By Stephen Fottrell BBC News Online

Amid the massive deployment of US troops to the Gulf, a civilian airport on one of Europe's western-most peninsulas has become the focus of one country's identity crisis.

Ireland's Shannon Airport is at the centre of a public row over its increased use as a stopover for military and civilian aircraft carrying US army personnel, most of them on their way to the Gulf region.

Shannon has traditionally served as a stopover for transatlantic civilian carriers.

For more than 50 years it has also allowed foreign militaries - largely the US - to use its facilities, under an agreement which up until now had been largely accepted or ignored by its citizens.

Opponents say Irish neutrality is being jeopardised

The arrangement has long provided a much-needed boost to the local economy in a country that has been a loyal diplomatic ally of the US.

But over the past weeks, accusations of arms being carried on flights through Shannon have served to heighten public anger.

Thousands of people have turned out at the airport to protest, demanding answers from the government and clarification over whether the state's long-held neutral stance has been sacrificed for economic gain.

The issue of neutrality has played heavily in Ireland's recent general elections and bouts of referendums.

Ireland has stood on the sidelines of all major conflicts since it affirmed its neutral stance in 1937 to stay out of World War II.

'Compromise'

But the acceptance of the Nice treaty effectively threw Ireland's weight behind a joint EU defence strategy, which anti-treaty campaigners say will compromise its neutrality.

As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Ireland voted in favour of the resolution demanding Baghdad to allow weapons inspectors back into Iraq.

Foreign troops provide valuable benefits to the local economy

Now, with the growing prospect of US-led military action going ahead even without UN backing, it finds itself in a difficult position.

Prime Minister Bertie Ahern's government has repeatedly denied that the Americans' increased use of the airport has put security or neutrality at risk.

The truth is that it is a mutually beneficial arrangement which the Irish Government is loathe to forego.

Foreign Minister Brian Cowen insists that Ireland will provide its support, and territory, to military action authorised by a second UN resolution.

By way of reassurance, he also said that should military action go ahead without UN backing, Shannon's continued use by the US would have to be thrashed out in the Irish parliament.

The decision would have a huge bearing on the future of Ireland's status militarily - made all the more relevant by the ongoing debate over whether the country will join Nato.

It would also highlight the fact that a country that has remained silently "friendly" to the US can no longer sit on the fence, quietly benefiting from its arrangement with the superpower.

To say you can't be neutral in today's world is ridiculous Phil, Ireland

I resent all the Americans in this debate claiming Ireland is obligated to support America. What a typically arrogant American view. "Supporting its own", what a load of rubbish. 40 million Americans may have Irish ancestry, but that's all, they aren't Irish. We are and should remain neutral - to say you can't be neutral in today's world is ridiculous. Economic and military ties are completely different.
Phil, Ireland

Neutrality is not a virtue. Independent thinking and action certainly are. I want all countries including my own to forget the neutrality bit and act as you should from the facts you have available. If American intelligence in Iraq is as efficient as claimed and inspections on the ground are unhindered, why have no weapons been uncovered?
John O'Neill, New Zealand

Bush is not primarily acting for you or your government Jill, Pennsylvania, USA

Although I am a proud American I have always stayed true to my family's Irish traditions and beliefs. Also I have always been proud that the Irish government and the Irish people have supported American, unlike some European "allies" whose government backs us but the people regularly disrespect Americans. However, Bush is not primarily acting for you or your governments.

America is in danger and sorry but we need to act for our own safety - something we have the right to do. And you all should know that American citizens aren't too fond of Europeans - especially now. All we hear is how poorly you think of us - well I urge the Irish to think about Iraq. It is absolutely the right thing to do to go after Saddam and I hope you support America as the American people have always supported Ireland!
Jill, Pennsylvania, USA

Last I checked there were more Irish in America than in Ireland. If that nation wants our support then I propose the age old idea of "you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours".
Brian O'Hare, New York, USA

The idea of Ireland and the US scratching each others' backs as perpetrated by Brian O'Hare (ie. American investment in return for Irish support) is ridiculous. Ireland has gained most of its foreign investment on economic merit. In any case business and government are not one and the same and I am sure that many American company executives are opposed to this war. Ireland should make the morally correct decision of refusing to allow the American military use of its airports.
Ciaran, Ireland

Neutrality is a luxury that a country with convictions cannot have Joel J Basalyga, USA

Where was this Irish outrage condemning the USA for meddling in another republic's (Ireland's) affairs when the US contributed over $400 million to the International Fund for Ireland? Where is the Irish outrage concerning the annual $25 million of US funds that continue to stream in? Why would Ireland change its policy on neutrality?

