Talk on Iraq by John-Paul Phelan

Scheduled for 9pm, began at 9.15

Committee members present:
Cat, Bryan, Ulick, Mags, Car, Evelyn

Committee members not present:
Matt, Tauna, Orla, Karl, Brendan, Patrick

Total in attendance: 16

JP gave some background information on his personal political career. The Fine Gael stance on the likely war on Iraq is that it stands firmly behind whatever decision the UN comes to. Worrying; that Bush/America seems intent on going to war regardless of what the UN decide. It is not disputed that Hussein is a cruel and unsuitable leader and should be overthrown, but through different channels.

The main issue not to lose sight of here is what effect will a war have on the normal Iraqi people? We already have seen the negative impact of sanctions. The flipside of that argument is; hasn't Hussein himself done much worse to his own people? Ultimately Ireland has to back the UN not the solo run of US and UK. Breakdown of confidence in and credibility of the UN could well be one of the worst consequences of a war. It's fair to say that an element of the Anti War movement is Anti American. Regarding the Shannon issue, up until this point, FG would be taking the same action as prior refuelling commitments have to be honoured. However, if a war goes ahead without UN approval and support, then refuelling facilities would have to be withdrawn.

Some questions:

(Bryan) Would FG back FF stance taken?
JP critical of FF's fudged stance until the point where a decision HAD to be made. But would probably agree with them otherwise. He personally has a lack of faith in George Bush.

(Cat) Does Irish neutrality really exist?
Not really - have a history of being neutral on the side of the good guys. Neutrality was originally adopted for purely economic reasons. Doesn't really hold place today.

(Rosie) Is this a war to prevent genocide or for oil?
Both, if the oil element wasn't there though it would be hard to see Bush putting so much into this. Iraq has the potential to be the richest country in the world.

Do you think that US will go into war without the 2nd UN resolution behind them?
Yeah.

Doesn't this make Bush an enormous bully, and totally undermine democracy within the UN and indeed democracy that is fundamental to America? Yeah.

(Rosie) Is Bush just finishing Daddy's business?
In JP's personal opinion, YES! · What would FG if in government regarding this issue? Make their stance known to the public, back the UN, leave refuelling in Shannon continue until a war started and THEN pull out.

(Cat) What's the truth in that America should know exactly what weapons Iraq has because they sold them to them?
Element of truth, but slightly dramatised. US sold weapons to them, and also to Pakistan and India, and there was further selling between the latter 2 countries and Iraq.

Point was made by Bryan;
they've waited for this long - why the deadline of DAYS??

Regarding FG general strategy:
· More focussing on urban area, as voting majority has shifted.
· Need to get more involved in core groups at local level
· Need to develop that killer instinct!

Meeting finished at 10.20, and we headed to the S.U bar for a drink with JP!