Protests against war planned in 15 towns and cities tomorrow

As the Government maintained a position of refusing to discuss its response in the event of unilateral action by the US against…

As the Government maintained a position of refusing to discuss its response in the event of unilateral action by the US against Iraq, plans were being finalised for anti-war demonstrations in 15 towns and cities throughout the State tomorrow, to mark International Women's Day.

A Labour TD, Ms Kathleen Lynch, called on all citizens, not just women, to take part in the protests, to reinforce the point made by the huge anti-war demonstration last month.

"Our Government, I believe, did listen on February 15th. They probably haven't yet straightened their backs enough to be courageous and take a stand. If a further demonstration is significant enough, then in fact they will have no choice," she told a press conference in Dublin, organised by the Irish Anti-War Movement.

Prof Ivana Bacik of Trinity College Dublin said any war that might be undertaken by the US and Britain would clearly be in breach of the UN Charter and international law. People should call on the Government to align with countries like France and Russia against the war, she added.

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Planned activities include a protest at the Dáil at noon tomorrow as well as demonstrations at the US embassy and in Cork, Waterford, Galway, Dundalk, Mullingar, Dingle, Tullamore, Westport, Letterkenny, Maynooth, Shannon, Sligo town, Derry and Clones.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, told The Irish Times that the members of the United Nations Security Council should endeavour to reach a common position.

When asked what the Government's stance would be if there was no second resolution and the US and its allies went ahead with military action, he replied: "My general position is not to deal with the 'what ifs' but the 'what is'.

"We have a proposal from the US and the UK, we have a position set out by the Germans and French and, under international law, the Security Council are the only body who should make a determination.

"We say a second resolution is politically important."

When asked if there was any difference between the Taoiseach's view that a second resolution was "a political imperative" and his own view that it was "politically important", the Minister said there was not.

"There isn't a ray of light between my position and the Taoiseach's position," he said.

When asked if there was sufficient common ground at this stage for Security Council members to reach a consensus, Mr Cowen said: "Unfortunately we have seen in recent weeks an increasing polarisation of positions within the council, which is not something I welcome, because, at the end of the day, it is best that the Security Council works as a unit together.

"The same objectives are there. The difference of opinion is whether in fact there is any prospect of the Iraqi regime providing the full co-operation that is necessary to bring about disarmament voluntarily."

He continued: "There needs to be a discussion and debate within the Security Council to try and build a convergence of opinion."

There was no consensus on the legality of unilateral action. "From a political point of view, in terms of maintaining the maximum possible international solidarity in support for military action as a last resort, a second resolution would be politically important," the Minister declared.