Report of IAWM steering Committee meeting

international | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Monday December 15, 2003 00:41

by LAurence Vize - Steering Committee IAWM

Report Of IAWM Steering Committee Meeting

Teachers’ Club, 5 pm – 7.10 pm

Attendance Apologies
Laurence Vize, Fintan Lane, Kieran Allen, Aoife Ní Fhearghail, Raymond Deane, Harry Browne, Richard Boyd Barrett, Mick O’Sullivan, Cara Wallace, Colin Coulter, Tim Hourican, Colm Stephens Kirstin Foy, Dominic Walsh, Michael O’Brien, Glenda Cimino

Observers
Owen Rice, Deborah Bemingham, Adam Conway, Conor Cregan

1. Due to a letter requesting clarification of the standing orders regarding observers received just before the meeting and the presence of 4 people in the meeting room who are not members of the SC, it was decided to take the issue before any other agenda item. The following was decided:
1.1. Any request for observers status will require advance notice to a member of the SC who will circulate the request in writing before the meeting in question. (For 6 Against 6 Abstention 0). Carried by casting vote of the chair. (Secretary’s note: Any request passed on to me before circulation of the Agenda will be added to the agenda by me.)
1.2. As an exception, observer status for present meeting was granted to the four people present (named above) (For 12, Against 0, Abstention 0).

2. A number of members requested that the meeting finish by 6.30 pm. A guillotine of 7 pm was agreed without a vote.

3. Minutes of last meeting were accepted with the following amendments:
4.7 Pitstop Ploughshare or representative will be asked to speak at Shannon blockade.
4.4 A stewarding policy will be employed. (This issue was discussed later in the meeting).

4. ESF Report Back Kieran gave a report back of the recent ESP in Paris. Main decisions were to call International Day of Action on All Occupations on 20 March 2004, ‘Social Day of Action’ at a date to be decided. Raymond reported on the Palestinian dimension. The ECPP has called a mobilisation for Dublin on 01 May 2004 for the EU summit to highlight the EU ‘Association Agreement’ with Israel granting preferential trading rights. A UN conference in 2004 for NGOs on Palestine has been moved from New Zealand after US government exerted pressure on NZ. Dublin is the proposed alternative venue.
4.1. The IAWM will support the call for 20 March international day of action. (Passed unanimously)
4.2. The IAWM will support the call for 01 May mobilisation re Palestine issues in Dublin. (Passed unanimously)
4.3. The IAWM will prioritise building a large ‘15-Feb-style’ demonstration on 20 March and produce first leaflets and posters by early January 2004. (Passed unanimously)

5. EU Presidency
5.1. Richard and Colm will attend the meeting on 13 December to discuss an umbrella group to coordinate action with other interested groups. (Passed unanimously)
5.2. Andy Storey will be invited to the next SC meeting to inform us of the military aspects of the new draft EU constitution. (Passed unanimously)
5.3. A call for an EU-wide mobilisation for 09 May 2004 to protest the planned signing of the new constitution in Rome. A decision on IAWM action will be taken when we know more details.

6. Shannon Blockade
Laurence and Fintan reported back from the workgroup building for the blockade. Numerous contacts have been made to media and anti-war/political groups. Feedback is good.
(Colin left the meeting at this stage)
6.1. Colm will contact SIPTU and Impact trade unions at Shannon Airport to request a meeting to 1. explain or aims for the blockade and 2. our aims re Shannon, in general. (Passed unanimously)
(Harry left the meeting at this stage)
6.2. Speakers: Colm reported that the Greens are having a national candidate selection meeting and that we are not likely to get a Green party speaker. Michael D has not replied. Cara will contact Sinn Fein. Richard will the Islamic Students. Colm will contact Bishop Willy Walsh.
6.3. Fintan proposed the ‘Non-Violence Guidelines’ and ‘Guidelines for Stewards’ circulated. These seemed to be acceptable to all except for one issue regarding the guideline that people return to the blockade after being removed by the Gardai if they are willing. A discussion on stewarding policy ensued. The following was decided:
6.3.1. A legal team will be organised by Adam Conway and will provide (bust card, contact phone numbers for people arrested, ‘legal’ observers (not stewards) etc.) (Passed unanimously)
6.3.2. The chief steward will not make any instruction which to people who wish to return to the blockade after they are removed by the Gardai. (For 5 Against 4 Abstentions 1)

7. As the time was now after 7 pm the guillotine applied and no more agenda items were considered.

8. A large number of names of invitees for next meeting were given. The secretary requested that they be submitted to him in writing and he would add them to the agenda. (Passed unanimously).

9. A discussion on the date of next meeting ensued. Mick O’Sullivan stated that the previous decision to hold a meeting on Saturday was religious discrimination and a Druids’ Council had withdrawn an offer of €2,000 to the IAWM.
Next meeting was set for Sunday, 14 December. (For 4 Against 3 Abstentions 3).