing to support UNRWA as follows:

“Countries including Belgium, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey and, of course, Ireland, have decided to continue supporting the UNRWA” (Aljazeera, 17 Feb 2024).

Referring to the long list of Western countries that are pausing or suspending their contributions to UNRWA, the same report quoted Ilan Pappe, author of The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine (2007), as follows:

“…the Global North following blindly here the Israeli cue on UNRWA”.

The report was subtitled, “Ireland is the latest to pledge funds for the stricken UN agency, the main source of humanitarian aid to Palestine”, and quoted Taoiseach Varadkar to the effect that Israel has become blinded by rage. Attempting to explain why the Irish have an affinity for the Palestinian cause, the report included a historical summary of the Irish struggle for independence.

A report in another Middle Eastern publication, a United Arab Emirates daily paper, The National, gave prominence to Rossa Fanning’s oral presentation at The Hague. It stated:

"Ireland, which was represented by Attorney General Rossa Fanning, said Israel had committed “serious breaches” of international law during its five decade-long occupation of Palestinian territories.

In addition to encouraging settlers to move illegally to occupied territories, Israel has applied domestic law in illegal settlements and transferred administration in certain areas from military to civilian control.

In its continuing war on Gaza, which has killed more than 29,400 Palestinians, Israel has “exceeded” its right to the use of force in self-defence following Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, said Mr Fanning.

“This is manifest from the spiralling death toll, the extensive destruction of property including homes throughout Gaza, the displacement of up to two million people and the ensuing humanitarian catastrophe,” he said…" (The Nation, “China tells ICJ that Palestinians have the right to armed struggle”, 22 Feb 2024).

The report led with a summary of China’s oral presentation, which was itself significant and indicative that international law may be taken more seriously as US hegemony declines. But the importance attached to the Irish submission underlines how it contained points of law which the Court will need to take note of. It also shows how Ireland continues to punch above its weight in international affairs.

Ireland’s reputation as a small State that has actively supported the UN over the decades gives the State an advantage at the UN and internationally, and in the current Israel-Gaza war our traditional foreign policy orientation of support for anti-colonialism through the UN has come to the fore.

Why then is the Government preparing to pivot Ireland’s alignment away from the UN? Why undermine the increased standing that has been achieved by supporting UNRWA and the Attorney General’s legal challenge to the Israeli occupation?

Changes are currently afoot in the balance of international power relationships and no one can predict where those changes will lead. At the very least this is the worst possible time for a break from the traditional policy.

Much more can be said on this subject. The Irish political system is sharply divided on the proposed change. Sinn Féin has been leading opposition to it, but the rest of the Opposition—the Labour Party, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and influential Independents like Catherine Connolly—are equally incensed by it.

Inside the ranks of the Coalition there is deep unease among the Greens about ending the Triple Lock; that party has a record of involvement in peace activism. Given the huge involvement of Fianna Fáil in defending Irish neutrality and supporting the UN over the decades, it would be unrealistic to assume that the ranks of that party are united behind what will be a further weakening of the foreign policy that was so important to Eamon De Valera, Sean Lemass, Frank Aiken and Charles Haughey.

Even Fine Gael should not be assumed to be gung-ho about weakening the traditional connection with the UN: Rossa Fanning who performed so creditably at The Hague along the lines of the traditional foreign policy was nominated as Attorney General by Taoiseach Varadkar.

Ending the Triple Lock was not proposed by any party in the General Election campaign; nor was it mentioned in the Coalition’s Programme for Government. Given the implications of this major change in foreign policy, it would make sense for the Opposition Parties to signal in the impending Dáil debate that they will undertake to revoke any legislation ending the Triple Lock in their manifestos in the General Election whenever it is called.

By pushing through legislation to end the Triple Lock, the Government will be introducing an element of incoherence into Irish foreign policy. Why undermine a policy tradition that has strengthened the cause of multi-lateralism through the UN and won international respect?

And why do it at a time of tumult in international affairs?

Dave Alvey

Ending the Triple Lock—A Recipe For Incoherence

Public opinion polls have consistently shown that the vast majority of the Irish people in the Republic of Ireland support Irish neutrality.

Despite this reality the Irish government has entered a new streamlined agreement with Nato. It will last until 2028 and will according to media speculation give Ireland greater access to Nato resources, including sensitive intelligence. Under the new protocol, interactions with the Alliance will now take place under the Individual Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP) which was set out at the 2022 Madrid Nato Summit as a means of increasing Nato co-operation with partner nations.

Ireland has been a partner nation with Nato since 1999 when it joined the Partnership for Peace programme to increase interoperability with other western militaries.

A recent report published by Policy Exchange exposes the ongoing pressure to support this western military alliance – ‘Closing the Back Door Rediscovering Northern Ireland’s Role in British National Security’ is backed by the UK military and security establishment and repeats the EU/NATO narrative accusing Ireland of “freeloading” off Nato and posing as a “backdoor” threat to UK security from Russian, Chinese and Iranian actors. The report also suggests greater pressure should be put on the new Stormont assembly and on the Irish government to fall in line with these Nato defence interests.

Ironically these are the same EU/Nato defence and security interests that continue to demand more military and political support for the ongoing two-year horrific slaughter in Ukraine and for Israel’s genocidal bombardment of Palestinians in Gaza, and that refuse to encourage peace, stability, and humanitarian needs in Sudan, Yemen, and the Sahel region. One could easily equate western security interests with those massive profits of their military arms industries.

Roger Cole of PANA stated, the Irish government is under constant pressure from the United States and Nato to abandon all vestiges of independent foreign policy, and to support the interests of a western regional power structure. Nato cannot control global structures like the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, so they try to weaken them or propagate the narrative that they are no longer relevant. This according to PANA is the real reason Micheál Martin wants to destroy the Triple Lock Mechanism.

Ends…

To confirm this Press Release contact…

Tom Crilly, Communications Officer, PANA,

Roger Cole, Chairperson, PANA,

Padraig Mannion, Irish Language Spokesperson, PANA,

For more information:

Closing the Back Door Rediscovering Northern Ireland’s Role in British National Security, Marcus Solarz Hendriks and Harry Halem. Foreword by Rt Hon Sir Michael Fallon KCB and Rt Hon Lord Robertson of Port Ellen KT

https://policyexchange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Closing-the-Back-Door.pdf

When bombs are falling, arms industry profits are rising. As war rages in Gaza, we look at how the defence sector is both benefiting from the violence and struggling to keep up.

https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/people-profit/20231026-the-business-of-war-how-arms-industry-profits-from-violent-conflicts

Military corporations need wars for profits. The human cost is huge…

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/military-corporations-survey-wealth-profits-war-damage-death/

New Nato agreement shaped by Russian aggression and fears of hybrid threats…

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/02/09/new-nato-agreement-shaped-by-russian-aggression-and-fears-of-hybrid-threats/

‍

Pressure to Support the Western Military Alliance

Best wishes to all our members/supporters for 2024… 7/1/2024

With the genocidal war ongoing in Gaza, the IPSC will start the year with a National Demo planned for next Saturday 13th January in Dublin as part of a Global Day of Action, this event is endorsed by PANA and so we encourage you all to attend. For more details of other IPSC events throughout the country please go to their website https://www.ipsc.ie/

End Gaza Genocide, Saturday 13^th January

March and Rally 1pm @ the Garden of Remembrance, Dublin

The poster for this IPSC event is on our Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PANAIreland/ alongside a poster advertising a fundraising Table Quiz for Cuba in the Teachers Club, on Thursday 15^th February, organised by the CPI. We should not forget that Cuba has been under an illegal US blockade and sanctioned for over 65 years.

No to EU Militarisation and an EU Army!

Neutrality is our best defence. The People’s Movement will hold its monthly protest on Wednesday 17th January 2024 at 1:00pm. Outside Dáil Eireann, Kildare St. Please try to get along – it is important! Placards and posters will be provided.

South Africa has filed a case at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. But could Ireland be accused of aiding and abetting genocide by allowing US war planes refuel at Shannon.

Democracy Now! on X: "South Africa has filed a case at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. International law expert Francis Boyle, who has argued successfully at the ICJ, says he believes "South Africa will win an order against Israel." https://t.co/4Ebz02vxVc" / X (twitter.com)

Julian Assange Campaign

The UK High Court has confirmed that a public hearing will take place on 20/21 February 2024. The two-day hearing may be the final chance for Julian Assange to prevent his extradition to the United States. Last month PANA sent a letter to Julian Assange and another letter to Rt Hon Home Secretary James Cleverly seeking his release from Belmarsh Prison allowing him to return home for Christmas. (See copy on Website)

Triple Lock and the Emailing Campaign

Abolishing the requirement for a United Nations mandate, which is what the Government wants to do, would enable Ireland to take part in future EU or NATO military operations that do not have a UN authorisation – operations such the current Ukrainian war, or the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Defending the Triple Lock is now the most urgent task confronting PANA and all thoughtful citizens who value neutrality and Irish independence in foreign policy. We need to lobby our TDs and Senators, please go to our Website, Take Action: Support Neutrality and Oppose the Latest Move Towards NATO! https://www.pana.ie/

Best Wishes,

Tom Crilly,

Communications PANA,

Roger Cole,
Chair, Peace & Neutrality Alliance, PANA,

WikiLeaks editor and publisher Julian Assange is facing a 175-year sentence for publishing truthful information in the public interest. Julian Assange is being sought by the current US administration for publishing US government documents which exposed war crimes and human rights abuses. The politically motivated charges represent an unprecedented attack on press freedom and the public’s right to know – seeking to criminalise basic journalistic activity. The US has pushed to extradite Julian Assange, who is an Australian citizen, after his website WikiLeaks published thousands of US documents in 2010, some that exposed US war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq. Mr Assange has been detained in Britain’s Belmarsh Prison London for the last five years and is in the midst of appealing the United Kingdom’s decision to agree to US extradition. Last week PANA sent a letter to Julian Assange and another letter to Rt Hon Home Secretary James Cleverly seeking his release from Belmarsh Prison allowing him to return home for Christmas.

Write a letter, postcard or email to your local TD, Senator or MEP highlighting the plight of Julian Assange, write directly to Julian in Belmarsh Prison explaining your support for his freedom. https://www.facebook.com/WriteJulian/

Clare Daly MEP speaks up for Julian Assange: TikTok ↗️

Mr. Julian Assange
Prisoner #A9379AY
HMP Belmarsh
Western Way
London SE28 0EB
United Kingdom

11th December 2023

Dear Julian,
I have recently sent a letter to Rt Hon Home Secretary James Cleverly highlighting our concerns that you as a journalist remain in prison for publishing truthful information exposing US war crimes in the public interest. Amnesty International states that “Were Julian Assange to be extradited or subjected to any other transfer to the USA, Britain would be in breach of its obligations under international law.”
We can only hope that Mr. Cleverly will see the need to protect ‘freedom of speech’ and the ‘freedom of the press’ in the UK by releasing you from Belmarsh prison in London.
The Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA) was established in 1996 and is a broad-based alliance advocating that Ireland should have its own independent foreign policy, that Irish neutrality should be restored as a key component of this policy, whilst campaigning against war, poverty, exploitation, and imperialism, through a reformed United Nations.
Our two main concerns are the ever-growing militarisation of the European Union and that US military continue to refuel at Shannon Airport on their way to their conflicts in the Middle East, eastern Europe, and north Africa.
On Sunday 12th November PANA, along with Shannonwatch and other peace groups, over 200 peace and human rights activists attended a National Protest, at Shannon Airport to oppose US military flights here.
Speakers highlighted that our government is collaborating in US war crimes today as the Pentagon/CIA has agreed to send billions of dollars of military assistance, including Cluster bombs to Ukraine and Spice bombs to Israel, possible through Shannon.
People were also reminded that Julian Assange remains incarcerated in Belmarsh prison in London for helping to expose these US war crimes.
As the end of the year approaches can I thank you for your courage, your great investigative journalism and hope that the UK government will now accept the need for justice and release you from Belmarsh Prison allowing you to return home to your family for Christmas.

Best Wishes,
Tom Crilly,
Communications PANA,

Roger Cole,
Chair, Peace & Neutrality Alliance, PANA

Rt Hon Home Secretary James Cleverly
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA

11th December 2023

Dear James Cleverly,
As the end of the year approaches Julian Assange will spend his fifth Christmas and New Year in maximum security Belmarsh Prison in London.
Another Christmas away from his family, two young children and his wife Stella. Julian is now reaching the final and critical hearing in the British courts. The case raises issues of the greatest importance in respect of freedom of speech and the freedom of the press.
If extradited to the United States, Julian Assange would face a sentence of 175 years in prison merely for receiving and publishing truthful information in public interest, that revealed US war crimes, human rights abuses, and corruption. The UK is required under its international obligations to stop the extradition. Article 4 of the UKUS extradition treaty must be enforced, which prohibits extradition for political offences. Amnesty International states that “Were Julian Assange to be extradited or subjected to any other transfer to the USA, Britain would be in breach of its obligations under international law.”
According to the UK’s National Union of Journalists the “US charges against Assange pose a huge threat, one that could criminalise the critical work of investigative journalists & their ability to protect their sources”. The decision to either free Julian Assange or send him to the country that conspired to murder him in London, rests with you. Therefore, I ask you to release him from the high security prison so he can return home to his family for Christmas.

