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Ed Horgan Tells European Parliament Committee That Ireland Is A "Rogue Neutral State" international |
anti-war / imperialism |
feature
 Friday April 21, 2006 14:52 by Edward Horgan - Private Citizen
 Makes submission to The European Parliament, Temporary Committee on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transport and illegal detention of prisoners (TDIP)
Ed Horgan: I went to the European Parliament in Brussels to tell the Parliament what I knew of Ireland’s involvement in the unlawful rendition for torture process at Shannon airport. I insisted on linking the extraordinary rendition process with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the combined serial abuses of international law that these wars and the torture process involved. To a large extent I was telling the EU parliamentary special committee what they did not want to hear – “don’t mention the wars” – I told them anyway in the brief summary of my submission that the 15 minute time slot allowed me. My main submission was thirty-seven pages long, with 45 separate attachments and it became clear very quickly that very few had even read the executive summary of my submission, and some of those who did, read it only with the intention of trying to discredit it, and discredit me. The Irish Times report on Friday captured the tone of the parliamentarians response - “the witness failed to present the facts”. My response is that the parliamentarians failed to read the facts I put before them. Sean O’Neachtain, FF MEP, standing in for Eoin Ryan MEP, was put forward to attack my submission, but failed to address any of the facts in my submission, including my statement that the Irish Government’s reply to the Council of Europe on Rendition for Torture was fraudulent and misquoted Article 40.4.1. of the Irish Constitution thereby giving the impression that foreign prisoners being taken through Shannon are specifically protected by the letter or wording of the Irish Constitution. Simon Coveney incorrectly accused me of calling Ireland a “rogue state”. My statement was that Ireland was “a rogue neutral state” and I explained this issue in detail.
Craig Murray, former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan got a similar response from some MEPs and was accused of “disloyalty” by one UK MEP because he blew the whistle on the Government of which he had been an ambassador. I emphasised through my written submission and my verbal submission that the rule of international law needs to be reinforced not trampled on, as many European states, including Ireland, have been doing. I also emphasised that my primary concerns the humanitarian interests of the 10,000 prisoners in the extraordinary rendition system, and for the over 100,000 people killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. I emphasised that the whole rendition system, and the serious eroding of international law, had their roots in these wars, and were inextricably linked to the these wars. The very clear message was that this was something they did not want to hear. One of the previous speakers, Mr Gijs De Vries, European Union Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, emphasised that the foreign policies and control over the intelligence services and security services of individuals EU states do not come under the remit of the European Union. In other words, individual European states can engage in unlawful wars anywhere they like, and are not accountable for this to the European Union. This brought a predictable hostile response from a number of MEPs, but I believe it was important to put such blunt views on the record. I did not go to Brussels to please people, or be a nice guy on the day. I went to inform the committee of the criminal behaviour of the Irish Government and other EU Governments. I stand over everything I have said in my submission, all 37 pages of it. It does not make easy or pleasant reading, and I felt a sense of shame as an Irish person in having to submit such a report.
It was a challenging experience, but we all need to continue to challenge all of those who seek to perpetrate dastardly deeds on our behalf. Whatever you do dont just do nothing. You may not always be right; just do always what you believe is right:
Edward Horgan, Brussels Friday 21 April 2006. |
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Comments (24 of 24)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24I think the article in the Irish Times captured the essence of the experience, but, from the points you mention above, it seems to have failed to achieve the elusive "balance" to which the old media so often pretend.
And with that, I am inspired to coin a new term for the pretensions of objectivity of the old media, which so often lack the resources and/or the will to gather, evaluate and publish hard evidence on the biggest issues (e.g. non-existent Iraqi WMD, Bush fraud 2004, suspicious activities at Shannnon): "TRAD AND SAD". It's so refreshing to read media that make no such pretensions, keep the editorial agenda overt and still manage to provide a broad picture of what went down.
Herer comes a little excerpt from the Irish Times article, all the same:
Man alleging CIA use of Shannon told he lacks facts
Honour O'Mahony
in Brussels
...
