A Window of Opportunity for Ireland on Iraq

national | anti-war / imperialism | opinion/analysis

Monday April 12, 2004 23:14

by David C.

The potential for world public opinion to defeat the American occupation of Iraq has never been greater. Ireland holds a special place in the American psyche and Ireland will be front-and-center on the world's news media on Saturday, June 26th - when President George W. Bush visits Ireland. This is therefore a moment of great leverage for Irish opponents to the American war on Iraq.

The American occupation of Iraq is at a critical juncture. The new Iraqi military and the American-appointed Governing Council are in open revolt against the Americans. Coalition 'partners' are either announcing pull-outs or are confining their troops to base. And it appears that a major massacre of civilians has occurred in Fallujah in revenge for the desecration of 4 American corpses. Even the British command structure in Iraq is becoming openly hostile to the American occupation tactics. Meanwhile, within the U.S., support for the Iraq war is plummeting, and is now in the minority. Internationally, at home and within Iraq the United States has never been so isolated.

But world public opinion has not risen in protest against recent events. There have been no significant demonstrations in the U.S., in Europe or even in the Arab world. There is no talk of a UN Security Council resolution or General Assembly resolution condemning the United States for its actions in Fallujah. There has been no major activist actions, such as the human shield bus trip of last year or the attention-getting 'pink power' demonstrations throughout the world before the invasion. Although there has been strong condemnation for the Fallujah massacre in the press and from some politicians, there have been no official condemnations, no policy changes and no action. Within Ireland the U.S. military continues to allow the perpetrators of war crimes to pass through Shannon with impunity.

This is because the United States is furiously 'managing' the international reaction to the events in Fallujah. Using intimidation and bribery of governments and of media, it is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on 'public diplomacy' throughout the world. Retired US Army officer Michael Peters, now a Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, says in The Christian Science Monitor today that "we ... watch carefully the reactions of the governments and publics in allied countries". The ONLY defense against this manipulation is massive public action.

Occurring only 4 days before the 'handover' of Iraqi 'sovereignty', the media coverage around Bush's visit to Ireland has the potential to influence worldwide public discussion about the future of Iraq. It is a unique opportunity to at least alter Irish policy towards the U.S. and at most to affect U.S. foreign policy directly.

The goal for Irish activists should be to have Irish opposition to Bush be the main topic on the American Sunday-morning talk shows on June 27th. That *will* have an effect on United States foreign policy.

****THE MEN THAT KILLED 280 WOMEN AND 120 CHILDREN IN FALLUJAH LAST WEEK TRAVELED THROUGH SHANNON****

****THE IRISH PEOPLE CAN DOMINATE THE WORLD'S NEWS ON JUNE 26th 2004************************************************

****HELP END THE WAR IN IRAQ.*******************************************************************************************************

****PROTEST AGAINST GEORGE BUSH'S VISIT TO IRELAND*************************************************************************

****PUT ASIDE DIFFERENCES**********************************************************************************************************

****ORGANISE, PROTEST, DOMINATE THE MEDIA*************************************************************************************

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Comments (6 of 6)

I hope, Suzanne

by Justin Morahan - Peace People

Wed Apr 14, 2004 00:03

that your comment is tongue in cheek.
America (including the US part) contains many different people, Americans against the war I salute.
But this unelected President and his neocon planners have acted disgracefully..
Re your economic argument: if we had been given employment by Hitler to build gas chambers, should we have been welcoming him to Ireland if he had won the war.
Does morality come into it at all?
Sorry if your comment was really tongue in cheek.

"Without America we'd be nothing"

by Hilal

Tue Apr 13, 2004 13:22

Without God we would be nothing you self-hating infidel !

Without America the world would be a much better place. They are thieves and murders.

I welcome the Bush visit

by Suzanne McBride

Tue Apr 13, 2004 02:49

I'm going to be out showing my appreciation for America and all they have done for this country.

It would be a disgrace to Ireladn if he was not made welcome - the Americans are always in the right, without them we'd be nothing.

Jobs argument

by manofnopropertylikehalftheyoungpeople

Tue Apr 13, 2004 02:18

8 million used to get on ok and subsist on this island without US jobs. Am I right or wrong 'men of no property'?

Hear Hear

by Starstruck - UCD Left

Tue Apr 13, 2004 01:43

This is a very well written article and although im sure it echoes what we all feel it serves to underline the paramount importance of June 25th and 26th in the history of activism in Ireland.
Particular note must be given to the putting aside of differences line.this is so vital ,if we are to pull off a big one in Shannon or wherever we go on those days.the various ideoligies and opinions on the Left must stand together and mobilise the popular dislike of Bush and American foreign policy.
This is our big chance to show the Worls that we arent a puppy dog oour big brothers across the water.
If things continue the way they are going the American war machine and propaganda outfit will be at breaking point come the 25th of June and it is our duty in the name of World peace to apply the fatal blow.

this has been said alot

by pc

Tue Apr 13, 2004 01:09

but im not sure how to do it

i don't know any irish americans, i don't think its a matter of protesting when he comes here... alot won't see that

has anybody been talking to their americans relations of friends and help see the problems clearer one way or the other?

how can you get over the jobs arguement that few socialist wlll touch no matter how much they're against the war

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A Window of Opportunity for Ireland on Iraq

Comments (6 of 6)