Yours sincerely,
Tom Crilly,
Communications PANA,

Roger Cole,
Chair, Peace & Neutrality Alliance, PANA,

Letters of Support for Julian Assange in Belmarsh Prison London 2023

Following the defeat of the Nice Treaty referendum, Ireland committed that our Defence Forces would only be sent overseas where approved by (i) the Government (ii) the Dáil and (iii) the United Nations.

Known as the “Triple Lock”, this commitment made in Seville, Spain, was a key argument in favour of accepting the Nice Treaty in the second referendum. (It also reaffirmed the position set out in the Defence Act 1960.)

After the Lisbon Treaty was rejected in 2008, our Government again made a National Declaration affirming the Triple Lock, to encourage the Irish people to vote Yes in the second referendum.

In 2020, both the Fianna Fáil manifesto and the Programme for Government committed to protecting neutrality and the Triple Lock requirement for a UN mandate.

The Triple Lock reflects our historic commitment as a neutral state to the UN rather than military alliances such as NATO. Ending the Triple Lock will bring us closer to NATOmembership, which is supported by many of those pushing the move.

Please take two minutes to oppose this move by e-mailing our elected representatives. Below is a model e-mail you can use or adapt. The following is a list of deputies’ e-mails you can copy and paste into your e-mail.

Model E-mail

‍Dear Deputy
‍
I am writing to express my concern at the Government's proposals to enable the Defence Forces to serve abroad in missions unauthorised by the United Nations. In my view, adherence to the charter and values of the United Nations should remain a core part of Irish foreign policy and I urge you to vote against these proposals.
‍
In contrast to the majority of Western countries, our Defence Forces do not have a history of invading and occupying other countries. This has given them a great deal of credibility in the Global South, when serving in UN missions. If Irish troops begin taking part in missions not authorised by the UN, this credibility will be seriously tarnished.
‍
The UN requirement also protects our independence by ensuring we are not pressured by more powerful countries to take part in their wars, such as the 2003 US-led attack on Iraq.
‍
At very least, a referendum should be held to give the Irish people a say on such a momentous change in our foreign policy.
‍
Yours sincerely
[INSERT NAME]

E-mail addresses

Find your representative's email below, or find your TD by constituency.

‍richard.bruton@oireachtas.ie, sean.haughey@oireachtas.ie, denise.mitchell@oireachtas.ie, cian.ocallaghan@oireachtas.ie, aodhan.oriordain@oireachtas.ie,paschal.donohoe@oireachtas.ie, gary.gannon@oireachtas.ie, neasa.hourigan@oireachtas.ie, marylou.mcdonald@oireachtas.ie,alan.farrell@oireachtas.ie, darragh.obrien@oireachtas.ie, joe.obrien@oireachtas.ie, louise.oreilly@oireachtas.ie, duncan.smith@oireachtas.ie,dessie.ellis@oireachtas.ie, paul.mcauliffe@oireachtas.ie, roisin.shortall@oireachtas.ie,jack.chambers@oireachtas.ie, paul.donnelly@oireachtas.ie, roderic.ogorman@oireachtas.ie, leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie,joan.collins@oireachtas.ie, patrick.costello@oireachtas.ie, brid.smith@oireachtas.ie, aengus.osnodaigh@oireachtas.ie,chris.andrews@oireachtas.ie, ivana.bacik@oireachtas.ie, jim.ocallaghan@oireachtas.ie, eamon.ryan@oireachtas.ie,emer.higgins@oireachtas.ie, gino.kenny@oireachtas.ie, mark.ward@oireachtas.ie, eoin.obroin@oireachtas.ie,colm.brophy@oireachtas.ie, sean.crowe@oireachtas.ie, francisnoel.duffy@oireachtas.ie, john.lahart@oireachtas.ie, paul.murphy@oireachtas.ie,josepha.madigan@oireachtas.ie, catherine.martin@oireachtas.ie, neale.richmond@oireachtas.ie,richard.boydbarrett@oireachtas.ie, jennifer.carrollmacneill@oireachtas.ie, cormac@cormacdevlin.ie, ossian.smyth@oireachtas.ie,matt.carthy@oireachtas.ie, heather.humphreys@oireachtas.ie, brendan.smith@oireachtas.ie, niamh.smyth@oireachtas.ie, pauline.tully@oireachtas.ie,pearse.doherty@oireachtas.ie, padraig.maclochlainn@oireachtas.ie, charlie.mcconalogue@oireachtas.ie, joe.mchugh@oireachtas.ie, thomas.pringle@oireachtas.ie,frank.feighan@oireachtas.ie, marian.harkin@oireachtas.ie, marian.harkin@oireachtas.ie, marc.macsharry@oireachtas.ie,dara.calleary@oireachtas.ie, rose.conwaywalsh@oireachtas.ie, alan.dillon@oireachtas.ie, michael.ring@oireachtas.ie,michael.fitzmaurice@oireachtas.ie, claire.kerrane@oireachtas.ie, Denis.Naughten@oireachtas.ie,catherine.connolly@oireachtas.ie, mairead.farrell@oireachtas.ie, noel.grealish@oireachtas.ie, hildegarde.naughton@oireachtas.ie, eamon.ocuiv@oireachtas.ie,sean.canney@oireachtas.ie, ciaran.cannon@oireachtas.ie, anne.rabbitte@oireachtas.ie,joe.carey@oireachtas.ie, cathal.crowe@oireachtas.ie, michael.mcnamara@oireachtas.ie, violet-anne.wynne@oireachtas.ie,martin.browne@oireachtas.ie, jackie.cahill@oireachtas.ie, alan.kelly@oireachtas.ie, michael.lowry@oireachtas.ie, mattie.mcgrath@oireachtas.ie,brian.leddin@greenparty.ie, willie.odea@oireachtas.ie, kieran.odonnell@oireachtas.ie, kieran.odonnell@oireachtas.ie, maurice.quinlivan@oireachtas.ie,niall.collins@oireachtas.ie, richard.odonoghue@oireachtas.ie, patrick.odonovan@oireachtas.ie,pa.daly@oireachtas.ie, norma.foley@oireachtas.ie, brendan.griffin@oireachtas.ie, danny.healy-rae@oireachtas.ie, michael.healy-rae@oireachtas.ie,michael.creed@oireachtas.ie, aindrias.moynihan@oireachtas.ie, michael.moynihan@oireachtas.ie,holly.cairns@oireachtas.ie, michael.collins@oireachtas.ie, christopher.osullivan@oireachtas.ie,simon.coveney@oireachtas.ie, micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie, michael.mcgrath@oireachtas.ie, donnchadh.olaoghaire@oireachtas.ie,mick.barry@oireachtas.ie, colm.burke@oireachtas.ie, thomas.gould@oireachtas.ie, padraig.osullivan@oireachtas.ie,pat.buckley@oireachtas.ie, james.oconnor@oireachtas.ie, sean.sherlock@oireachtas.ie, david.stanton@oireachtas.ie,mary.butler@oireachtas.ie, david.cullinane@oireachtas.ie, matt.shanahan@oireachtas.ie, marc.ocathasaigh@oireachtas.ie,peterm.fitzpatrick@oireachtas.ie, imelda.munster@oireachtas.ie, gerald.nash@oireachtas.ie, fergus.odowd@oireachtas.ie, ruairi.omurchu@oireachtas.ie,thomas.byrne@oireachtas.ie, helen.mcentee@oireachtas.ie, darren.orourke@oireachtas.ie,damien.english@oireachtas.ie, johnny.guirke@oireachtas.ie, peadar.toibin@oireachtas.ie,reada.cronin@oireachtas.ie, bernard.durkan@oireachtas.ie, james.lawless@oireachtas.ie, catherine.murphy@oireachtas.ie,peter.burke@oireachtas.ie, sorca.clarke@oireachtas.ie, joe.flaherty@oireachtas.ie, robert.troy@oireachtas.ie,barry.cowen@oireachtas.ie, charles.flanagan@oireachtas.ie, sean.fleming@oireachtas.ie, carol.nolan@oireachtas.ie, brian.stanley@oireachtas.ie,cathal.berry@oireachtas.ie, martin.heydon@oireachtas.ie, patricia.ryan@oireachtas.ie, sean.ofearghail@oireachtas.ie,john.brady@oireachtas.ie, stephen.donnelly@oireachtas.ie, simon.harris@oireachtas.ie, steven.matthews@oireachtas.ie, jennifer.whitmore@oireachtas.ie,kathleen.funchion@oireachtas.ie, john.mcguinness@oireachtas.ie, jennifer.murnaneoconnor@oireachtas.ie, malcolm.noonan@oireachtas.ie, johnpaul.phelan@oireachtas.ie,james.browne@oireachtas.ie, brendan.howlin@oireachtas.ie, paul.kehoe@oireachtas.ie, verona.murphy@oireachtas.ie, johnny.mythen@oireachtas.ie

Take Action: Support Neutrality and Oppose the Latest Move Towards NATO!

Tánaiste Micheál Martin’s decision to seek to abandon the Triple Lock on sending Irish soldiers to fight in foreign parts is motivated by the desire to send Irish soldiers to take part in EU-led and NATO-led military operations that do not have a UN mandate.

Past examples of such would be the 2003 Iraq war and the 2011 Syrian War. A current example would be the war in Ukraine.

This step would be effectively a repudiation of the Seville Declaration which induced Irish voters to vote Yes to the ratification of the EU’s Nice Treaty by referendum in 2002, having rejected that treaty by referendum the year before.

Spelling out the Triple Lock in the 2002 Seville Declaration was the key factor used to persuade the Irish people to change their vote on the Nice Treaty.

At the Seville European Council in June 2002 the other EU governments accepted Ireland’s National Declaration spelling out the Triple Lock as follows: “Ireland reiterates that the participation of contingents of the Irish Defence Forces in overseas operations, including those carried out under the European security and defence policy, requires (a) the authorisation of the operation by the Security Council or the General Assembly of the United Nations, (b) the agreement of the Irish Government and (c) the approval of Dáil Éireann in accordance with Irish law.”

In return, the European Council of Member State Governments made the following Declaration: “The European Council takes cognizance of the National Declaration of Ireland presented at its meeting in Seville on 21–22 June 2002. It notes that Ireland intends to associate its National Declaration with its act of ratification of the Treaty of Nice, should the people of Ireland in a referendum decide to accept the Treaty of Nice.”

The people did then vote to accept Nice.

Negating the Seville Declaration in the way now proposed would be an insult to the Irish people who voted in those referendums. It would be a betrayal of the commitments of previous Irish Governments regarding the Nice Treaty.

It would enable Irish participation in military operations by the European Union and its American/NATO overlord in the new Cold War between “the West” and Russia/China that increasingly threatens world peace. Ireland’s recent commitment to participate in a 2000 strong German-led EU battlegroup is preparation for all this. Without the Triple Lock the Government could send Irish troops without limit to take part in the Ukrainian war.

To prevent this utterly foolish step and save what is left of a meaningful Irish neutrality policy, citizens should lobby their TDs and Senators in the days and weeks ahead to stand by the Triple Lock peace safeguard adopted when they voted to ratify the Nice Treaty.

Thoughtful and patriotic voters should refuse to vote for Fianna Fail, Fine Gael or the Green Party in the next general election if they should push through this dangerous and shameful proposal – a repudiation of past promises and commitments by these parties to Irish voters.

It is widely thought that Mr Martin’s zeal to abandon the Triple Lock stems from his desire to be selected as an EU Commissioner next year. Although the EU Treaties provide that each EU Member State may nominate its own Commissioner, the practice has grown up of Member States submitting two names, one a woman, to encourage gender balance on the Commission. Does Mr Martin feel that he has to be especially passionate in his Europhilia to ensure that he is the one chosen out of the putative two?

Elements in Fine Gael have wanted to end the Triple Lock for years. Tánaiste Martin now proposes to oblige them. Has the leader of the once great Fianna Fail party of Eamon de Valera, who in his day gave Ireland a genuinely independent neutrality policy, really sunk to this?

Deeply cynical is the editorial endorsement by the “Irish Times” of the abandonment of the Triple Lock as a “vindication of Irish sovereignty” (23 November). Everyone knows that that paper has welcomed every surrender of the powers of the Irish State to the supranational EU over decades, every abandonment of the accompanying national vetoes, and that this proposal is but another step in enabling Ireland to subsume its defence forces in EU/NATO military operations.

Others are making similar demagogic claims regarding their zeal for Irish sovereignty in order to fool people as to what this is really all about.

In the 2001 Nice Treaty referendum the National Platform EU Research and Information Centre, of which the undersigned is spokesman, was stated to be a body providing information critical of the treaty in the information booklet which the statutory Referendum Commission, then chaired by former Chief Justice T. A. Finlay, sent to all Irish households. The European Movement (Ireland), whose then secretary was Mr Alan Dukes, was stated in the same booklet to be a body providing information in support of the Treaty.

