Time for Gilmore to act on his U.S. Military out of Shannon commitment

I’m no fan of the Sunday Independent however Gene Kerrigan’s latest article based on the recent Wiki Leaks revelations raises serious questions for Labour members. Kerrigan argues that Eamon Gilmore hasn’t a shred of credibility left and quotes the U.S. ambassador Thomas Foley in a leaked cable stating: “Gilmore, who has led calls against a second referendum, has told the embassy separately that he fully expects, and would support, holding a second referendum in 2009. He explained his public posture of opposition to a second referendum as ‘politically necessary’ for the time being.”

So why was a Labour leader briefing the US Embassy? Do our political leaders answer to the Irish public or to foreign regimes? The U.S. has an appalling record of supporting human rights abuses with massive financial aid to both the Colombian and Israeli military forces. Washington has also bombed in excess of 50 countries since World Ward Two, initiated brutal wars and supported numerous dictatorial overthrows of democratically elected governments. No political leader should associate with this type of regime let alone a leader of a left party committed to peace and justice.

The Wiki Leaks revelations highlight the ongoing problem of politics dominated by sound bites, focus groups and double speak. It is little wonder that people have grown increasingly cynical about electoral politics when many politicians speak from both sides of their mouth with ambiguous statements hard to interpret, deliberately misleading people.

Eamon Gilmore in contrast over the years has built a reputation as a hard working, serious, straight talking politician. One example that springs to mind is when he was running for leader of the Labour Party he addressed a Labour Youth hustings. While other political leaders in such a context would hide behind ambiguous answers he was sharp, clear and to the point. Gilmore unequivocally stated that under his leadership Labour would only participate in Government if the U.S. Military’s use of Shannon Airport ended.

The time has come for Eamon Gilmore to disprove Gene Kerrigan’s assertion that he has no credibility. He should stand by his commitment to stop U.S. Military use of our civilian airports and stand up for the political beliefs that once were so important to him. He should prove to the Irish people that what he says to them is more important than what he said in confidential briefings to the U.S. embassy. And more importantly he should stand with all the people around the world suffering at the hands of brutal U.S. military offensives and human rights abuses.