Despite the much hoped for change, war in the Middle East and troop movements through Shannon have not ceased under President Barack Obama’s administration.
This is the view of the Galway Alliance Against War, which held its annual general last night. The local peace group was founded more than seven years ago to oppose Ireland playing any part in George W Bush’s so-called ‘war on terror’.
It has consistently opposed Shannon Airport being used by the US armed forces travelling to war in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well asCIA planes involved in the ‘extraordinary rendition’ programme.
“The group had hoped the election of President Obama would have meant the organisation could have disbanded,” said GAAW spokesperson Niall Farrell. “Unfortunately, that has not proved to be the case.”
He said the occupation of Iraq continues and it appears that even after the US withdrawal there will still be 50,000 US troops stationed there. President Obama is also intensifying US involvement in Afghanistan.
“That means more troops through Shannon,” said Mr Farrell. “It also means more innocent Afghanis and Pakistanis being killed. In the first week of his presidency, Barak Obama sanctioned two rocket attacks that left 22 people dead, 18 of them women and children.”
However GAAW has welcomed the US president’s commitment to closing the Guantanamo prison camp.
