Mc Kenna on HMS Ocean
national |
anti-war / imperialism |
other press 
Tuesday June 27, 2006 18:58
by McKenna
Patricia McKenna in today's Daily Ireland on HMS Ocean visit to Dublin port on Thursday.
http://www.dailyireland.com/home.tvt?_scope=DailyIrelan...opp=1
Boycott the British warship beer beano
Patricia McKenna
27/06/2006
I was pleased to see a report in this newspaper last week highlighting the impending visit of a British Royal Navy ship involved in the illegal invasion of Iraq. My pleasure stemmed, not from the fact that yet another warship was being welcomed to the shores of this supposedly neutral peace loving country, but rather because people were being alerted well in advance of the visit. Usually we only hear about this kind of visit close to or on the day they take place making it difficult for peace activists to organise protests. So, congratulations to Daily Ireland, you have done the nation a valuable service by exposing this outrageous visit well in advance. The HMS Ocean docks in Dublin on Thursday and I hope it gets the welcome it deserves.
continued
http://www.dailyireland.com/home.tvt?_scope=DailyIrelan...opp=1
Comments (11 of 11)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11Can Daily Ireland do a follow up investigation into what Irish NGO's have been invited on to the ship and which ones accepted? Would like to know before I meet my next chugger!
I think that the HMS Ocean is a fine ship, and I am glad to see such a fine ship docked here.
Yes, may I also extend my warmest welcome to the fine ship. I am slightly embarassed that Ireland is the ONLY country that HMS Ocean has ever encountered protests. What did the tsunami victims think when the ship arrived with relief???
Reasons to welcome HMS Ocean to Dublin
While undertaking first-of-class trials, it was called to Honduras to give humanitarian assistance following the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch in 1998.
Ocean was also diverted in 1999 to provide humanitarian assistance to Turkey in the wake of an earthquake.
The ship's Sea King Helicopters were involved in search and rescue operations and were responsible for locating several people trapped under wreckage and rubble.
In May 2000 HMS Ocean was deployed to the West African coast to support British forces in Sierra Leone. (a peacekeeping mission)
These points taken from the BBC.
overiding purpose of ship is the reason not to welcome it
Was there a march on the 3 Dutch minesweepers also moored in Dublin this weekend?
I am slightly embarassed that Ireland is the ONLY country that HMS Ocean has ever encountered protests. What did the tsunami victims think when the ship arrived with relief???
Did Iraq welcomed this floating death machine or is a country under foreign military occupation not a country to you? Are the idiots welcoming this warship really taken in by it's mockery of humanitarianism or are they as I suspect, being deliberately cretinous?
Was there a march on the 3 Dutch minesweepers also moored in Dublin this weekend?
What minesweepers? And do you know the difference between a minesweeper and a warship?
Well Caobhin - Did Iraq welcome international troops? Thery were overjoyed when they first arrived. I was in Bagdhad in 2001, it's easy for you to critisize the efforts, when all you risk from waffle is arthritis in your fingers.
What minesweepers??? - The 4 docked by the IFSC, and yes minesweepers both lay and destroy mines, and patrol the waters ahead to intercept smaller craft which pose a threat.
HMS Ocean carries no missiles. It has three Phalanx machine guns, which are controlled by radar and destroy any incoming missiles which reach 500m of the ship. The ship is pretty much a car ferry, with a flight deck on top for some helicopters.
I've been on both and would be happy to answer any of your questions so you don't embarras yourself infront of any of your own friends.
Troops welcomed in Baghdad in 2001? You on a parallel universe?
HMS Ocean was involved in Operation Telic from the start. Therefore it was a part of the imerialist invasion of a sovereign country. End of.
Did Iraq welcome international troops? Thery were overjoyed when they first arrived. I was in Bagdhad in 2001,
Welcomed? (I assume you mean 2003 as opposed to 2001) -the ratio of Brit/Septic troops killed in March/April 2003 has never been equalled by the resistance of the last three years. And Mr. UNICEF( based-on-thin-air assuming you're not lying) what exactly were you risking in Baghdad and for who? This was an illegal war you are cheerleading for and you claim to be working for UNICEF?
What minesweepers??? - The 4 docked by the IFSC, and yes minesweepers both lay and destroy mines, and patrol the waters ahead to intercept smaller craft which pose a threat.
Minesweepers do not necessarily do both, I suspect you are thinking only of the Brit and Septic models. Anyway there is a difference between Dutch minesweepers slinking in and out unannounced and those of an ex-imperial power still occupying part of our country seeking to slime it's way out of it's disgusting role in a shameful war by inviting NGOs to some corporate piss-up.
I've been on both and would be happy to answer any of your questions so you don't embarras yourself infront of any of your own friends.
Embarrassed? You're claiming to have been to Iraq in 2001, that all minesweepers lay mines, Brit warship is a glorified car ferry, what have I got to be embarrassed about?
We can assume the above poster John O'Suilivan who has UNICEF listed beside his name as the organisation he represents, is either an imposter or else he is mis-representing UNICEF because I doubt very much they share his view nor would I assume he is free to represent their views.
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