Obama thanks Cowen for US access to Shannon

RTE.ie news on March 17th 2010 ... link ... have reported that US President Barack Obama has thanked the Irish Government for allowing US troops to stop off at Shannon Airport, following talks with the Taoiseach at the White House.

This is alse being discussed over on Politics.ie ... http://www.politics.ie/us-politics/125944-obama-thanks-cowen-us-access-shannon.html

The best post comes from He3 ... (note: text taken from PfG I and PfG II is in bold)

"Once upon a Programme for Government (original version) -

Extraordinary Rendition

The Irish Government is completely opposed to the practice of extraordinary rendition.

1. The Government will prioritise effective enforcement of a) Criminal Justice (United Nations Convention Against Torture) Act, 2000 b) The Geneva Conventions Acts 1962-1998.

To that end the Government will encourage and support An Garda Siochana in the investigation and enforcement of these Statutes. It will do so by making resources available for specialized training in the provisions of those Statutes to members of An Garda Siochána and by other means as may be required by An Garda Siochana in order to ensure effective protection for the dignity of all persons within or passing through the State.

We will ensure that all relevant legal instruments are used so that the practice of extraordinary rendition does not occur in this State in any form.

That was 2007.

In 2009 that all went in the bin and this replaced it -

Renditions
• We will review and change if necessary the legislation affecting civilian aircraft in the context of the existing and ongoing work of the Cabinet Sub Committee on Human Rights and will, as is appropriate, strengthen the powers of inspection of such aircraft and the collection of flight information.

On the tarmac at Shannon, nothing changed. The only people arrested there were people pointing out what was going on.

Nice of Obama to say thanks."