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28/03/2003
Sign for Iraqi special Olympic children defaced
East Antrim MP Roy Beggs has spoken out after vandals defaced a signpost in Larne welcoming 12 disabled Iraqi children to the town ahead of this year's Special Olympics in Dublin.
Mr Beggs also revealed that a number of people had contacted his office saying they were "unhappy" that signs welcoming the children had been erected on the boundaries of the borough.
Mr Beggs said: “Although I am aware that feelings on this subject are running high at this moment in time, I would urge people to remember that the civilian population of Iraq are completely innocent parties and in no way are they responsible for any of the circumstances that led to the need for military action to be taken.
“However, I would like to re-emphasis the fact that this war is not being waged upon the Iraqi people but on the brutal regime that rules over them."
The East Antrim MP said that he had contacted the Iraqi ambassador and assured him that the special Olympic team would receive a "generous and warm welcome" from the people of the borough.
Over 6,500 special athletes from 160 international delegations will be taking part in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin this June – which are being held outside the US for the first time.
Belfast will be acting as Host City to more than 1,300 athletes from Team USA, who will spend five days, from June 16 through 20, acclimatising, training and being entertained in Belfast prior to travelling to Dublin.
(GMcG)
Mr Beggs also revealed that a number of people had contacted his office saying they were "unhappy" that signs welcoming the children had been erected on the boundaries of the borough.
Mr Beggs said: “Although I am aware that feelings on this subject are running high at this moment in time, I would urge people to remember that the civilian population of Iraq are completely innocent parties and in no way are they responsible for any of the circumstances that led to the need for military action to be taken.
“However, I would like to re-emphasis the fact that this war is not being waged upon the Iraqi people but on the brutal regime that rules over them."
The East Antrim MP said that he had contacted the Iraqi ambassador and assured him that the special Olympic team would receive a "generous and warm welcome" from the people of the borough.
Over 6,500 special athletes from 160 international delegations will be taking part in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin this June – which are being held outside the US for the first time.
Belfast will be acting as Host City to more than 1,300 athletes from Team USA, who will spend five days, from June 16 through 20, acclimatising, training and being entertained in Belfast prior to travelling to Dublin.
(GMcG)
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