Leading trade unionists have joined their voices against a war in Iraq, rejecting claims that such opposition could result in a flight of US capital from Ireland.
The general secretary of ICTU, Mr David Begg, said he couldn't see how Irish people expressing an opinion on the war would do "any economic damage", given that the United States itself was so divided on the issue.
"As a matter of fact, I think you could hypothesise that the conduct of the war itself, if it happens, is much more likely to do economic damage than any opinions that might be expressed by us or whoever," he said.
Mr Brendan Archibald, of ICTU, described as "crude" and "simplistic" the view articulated by the Minister of State for Justice, Mr Willie O'Dea, that Ireland should "give a nod and a wink to the war" because of US investment.
"If that is the view of the Irish Government I would be appalled," Mr Archibald said, adding: "Opposing the war can have implications for us. There is no denying that. But the simple analysis which suggests that because American investment takes place here that we should be a lapdog for their efforts in the war is one that I think is quite objectionable and quite offensive."
Both officials were speaking in a personal capacity at a press conference in Dublin yesterday to publicise a major anti-war rally in the capital planned for Saturday, February 15th.
Mr Begg said he was "not by nature a pacifist" and nor did he believe in neutrality in all circumstances. However, "the case for war has to be justified on humanitarian, legal and strategic grounds, and I think the case is not proven under any of those headings."
Mr Jack O'Connor, vice-president of SIPTU, which has voted to affiliate itself with the Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM), said it held "no brief for dictators". However, a war on Iraq could affect relations with the Muslim world for generations to come, "with enormous implications for the development of humanity and for the safety of people".
Citing the situation in Palestine, he added: "We are offended by the double-standards which are characterised in the current approach, where UN resolutions are revered when they apply in one situation and disregarded completely where they apply in the other."
Mr Begg noted aid agencies estimated 500,000 tonnes of food relief would be needed to feed the Iraqi population during a war. "To try to do that with an infrastructure that has been destroyed is virtually an impossible task, and the consequences that will flow from that are terrible."
Mr Begg also expressed concern at America's recent record of nation-building. "I have visited Somalia. It's the most dangerous place on earth. It has never stabilised since the American intervention there."