Anthony Coughlan
Spokesman, The National Platform EU Research and Information Centre,
Crawford Avenue,
Dublin 9

‍

Statement from Anthony Coughlan, on the Triple Lock and Seville Declaration

The Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA) along with Shannonwatch and other peace groups will hold a National Protest, meeting at the Roundabout at Shannon Airport on Sunday 12th November 2023, 2-3pm.

See Posters on PANA Facebook.

Before the illegal US led invasion of Iraq in 2003 Dáil Éireann debated a Government Motion, with Micheál Martin TD expressing concern about the innocent Iraqi civilians, the need for humanitarian aid, post war reconstruction of Iraq, but agreed to support US war planes refuelling at Shannon.

This collaboration in US war crimes continues today as the Pentagon/NSA has agreed to send billions of dollars of military assistance, including Cluster bombs to Ukraine and Spice bombs to Israel, and the latest reports reveal dozens of C-17 military transport planes most likely carrying munitions criss-crossing the Atlantic traveling between the United States and Israel.

Successive Irish Governments still refuse to search US military and their contracted civilian aircraft refuelling at Shannon Airport, so we will never know what weapons are on board.

Roger Cole of PANA stated, “Israel is bombing and blockading two million Palestinians in Gaza, killing ten thousand innocent people in the process, a genocide is under way here, how can the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin continue this collaboration in war crimes by allowing US war planes land at Shannon Airport”.

Ends…

Roger Cole, Chairperson, PANA,

Edward Horgan, International Secretary, PANA,

Padraig Mannion, Irish Language Spokesperson, PANA,

For more information:

Shannon Rally.

Please support, organising your own transport, train to Limerick Station, or with PANA who has organised a private bus from Dublin (meeting Tara Street Station, Dublin at 9am) to Shannon, return for this event with a subsidised fee €12, and with a limited number of seats: You can still book your seat by contacting Roger Cole at info@pana.ie

And you can pay through the PANA Website. Bring your raincoats.

Dáil Éireann debate on planned invasion of Iraq

In January 2003, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen (Fianna Fail) confirmed that Shannon was being used by the US military, and that troops travelling on civilian aircraft are “sometimes accompanied by their personal weapons”. These are military contracted aircraft and as such are technically not classified as military aircraft.

Approximately 100,000 people marched in Dublin on 15^th February 2003 to oppose the impending illegal US led invasion of Iraq. Dáil Éireann debated and passed a Motion on Tuesday 25^th March 2023 that included:

– expresses its earnest hope that military action, should it occur, will be of short duration and that loss of life and destruction will be kept to a minimum.

– recalls the long-standing arrangements for the overflight and landing in Ireland of US military and civilian aircraft; and

– supports the decision of the Government to maintain those arrangements.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern - stated.

Ireland has made over-flight and landing facilities available to the United States for the past 50 years. This period covers many crises and military confrontation which involved the US taking military action without specific United Nations endorsement, Kosovo being the most recent example. We did not withdraw or suspend those facilities at any stage during that period and there is no reason to act differently towards the US now.

Micheál Martin TD…I hope this conflict, which will have terrible consequences, will be as short as possible in the interests of the ordinary people of Iraq. We want to play a constructive role in the humanitarian aid effort under the aegis of the UN and in the proper reconstruction of Iraq.

Eamon Ryan TD…Some 140 Labour Party Members of the House of Commons voted against their Government. How many Fianna Fáil Members will vote against the Government?

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2003-03-20/4/

Update on air traffic through Shannon Airport-Edward Horgan

There are two separate types of military flights through Shannon:

The Dept of Transport approves those civilian aircraft on contract to the US military. These flights are usually carrying armed US soldiers, each soldier usually carries their personal weapons with them in the cabin of the aircraft and this usually means that if an aircraft has 200 soldiers on board there will also be 200 automatic rifles on board and some ammunition also in the hold of the plane. Omni Air International are now one of the most frequent on contract for US military through Shannon but there are others like Eastern Airlines.

The Department of Foreign Affairs approves US military aircraft such as Hercules C130, C17, C5 and others through Shannon. The Irish Government and US Government claim that none of these aircraft ever carry any weapons, munitions, are never on military operations, nor on military exercises or on intelligence gathering missions, bla bla bla. These are blatant lies as such aircraft frequently carry US Special Forces who never leave the US without their specialised weapons.

U.S. WEAPONS TRANSFERS TO ISRAEL SHROUDED IN SECRECY — BUT NOT UKRAINE https://theintercept.com/2023/11/07/israel-us-weapons-secret/

To confirm this Press Release contact…

Tom Crilly, Communications Officer, PANA,

National Protest at Shannon Airport this Sunday 12th November at 2pm

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, specifies that ambassadors are diplomats of the highest rank, formally representing their head of state, with plenipotentiary powers to represent their government. The role of ambassadors in times of peace tends to be symbolic dealing with matters of economics, culture, visas, etc.

In times of war the role of ambassadors is far more important. When the conflict in Ukraine deteriorated seriously in February 2022, there were calls for the Russian ambassador to be expelled. In recent days similar calls have been made by politicians and others to expel the Israeli ambassador.

According to Edward Horgan, International Secretary of PANA, “Expelling ambassadors in time of war is a serious mistake. While we may not like the ambassadors in question and we may not like or agree with the actions of their governments, it is vital to keep diplomatic lines of communications open at such critically important times.”

Neutral countries especially should be playing an important role in promoting an end to those conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, the Sahel region in Africa, and elsewhere. Our government should be leading the charge for a ceasefire and negotiations in global conflicts.

The ambassadors of these countries are vital especially if efforts are being made to end the conflicts, but also to help protect Ireland’s interests and the interests of Irish citizens who may be endangered by the conflicts. Edward Horgan stated, “ambassadors are the most important element in the international diplomatic system and provide a vital communications system in times of crises.” ‘Meeting jaw to jaw is better than war.’

Ends…

Edward Horgan, International Secretary, PANA,
Roger Cole, Chairperson, PANA,
Padraig Mannion, Irish Language Spokesperson, PANA,

For More Information:
‍

Rally at Shannon Airport

On Sunday 12th November at 2pm

There are still seats available on our subsidised bus from Dublin (city location around 9am) to Shannon Airport, the return cost is €12, but we need you to register up front asap. Contact Roger atinfo@pana.ie and you can send the fee to him through the PANA website or through an agreed post. See Poster on PANA Facebook page...

Shannonwatch has been protesting at Shannon Airport on the second Sunday of every month since 2008, and according to Edward Horgan “What is happening at Shannon Airport is in breach of international laws on neutrality and makes the Irish people complicit in US war crimes and torture”.

Report on Government Consultative Forum on International Security Policy

Our NEC Zoom meeting 24/10/2023 discussed Professor Dame Louise Richardsons report and agreed to thank all those anti-war activists who participated and influenced this biased forum away from membership of NATO. However, whilst the report admits neutrality is popular (which would be hard to deny) it does attack the Triple Lock, a major concern for us now, repeating the government position (See below). Roger and others are working on a more comprehensive response. Check out ‘Sword to Ploughshares’ detailed report on the Forum now on the PANA website. You can examine the report from Dame Richardson through the government link below.

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e3479-statement-by-tanaiste-on-publication-of-the-report-of-the-consultative-forum-on-international-security-policy/

From P.1 of the Executive Summary

The Triple Lock: the prevailing view is that it should be reconsidered.

From P.12, We again see a very pro-government narrative in her report.

While there was not a consensus on this point, the preponderance of views, especially among the experts and practitioners, is that it is time for a reconsideration of the Triple Lock as it is no longer fit for purpose.

To confirm this Press Release contact…

Tom Crilly, Communications Officer, PANA,

‍

Ambassadors are Vital in International Diplomacy

The controversial 'Consultative Forum on International Security' of June 2023 was set up by the Minister for Foreign Affairs - but to what end? This detailed report, prepared by a working group of StoP, looks at the 4 days of the Forum in detail. Included is a preamble, setting the scene, and a substantial set of conclusions which can be drawn from the current situation regarding neutrality and security and what the Forum did and did not consider.

Swords to Plowshares (StoP) Report on the Consultative Forum 2023

A Zoom Meeting with a broad alliance of European Anti-War Groups was held on Saturday 30th September 2023 - to agree a Constitution of a European Liaison Committee - including reps from Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Romania, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, and Switzerland and others.

With a common base. • An immediate ceasefire and negotiations! • Against arms deliveries! • Against arms and war budgets! • The lifting of the sanctions! • Neither NATO nor Putin! • “No to War – No to social War!” • Against war budgets of hundreds of billions! Billions for hospitals, schools, municipalities… • The defence of the real wage! General price freeze!

Thank You Gotthard and Kathrin for the invite to today's meeting to agree a Constitution for the European Liaison Committee.

I’m Tom Crilly, Communications Officer for the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA) here in Dublin, Ireland. Apologies for the Chair of PANA Roger Cole who cannot attend himself, as he is attending a Peace Conference in Berlin this weekend organised by the World Peace Council and other groups. PANA would broadly support this Constitution, along the line that we do need to link those important social and economic factors that affect workers alongside the slogan ‘No to War’ indeed ‘No to Imperialism’.

Since 1996 PANA has campaigned for an independent foreign policy, Irish neutrality, and a transformation of the United Nations. We are a broad alliance, that include trade unions, political parties, campaigning groups, and individuals. We issue a ‘Press Release’ and a ‘Letter to the Editor’ of national newspapers on a regular basis, we produce documents like our more recent one ‘Neutrality, NATO and the Attack on Ireland’s Triple Lock’… all these items can be viewed on our website. Indeed, we have a very modern website with a vast amount of relevant information and links to other peace groups and alternative media. We also have a PANA Facebook and Twitter account with up-to-date information on issues and events.

For the last two decades U.S. war planes have refuelled at Shannon airport on their way to their intervention wars in the Middle East, north Africa, and they now supplying horrific weapons to support their proxy war in Ukraine.

Shannonwatch monitor and highlight these war planes, organising a monthly protest at Shannon Airport since 2008. According to their spokesperson Edward Horgan, “What is happening at Shannon Airport is in breach of international laws on neutrality and makes the Irish people complicit in US war crimes and torture”.

On Sunday 12th November at 2pm PANA, Shannonwatch and other anti-war groups plan to organise a National Protest at the Roundabout at Shannon Airport.

On Saturday 4th November at 2pm PANA will be supporting the Irish Neutrality League and other groups in a National Demonstration for Peace in Dublin.

Another campaigning group the Peoples Movement hold a monthly protest outside Dail Eireann (Irish Parliament), highlighting opposition to ongoing EU Militarisation with banners demanding ‘Withdraw from PESCO’ and ‘No to EU Army’.

We work with MEPs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace, who supply us with information on this militarisation…see ‘Briefings on European Defence Spending August 2023’ on our website.

Finally, on May of this year PANA commissioned an Ipsos Omnipoll that revealed 87% of the people of Ireland support a ceasefire to facilitate negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.

PANA has always supported this position, unfortunately our government and Irish mainstream media support war.

PANA has already agreed to hold our annual AGM on Saturday 25th November, perhaps we can link it to the suggested ‘European Social War Day’ that also falls on this date.

You can use our main email info@pana.ie to contact Roger.

Best Wishes to all those attending this meeting today, in our common struggle against war, exploitation, poverty, and imperialism.

Tom Crilly,

Communications PANA

PANA Speech to European Liaison Committee against War and Social War

This Letter was published in the Irish Examiner on 1/8/2023.

Lessons from Dunnes Stores workers and Shannon Airport

Dear Editor, Paul Hosford highlighted the issue of US military use of Shannon airport in his article “US plane that carried weapons through Shannon was not checked for cluster bombs” (Irish Examiner, 27 July). In spite of continuously stating that Ireland is a neutral country and using this to help gain membership of the UN Security Council for 2021 and 2022, successive Irish governments have allowed aircraft associated with the US military and the CIA to refuel at Shannon airport over the past three decades.

The US and its NATO and other allies were waging wars that included the overthrow of the governments of Afghanistan and Iraq, and carrying out unjustified military aggression against Serbia, Libya, Syria and elsewhere. US military use of Shannon airport made the Irish Government, and by default the Irish people, complicit in the deaths due to war related reasons of millions of people including an estimated one million children. Thirty-nine years ago, a courageous group of Dunnes stores workers went on strike to protest against apartheid human rights abuses in South Africa. Their names were Mary Manning, Karen Gearon, Liz Deasy, Michelle Gavin, Sandra Griffin, Theresa Mooney, Vonnie Munroe, Cathryn O’Reilly, Alma Russel, and Tommy Davis. It is now time for equally courageous workers at Shannon airport to refuse to refuel and service aircraft associated with the US military.

It is never too late to do what is right. It will not bring back those who have already died but will help to prevent more unjustified deaths into the future, just as the actions of the Dunnes Stores workers helped to end apartheid in South Africa.

Edward Horgan, Castletroy, Limerick

‍

___

This Letter was published in the Irish News 5/8/2023 and an edited version in the Irish Daily Mail on 7/8/2023.

