Wednesday, January 30, 2013

PANA Statement on Syria and Mali


Article 2.4 of the UN Charter states that all UN member-states “shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or the use of force against the integrity or political independence of any state.”

      Syria is a legitimate independent state, whose government is facing a revolt that has been armed and financed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, supported by France, Great Britain,and the United States. Instead of focusing on supporting the efforts by the UN and Arab League special representative, Lakhar Brahima, to achieve a ceasefire and inclusive negotiations, the government calls upon the International Criminal Court to be used against the Syrian government.

      Now the government intends to send Irish troops to Mali to take part in another civil war, which threatens to spread throughout North Africa.

      These decision reflect the loss of an independent foreign policy based on positive neutrality in favour of one based on perpetual involvement in war, as stated in its aviation policy, which has as a key demand the call for “additional military flights” through Shannon Airport. It is a continuation of decisions to keep Irish troops in Afghanistan, to support the NATO military intervention in Libya, to allow millions of US troops to use Shannon Airport, and to participate in imposing totally unjustified sanctions on Iran.

      The chairperson of PANA, Roger Cole, said: “PANA condemns the government decision to reject neutrality and revive imperialism as its core value. PANA is convinced that, as these imperialist wars continue to grow and the Irish people are offered perpetual austerity at home and perpetual war abroad, they will reject them. PANA intends continuing to oppose this revival of the Redmondite tradition and advocates the restoration of the values of Irish independence, democracy, and neutrality.”

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