Can I send this letter to celebrities in the name of the Irish Anti-War Movement?
Hi all
I am just about to send this letter to a number of Irish celebrities
asking them to put their names to a open letter to be sent to the
press condemning the use of Shannon by US troops.
1) Can I say it comes from the Anti-War Movement in addition to other
organisations?
2) I need help! Does anyone want to help collecting celebrity contact
details and sending this letter to them? - please contact me.
3) As there may be a cross-over with contacting people to endorse the
6 points for the National Demo on 15th February, can I get in touch
with whoever is organising this, so we can help each other?
================================================
Dear [NAME OF CELEBRITY]
Do you oppose the use of Shannon airport by US troops on their way to
Iraq?
"Irish Artists Against War" are preparing an open letter to be
published by Irish Newspapers, condemning the use of Irish facilities
by the US military. We are seeking well-known artists, like yourself,
to sign this letter.
Are you willing to be quoted as endorsing the points made in this
letter?
Are there any comments you would like to be quoted on to the press?
Would you like to appear in a short press conference when the letter
gets released?
The Irish Anti-War Movement and the Peace and Neutrality Alliance are
collaborating to act as organisers/administrators for this. As
Administrator for this action, I have drafted the letter below.
================================================
Open letter from Irish Artists Against War
We demand that the Irish government withdraws its offer of airport
facilities to the US Military, in particular of Shannon airport which
is being used as a staging post for war on Iraq. The human costs of
this favour to the US government.are too high to justify it.
Firstly, it implicates Irish people in the consequence of military
action, including the loss of innocent lives in Iraq, the mass-
evacuation of refugees that a war-torn Iraq will inevitably cause,
the destabilization of the Middle East and the provocation to anti-
West feeling that could, in actual fact, fuel more terrorist
attacks. It therefore contradicts the moral position of most Irish
people.
Secondly, it makes Shannon a terrorist target, and therefore is
contrary to the security interests of the public.
Thirdly, it breaches our constitutional commitment to neutrality.
This in turn undermines Irelands proud efforts at peacekeeping and
humanitarian aid work in third-world countries that to date has been
given credence by its position of neutrality.
In summary, we oppose Irish involvement in a war on Iraq, we wish our
neutrality to be remain uncompromised, and we resent the presumption
on the part of the government that puts our security at risk without
our permission and contrary to the law.
In the militarisation of Shannon Airport, we find no benefit
whatsoever for Irish people or for world stability, and therefore ask
that the government reverse it decision immediately.
=======================================================
Notes
The current situation in Shannon.
Airport workers and anti-war protestors have witnessed the following:
That in the last few weeks, thousands of troops have been arriving at
Shannon in preparation for a war in Iraq.
That many of the troops are fully armed.
That guns and munitions are being carried on board the US planes
arriving in Shannon,
That C130 Hercules transport aircraft are regularly practicing
manoeuvres on Irish soil.
(reference: The Observer 13 January 2003)
===================================================================
The law
1) Military aircraft are prohibited from using Irish airports
The 1952 Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order states
that exceptions can be made in extraordinary circumstances, only if
the planes do not carry arms and are not en route to military
operations.
The case of Shannon clearly contradicts the act on both counts.
2) The Irish Constitution
28.3.1 War shall not be declared and the State shall not participate
in any war save with the assent of Dáil Eireann.
The fact that the minister Brian Cowen has allegedly waived the
normal safeguards controlling foreign military aircraft passing
through Ireland is not legally adequate.
The transport minister Seamus Brennan said
if the US sought to use
the airport for a war in Iraq, a separate government decision to give
permission would be needed.
This permission has not yet been sought.
==============================================
Created By: Dont ShoutOut