[Horgan] argued that if Shannon airport flight logs were linked with logs in other countries, it would probably show that aircraft coming through Shannon were involved with the transport of prisoners. He admitted however: "We haven't as yet associated them [the logs] with prisoners being taken through Shannon."
Fianna Fáil MEP Seán Ó Neachtain said he found it "extraordinary" that the allegations were made "without any substantial evidence of any kind".
Pressed by Fine Gael MEP Simon Coveney on whether the Government knew about CIA rendition activity after September 11th, Mr Horgan admitted his evidence was based on opinion.
However, Labour MEP Proinsias de Rossa pointed out that the Government had blocked a parliamentary inquiry into Irish airports being used by CIA aircraft.
(END.)
Arising out of the article in the Irish Times:
1. I suggest that people communicate with Seán Ó Neachtain by phone, fax, letter post or e-mail (in that order of preference) to ask, politely but firmly, that he please act with urgency to investigate and prevent the abuse of Irish or other European airports in the so-called “war on terror”. This applies particularly to those who live in his constituency: North-West (Connaught-Ulster).
Here are his contact details:
42 Prospect Hill, Galway, Ireland
Tel: 091 560 020
Fax: 091 560 023
info@oneachtain.com
seanoneachtain@eircom.net
OR:
Rue Wiertz, Brussels 1047, Belgium.
Tel: 00 322 284 5611
Fax: 00 322 284 9611
soneachtain@europarl.eu.int
(BTW, have you noticed any American troops or CIA aircraft at Knock? If so, please notify the Garda.)
2. Also, perhaps we should identify by name all the people – politicians and civil and public servants – whose duty it is to know what aircraft are passing through Shannon, and who is on board in the case where there is abundant prima facie evidence of torture and other crimes. We might publish this list and ask people to contact them to ask a few important questions:
What do you know about the movements of CIA-operated aircraft and/or of CIA prisoners through Irish airspace and Irish airports?
What have you done to establish with certainty the falsity of allegations that various Irish authorities have facilitated the clandestine transport of prisoners?
With whom have you shared your knowledge?
Who or what is preventing you from conducting further investigations and/or from revealing your findings?
What further steps will you take to ensure that no Irish airport is used to facilitate torture or overseas wars, and to inform the public on these matters?
3. And perhaps we can extend the international network of plane-spotters who can provide more information about where the aircraft are coming from and where they go to after they depart from Shannon, Baldonnel, Knock, etc. In fact, for all I know, maybe people are already working on this?
I’m publishing this here in the hope that there will be some people reading internationally who will take this as a call to action.
I could mention a few very striking cases where passing information around internationally has led to major news headlines and significant political rumblings, not least the identification of the missile (MFR 96214) that struck a marketplace in Shu’ale, Baghdad, on 28 March, 2003. (See: “A Danish-based researcher, Billy O'Shea, set out to identify the missile precisely,” on this page: http://www.swans.com/library/art10/iraq/nagy.html)
Best,
Coilín.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE today (April 12th 2006) Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of Europe gave an update on the current investigation into CIA rendition flights and facilitation within European borders.
“… on the basis of the information I have received so far, I am now in position to say that we no longer need to speak about ‘alleged’ cases of rendition. I am not in a position to go into any further detail at the moment, but we have received official acknowledgment of ‘handing over’ individuals to foreign officials through procedures which ignore the standards and safeguards required by the European Convention on Human Rights and other legal instruments of the Council of Europe.”
http://www.avalon5.com/index.php/archives/462
Well done!
Your consistency, moral courage & self-sacrifice in this your career as a pacifist has inspired many and will continue to do so.
