3rd November 2001

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US bombing of Afghanistan must cease

Sinn Fein Cllr. Larry O'Toole speaking in advance of a `No To War' rally which will take place in Dublin City on Saturday afternoon called on the Dublin government to discontinue it's support for the US bombing campaign on Afghanistan. Cllr O'Toole said:

``The September 11th atrocities were crimes against humanity. And yes their perpetrators should be brought to justice. But justice and human rights have not been served by the rush to war. It is clear that the aerial bombardment of Afghanistan is causing loss of civilian lives on a large scale and is perpetrating a humanitarian disaster. The Irish government should not be supporting the war.

``I along with Sinn Fein's five other Dublin councillors have called on the Irish government to discontinue it's support for the US bombing campaign and to use it's position on the UN Security Council to do all it can to bring an end to the bombing.

``There have been calls for the US to stop their campaign during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. We believe that this could create a breathing space for further negotiations or at the very least would allow international aid agencies to attempt to help those who have been injured or displaced as a result of the bombing and prevent a humanitarian disaster. The US government's response to this request has been disappointing and I call on them to reconsider. Bombing the people of one of the world's poorest countries will solve nothing. It is time that the bombing stopped.''

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