Time to Remember the Consequences of Nuclear Wa

Irish CND will be holding their annual commemoration and remembrance of the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Merrion Square, Dublin on Sunday 6th of August at 1.00pm.

Christopher Nolan’s staggering film about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man known as “the father of the atomic bomb” is indeed worth watching but a real-life war between two nuclear powers Russia and NATO in Ukraine continues to escalate.

This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement that ended the war in Ireland through negotiations.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, PANA inspired by the GFA has advocated a ceasefire and negotiations in a conflict that could escalate into a nuclear war that would destroy the entire world.

In May 2023, PANA commissioned an Ipsos Omnipoll showing 87% of people in Ireland also supported a ceasefire to facilitate negotiations in the Ukraine war.

If there ever was a time to remember the consequences of a nuclear war, now is that time.

Yours Sincerely,
Roger Cole, Chair, Peace & Neutrality Alliance

‍

___

This letter was published in the Irish Times on 23/8/2023.

Lethal aid to an army at war and Irish neutrality

A Chara, – Your editorial on Ukraine’s counter-offensive makes two points of the utmost importance, though without elucidation. You write: “To a small extent the offensive has been assisted by Irish Army training of demining teams, vital to clearing the way for mass attacks across heavily-mined ground.”

The obvious conclusion – that this is an egregious breach of Irish neutrality– is not stated.

Similarly, though your editorial comments on the Government’s controversial plan to provide training “in basic lethal military skills such as rifle use and tactics”, this is effectively excused by repetition of the Government’s own justification – that this training is “required for Ukraine to defend itself, thus not breaching Ireland’s military neutrality”. This is a non sequitur.

One can only conclude that the Government is the chef, and we are the frog slowly being brought to the boil by incremental increases in temperature: first, flak jackets to Ukraine, then demining training for frontline sappers, and now weapons training.

Lethal aid to an army at war from a country insisting it is neutral against all the evidence to the contrary, and still the frog remains passive. – Is mise,

DOMINIC CARROLL,
Ardfield,
Co Cork.

‍

___

This letter was published in the Irish Times on 25/8/2023.

Western militarists only add to the carnage on both sides in Ukraine.

Sir, your editorial (Monday, 21 August) hints at the scale and horror of the Russian Ukraine war but offers little hope for a cessation of the bloodbath. If the quoted estimates by US officials are accurate this means that, on average, over 6,400 Ukrainian and Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded every week since the war began 78 weeks ago.

If this “war of attrition” as you rightly term it lasts “well into next year” - say another 40 weeks - and the killing spree continues at this pace, then a further 256,000 soldiers on both sides will have been either killed or horribly maimed. Such estimates do not even consider the devastating toll on civilians and the environment. Any claim that flooding Ukraine with sophisticated weaponry has helped the Ukrainians has to be offset by the fact that the war reached a bloody stalemate many months ago with little movement of the front line but with an obscene scale of human slaughter not unlike WW1.

The addition of cluster munitions is more than “controversial”, since they are banned by so many countries and their impact will cause loss of civilian lives for decades to come. The mirage of the F-16s touted by many western militarists will likely only add to the carnage on both sides.

In this context alone, notwithstanding the clear breach of Ireland’s neutrality, it beggars' belief that Micheál Martin has joined this militaristic frenzy by offering Irish expertise in weapon training when he should instead be joining the international call for a ceasefire and peace negotiations.

Yours etc,
JIM ROCHE
PRO Steering Committee, Irish Anti-War Movement

‍

___

This letter was published in the Irish Examiner on 6/9/2023, and in the Irish Times, Irish Daily Mail, and the Sunday Times.

Turning Peacekeepers into Warmongers

Dear Editor, The FF/FG/GP Government has now agreed that Irish Defence Forces are to train Ukrainian soldiers how to kill Russian soldiers, not just providing them with non-lethal materials such as body armour.

The war in the Ukraine is rapidly escalating, hundreds of thousands of troops have already been slaughtered, as more and more new weapons such as cluster bombs, cancer-inducing depleted uranium munitions and long-range missiles are being used. Suggestions that neighbouring NATO states may start sending troops into Ukraine, and if so, how will the Russians respond, by attacking these states as well as de facto NATO states like Ireland?

So where will "Irish Neutrality" as now defined by this government end?

Some suspect that part of that ‘re-defining’ is an ever-closer Partnership with nuclear-armed NATO through the Partnership for Peace (PfP). Irish Neutrality was a core value of the participants of the 1916 Rising, and a core value of de Valera, Collins, and Griffith in their negotiations with the British Empire.

A recent Ipsos Omnipoll revealed 87% of Irish people want a ceasefire and negotiations between Russia and Ukraine but this has been ignored in favour of the views of the 8% that do not want a ceasefire. Irish people want peace and demilitarisation, a country that is dedicated to the peaceful settlement of international disputes as described so eloquently in Article 29 of the Irish Constitution, a Constitution our Government has pledged to honour and uphold.

Yours, Roger Cole,
Chair,
Peace & Neutrality Alliance

‍

___

This letter was published in the Irish examiner on 7/9/2023 and in the Irish Daily Mail

Opium Ban

Dear Editor, International media sources have been counter-intuitively critical of the Afghan Taliban Government ban on opium poppy production. Drug addiction is a huge problem within Afghanistan and worldwide. The US Institute for Peace published a report entitled “The Taliban’s Successful Opium Ban is Bad for Afghans and the World”. The reality is that the Afghan people are still being denied adequate vital survival resources by sanctions and the damage caused by two decades of US led war and occupation for which no reparations will ever be forthcoming. The former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, stated that the drug trade was one of the factors in his decision to intervene in Afghanistan in 2001. However, Blair should have known that according to the UN Drug Control Program, the Taliban government had banned the production of Opium poppies in July 2000 resulting in a reduction in the production of poppies of over 90% by May 2001. During the US/NATO occupation of Afghanistan the production of opium poppies increased from about 20,000 hectares in 2001 to about 300,000 hectares in 2018. The renewed Afghan government ban on the production of opium poppies is fully justified. The Irish government actively supported the unjustified US-led Afghan war for 20 years, leaving the Afghan people in chaos and destitute. The overthrow of the Afghan and Iraqi Governments were in breach of the UN Charter, yet there has been no accountability for any of these crimes against the Afghan and Iraqi people. The so-called ‘rules based international order’ has been causing disorder, international chaos, and war crimes.

Edward Horgan,
Castletroy,
Limerick

‍

___

This letter was published in the Irish Times on 12/9/2023 and the Irish Examiner on 13/9/2023.

Cluster munitions, US military and Shannon Airport

Sir, – The Convention on Cluster Munitions adopted in Dublin in 2008 included an undertaking never, “in any circumstance”, to “transfer to anyone, directly or indirectly” cluster munitions. Since the US announced that it was sending cluster bombs and depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine, several aircraft on contract to the US military have been refuelled at Shannon airport on their way to locations in Poland, including Rzeszów Jasionka airport located just 50 miles from the Ukraine border and to Poznan airport in Poland where the US now has a large logistic base called Camp Kosciuszko, which is being used to support the Ukrainian military forces.

An independent report by Humanity and Inclusion found that almost 700 people had been killed or injured by cluster munitions in Ukraine in 2022. No US aircraft in Shannon has ever been checked to ascertain if it contains these or any weapons.

As the host country for the adoption of the convention on cluster munitions, surely the time has long passed for Ireland to check these aircraft for the presence of such weapons. –

Yours, etc,
ELIZABETH CULLEN,
Kildare

‍

___

This letter published in both the Irish Times and Irish Independent on the 15/9/2023.

Those who helped destroy Libya need to be held accountable and should now pay up to help flooding victims.

Dear Editor, It is good to see that the Irish Government plans to contribute €1,000,000 to the Libyan Storm Daniel disaster, but disappointing that the European Union only plans to contribute €500,000 so far. The UN has pledged ten million dollars but even this is inadequate. Western mainstream media is highlighting the chaotic political and conflict situations in Libya as contributing factors to the huge death toll, without mentioning who and what helped cause Libya to become a failed state.

UN Security Council resolution 1973 in March 2011 approved a no-fly-zone resolution on Libya for ‘humanitarian’ reasons, but this was seriously abused by NATO and its allies who launched over 14,000 air attacks on Libya and helped to overthrow its government, and then abandoned the Libyan people to over a decade of chaos. Eleven EU states Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, France, Italy, Spain, Britain, Bulgaria, Greece, Netherlands, and Romania, participated in this bombing, for the supposed reasons of bringing peace, freedom, human rights, and democracy to Libya.

The United Nations and the international community have failed the people of Libya, who now need not only our prayers but also much practical help in coping with this huge disaster. Those who helped to destroy Libya need to be held accountable and need to be forced to pay reparations to undo some of the damage they have caused.

Edward Horgan,
Castletroy,
Limerick

Letters from Peace Activists published August/September 2023

Dear all,

Just getting in touch to quickly distribute two documents of interest on the state of play regarding European militarisation.

The first is an EPRS briefing document, produced by the European Parliament's dedicated research department, which exists to inform MEPs and staff. It was requested by the Parliament's budget committee, and outlines the different military spending programmes and the facts and figures around them.

The second is a very good recent newsletter from the European Network Against the Arms Trade, an important watchdog NGO in Brussels, which monitors and campaigns against defence spending and corporate capture of the EU institutions by the defence industry.

Between the two of them, you'll get a good idea of past, present and proposed future programmes for military spending, and the state of play at the moment in Brussels. Needless to say, all of this has implications for Irish foreign policy, and is underreported at home.

By all means share these with anyone you think would be interested, and if anyone would like to be added to the mailing list let us know.

‍

All the best,

Clare Daly and Mick Wallace

‍

___

Just a quick update on the last email I sent around.

NATO

This morning the NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg appeared in the European Parliament at a joint hearing of the Foreign Affairs committee and the Security and Defence committee. MEPs were able to ask questions, including myself and Mick Wallace. You can watch the whole hearing here.

ENAAT

I'm attaching the most recent ENAAT newsletter – an update on the previous one I sent. If you find the ENAAT bulletins useful, you might want to send them an email at info@enaat.org and ask them to add your name to the mailing list.

EPRS

I'm also attaching another EPRS document, this time the 2023 "Peace and Security Outlook." This is part of a major effort to brand EU geopolitical confrontation and militarisation as a part of the EU's "peace project." The report attempts to redefine peace so that "acting for peace" can include spending on arms purchases for delivery into an active warzone. It contains a remarkable quote from Ursula von der Leyen about the pursuit of "peace through power." The document provides a good insight into how these issues are discussed in politics in Brussels.

TNI, Stop Wapenhandel and Statewatch

I'm also attaching two reports from last year from the Transnational Institute, Stop Wapenhandel and Statewatch, which go over everything on EU security and defence projects – including the militarisation of EU borders, migration policy and police and security forces.

Week of Global Mobilization for Peace in Ukraine

IPB is calling on civil society organisations to join an international week of mobilisation for peace between Saturday 30th of September and Sunday 8th of October. They've asked us to reach out to activists and organisations in Ireland who may be interested in participating by organising an event, action or demonstration. Participating organisations can sign up on the IPB website: https://www.ipb.org/home/ipbs-work-ukrainian-war/

‍

___

Regarding the impact of the war on EU finances and wider society: 5 documents from the European Parliament Research Service (also available online) published to feed into discussions around the revision of the EU budget. As I've said before, the EPRS is the research service for the Parliament. These documents are not critical of EU policy – they aim to be informative for MEPs, so they should of course be read with a critical eye.

As context, EU support for Ukraine (financial, humanitarian, military), as well rising interest rates, inflation and energy prices as a result of the war, are putting the EU's long-term budget under severe pressure. The Commission has proposed a revision of the current long-term budget, and the creation of new sources of revenue (the EU's own resources) to provide additional finances. The discussion in Brussels is now whether these proposals will be adequate to finance the EU's activities in the next few years, or whether there will need to be additional proposals to prevent the EU running out of money.

Briefings on European Defence Spending August 2023

An historic treaty banning one of the world's deadliest weapons, cluster bombs, was agreed in Dublin on 28th May 2008 when diplomats and officials from 109 countries who gathered at a conference at Croke Park agreed a treaty which bans their use.

The deal was seen as a massive coup for Irish diplomacy and particularly for the then Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern, who supported this Dublin event. His successor Micheal Martin stated, "This deal will give my colleagues in Government a great sense of fulfillment."

The United States of America has now declared its intention to send its illegal stockpile of cluster bombs to Ukraine, as part of the continuing escalation of the various types of weapons being used in this war. The UK and US have already agreed to supply them with depleted uranium shells and let’s not forget that Serbia/Kosovo is still suffering their effects today following the 1999 NATO led bombardment here.

Edward Horgan who attended the Shannonwatch monthly vigil at Shannon Airport today stated, “there is a very real possibility that these illegal cluster bombs will be transferred through Shannon Airport on their way to Ukraine. As up to now US military planes continue to refuel here on their way to their military bases in Poland and Germany. Successive Irish Governments have refused to search these planes so we will never know what weapons are on board. However, in the case of these vicious and illegal weapons the Government could be found guilty of collaborating and supporting their transfer by refusing to search US military planes.”