I now go burn this file - your latest contribution - onto my archives of this whole sordid evil rendition affair, that now stretches to 4 CD's, over many languages. As I've said before many times in an affectionate but genuinely sincere way -
you're an officer & a gentleman ;-)
Speaking following the presentation by Mr. Edward Horgan to the European Parliament today regarding his work to establish the extent of the use by the CIA of Shannon airport, Mr. De Rossa described as 'disgraceful', the attack made by Mr. Sean O'Neachtain, Fianna Fail MEP, on the presentation made by Mr Horgan.
Mr. Horgan attended at the invitation of the parliament to give his eye-witness account of sightings of CIA planes. He pointed out that some of the planes which had landed at Shannon had been identified by other organisations as having been involved in illegal transportation of prisoners from country to country. Rather than deal with the facts presented by Mr. Horgan, Mr O'Neachtain chose to 'shoot the messenger' by focusing solely on the opinions he expressed.
The failure of the Irish government to insist on inspecting CIA aircraft landing at Irish airports is a dereliction of its duty under international law to ensure that Irish territory is not being used for the illegal transportation of prisoners and possible torture or inhuman and degrading treatment.
MEP O'Neactain's Fianna Government has blocked attempts by the Oireachtas to enquire into these matters, and they seem content to accept assurances from the Bush administration that nothing untoward is taking place. We know for a fact that prisoners have been abused contrary to international law by the CIA, (Swedish Ombudsman Report) and the self same administration lied about the presence of Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq in order to justify their invasion of that country.
Rather than play to the gallery in Shannon, Fianna Fail would do better to carry out proper investigations into CIA landings at Irish airports, and insist on the sovereign right and obligation of the Irish state to inspect these aircraft.
Ed Horgan's continuous and tireless work is creating results.Well done Ed. The Coalition's support of the US invasion and occupation of Iraq and its 'living with' the rendition flights are beginning to be seen in their true light - not only in this country but in Europe as well.
As Prodi's Coalition has promised to withdraw Italian troops from Iraq, Ireland along with Poland would be the last two European States supporting the Crusaders - what an honour!!
Two points for reflection however -
One, leaving aside Michael D's sterling work against the war, the rest of the Labour Party has been rather quiet on the issue. While it was heartening to see a good number of Labour Youth comrades in the recent anti-war demo, the Party leadership has been holding its war-related cards very closely to its chest. Is Proinsias breaking ranks here...and are we likely to see the 'official' Labour Party take part in tomorrow's Anti-War co-ordination meeting? As our Italian friends say Chi Vivra - Vedra - we'll see if we're still alive.
Two, the singular focus on inspecting 'rendition flights' only, obfuscates the fundamental issue that Shannon and Baldonnel should not be used by military aircraft in any instance. The single demand of inspections does not directly put into question the fact that 1,200+ US soldiers use Shannon daily back and forth to the killing fields. While this is not an argument against those asking for inspections, it simply poses the issue in its generic and more inclusive form.
Well done Ed.
You knew that the hounds would be unleashed before you went, and you did it anyway. Sometimes I forget how noble a race we can be. Thank you for reminding me.
Now for the FF hound.
Allow me to quote a hound who's looking to be the Alpha Male. Cowen the FF leader to be, who more than most opened the door and kicked out our nationality, sovereignty and indeed our integrity.
Remarks by Mr Brian Cowen T.D., Minister for Foreign Affairs on the Launch of the Government Campaign for the 23rd Amendment to the Constitution Enabling the Ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court:
“In order to be credible, any system of enforcement of human rights and international humanitarian law must be seen to be applied consistently. In particular, the decision to investigate an alleged atrocity must not be seen to depend on political factors. If it does, then the system is open to accusations of partiality and subjectivity.”
http://foreignaffairs.gov.ie/Press_Releases/20010524/76...7.htm
Compare to my copy and paste of Dr. Coilín's quote of Mr. Ó Neachtain: "Fianna Fáil MEP Seán Ó Neachtain said he found it "extraordinary" that the allegations were made "without any substantial evidence of any kind"."
I'd firstly like to point out to Mr. Ó Neachtain that an allegation requires not a scintilla of 'any' evidence to remain an allegation - see the legal harassment your government has inflicted upon activists to see what I mean.
