Press Release – July 14th
OBAMA’S AFGHAN WAR – Should foreign troops get out?
Spaekers:
Johnathan Neale (US Author, academic and activist)
Sahar Saba (Revolutionary Association of Afghan Women)
Richard Waghorne (Irish Daily Mail Columnist & Freedom Institute)
Tom Carew (Former General Secretary, CPSU and regular media contributor on foreign policy issues).
(*More detailed notes on speakers below.)
Chaired by Deaglan De Breadun (Irish Times Journalist)
Brief introductions to the debate by Morgan Baker, US Lawyer & Richard Boyd Barrett, Chairperson, Irish Anti-War Movement.
Wednesday 15th July at 7pm
Davenport Hotel, Merrion Square.
Open to Public – Admission Free (contributions welcome)
Press Release – July 14th
OBAMA’S AFGHAN WAR – Should foreign troops get out?
Spaekers:
Johnathan Neale (US Author, academic and activist)
Sahar Saba (Revolutionary Association of Afghan Women)
Richard Waghorne (Irish Daily Mail Columnist & Freedom Institute)
Tom Carew (Former General Secretary, CPSU and regular media contributor on foreign policy issues).
(*More detailed notes on speakers below.)
Chaired by Deaglan De Breadun (Irish Times Journalist)
Brief introductions to the debate by Morgan Baker, US Lawyer & Richard Boyd Barrett, Chairperson, Irish Anti-War Movement.
Wednesday 15th July at 7pm
Davenport Hotel, Merrion Square.
Open to Public – Admission Free (contributions welcome)
The Irish Anti-War Movement will host a major debate this week in Dublin on the issue of the on-going NATO led war and occupation in Afghanistan. The debate will take place on Wednesday July 15th at 7pm in the Davenport Hotel on Merrion Square in Dublin.
As US President Obama moves to draw down US troop numbers in Iraq and increase the US military presence in Afghanistan, the debate will focus, on the significance of the conflict in terms of the foreign policy of the new US administration.
It will examine whether the war in Afghanistan represents a “good” or justified war in contrast to the widely discredited US led war on Iraq.
The debate will also look at whether NATO coalition has any clearly defined and achievable strategy for its Afghan operation and what the possible implications of continuing and escalating the conflict are for Afghanistan and the wider region, particularly neighbouring Pakistan.
Finally, the debate will involve discussion of Ireland’s role in the conflict, both in terms of the on-going use of Shannon airport by the US military, the presence of Irish military personnel in Afghanistan and the relevance of all these issues for the upcoming debate on the Lisbon Treaty.
Richard Boyd Barrett, chairperson of the IAWM said:
“It is very important that people in this country and internationally begin to debate the merits or otherwise of the escalating conflict in Afghanistan.
There is a widespread perception, actively encouraged by the US, British and other governments and sections of the media that while the Iraq war may have been a mistake, the Afghan war is justified.
This is not simply an interesting academic or distant question for people here in Ireland, it has very concrete implications given the presence of Irish military personnel in Afghanistan and the continuing flow of US troops and aircraft through Shannon.
Making an assessment of the Afghan conflict and the foreign policy of the new US administration also has significant implications for the forthcoming debate on the Lisbon treaty, in terms of Irish military neutrality and the involvement of European troops in international conflicts.
The IAWM is firmly of the opinion that the NATO led invasion and ongoing intervention in Afghanistan will result only in more needless civilian and troops deaths, more instability, and will retard the desperately needed process of reconstruction.
It is also clear to us that the longer western troops remain and the more the conflict intensifies the more dangerous instability will be created in Pakistan.
We also feel strongly that both Irish involvement in the conflict is not compatible with Irish military neutrality and that the involvement of troops from other European countries raises serious questions about the future development of EU military forces as set out in the Lisbon treaty.
However, not withstanding our own views on the conflict, we feel it is important to facilitate an open debate on the issue, to inform and educate the public on the differing views that exist and let the public make up their own mind.
We are delighted to have speakers with particular knowledge or strong views on the subject coming from different perspectives and to have Deaglan De Breadun chairing the debate to ensure fairness.”
For more info/confirmation or interviews with speakers contact:
Richard Boyd Barrett 087-6329511
Mike Youlton 086-8159487
Notes on Speakers:
Johnathan Neale is an American author, academic and activist. He is author of a number of books including Vietnam: The American War, What’s Wrong with America, several books on US and international politics and a number of novels. He is also the International Secretary of the Campaign Against Climate change. He worked for a number of years in Afghanistan as an anthropologist in the 1970’s and has written many articles on the history and politics of the country. He currently lectures in Bath Spa University.
Sahar Saba is leading member of the Afghan based Revolutionay Association of Women in Afghinstan (RAWA). Rawa is one of the oldest political organisations active in Afghanistan. Its objective is to establish an democratic and secular regime based on self-determination and the recognition of the rights of women. RAWA actively fought the Russian presence in Afghnistan, the Taliban regime and now opposes the US led military presence.
Richard Waghorne is a columnist with the Irish Daily Mail and regular contributor to the national media on national and international affairs. He was an outspoken supporter of the US led war in Iraq and supports the NATO mission in Afghanistan. He is leading member of the Freedom Institute.
Tom Carew is the former General Secretary of the Civil and Public Service Union (CPSU). He is a vocal supporter of Israel and supports the irish troop presence in Afghanistan. He is contributed frequently in the Irish media on foreign policy issues.
