This article is from page 15 of the 2011-11-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
THE SHANNONWATCH organisation has welcomed the inauguration of Michael D Higgins as the ninth president of Ireland – and has already dubbed him “Ireland first anti-war President”.
President Higgins has been a longstanding campaigner for human rights and has written extensively on many global conflicts includ ing Nicaragua, Chile, Cambodia, El Salvador, Iraq and Somalia. He has spoken at a number of anti-war rallies at Shannon Airport and was particularly critical of the foreign policy employed the US under President Ronald Regan (Rep).
He remained opposed to the use of Shannon Airport as part of the socalled War on Terror and at a peace rally in March of 2008 said that Ireland was “complicit in war and torture” because of the use of US military use of Shannon Airport and Irish airspace.
Speaking after his inauguration last week a spokesperson from the Shannonwatch organisation said that the election of an anti-war president will further the cause of peace and will bring a renewed focus on the importance of Irish neutrality.
“These are issues that he has passionately defended throughout his political career and it is hoped and expected that he will continue to do so as president,” said a spokesman.
“Michael D Higgins has consistently opposed the use of Shannon, a civilian airport, for the invasions and occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. He was critical of the apparent Irish collusion with the US government in relation to suspected rendition flights through Shannon and in 2010 he called on the government to withdraw the Irish military personnel serving in Afghanistan.
“However there are still up to 600 armed US troops a day passing through Shannon Airport, and there is no oversight or inspection of planes suspected of carrying illegally kidnapped prisoners, CIA assassination crews or dangerous munitions.
“This is despite the fact that the current programme for government, which Michael D Higgins’ Labour Party signed up to, says they will enforce the prohibition on the use of Irish airspace, airports and related facilities for purposes not in line with the dictates of international law.
“It is hoped that as Head of State Michael D Higgins will continue to articulate his lifelong anti-war message. While the Irish president does not have a direct executive or policy role in Irish affairs, he nonetheless represents the people when undertaking official engagements at home and abroad.”