Spokesman Books

Ireland refused the invitation from the United States to join NATO when it was founded in 1947, and has maintained its military neutrality ever since. Roger Cole, Chair of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA), recently published this article in the IRISH TIMES. CrisisOpinion: The Army, born in a national struggle against imperialism, is being increasingly integrated into BattleGroups of the EU, a strategic military partner of Nato. ‘A small nation has to be extremely cautious when entering into alliances whichbring it, willy nilly, into those wars... we would not be consulted in how a warshould be started – the great powers would do that – and when it ended, no matterwho won . . . we would not be consulted as to the terms on which it should end.” – Taoiseach Éamon de Valera, Dáil Éireann, July 12th, 1955. On February 15th, 2003, millions of people throughout the world marched inprotest against the plan by the US and its vassal states to invade, conquer and occupy the sec...

The Russell Foundation has received a nice postcard from Margaretta D’Arcy, who is in Dublin’s Mountjoy Prison for protesting about US military use of Shannon Airport. We sent her some books by Bertrand Russell when she complained about the poor library at Limerick Prison, where she was held previously. The Irish Times published our letter about this on 14 February. Margaretta can now be reached at the address below. *** Margaretta D’Arcy 79759 Dóchas Centre Mountjoy Jail, North Circular Road Dublin 8 Thank you so much for the books which arrived safely at this jail. The women are delighted as of course they know about Bertrand Russell but have not read of him so there is strong [interest] there. Yours in solidarity, Margaretta D’Arcy

Millions of US troops have landed in Shannon Airport in Ireland since 2002 on their war to and from their endless wars. PANA and other groups have organised many demonstrations in protest against the destruction of Irish Neutrality and its integration into the US/EU/NATO military structures since then. The Irish State's commitment to the doctrine of perpetual war reached a whole new level when it imprisoned a 79 year old peace activist , Margaretta D'Arcy, for three months on the 15th of January. PANA, Shannowatch, the Galway Alliance Against War and other groups and individuals have continued to demand Margaretta's release. We need international solidarity, and we need it now. Please email a statement of support to: info@pana.ie and cc to: newsdesk@rte.ie Please pass on this video to all your contacts and to social media. We need the support of progressive media such as Democracy Now. We need you to hold vigils outside Irish Embassies and Consulates. Thanks Roger Co...

The use of Shannon Airport by US troops on their way to and from the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan has gained a good deal of coverage recently, primarily thanks to the wikileaks stories in the Irish Independent . In Ireland, the new programme for government says Shannon Airport should be used only in accordance with international law. As the Hague Convention of 1907, which has been a cornerstone of international law, says neutral states cannot allow their territory to be used in a war (no US army planes land in Zurich airport), PANA expects the new Fine Gael/Labour government to live up to its promises. In the meantime, please support the Shannonwatch demonstration at Shannon Airport on 12 June 2-3 pm. Also see www.globalintelligenceforum.com which promotes a conference on global intelligence on the 11-13 July in Dungarvan. The speakers include a former director of the CIA and many others. Since the decisive majority of the people of the US and GB want to see the end of these...

AN APPEAL FOR SIGNATURES Dear Friends, President Obama visits Ireland on May 20-22. Since 2001, the Peace & Neutrality Alliance (PANA) has campaigned against the use of Shannon Airport by US troops en route to Afghanistan and Iraq. We are seeking to ensure this is the major issue during his visit. We would therefore appreciate support for the following statement: "We support the Irish Peace Movement's campaign to terminate the use of Shannon Airport by US troops on their way to and from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq." Please email your support to: info@pana.ie Thanks Roger Cole, Chair Peace & Neutrality Alliance http://www.pana.ie/