Secondly Ed made a hell of a lot more than some 'allegation', the panel he presented to considered it as evidence.
Thirdly the fact that you do not consider it to be evidence, is proof that you are in disagreement with the quote I provided from that other hypocrite, Cowen - the current minister for money. Note Cowen suggests an allegation is enough for an investigation. Evidence has been provided - Where's the investigation?
As for the FG pup. He's not worth responding to.
Please keep up the great work Ed.
Seán
The truth will out. (eventually)
Mr. Horgan, you did not include ONE single piece of evidence in your 45 minutes. Your contribution was embarrassing, hysterical, and useless to throwing any light on the matter.
I noticed in your rants about the war in Iraq and Irish neutrality that you didn't comdemn the transport of military weapons to Hugo Chavez in South America - through Shannon.
The re-writing of the Irish Constitution by our government in order to present 'evidence' of the very same government's innocence, to what is a very legally binding process is an example of evidence. Sometimes we refer to this as perjury. But usually only when a member of the public does it.
Ask yourself why was it done?
Now ask yourself this: Our government have presented this as evidence (so the fact that it is evidence is indisputable by our government), Ed has also presented it as evidence - Of the two - who's word does the evidence vindicate?
Before you say 'simple error.' Think of a simple explanation that will explain it. And then ask yourself how much luck was required to encounter such a convenient error.
http://www.breakingnews.ie/2006/04/15/story254303.html
The Government is accused of being spineless for reportedly allowing Russia to use Shannon Airport to export military helicopters.
Edward Horgan of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance said the Government should be held accountable for its actions.
Just for the record, Article 40.4.1. states that "No citizen shall be deprived of his personal liberty save in accordance with law"
The Irish Government's reply to the Council or Europe's request for information on Extraordinary Rendition stated that Article 40.4.1 of the constitution was worded as follows:
"No person shall be deprived of his personal liberty save in accordance with law" thereby substituting the word person for citizen.
This false statement gives the distinct impression that any person, not just citizens, including prisoners from Afghanistan and elsewhere, being transported through Shannon airport would have the specific protection of the letter and wording of the Irish constitution. This is clearly not the case. Customary legal and judicial practice, and case law in the meantime may have conferred some theoretical protection on all persons deprived of their liberty in Ireland, but the wording of the constitution does not.
In practice, Shannon airport has been turned into an unacknowleded potential place of unlawful detention, protected by the Irish police, and US CIA and military aircraft have been granted effective impunity and immunity to tranport prisoners for torture through Shannon, by virtue of several Irish Government public statements that no US CIA or military aircraft would be searched at Shannon.
The above information is just some of the evidence I presented to the EU Committee on Thursday.
Other evidence included detailed flight logs of CIA aircraft. These are facts, not opinions. Those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, and the willingness to use these faculties to establish the truth know that Shannon airport has been used extensively to render prisoners for torture.
Those who deny this are complicit in this torture.
Well done Ed.
The State is so confident there is no evidence because their local reps have been putting all their energy into harrassing the likes of you collecting the evidence you have provided and not carrying out the criminal investigations of these flights they are required to.
Maybe the Irish lakeys (can take a break form playing "more-nationalist-than-thou") and can get some tips from Australian Prime Minister & prime Bush cheer leader John Howard - who addresses the Dail in May. Howard, various ministers & bureaucrats (from the Australian Wheat Board) have been in front of Royal Commission these past weeks claiming selective amnesia in relation to the cables of his government paying bribes to Saddam Hussein throughout the '90's.
The Pine Gap 4 who last December went looking for evidence about Australia's role in this illegal invasion have been before the Alice Springs courts this week. They are charged with an offence written in the 1950's that has nbever been used before and carries a 7 year max sentence. Bryan, Jim & Donna (from the Irish diaspora) & Adele, like you, are folks of integrity & encourage.
