Call for O Cuiv to defend neutrality

The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Ó Cuiv, should "take a leaf out of Claire Short's book", according to the Galway Alliance Against War (GAAW),  Lorna Siggins reports.

The Minister and Galway West TD has "defended Irish neutrality in the past", the alliance says, and should now take a public stand on the threatened war against Iraq - similar to the position taken by the British International Development Secretary. Ms Short said on Sunday that she would resign if her government followed the US into war without UN authorisation.

The (GAAW) maintained that Mr Ó Cuiv had been privately critical of the use of Shannon Airport in the build-up to the conflict.

"At a time when the honourable traditions of Fianna Fáil with regard to neutrality are being forgotten about, it is time that they were publicy re-asserted," the GAAW said this week.

Mr Ó Cuiv voted against the first Nice Treaty referendum on the issue, while stating that he had adhered to the Government's campaign in support of it. Mr Ó Cuiv campaign and voted for the treaty in the second referendum, and stated that his concerns had been addressed. At this stage, he had been promoted to Cabinet.

Were Minister Ó Cuiv to take a stand now on Shannon, he would only be reflecting the views of his constituents, the GAAW said.

"As the situation stands, Ireland - by allowing the US war machine to use Shannon - will be complicit in the deaths of innocent men, women and children if a war on Iraq goes ahead," it said.

Responding, the Minister said that he had no intention of "pre-empting decisions or situations which may or may not arise".

He said: "The Government's position regarding the possibility of war in Iraq has not changed. The Taoiseach recently made the political imperative of a second UN Resolution quite clear."