Being neutral allows for economic aid and other benefits from one side while not making "countless enemies in Iraq and the Arab world" on the other. People who have a "sense of justice" or "great moral values" cannot be neutral. If they believe that something is wrong or that something is right, then they stand by it. Neutrality is a luxury that a country with convictions cannot have.
Joel J Basalyga, USA

The world gets smaller every day, and it is unlikely that any one country will be over looked in anything that affects the world as a whole. To be truly neutral at a time like this is impossible.
Steven Keller, USA

Ireland is obliged to use its neutrality and its close ties with the US to help stop this madness Terry C, Australia

"40 million Americans claim Irish heritage". "Ireland is obligated to help the US". What kind of a nonsense argument is that? If something is unjust, surely it should be opposed - regardless of family ties. If anything, Ireland is obliged to use its neutrality and its close ties with the US to help stop this madness.
Terry C, Australia

Neutrality historically has always had a sinister financial benefit for the neutral country, whether it be Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, Finland or Portugal during WW2. However, there is no "official" war at the moment, so what is the fuss all about?
Bill McNamara, France

Ireland should stay neutral and America should stop being the bully boys of the world.
Marty, Ireland

I support any move to rid Iraq of its murderous dictator, but I find Bertie Ahern's hypocritical stance on this issue too much. There is no need for Shannon to be used by any foreign military planes. Iceland and Scotland are Nato members and can fulfil this role just as well. As a neutral country Ireland can take up independent positions and act as a constructive player in conflict resolution - for example the nuclear non-proliferation treaty had its origins in Dublin. If we had been Nato members I doubt the USSR and China would have looked at the idea twice.
Cullen, Ireland

How does Ireland turn away American troops when it relies on American money and investment? Kathleen Deane, Dublin, Ireland

Ireland will find it very difficult to remain neutral in this war. How does it turn away American troops when it relies on American money and investment for a huge percentage of business and jobs? Get real, there's no such thing as neutrality anymore.
Kathleen Deane, Dublin, Ireland

Firstly this war push is being led by the USA and the UK. Can anyone explain why we should take their side? We have the right to remain neutral. Yes it's true that chemicals weapons do not deflect off neutral people, but we haven't made countless enemies in Iraq and the Arab world. The USA and UK have and expect everyone to help clear the mess they created.
Neil, Dublin, Ireland

No nation can today hide behind a mask of neutrality Thomas Purcell, Ireland

Irish neutrality has been a matter of government policy not statute, it has no constructive legal basis. Over the years it has served our various ends, while at the same time Irish soldiers have served and died on UN peacekeeping duty. Morally and effectively no nation can today hide behind a mask of neutrality, the challenges that face each country in this 21st century will be so morally or militarily great that no other nation will enjoy the gift of choosing to "opt out".
Thomas Purcell, Ireland

Ireland has remained neutral since 1937 and should remain so; Ireland has no right to interfere with other nations affairs. The EU was founded under economic principles, the coal and steel coalition. It should remain only as an economic union.
Frankie, Derry, Ireland

I believe it is in Ireland's interest to oppose this illegal and immoral war on Iraq. The Irish know the meaning of occupation and oppression and if THEY don't resist Bush's intimidations then who will? Let the Irish always be known for their sense of justice, their great moral values and respect for life.
Merry Fitzgerald, Belgium

Ireland is obligated to support its own Brendan, USA

40 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. Do you think that many Iraqis claim the same? Ireland is obligated to support its own, regardless of which side of the ocean they may reside.
Brendan, USA

Brendan USA should be aware that being of Irish descent, contrary to what Irish-Americans think, doesn't qualify you to speak on what Ireland should do. It is no more obliged to help America than it is to intervene in Venezuela. Countries make policies on principles not on where their blood has come from.
Mark, England

Bombs and gas do not deflect from neutrals. The Irish republic has to recognise that it is allied to the European Union through its membership. It has to come off the fence. Ally with France and Germany against the US or with the UK together with the US.
Terry Emerson, London, UK

While Ireland's neutral status has been upheld by successive governments since the 30s, its citizens have fought in both world wars on behalf of the British army, largely unrecognised by its own people. Similarly, Irish citizens also plotted with the Germans in both world wars to attempt to undermine the British war efforts. Consequently, Irish neutrality is simply a stated government policy, whereas in practice the people and their consciences are not bound to this status.
Scotchie, Ireland

Ireland is fooling itself if it thinks it can remain neutral while allied with the US. It is a contradiction in terms. A new Anglo-Saxon power has arisen to oppress the weak of the world, and if the Irish don't recognise this then I don't know who will.
Kevin, Westmeath, Ireland/Canada

Kevin, Westmeath: Anglo-Saxon power? The majority of US citizens have Irish ancestry! The seeds of the US power were sown from your own shores. Don't bring the UK into it, apart from lap-dog Blair.
Simon S, UK

I find it strange that a country such as Ireland would have a problem with US troops stopping over while en route to the Gulf. Ireland's economy will benefit and it is in no way an aggressive move. Kevin, the US isn't the Roman Empire. We may fight in a foreign land, but after the fight is over, we do not claim it as our own. If the Irish have any morals, then they must allow the US to use their airports.
Scott Wassner, USA

Well said Thomas, Brendan, Terry and Scotchie. Grow up and wise up Frankie, Merry and Kevin.
James MacCrossan, USA