Anyone hear the interview with Ed and O' Neachtain on Today FM. The FF MEP stated that we should all take at face-value Con Rice and GWB assurances that no rendition planes fly through Shannon. Well thats me convinced!!! ;).
Solidarity from Jerusalem
Audio of Ed Horgan vs Sean 'Dollars' O'Neachtain on the Last word on Today FM
http://audio.todayfm.com/audio/20060420170010.mp3
Eamonn (Edward) Horgan is a man of great courage and authenticity, with a passion and tenacity for pursuing truth, justice and peace that is tireless and inspirational. "The West's Awake" in people like Eamonn, and may the rest of Ireland and the world wake up and join in his quest for true peace and justice for all our brothers and sisters, particularly those who are being deprived of basic human needs and human rights. Continue your extraordinary quest for truth, justice and peace! Go raibh mile maith agat, Eamonn.
In solidarity,
Siobhan Cecelia
It is good to see some Irish/American support comming in. Thanks Siobhán
On Saturday 22 April, while on my way back from the European Parliament at Brussels, I landed at Shannon airport at 4.30 pm. I observed a Gulfstream executive jet, parked at the airport, in the special secure area, and protected by Irish army troops. It was plain white in colour. I now have reason to believe that this was Gulfstream VI CIA controlled Jet registration number N475LC, one of the CIA Aircraft the flight logs of which I had submitted to the EU Parliament enquiry as having landed at Shannon and several other European airports. As I did not have binoculars with me I was unable to establish its exact number, but I have since received information that CIA plane N475LC was in fact due to land at Shannon the previous evening. Any confirmation that the aircraft on Saturday was N475LC would be welcome.
As I got off my Ryanair flight I took a few photos of this aircraft from a distance, and will publish these later.
When I got into the terminal building, I went to the Viewing gallery, and took some more photos. I was then challenged by AP inspector Michael Hogan, who ordered me to leave the airport. I refused and spent a further 45 minutes at the airport and took several more photos while he was watching. I informed him that I was photographing a CIA Aircraft.
After I left the airport I went to the Garda Station at Shannon and requested that this particular aircraft be searched as I suspected it may be carrying prisoners.
Interesting Morning Ireland interview Eoin Ryan admits CIA plane refuels here directly after kidnapping and leaving a man for torture in Egypt. Although no proof anybody on that at the time excuse used.
DeRossa uses car refueling in kidnapping analogy which Eoin 'Dollars' Ryan ignores... Flights log from Eurocontrol studied reveals 1,000 CIA flights.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0427/cia.html
Can't find the actual interim report by Claudio Fava MEP for love nor money.
Edward,
If you are so bemused by the governments actions in regard to the use of Shannon make some personal sacrifices to prove it! I am aware that you gave back your medals from overseas service but what about your pension???
Yes people! he is still getting a pension from the government job he had in the Defence Forces!!
PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS AND HAND BACK YOUR PENSION!
REGARDS
SC
Eoin Ryan in sticking with categorical assurances from Rice and that no renditioned person was on the planes or travelled through Ireland or that it can be proven.
"It is impossible for authorities to say that a plane thata lands anywhere in Ireland oh that plane took prisoners that lands here would there is some limits that this country can come to on this, No evidence in this report against on Ireland."
Stephen Grey the journalist who wrote extensively with the NYT and The Spectator Magazine on renditions when he was before the committee I asked him if any of his sources had indicated had shannon been used and he said no and I asked him the does he believe Shannon is used for transport of prisoners and he said 'No, I do not believe it is logical for Shannon to be used because of its geographical location. "
(Nobody on board what about the pilots?) The net tightens its never too late.
When did Eoin Ryan ask him this I dont think he would see it quite the way you say.
The Sunday Times November 14, 2004
US ‘torture flights’ stopped at Shannon Stephen Grey
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2091-1357726,00....html
CONFIDENTIAL logbooks from an executive jet used by American intelligence agencies to fly terrorist suspects to countries that routinely use torture reveal Shannon airport as one of the plane’s most regular stopping points.