“Amnesty International has long stressed that cluster munitions are inherently indiscriminate weapons which have caused untold harm to civilians across the world – in some cases decades after conflicts have ended. Russia’s war of aggression has brought profound suffering to the people of Ukraine. It is the humanitarian considerations, and concern for civilians in countries torn by war and its aftermath – which has driven 111 states, including many of Ukraine’s allies, to ratify the Convention on Cluster Munitions and ban the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of such weapons.” (View recent statement below)

Roger Cole of PANA and Edward Horgan of Shannonwatch now call upon Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin not to destroy the great legacy of his colleague Dermot Ahern. He should commence searching US military planes or aircraft on contract to the US military landing at Shannon Airport immediately.

To confirm this joint Press Release contact:
Tom Crilly, Communications Officer, PANA,

Ed Horgan,
Shannonwatch,

___
Roger Cole,
Chair, Peace & Neutrality Alliance, PANA,‍

‍

For more information:

Cluster bombs ban clinched in historic Dublin-led treaty by Ciaran Byrne 29/5/2008.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/cluster-bombs-ban-clinched-in-historic-dublin-led-treaty/26449818.html

Ireland signs convention banning cluster bombs…3/12/2008.

Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern today signed a convention banning the use of cluster munitions on behalf of Ireland at a ratification…

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland-signs-convention-banning-cluster-bombs-1.832553

Ukraine: US transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine undermines international efforts to safeguard civilians from indiscriminate weapons… Amnesty International has long stressed that cluster munitions are inherently indiscriminate weapons which have caused untold harm to civilians across the world – in some cases decades after conflicts have ended. 7/7/2023

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/07/ukraine-us-plan-to-transfer-cluster-munitions-to-ukraine-undermines-international-efforts-to-safeguard-civilians-from-indiscriminate-weapons/

NATO CONFIRMS TO UNITED NATIONS USE OF DEPLETED URANIUM DURING KOSOVO CONFLICT 22/3/2000.

https://press.un.org/en/2000/20000322.hab163.doc.html

Carol Fox delivered this fantastic speech at a ‘People’s Forum on Ireland’s Neutrality’ in Liberty Hall Dublin on the 19/6/2023 before the government’s ‘Consultative Forum on International Security Policy’ began in Cork, Galway, and Dublin.

https://www.pana.ie/posts/carol-foxs-speech-on-peoples-forum-on-irelands-neutrality

Will Shannon Airport be used to transfer US Cluster Bombs

An edited version of this speech was published in the Irish Examiner ‘Irish reputation as peacekeepers will be damaged by ties to nuclear-armed Nato’ on Saturday 24/6/2023.‍

Carol Fox, Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA) and Swords to Ploughshares (STOP)

‍The Forum Road Show is about to begin…or should we say, the Government’s Spring Offensive. We kind of know what’s going to happen. The only thing the Forums might affect is:

The pace of implementing decisions on defence already made;
The manner in which the Government will try to sell them to the Irish people. [Although President Michael D Higgins has thrown quite a spanner in the works!]

We’ll be told there’s no question of us joining NATO (at least ‘not any time soon’ as Micheal Martin put it). But our neutrality has to be ‘re-defined’ – and part of that ‘re-defining’ is an ever-closer Partnership with nuclear-armed NATO through the Partnership for Peace (PfP). We’ll cooperate with a nuclear military alliance, make our defence forces and military weapons interoperable with that military alliance, conduct exercises with that alliance (sure, we already supply an airport at Shannon to the US military) but we will still call ourselves ‘neutral’.

Many of us – opinion polls indicate about 60-70% of us – thought and think that Irish Neutrality doesn’t include partnership with a nuclear alliance. Our neutrality has always involved a partnership with the United Nations. We’re the Blue-helmeted UN peacekeepers. Ireland is highly respected as an initiator and supporter of disarmament. Our NGOs are highly regarded for their humanitarian work abroad. The fact that we are Neutral --and not regarded as anyone’s enemy – we don’t generally threaten or invade other countries-- has always aided Ireland’s diplomacy. The Government – and its Forums – are on a Fool’s Mission. Why would it throw away a unique and influential status that other States envy? There’s a reason that Irish passports are one of the most coveted in the world. Our track record in promoting disarmament: the landmark Irish initiated Non-Proliferation Treaty, NFZs. the recent 6-nation initiative – including Ireland -- that resulted in the UN Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear weapons. The 2008 Treaty prohibiting cluster bombs was negotiated in Dublin.

Our partner NATO believes in nuclear weapons and uses cluster bombs in warfare. The US is about to join the UK in exporting cancer-inducing depleted Uranium weapons to Ukraine and is considering sending cluster bombs (partly because, as one Senior US politician put, We have a big stockpile of them) It doesn’t like – or sign – the UN Treaties we recently championed. It plays wargames that run counter to all our disarmament work. One example: A few months ago – in the midst of the war in Ukraine – NATO held a 2-week tactical nuclear weapon exercise in Europe, Steadfast Noon, to train non-nuclear NATO aircrews to carry out nuclear strikes. There are currently about 100 US nuclear weapons installed in 6 NATO countries. This runs counter to the NPT.‍‍

But our NATO partnership progresses:

Ireland has fulfilled many of its PfP interoperability and equipment goals.
Last month in Cork, Ireland hosted the Chiefs of European Navies (CHENS) conference, to discuss military challenges facing NATO and European navies. Attendance included: European Military Staff (EUMS), NATO’s Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), and United States Navy personnel. The theme of the Conference was Naval Implementation of Emergent and Disruptive Technologies.
Ireland recently chaired PIAG the Partner Interoperability Advocacy Group for strengthening cooperation between NATO and partner nations.
Next year, Irish defence forces will travel to Indiana to participate in the NATO exercise Thor’s Hammer. Countering IEDs (Improvised Explosive Device) and drones.
The Irish military top brass often attend NATO meetings. Partner States are invited by the North Atlantic Council to participate in political and military bodies at NATO Headquarters and in a separate Partnership Co-ordination Cell at Mons (Belgium) [A lot of this activity can be followed on a twitter account: @irishmilrep Official account of the Irish Military Representative to the European Union & Partnership for Peace]

EU Defence and Security

‍OK, so we’re not joining NATO. But how do we square this with what is developing in the EU – nearly all of whose members are in NATO. (and as President Higgins recently said, ‘fading imperial powers’ whose ‘shadows we shouldn’t be in’). The various EU treaties as you know have brought closer coordination in defence and security policies, including even a mutual defence pact. Ireland has managed – thanks to the Irish people voting down two EU treaties because of their military provisions --to get special dispensation from some EU military matters.

But the EU and NATO are quite clear about their special Partnership. In January a Joint Declaration on EU-NATO Cooperation was issued. The Financial Times thought this was a remarkable statement in its openness on NATO domination. Its headlines reported: “Stronger European Armies are to support US-led alliance, not offer an alternative to it”. Point 8 of the Declaration: “NATO remains the foundation of collective defence for its Allies and essential for Euro Atlantic security. We recognise the value of a stronger and more capable European defence that contributes positively to global and transatlantic security and is complementary to, and interoperable with NATO”.

Last month in the Dail, Micheal Martin reassured the Dail that the EU is not being militarised. He spoke strongly against the potential for a European Army being formed but said he would call for greater ‘involvement’ with neighbouring countries. He stressed that there was no international appetite for such a militarisation of the EU.

Given how obviously militarised the EU now is, Micheal Martin’scomments are simply laughable. The EU is now bristling with military committees and agencies, a European Defence Agency, support for arms production and technology, a European Peace Facility (!) (which helps finance EU military activities outside the EU, with a budget of nearly 6 billion euro). And the Irish Government has fully embraced the opportunities for Irish business in arms production and innovation with Simon Coveney hosting an arms fair here last October at the Aviva Stadium, called – wait for it – ‘Building the EcoSystem.’

I think Micheal Martin is being a little precious about when is an army an army.

For its armed wing, the EU already has Battlegroups and the PESCO permanent enhanced security cooperation project. To add to the mix, in May 2021, 14 EU countries proposed a 5000- strong rapid military response force that could intervene early in international crises. Reuters reported that: ‘EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, had chided the EU for reluctance to intervene more abroad, particularly in failing states such as Libya.”

One of those 14 EU countries was Ireland.

This Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC) force will be established by 2025 with land, air and maritime component in order to fulfil the plans in the EU’s new Strategic Compass. According to the European Parliamentary Research Service,. April 12, 2023:

The RDC’s purpose will be to respond rapidly to imminent crises, and to be able to be used in different operational scenarios, including ‘initial entry, reinforcement, or as a reserve force to secure an exit’.

The first live exercises will be held in autumn 2023 in the south of Spain (Gulf of Cadiz).

Triple Lock

‍And this brings us directly to the Triple Lock The Government is more upfront about its intentions here. It’s got to go because it’s no longer ‘fit for purpose’. A key question here is: For What Purpose? We all know that Ireland’s role in UN peacekeeping has been a major source of pride in this country.

In 2013, the Government produced a Green Paper on Defence which looked at the Triple Lock and extolled its virtues: The requirement for a UN resolution as part of the “triple lock” reflects the central importance of the UN in granting legitimacy to peace support and crisis management missions. To quote the DFA’s own website in 2023:

Ireland has a proud tradition of participation in UN and UN-supported peacekeeping missions, both civilian and military. Ireland is proud of being the only nation to have a continuous presence on UN and UN-mandated peace support operations since 1958, with Irish peacekeepers highly respected internationally.

We currently have about 550 defence personnel serving abroad, with the bulk of them UN peacekeepers in Lebanon and Syria.

So why do we now want to drop the necessity of a UN mandate? It seems that the Triple Lock has been fit for purpose in that we have continuously been able to deploy UN peacekeepers. The spectre of the Russian and Chinese vetoes in the Security Council are thrown up. But the only example ever given of Irish forces being kept from participating in a PK operation is in Macedonia over 20 years ago when China vetoed the mission.In fact when talking to RTE’s Tony Connelly last year,(March 2022) Simon Coveney said: I can't think of an instance where Ireland has wanted to send troops on a peacekeeping mission to a part of the world and has been prevented from doing so, because of the triple lock, not yet, at least’.

Well the time has come. The new ‘purpose’ that the Triple Lock is no longer fit for is deeper involvement in EU military operations, particularly the new RDC rapid reaction force, which our Government helped to create. These forces will not always be seeking a UN mandate. Fianna Fail’s Barry Andrews MEP, reflecting Government thinking, was quite specific about this last year when he said a European Council decision/mandate should suffice.

Micheal Martin last month also announced that we were withdrawing our UN peacekeepers from the Golan Heights in Syria (UNDOF) in order to participate in an EU Battlegroup.

And so, it goes. We have got to try to counter this at the Forums. As already said, the Government is on a Fool’s Mission. The world doesn’t need another member of NATO. It doesn’t need another country profiting from producing and selling weapons. What it needs is a country pushing for peace and demilitarisation, a country dedicated to the peaceful settlement of international disputes as described so eloquently in Article 29 of the Irish Constitution, a Constitution our Government has pledged to honour and uphold. Let’s hold them to it.

Carol Fox’s speech on People’s Forum on Ireland’s Neutrality

New Poll Reveals 87% of people in Ireland support a ceasefire to facilitate negotiations to end the War in Ukraine.

‍
The Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA) is today releasing the results of a major new commissioned Ipsos Omnipoll, showing 87% of people in Ireland support a ceasefire to facilitate negotiations in the Ukraine war.

The question asked:

" Are you in favour or not in favour of a ceasefire to facilitate negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to end the war?"

The response was: In Favour 87%, Not in Favour 8%, DK/No Opinion 5%

(1000 interviews were conducted by telephone among a nationally representative sample of individuals aged 15+.)

Contact Eleonore.marechal@ipsos.com to confirm.

This is a massive endorsement of PANA's position taken at the very start of the war.

Roger Cole stated “all political parties and the media must now seriously consider the opinion of the vast majority of the Irish people. In the year that marks the 25^th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement that brought the war in Ireland to an end through a process of a ceasefire and negotiations, should we not retain this same philosophy in the horrific war now raging in the Ukraine.”

To confirm this Press Release contact…

Tom Crilly, Communications Officer, PANA,

Tel 087 2937558

Roger Cole, Chair, PANA,

Tel: 087-2611597

Edward Horgan, International Secretary and Irish language spokesperson, PANA,

Tel 085 8519623

For more information:

Neutrality, NATO, and the attack on Ireland’s Triple Lock

https://www.pana.ie/posts/neutrality-nato-and-the-attack-on-irelands-triple-lock

Brussels Activists Peace Forum

https://www.facebook.com/PANAIreland/

Ipsos Omnipoll on War in Ukraine

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Sinn Féin’s vision is for Ireland to play a constructive role in the wider world and to be committed to diplomacy, humanitarianism, peace building and co-operation with other states on global challenges including poverty, world hunger, climate change, conflict resolution and migration. An independent foreign policy and military neutrality are crucial to allow Ireland to play that important role in the wider world. We should be proud of our military neutrality and resist attempts by some in the Government to recast it as a weakness or a failing.

