Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 2013-06-25

United States President Barack Obama has been slammed as a "war criminal" and "hypocrite of the century" by Irish politician Clare Daly in a blistering speech before Parliament following the conclusion of the G8 summit in Northern Ireland.

Daly, an independent member of Parliament (ID), chastised Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Enda Kenny for embracing Obama, telling the Taoiseach he had "turned a blind eye" to the U.S. policy toward Syria and the use of targeted drone strikes.

"Is this person going for the hypocrite of the century award?" Daly asked of Obama. "Because we have to call things by their right names, and the reality is that by any serious examination, this man is a war criminal."

"This is the man who has facilitated a 200 percent increase in the use of drones, which have killed thousands of people including hundreds of children," she added.

Kenny rebutted Daly’s comments pointing out that Northern Ireland leaders reiterated their position at the G8 summit that the European Union's arms embargo on Syria should not be lifted. He also berated the ID for remarks he said were "beneath" her and the Irish people.

"I think your comments are disgraceful," Kenny said. "I think they do down the pride of Irish people all over the world who are more than happy to see this island being host to the G8."

Daly, however, was unfazed by the Taoiseach's response. She accused Ireland of "prostituting" itself to the United States and asked if Kenny was going to "deck the Cabinet out in leprechaun hats decorated with a bit of stars and stripes to really mark abject humiliation."

Meanwhile opposition to Obama’s scheduled visit to South Africa and the rest of the continent by the Muslim Lawyers’ Association (MLA) earlier this month has now turned into a full scale civil society protest.

The MLA submitted a 600-plus page document to the Office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) asking for an investigation into Obama’s involvement in the Middle East.

The MLA’s Yousha Tayob said Obama ordered drone strikes that killed innocent civilians. In terms of the Rome Statute, South Africa has the right to prosecute a war criminal on its territory,” said Tayob.

‘NObama Coalition’ moniker, several labour unions, political movements and civil society bodies will stage protests and pickets during Obama’s 2 day official visit.  Some University of Johannesburg students will also protest against UJ’s decision to award Obama and honorary doctorate.

The coalition was formed by a range of organizations, who gathered at Community House in Salt River last Thursday, in partnership with the already formed 'Nobama Johannesburg'.

Mustafa Jacobs from ‘NObama’ Cape Town told VOC that Obama was not welcome in South Africa. “This is an affront to the South African people. We are appalled that our government is allowing this visit knowing the crimes committed by the US government all over the world, said Jacobs”

President Jacob Zuma said government would not stop planned mass protests against Obama’s visit this weekend and will warmly welcome the US President despite some objections raised from some quarters to his upcoming visit. “Well we are happy that President Obama is coming. I think it is absolutely important.” Zuma said that any country that has relations with a leading country like America will appreciate such visits.

The Anti-Obama protests are aimed at Washington’s support for Israel and the US military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.