The Gulfstream 5 jet, which is leased by Defence Department and CIA agents, has stopped in Shannon 14 times since January 2002, according to logs obtained by The Sunday Times and which cover more than 300 flights.
The jet, registration number N379P, can carry 14 passengers at a time. Movements detailed in the logs can be matched with several sightings of the Gulfstream at airports when terrorist suspects have been bundled away by US agents.
Analysis of the plane’s flight plans shows that it always departs from Washington DC and often stops at Shannon en route to other destinations.
Hello SC,
a former military colleague I presume?
I am in no way bemused by the actions of the Irish government at Shannon, I am disgusted that the irish government has knowingly participated in the unlawful killing (that means murder) of over 100,000 people in Iraq and in the rendition torture programme operated by the CIA. I am very pleased to have earned a pension for my military service, and I have no intention of giving it back. I need it so that I can continue to expose the lies and criminal behaviour of our government.
It will still take some time for the full facts on just how many prisoners were taken taken through Shannon on their way to being tortured. There is no doubt however that the Irish Government has allowed over 800,000 troops through Shannon on their way to cause the deaths about 40,000 children in Iraq.
These truths are neither popular with many Irish peoplem, nor pleasing to me.
yours in peace
Edward
Members of the Stop Torture Now and Code Pink campaigns in the US gathered recently at a rural airport in Smithfield, N.C., about 40 miles from Raleigh. Their target was Aero Contractors, a charter airline company. The activists insist that from this bucolic setting and another small airport in Kinston, N.C., called Global Transpark (GTP), Aero runs “torture taxis”—secret rendition flights for the CIA. The activists say they don’t want this dirty business starting on their turf. “Aero uses runways and hangars paid for with our tax dollars,” they argue. The activists cite a $9 million state bond and $650,000 in federal funds secured last fall by Rep. Bob Etheridge, D-N.C., to extend Smithfield’s runway. Aero’s planes stop first at Dulles or at CIA facilities in Virginia to pick up flight plans.
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2006/082506a.html
Open Security Court of Appeal Document / 45 handprinted pages plus additional documents sent out
with one hand delivered document to open Court of Appeal Document records in first half of Dec.2002
including to NATO HQ Brussels/ Prime Minister of Belgium & Deputy Prime Minister at same time as
well as Belgium Telecommunications Commision! Trace to Olga Radywyl who travelled to Ireland initially in 1971 during overseas trip(one year) returning via India & Hong Kong! NATO crimminal
collussive involvement/ to ID preparation of me & family! Trace to any Olga Struk's/ Dr.Markian Struk's/
any Eugene Bulka's/ any Jeroslav Bulka's/ trace to any prepared / shadow ID's for all of us in the SHG!
Trace to my birth registration in Bregenz Austria/ Sacre Coeur Monastery/ 4 April !947! Austria would not give me my birthright citizenship going to my hand written application via Austrian Con.Gen.to 2001
repeated in Nov.06 last year in UNComp.(to Vienna) last year via electronic legal documental via my
saint_michael_lionhead@yahoo.com password "phoenix" account Heritage Global! Opened in Open Security via Toronto Police HQ on the 2 July 06! Directed to Chief of Police Blair! Olga Radywyl was born in Germany on the 5 April 1947 & has in retrospect been very particular in arrogant distancing of
information on any level whatever/seldom seen/no contact since 2001 five minute phonecall to Melbourne home-I was in Ottawa at the time! Saw the last time in 1999 at my mothers funeral period -
stayed in Australia one month! Last time in Australia! Prior time in 1996/97 for seven months! Before that in 1986 with my family! prior at my wedding 23 June 1973! She married Igor Radywyl on the 13 May 1972! After returning from overseas in December 1971! For fact information: she has not been outside of Australia since then! Legal document to European Parliament Ombudsman in Sept/Oct'06
(Four or Five documents/ last one sent returned to me marked undeliverable)! Urgent Healthcare!SHG