>From: "The Workers' Party of Ireland" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
>NEWS RELEASE
>
>
>Friday, 24th March 2000
>For Immediate Use
>
>
>THE AMERICAN WAR IN EUROPE - 1ST ANNIVERSARY
>
>The Workers' Party of Ireland has marked the first anniversary of the start
>of NATO's bombing campaign against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia by
>stating that this illegal act of aggression against a sovereign state has
>achieved nothing other than widespread death and destruction.
>
>The International Affairs Committee of The Workers' Party maintains that the
>situation in the Balkans is now much worse than it was a year ago whilst
>NATO remains in occupation of Kosovo-Metohija with logistical support from
>troops from supposedly neutral Ireland and under a totally flawed UN
>mandate.
>
>"Ireland played a particularly despicable role in the run up to the NATO
>attack on Yugoslavia. Former Minister David Andrews' infamous statement
>that he was stuck 'between a rock and a hard place' will not easily be
>forgotten. We could have then played a pivotal role as a neutral honest
>broker and used that position to encourage positive and genuine negotiation
>instead of NATO's 'settle on our terms or else' Rambouillet deal which would
>have involved free access for NATO troops, not just in Kosovo, but
>throughout Yugoslavia, including Belgrade itself."
>
>"Ireland failed to pursue positive neutrality. It sat on the fence while
>NATO tried to force Yugoslavia to accept the unacceptable - the invasion of
>its entire territory by a hostile enemy bent on destroying it. Then when
>the bombing commenced Ireland shamefully jumped off the fence into the NATO
>camp and cheered on the bombers. The Taoiseach stated that the bombing was
>'both necessary and justified' in the face of 'human rights violations'.
>Fine words from a man who has publicly advocated detention centres for
>asylum seekers."
>
>"Two and a half months of relentless bombing turned a crisis into a
>disaster. Innocent civilians, journalists and refugees were murdered in the
>heaviest bombing campaign on European soil since World War II, reminiscent
>of the Nazi bombing of Belgrade during that war. The attack on Yugoslavia
>was in essence an American war against a European country. It was
>simplified by the spin-doctors into a tale of 'the world against one man'
>when in fact it was the US military-industrial complex against the Serbian
>people. The people of Serbia and Yugoslavia are well capable of deciding
>for themselves the make up of their sovereign government. A grave injustice
>has been done to the truth, which has been, as always, the first casualty of
>war."
>
> ends.
>
>John Jefferies, Press Officer Tel: +353-1-8740716
>The Workers' Party of Ireland,
>23 Hill Street,
>Dublin 1.
>
>www.workers-party.org
>
>
>
>
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