Where is ‘register of damage’ for victims of US conflicts?

Letter published in the Irish Independent …17/5/2023

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is attending a Council of Europe summit meeting in Iceland on 16th May for the purpose of creating a “register of damages” for those who have suffered from the ongoing war in Ukraine. This is an ‘ah but what about letter’. Of course, a ‘damage register’ should be established for all conflicts and those responsible for such damage and related war crimes should be fully held to account. It begs the question, why has there been no similar meetings to establish a ‘damage register’ for the wars of aggression waged by the US and its NATO and other allies in Serbia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Yemen and elsewhere? And why has there been no accountability for the very serious war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the peoples of these non-European countries?

Up to five million people have died due to war related reasons in these conflicts and untold infrastructural and environmental problems have been caused by these unjustifiable wars. The Council of Europe may well argue that its focus is primarily on Europe, but surely the United Nations and other international bodies such as the International Criminal Court should have initiated and carried out such a ‘damage register’ and taken steps to hold all those responsible for such crimes accountable.

Edward Horgan, Newtown, Castletroy, Limerick.

Are mistakes of Rwanda being repeated in Sudan?

Letter published in the Irish News … 4/5/2023

The present conflict in Sudan once again demonstrates the abject failure of the UN and the international community to prevent or stop conflicts in Africa that have amounted to genocide and widespread human rights abuses.

In 1994 the international community stood idly by as up to quarter of a million Rwandan people were brutally slaughtered. This conflict then spilled over into the Democratic Republic of Congo, igniting a conflict that is still ongoing, causing several more million deaths. European and western lives are given priority over the lives of the rest of humanity. The US and Nato intervened eventually to stop the conflict in Bosnia in 1995 although their attempts to impose democracy there have arguably failed.Little has been learned from the 20-year US-led unjustified war of vengeance waged against the Afghan people. In the resulting 2021 evacuation chaos, military dogs were given priority over Afghans who worked with western forces and whose lives were in danger.

No accountability has been achieved for the ongoing trauma that the Afghan people are still going through. While most western citizens have been successfully evacuated from Sudan, far too little consideration is being given to the trauma being suffered by the citizens of Sudan. How many Sudanese refugees will be allowed into fortress Europe? Many of these conflicts in Africa and the Middle East have roots in European colonial abuses. There is now a serious risk of the present Sudan conflict deteriorating into crimes against humanity.

When a popular uprising overthrew the autocratic government of Omar al-Bashir, their efforts to establish democracy were thwarted by the two main perpetrators of this present conflict, General al-Burhan and RST leader General Dagalo/Hemedti, both of whose forces wereimplicated in the Darfur genocide.

The United Nations is once again being prevented from doing its primary task of maintaining international peace by several of its most powerful states who are pursuing their national interests at the expense of the most vulnerable members of humanity.

EDWARD HORGAN, Castletroy, Co Limerick

We must advocate for peace worldwide, not just at home

Letter published in the Irish Independent… 11/4/2023.

The visit to Ireland by US president Joe Biden to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) should be used to strengthen the peace process in Ireland and to promote international peace, rather than just be used for US presidential electioneering purposes. Successive Irish governments have been justifiably portraying the peace process in Northern Ireland as a positive example of how other conflicts internationally could be resolved. The GFA, includes the following in its Declaration of Support:

We reaffirm our total and absolute commitment to exclusively democratic and peaceful means of resolving differences on political issues, and our opposition to any use or threat of force by others for any political purpose, whether in regard to this agreement or otherwise.

The word “otherwise” in this statement indicates that these principles should also be applied to other conflicts at international level in keeping with the Irish Constitution.

Consecutive Irish governments have reneged on their constitutional, humanitarian, and international law responsibilities by actively supporting US-led wars in the Middle East by allowing US military to transit through Shannon airport.

While the Irish Government has justifiably criticised the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it has wrongfully failed to criticise US and its Nato allies’ invasions and wars of aggression in Serbia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and elsewhere.

Dr Edward Horgan, Castletroy, Limerick

‍EU bombs for peace

Letter published in the Irish News… 30/3/2023

At a meeting in Brussels on March 20, attended by Peter Burke TD, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, the EU decided to use the European Peace Facility to spend €2 billion to supply Ukraine with 155mm artillery shells which will be used to kill thousands of Russians and Ukrainians in eastern Ukraine. This is the sort of international immorality George Orwell tried to expose. Our Irish government is also contributing €3m towards the International Criminal Court war crimes investigations in Ukraine but for three decades ignored the war crimes committed by US and its Nato and other allies in Iraq and Afghanistan.

All war crimes must be investigated, and the perpetrators brought to justice. The best way to prevent war crimes is to prevent wars by promoting peace by peaceful means. Since Sweden and Finland abandoned their neutrality, Ireland, Austria, Cyprus, and Malta are the only EU states not full members of Nato. Nato has effectively taken over the EU. The US has been using Nato as its enforcer to maintain its stranglehold over the global financial system and access to an undue share of the world’s limited resources. How many more innocent Ukrainians must die?

EDWARD HORGAN, Castletroy, Co Limerick

Letters from Edward Horgan

Friends,

This is a copy of our 'Letter to the Editor' sent to Irish newspapers this week, so far it has been published in The Irish Daily Mail and the Belfast News Letter. There will a lot of Irish media coverage on the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, hopefully they will analyse the shocking double standards that seem to characterise EU and US foreign policy makers on other global conflicts.

Tom Crilly, Communications PANA

‍

Letter to the Editor

Spreading a Philosophy of Peace this Easter

Sir,
‍
President Joe Biden will visit Ireland this Easter, proud of his Irish heritage, he wants to be with us all here in celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement.

We are extremely grateful for the contribution of American Presidents and successive American State Departments and many others who saw the need for peace and helped to bridge the seemingly unbridgeable gulfs between Unionism and Nationalism through intense negotiation and reasonable compromise.

One Irish peacemaker John Hume saw the need to spread this message to help end other global conflicts, and in his address to the EU Parliament in 1998 on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize said: "we (the European Union) should not be sending armies abroad, we should be sending a philosophy of peace." Unfortunately, the EU/NATO prefer to be a regional military power and agreed to allocated €7.95 billion between 2021-2027 into developing their arms manufacturing industries.

As political, religious and community leaders gather in Belfast this Easter, some may wonder at the shocking double standards that seem to characterise EU and US foreign policy makers. Do they believe that spreading a philosophy of peace must be based on geopolitical factors?

If pursuing a ceasefire and negotiations to end the war in Ireland is to be celebrated as it should, how much more important would it be to advocate the same philosophy in the horrific war now raging between Russia and NATO in the Ukraine.

Yours,
Roger Cole
Chair
Peace & Neutrality Alliance

For more information:

This year's Roger Casement Summer School 2023 will be on 5/6 May in the usual venue at the Lexicon Library in Dun Laoghaire. Dave Alvey explains in a promotional video some details around this year's School. Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VINox1ih4QQ

Also: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DLRCasement/

The People’s Movement, to see their latest news on EU militarisation…

https://www.people.ie/news/PN-254.pdf

As part of The Conversation from RTÉ's Upfront with Katie Hannon, we asked two people to join our WhatsApp group to discuss the future of Irish neutrality.

Roger Cole is the founder and chairman of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA).

Declan Power is an independent security and defence analyst and a former Irish soldier.

https://www.rte.ie/news/upfront/2023/0401/1367503-what-does-the-future-hold-for-irish-neutrality/

Depleted uranium shells: Why are they used and are they harmful?

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) says depleted uranium missiles were developed by the US and UK in the 1970s. They were first used in the Gulf War in 1991, and then in Kosovo in 1999, and during the Iraq War in 2003.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-65051330

‍

Celebrating the Good Friday Agreement

Irish Foreign Affairs – March 2023, including the Non-Aligned Movement Debate. A Quarterly Review published by the Irish Political Review Group, Dublin.

Irish Foreign Affairs

The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) was established following the agreed disengagement of the Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights in May 1974, helping to maintain a separation and peace here.

Roger Cole, chair of PANA, has criticised the recent decision of Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin to withdraw Irish troops from the UN peacekeeping mission on the Golan Heights in order as he suggests to have the capacity to fulfil his commitment to EU Battlegroups 2024/2025.

‘Will the Minister now explain if he has now abandoned the UN peacekeeping strategy to support EU militarisation, with their ever-expanding weapons industries, and their increasing warmongering strategy.’

Since 1960, 88 members of the Irish Defence Forces have been killed while serving on overseas missions in that honourable struggle for peace.

For more information on this Press Release contact:

Tom Crilly, Communications Officer, PANA,

Tel 0035387 2937558

Roger Cole, Chairperson, PANA,

Tel 0035387 2611597

Padraig Mannion, Irish Language Spokesperson, PANA,

Tel 0035387 6911293

For more information:

The next PANA NEC meeting will take place

on Saturday 25th March 2023 @ 12 – 2pm

In the Irish Labour History Society, Beggars Bush, Dublin 4.

You can view the full list of NEC members on the PANA website, also all affiliated groups should send a representative to this meeting…the meeting is open to all members to attend.

Agenda will include:

Financial Report

Update on activities

Proposed Legal Case

New peace alliance set up by activists in Austria and Hungary

We have a PANA member living in London who wants to establish a PANA branch there. If you have any Irish contacts in London who might be interested please send details to Roger…

‍

Support for UN Peacekeepers

Trial of Peace Activists Begins on January 11^th and Latest Update

Posted on: 7 January 2023

Peace activists Dr Edward Horgan, former army Commandant and United Nations peacekeeper, originally from Tralee Co Kerry, and Dan Dowling also a native of Tralee Co Kerry, are due to go on trial on 11th January 2023 at Dublin Circuit Court. This is as a result of an incident that occurred at Shannon Airport five years and nine months ago. The date of this incident was 25th April 2017, and there are two charges. The first alleged offence is trespass at the airport contrary to Section 11 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 as amended by the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2008. The second is criminal damage by writing graffiti on a US Navy aircraft contrary to Section 2(1) Criminal Damage Act, 1991.

Both defendants will be representing themselves and are expected to conduct a robust defence to these charges.

Since 2001 well over three million armed US soldiers and unknown quantities of weapons, munitions and other military hardware have been transported through Shannon, mainly to and from the Middle East. The US has been involved as a belligerent in several wars including Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria, as well as providing active support for the Saudi Arabian war in Yemen, and Israeli aggression and human rights abuses against the Palestinian people. US military use of Shannon airport is in clear contravention of international laws on neutrality as well as arguably making the Irish Government complicit in breaches of the UN Convention Against Torture and the Geneva Conventions on War.

Speaking ahead of the trial, a Shannonwatch spokesperson said "This case is not just about the technicalities of breaches of international laws, even though these are important. The Criminal Justice (UN Convention Against Torture) Act 2000 brings the UN Convention Against Torture into Irish criminal law, and the Geneva Conventions (Amendments) Act 1998 also brings the Geneva Conventions within the scope of Irish law."

"More seriously however, is the reality that up to five million people have lost their lives due the war related reasons across the Middle East since the early 1990s. Shockingly, it is now estimated that one million children may have lost their lives due to these unjustified wars."

When Edward Horgan was arrested at Shannon Airport on 25th April 2017, he handed a folder to the arresting Garda officer. It contained the names of up 1,000 children who had died in the Middle East.

The trial is before a jury and is expected to take several days…

For more information on this Press Release contact:

Tom Crilly, Communications Officer, PANA,

Tel 0035387 2937558

Roger Cole, Chairperson, PANA,

Tel 0035387 2611597

Padraig Mannion, Irish Language Spokesperson, PANA,

Tel 0035387 6911293

Update on Trial of Peace Activists

Dublin Circuit Court president Judge Patricia Ryan empaneled a jury for this case and assigned Judge Martina Baxter to preside the case in Court 21. Barrister Jane Cudden represents the prosecution. Defendants Dan Dowling and Edward Horgan are very pleased to have their day in court. The court resumes in the morning Thursday 12^th January at 10.30am and is expected to continue into next week

For ongoing updates and to help fund their campaign contact…

https://www.shannonwatch.org/

John Mearsheimer: The West is playing Russian roulette

This interesting interview by UnHerd may help people to understand the nature of geopolitical interests or great power politics. Mearsheimer supports American power being projected in its interests but believes that the war in Ukraine is a distraction from the real threat, which is China, and worse, will drive Russia into the arms of China when it is in America’s interests to drive them apart.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBiV1h7Dm5E

The Peoples Movement will hold their monthly protest outside Iveagh House,

Stephens Green, Dublin on Wednesday January 18^th at 1pm. This is the home of Micheál Martin’s Department of Foreign Affairs and the main body that orchestrates our greater involvement in EU militarisation.

