Plaid MEP Jill Evans will speak on Wednesday at a meeting organised by Aberystwyth Peace and Justice Network, which will be chaired by former Ceredigion MP and AM Cynog Dafis. Speakers will address the issue of how the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan can be ended in the aftermath of the US elections.
Jill Evans, who represents the whole of Wales in the European Parliament, is also Chair of CND Cymru. She is a lifelong campaigner for peace and justice.
She said that Senator Obama’s victory should now herald an end to the foreign policy followed by the current American administration:.
“There is great hope that Barack Obama will breathe new life into US foreign policy after the division, war mongering and unilateral action of the Bush years. Bridges need to be built and friendships renewed in international relations, based on trust and shared values. The rhetoric has been lofty and inspiring, hopes and spirits have been raised but now it's time for delivery.
“Amongst President Obama's top foreign policy priorities will be restarting the Israeli Palestinian peace process, dealing with Iran's nuclear programme and the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
"Whilst in these and other issues he has shown every indication of being fairer and more open minded than his predecessor, who so severely tarnished America's reputation around the world, there are worrying signs that the intention is to send even more troops to Afghanistan.
“We need to see more of an emphasis on a strengthened United Nations which was sidelined by President Bush with such disastrous consequences.”
Côr Gobaith - Aberystwyth's choir of hope - will welcome people to the meeting.
Diwedd/Ends.
Notes
Jill Evans MEP is Plaid Cymru's International Affairs Spokesperson and the party's Vice-President
Details of the meeting: Wednesday, 26 November, 7pm, Morlan Centre, Aberystwyth: 'Oh Not a Lovely War!' - Ending the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Speakers: Jill Evans MEP, Chair of CND Cymru; Steve Bell, Stop the War Coalition: Milan Rai, Editor of Peace News, and author of War Plan Iraq: Ten Reasons Against the War in Iraq; Cynog Dafis, Chair.
