David Norris (Independent)

I wish to raise a matter that affects innocent bystanders. It is a matter I and other Senators have repeatedly raised at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs repeatedly over the past few months but it has been confirmed today, namely, the admission by the United States authorities that it has been using napalm and white phosphorous in the bombing of cities like Falluja. This is chemical warfare. It is a very serious international war crime that had been previously denied by the United States. The operation is called "Shake and Bake". That is an extraordinary way to describe the fate of human beings, including civilians.

We also learn today that 170 people have been discovered in conditions of great distress in the basement of a security Ministry building in Baghdad. Once again, I and others have drawn attention to this in recent months. If we here in Dublin knew about these atrocities how is it that the American authorities pose as being surprised about it? This Administration has defended the use of torture, has outsourced torture and a plane which in the past has been used for this purpose has passed through Shannon Airport. There has been no investigation by the Irish authorities. If anybody wants to know more about this I suggest they look at a website and a video called, Falluja: The Hidden Massacre.

These atrocities have been committed with silence and complicity because of the utter lack of journalistic objectivity due to the embedding of reporters in Iraq. We must now protest. On foot of this evidence, which is acknowledged and has now been admitted, a serious war crime has been committed. I ask that the Leader would urge the Government to protest to the American authorities in the name of humanity.