‍

Press Release from Shannonwatch

Last week Ukrainian President Zelenskyy addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress, making an impassioned plea for more military aid, whilst the following day Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to turn the tables on the West at his annual end-of-the-year news conference, blaming the U.S. and its allies for escalating tensions over Ukraine. Putin informed the 500 Russian and foreign reporters at this major media event that “the ball is in their court” to respond to Moscow’s security demands, insisting he wants to end this conflict, and would prefer peace negotiations.

Let’s be clear PANA condemned Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine in the same way we condemned the U.S./UK horrific invasion of Iraq in March 2003 that led to the death of over 100,000 Iraqi civilians, all intervention wars are wrong and end in a humanitarian disaster. So, any moves from Washington or Moscow towards peace talks must be welcomed.

Roger Cole of PANA stated, ‘you can help make that iconic slogan Peace on Earth a reality in 2023 by understanding the nature of all war propaganda from both eastern and western sources and by encouraging all political, business, social, and religious leaders to unite in support of a peace process.’

No peace activist would dare predict the outcome of a negotiated peace process. But following a ceasefire we would hope to see an immediate end to the slaughter here in Ukraine, there is space to get humanitarian aid to those who need it, and the warring parties, Russia, Ukraine, and NATO can start to seek agreement through UN-chaired diplomatic negotiations.

A Happy and Peaceful New Year to All,

To confirm this Press Release.

Tom Crilly, Communications Officer, PANA,

Tel 0035387 2937558

Roger Cole, Chairperson, PANA,

Tel 0035387 2611597

Padraig Mannion, Irish Language Spokesperson, PANA,

Tel 0035387 6911293

For more information:

According to our (MIP Research) data, the US has undertaken over 500 international military interventions since 1776, with nearly 60% undertaken between 1950 and 2017. What’s more, over one-third of these missions occurred after 1999. With the end of the Cold War era, we would expect the US to decrease its military interventions abroad, assuming lower threats and interests at stake. But these patterns reveal the opposite – the US has increased its military involvements abroad.

https://sites.tufts.edu/css/mip-research/

Putin says Russia doesn't want war with Ukraine but urges West to meet his demands quickly…

The Russian leader held his annual news conference as tensions with the U.S. soar over growing concerns about Moscow's troop build-up on its border with Ukraine.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/putin-russia-ukraine-war-demands-nato-biden-rcna9753

War in Ukraine MAKING SENSE OF A SENSELESS CONFLICT

By MEDEA BENJAMIN and NICOLAS J.S. DAVIES

“This book is an important antidote to the war propaganda about Ukraine that so many in the West are caught up in.” —Mairead McGuire, activist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize

Available in Connolly Books, Dublin

https://www.orbooks.com/catalog/war-in-ukraine/

https://www.peaceinukraine.org/

European Network Against the Arms Trade (ENAAT) ‘How the EU is funding arms dealers and corrupt corporations’ … You will find a link to ENAAT and to other anti-war and alternative media groups on the PANA website https://www.pana.ie/links

The People’s Movement will hold their monthly protest at Iveagh House, home of Mícheál Martin’s Department of Foreign Affairs and the main body that orchestrates our greater involvement in EU militarisation. The protest will be held at 13:00 on Wednesday January 18th at Iveagh House, Stephens Green, Dublin.

Let’s make Peace on Earth a Reality in 2023

Introduction

For the last five years PANA have issued a Press Release on a regular monthly basis that is then sent out to about 80 media outlets. Irish mainstream media including RTE, and Virgin Media generally propagate a pro-war or pro-NATO narrative and so ignore our statements. We also send out on a regular basis a ‘Letter to the Editor’ to about 9 newspapers, and along with several other anti-war letter writers, we are surprised when our letter is published, especially in the more conservative Irish Times or Irish Independent. Last week a PANA letter was indeed published in the Irish Times (6/12/2022), two day later a letter was published here accusing Roger Cole of PANA of “airy waffle”. Jim Roche of the Irish Anti-War Movement then responded to this and is waiting in hope for this letter to be published. These letters may help you get a more balanced view on war, imperialism. and geopolitical interests, sadly missing from Irish mainstream media.

Tom Crilly,
Communications PANA,
Never Fear to Negotiate

‍

Letter by Roger Cole

‍2/12/2022

A Chara,
PANA called for a ceasefire and UN chaired negotiations from the very start of the war in Ukraine.We therefore welcome the statement from President Biden that he would be willing to have talks with President Putin and so help reduce escalating tensions between these nuclear powers.His remarks were made at a recent press conference in Washington, DC, during a bilateral summit with French president Emmanuel Macron. This is a major foreign policy change in the Biden administration now expressing the need for diplomacy to end this horrific war.Let us encourage these moves and recall that President Kennedy in a speech on January 20, 1961, said: " Let us never negotiate out of fear. But never fear to negotiate", a political perspective that helped solve the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962.

Yours Sincerely,
Roger Cole,
Chair, Peace & Neutrality Alliance

‍

Letter by Jim Roche

8/12/2022

Sir,
Daragh Mc Dowell (Letters, 07 December) accuses Roger Cole of PANA of “airy waffle”. He then goes on to waffle about what would happen should there be a ceasefire and peace process – Russia would re-arm and Ukraine would have to cede territory. How does he know this? Does he have a crystal ball?No peace activist would dare predict the outcome of a negotiated peace process. We have our hopes and demands for sure. In the case of the Russian Ukraine war, they are that the Russian military withdraws to the pre-February 2022 borders and that it abides by the UN Charter and international law, that NATO stop its relentless push eastwards and its escalation tactics, that the arms industry be outed for its devious profiteering and that any peace process recognises the human rights of all peoples to the expression of their culture.We cannot predict that one or both sides would not use a ceasefire to re-arm and try to gain strategic military advantage. We have seen this for example in the current ceasefire in Yemen, where the Biden administration has disgracefully agreed to re-arm Saudi Arabia in exchange for dirty oil, some of it very likely sourced rather ironically from Russia.What we can predict with certainty is that as soon as a ceasefire occurs that has some kind of international guarantees – the UN with all its faults may not be a bad institution to oversee this - people stop getting killed and injured immediately. There is space to get humanitarian aid to those who need it. And there is hope that the warring parties – Russia, Ukraine, and NATO in this case – can resolve their political differences through diplomatic negotiations.Peace loving people around the world, including many Ukrainians and Russians, proudly demand an end to war and militarisation and that diplomacy be given a chance, not least in this time of peace and goodwill.

Yours etc,
JIM ROCHE
PRO Steering Committee,
Irish Anti-War Movement,
PO Box 9260,
Dublin 1.

‍‍Never Fear to Negotiate

A PANA ‘Letter to the Editor’ was published in today’s Irish Daily Mail, slightly altered with the line ‘during a bilateral summit with French president Emmanuel Macron’ removed. As usual these anti-war suggestions may be censored altogether out of the other eight newspapers, I sent this letter to, but if anyone sees it elsewhere let me know.

Letter to the Editor,

Never Fear to Negotiate

2/12/2022

A Chara,

PANA called for a ceasefire and UN chaired negotiations from the very start of the war in Ukraine.

We therefore welcome the statement from President Biden that he would be willing to have talks with President Putin and so help reduce escalating tensions between these nuclear powers.

His remarks were made at a recent press conference in Washington, DC, during a bilateral summit with French president Emmanuel Macron. This is a major foreign policy change in the Biden administration now expressing the need for diplomacy to end this horrific war.

Let us encourage these moves and recall that President Kennedy in a speech on January 20, 1961, said: " Let us never negotiate out of fear. But never fear to negotiate", a political perspective that helped solve the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962.

Yours Sincerely,

Roger Cole, Chair, Peace & Neutrality Alliance.

–

Stop the War Campaign and Peter Dooley have organised a Rally for Peace outside Dail Eireann tomorrow Tuesday 6December, at 1pm…Roger is a guest speaker here. Please support.

Talk World Radio with David Swanson of WBW…the link to this fantastic talk show is now up on the PANA website, a regular 29-minute debate with invited guests on a range of issues from Palestine to COP27 to Peacebuilding. Also keep informed of issues from our good friend Tarak Kauff of Veterans for Peace, the link to ‘Peace and Planet News’ is also up on our website. Also, we provide a link to the Julian Assange Campaign…

Celebrating 90 years of Connolly Books with guests Dr Conor McCabe and Donal Fallon this Friday 9December 7-10pm…Connolly Books, 43 Essex St East, Temple Bar, Dublin.

Buy a book, read it and then give it as a Christmas present, I’ve just started ‘War in Ukraine-Making Sense Of A Senseless Conflict’ this book is on sale now in Connolly Books.

https://www.facebook.com/connollybooks/

Edward Horgan reports that the next Shannonwatch protest will takes place at Shannon Airport this Sunday 11December at 2pm…and well done to all those anti-war campaigners who protested recently against those four NATO ships visiting Cork Harbour.

Thanks to all who made it to our recent AGM held in the ILHS, Beggars Bush, especially those who rushed from the ‘Raise the Roof’ housing march that ended in Merrion Square at 2pm…just a few add on changes to our NEC.

Best Wishes, and an early Happy Christmas,

Tom Crilly,

Communications PANA,

Tel 087 2937558

‍

Never Fear to Negotiate – letter published in Irish Daily Mail

David Swanson is an author, activist, journalist, and radio host. Check out his Talk World Radio series on YouTube.

‍

Talk World Radio with David Swanson

In recent times our Irish governments have done all they can to end Irish neutrality, against the wishes of a clear majority of the Irish people. The recent Fine Gael Ard-Fheis passed a motion effectively to scrap the Triple Lock on sending Irish soldiers on overseas missions, by eliminating the need for a UN mandate for such missions. Rather than equip our forces appropriately for genuine defence and UN-directed peacekeeping, our government seems intent on merging them with EU/NATO ventures such as PESCO, Battlegroups etc.

Our government’s unconstitutional agreement allowing the British RAF to engage in military operations within Irish sovereign airspace was another step towards fully abandoning Irish neutrality and sovereignty. The most serious ongoing breach of Irish neutrality has been our government’s decision in 2001 to turn Shannon airport into a US forward air base to wage illegal wars in the Middle East. This has made the Irish people actively complicit, against their wishes, in US and NATO war crimes and breaches of international law.

According to Edward Horgan of PANA, ‘Yet another such step is due this weekend: on Friday 25^th November no fewer than four NATO warships of the Royal Netherlands Navy are authorised to visit Cork harbour (*). The vision of democracy, international law and morality is being supplanted in Ireland, Europe, and the wider world by the abuses of military power.’

To confirm this Press Release contact…

Tom Crilly, Communications Officer, PANA,

Tel 087 2937558

Edward Horgan, International Secretary, PANA,

Tel 085 8519623

Padraig Mannion, Irish Language Spokesperson, PANA,

Tel 087 6911293

For more information…

Demonstrations are planned against these NATO ships in Cork

There will be protests at Cobh on Friday at 2pm, and at Horgan’s Wharf on Saturday at 11am. Please support…

(*) NLMS Karel Doorman (A833) at 204.7 metres (672 ft) is the largest ship in service in the Netherlands navy and will be docking at the Cobh Cruise Terminal.

HNLMS Zeven Provincien (F802) is an air defence and command frigate and is due to dock at Marino Point

HNLMS Groningen (P843) is an offshore patrol ship and is due to dock at North Custom House Quay

HNLMS Van Amstel (F831) is a Guided Missile Frigate and is due to dock at J.J. Horgan’s Wharf

The Triple Lock is, at this time, the most significant legislative bulwark supporting Irish neutrality. It is the name given to Irish legislation in the Seville Declaration of the Nice Treaty, that states that members of the Irish Defence Forces shall not serve abroad without the agreement of the Dáil, the Government and the Security Council of the United Nations or UN General Assembly. See Neutrality, NATO, and the attach on Ireland’s Triple Lock…

https://www.pana.ie/posts/neutrality-nato-and-the-attack-on-irelands-triple-lock

PANA AGM will take place this Saturday 26th of November, at 2.30pm, in the Irish Labour History Society, Beggars Bush, Haddington Road, D.4

(Located near the Grand Canal/Lansdowne Road DART stations, and Nos. 7/4 bus routes)

This meeting is open to all PANA members…or contact Roger

‍

Death of Irish Neutrality by a Thousand Cuts?

Our AGM will take place on Saturday 26th of November, at 2.30pm, in the Irish Labour History Society, Beggars Bush, Haddington Road, Dublin 4

(Located near the Grand Canal/Lansdowne Road DART stations, and the Nos 7/4 bus routes)

This meeting is open to all PANA members…

Agenda:

Report on PANA and the Trade Unions by Jimmy Kelly, President of PANA

Report on Finance: Paddy Maguire, Treasurer of PANA

Report on year to November 22: Padraig Mannion, Secretary of PANA

Report on Communications & social media: Tom Crilly, Communications PANA

Report on International contacts: Ed Horgan. International Secretary PANA

Report on PANA 2022: Roger Cole, Chair of PANA

Proposal to appoint PANA Vice-Presidents (3)

Election of PANA's Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Communications Officer, International Secretary, and 3 ordinary members to the NEC.

Every affiliated organisation appoints their own representative to the PANA NEC. The NEC can then co-opt 3 extra members.

Important events…

The Centre for Religion, Human Values, and International Relations, Dublin City University would like to invite you to a lecture titled ‘Giving Peace a Chance: The work of the Peace with Ireland Council’ by Dr Angus Mitchell on 22nd November at 5.30pm in All Hallows Campus, DCU, Drumcondra.

To sign up for the event, kindly register on the Eventbrite link – ‘Giving Peace a Chance: The work of the Peace with Ireland Council’.

The People’s Movement will hold its monthly protest on Wednesday November 23rd at 1:00pm. Outside Dáil Eireann, Kildare St, Dublin No to EU Militarisation and an EU Army! - Neutrality is our best defence.

Please try to get along – it is important! Placards and posters will be provided.

https://www.people.ie/news/PN-249.pdf

Shannonwatch held their monthly protest at Shannon Airport last Sunday, to see their excellent Press Release ‘Urgent Need to Restore Irish Neutrality and to Promote Peace’

go to the link https://www.shannonwatch.org/

The United States of America, unlike any other nation, maintains a massive network of foreign military installations (867 including Shannon) around the world. World Beyond War have researched and developed this fantastic new visual database on these installations.https://worldbeyondwar.org/no-bases/

As you will be aware it is near impossible for those who stand for peace or who oppose imperialist wars to get those related issues covered in our mainstream media, but this short letter from PANA was recently published in the Irish Daily Mail and the Irish Examiner.

Letter to the Editor…War and Recession 4/11/2022

From the beginning of the war in Ukraine, PANA has called for a ceasefire and UN chaired negotiations. Now as this war drags on, we can not only imagine the devastation on Ukrainian people, but also consequently watch apparently helpless as a major economic recession with a cost-of-living crisis is spreading across Europe.

PANA welcomes the recent “unprecedented agreement” on the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea, and the historic agreement on a permanent cessation of hostilities in Ethiopia. We once again call on our political leaders to reject geopolitical interests and work for a ceasefire and UN chaired negotiations in the Ukraine war.

Yours,

Roger Cole, Chair, Peace & Neutrality Alliance

Normally RTE radio 1 are most selective about those so called military and academic experts who are invited to lecture us on foreign affairs. However, in an interview this week on ‘News at One’ a retired lieutenant colonel Michael Murphy and former deputy director of Irish army intelligence deviated from the usual war propaganda by suggesting that ‘we as a nation have been behaving quite hawkish towards Russia’. Interesting…

https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22173814/

Best Wishes,

Tom Crilly, Communications Officer, PANA,

Tel 087 2937558

Roger Cole, Chairperson, PANA,

Tel 087 2611597

PANA AGM 2022 next Saturday

Neutrality, NATO and the attack on Ireland’s Triple Lock

Please support…

Several peace groups will mount a picket at the obscenely titled 'Building the Ecosystem' that they rightly label an Arms Fair, it will take place in the Aviva Stadium this Thursday, October 6th.

The picket will run from 12.30 until 2pm and is organised by Afri, StoP (Swords to Ploughshares) and INNATE.

The Irish Defence Organisation are hosting this Event billed as Building the Ecosystem, Identifying Connections for Collaboration in Security, Defence and Dual Use Technologies with keynote speaker Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney TD. Their brochure suggests this event will facilitate networking and information for Irish industry and research institutions active in these areas. In other words…The EU has massively increased military spending through the so-called European Peace Facility that has a financial ceiling of €5.692 billion for 2021-2027, so our government want a greater share in the weapons industry…Hope to see you outside this Arms Fair this Thursday 6^th ’12.30…

https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-40746339.html

https://www.people.ie/news/PN-247.pdf

The Eblana Club in 3 Eblana Avenue, Dun Laoghaire is holding a debate on;

"It's time we grew up and abandoned Irish neutrality" a quote from the Political Correspondent of the Irish Examiner, and part of a massive attack on Irish neutrality.

It will be held this Thursday 6^th of October at 7.30pm where Senator Gerald Craughwell and Roger Cole of PANA will debate Irish Neutrality.

Please pass this on to all your contacts and see booking form below.

https://eblanaforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Eblana-Winter-Programme-2022-1.pdf

The Irish Neutrality League is a network that has been developed by the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA) and the Irish Anti-war Movement (IAWM), launched last month with ongoing support from several Senators, TDs, academics, and personalities. For more information on the INL, and the agreed Statement go to our Facebook

Here is an early reminder of their first event…

Irish Neutrality League Gathering - How to defend Ireland’s Neutrality?

Saturday 15^th October 2-5pm Teachers’ Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1

Including workshops and a Rally…with a broad range of speakers

Remember the PANA website provides you with links to our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts as well as links to a broad range of alternative media and organisations.

Best Wishes,

Tom Crilly,

PANA update October 2022

The Irish Neutrality League campaigns for the protection and strengthening of Ireland’s neutrality. We do this in the spirit of the Irish Neutrality League first established in 1914 at the outbreak of World War 1, by the key figures who would later lead the 1916 Rising, and as such note that Ireland’s neutrality is clearly linked to its sovereign independence and remains a core element of its national identity.

We define Irish neutrality as non-participation in wars and military alliances, as set out in the 1907 Hague Convention V, and as the positive engagement in the peaceful, non-military resolution of political conflicts. As a country that faced hundreds of years of oppression and colonial subjugation by empire, we further understand neutrality as a tradition of solidarity with all the nations and peoples of the world who are victims of imperialism, colonialism, war and oppression.

Your privacy preferences

When you visit websites, they may store or retrieve data in your browser. This storage is often necessary for the basic functionality of the website.

The storage may be used for marketing, analytics, and personalisation of the site, such as storing your preferences.

Privacy is important to us, so you have the option of disabling certain types of storage that may not be necessary for the basic functioning of the website. Blocking categories may impact your experience on the website.

Close this window Privacy Policy

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Click here to review your Cookie Preferences.

Eu battlegroups legislation - a Policy statement, Green Party

June 15, 2006

Archival

Campaign

PANA

Download the Press Release

↓

↗

With the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006, the Government has effectively abandoned the triple lock, say Greens.

On Wednesday, July 5th, the second last day of the Dail session, the Government will be rushing all stages of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006 through the Dail. In just a few hours, with no proper debate, fundamental changes will be made to the Irish Defence Acts, changes which will have far-reaching impacts on Ireland's proud tradition of bluehelmeted UN peacekeeping service. The Government is hoping that it will all be over very quickly, that it can sneak off into the Summer Recess without the public - including many of Fianna Fail's core supporters - being aware of just how momentous this legislation is.

The Green Party/Comhaontas Glas will be opposing this Defence Bill at every (brief) stage of its passage through the Dail. Minister of Defence,Willie O'Dea's continuous mantra that our Triple Lock requirements will remain intact has been proven to be meaningless cant: the necessity ofGovernment and Dail approval and a UN mandate before Irish troops are sent abroad has now effectively been ditched. Triple Locks take time toopen. And Rapid Reaction Forces don't have time. The EU Battlegroups that this Government - and Fine Gael and Labour - are so eager to join,need rapid decision making. The EU's ambition is to deploy the Battlegroups within 5 to 10 days after approval by the EU Council. Waitingfor UN mandates are a 'luxury' that only Ireland requires. And so enters the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006.

An EU Battlegroup consists of a battalion-size force package of around 1,500 troops, complete with combat support and logistics units as well asthe necessary air and naval components, ready for rapid deployment anywhere in the world - no geographical boundary has been set. TheBattlegroups will engage in the full range of so-called Petersberg Tasks, humanitarian and rescue tasks; peacekeeping; tasks of combatforces in crisis management, including peacemaking; -- as well as new tasks approved in the EU's European Security Strategy -- jointdisarmament operations; support for third countries in combating terrorism; and Security Sector Reform (SSR). This means in factthat Battlegroups can do just what they say: go into battle. For the Government to portray the Battlegroups as a misnomer and as something more akin to the Red Cross is a complete misrepresentation of what Ireland is about to join.

1. The Definition of International United Nations Force in Section One
"International United Nations Force" means an international force or body established, mandated, authorised, endorsed, supported,approved or otherwise sanctioned by a resolution of the Security Council or the General Assembly of the United Nations;

The definition in section 1 of "International United Nations Force" is now so broad that any vague resolution from the Security Council will do. Thepresent Irish Defence Acts state only that such a force should be 'established' by the Security Council or General Assembly. A number ofrecent military missions have been 'authorised' by the UN Security Council [e.g. Resolution 1244 (1999), SC decision to deploy international civil andsecurity presence in Kosovo, under UN auspices] and the Green Party would be open to 'established, mandated or authorised'. However, the otherterminology is far too broad and open to abuse. Both the United States and Britain insisted that their illegal attack on Iraq was in line with UN resolutionsand the UN Charter.

2. Dispatching Irish soldiers abroad with only the approval of the Government in Section Three
[Sect. 3 -(1)] A contingent or member of the Permanent Defence Force may, with the prior approval of and on the authority of the Government,be despatched for service outside the State for the purposes of

carrying out duties as a military representative or filling appointments or postings outside the State, including secondments to any international organisation,
conducting or participating in training,
carrying out ceremonial duties, participating in exchanges or undertaking visits,
undertaking monitoring, observation or advisory duties,
participating in or undertaking reconnaissance or fact-finding missions,
undertaking humanitarian tasks in response to an actual or potential disaster or emergency,
participating in sporting events, or
inspecting and evaluating stores, equipment and facilities.

(2) Nothing in this section shall prevent the Government from giving general approval, for such period of time as they determine, to such classes of any of the activities specified in subsection (1) as they consider appropriate and subject to such conditions as they impose.

Section 3 makes it clear that not even Dail approval is required for certain operations. The Green Party can understand that military personnelattending sporting events or on ceremonial duties should be able to do so with Government approval only. However, contingents of troops involved insuch areas as training, military reconnaissance, or humanitarian tasks in response to 'actual' or potential' disaster or emergency should not be ableto be dispatched at the whim of a Government. The question which Minister O'Dea refused to answer from Green Party Deputy, John Gormley, in theDail last week is: what happens if our troops are fired upon in such circumstances? Also, the EU Battlegroups are supposed to be involved inhumanitarian tasks under the Petersberg Tasks. It appears that Section 3 leaves the way open for Irish troops to participate in EU Battlegroups insuch instances without any UN mandate, let alone even Dail approval. The definition of 'humanitarian tasks' can be extremely broad: when NATO began its bombing campaign in Kosovo in March 1999, NATO argued that it was to 'avert a humanitarian catastrophe'. Much tighter controls will be required in Section 3 for certain overseas military activities.

3. Provision for Irish troops to be dispatched with EU Battlegroups before UN authorization in Section 8.
8.-Section 2 of the Act of 1960 is amended a)in subsection (1), by substituting "subsections (2) and (3)" for "subsection (2)", and (b) byinserting the following after subsection (2): "(3) A contingent or member of the Permanent Defence Force may, with the prior approval of and on the authority of the Government, be despatched for service outside the State as part of a force to beassembled or embarked before being deployed as part of a particular International United Nations Force if, but only if, thecontingent or member is not so deployed until a resolution under subsection (1) of this section has been passed by Dail Eireann approving of their despatch for such service."

Section 8 is both farcical and dangerous. It is designed to allow Irish troops to go off with the Battlegroups prior to UN approval - to be rapidly 'assembled' or 'embarked', but not 'deployed'. This is the Irish Government's halfbakedsolution to the inconvenience of UN mandates. It would appear that our troops are expected to wait on the fringes - perhaps on the fringes of an armed conflict -- awaiting UNauthorisation to join the remainder of the Battlegroup. Again, what happens if our troops are attacked in this situation? The logical answer - the oneWillie O'Dea did not give in the Dail last week - is that they can defend themselves, in which case they are involved in a conflict before there isproper UN authorisation. This dangerous section needs to be totally deleted from the legislation.

The Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006 represents the final assault by Fianna Fail and the PDs on what remains of Irish neutrality. It takes a hacksaw tothe Triple Lock and undermines the status of UN mandates. It is true that Kofi Annan has welcomed regional organizations in assisting thepeacekeeping role of the United Nations. However, this has to be under the authority of the UN. The General Assembly has emphasized that only theUN Security Council has the legal authority to mandate coercive action to maintain and restore international peace and security.

Ireland is a small country with a small military and an immense, highly respected and proud reputation as UN peacekeepers. This is the role theGreen Party would like to see our defence forces maintain. We are convinced that Ireland's military strength in promoting international peaceand security is to be found in this 'niche' role, not as a tag- on to an EU Battlegroup. Unfortunately, Fianna Fail and the PDs, along with a willing'Opposition' in Fine Gael and Labour, have decided - via the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006 -- to launch our defence forces in a new, highlydubious and regrettable direction.

The Green Party / Comhaontas Glas
16/17 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2
Tel: 01 6790012 /Fax: 01 6797168
Email: info@greenparty.ieWeb: www.greenparty.ie

No items found.

Essential

Marketing

Personalisation

Analytics