Scottish Parliament Statement 13/05/04
Rosie Kane (Glasgow) (SSP): I associate the Scottish Socialist Party with the remarks of the First Minister and others who have spoken this afternoon.

Two weeks ago we gathered in Princes Street gardens on workers memorial day to lay flowers and remember workers throughout the world who are no longer with us because of industrial injury and illness. Speakers on that day remembered all workers, from journalists in war, to firefighters, to cocklers in Morecambe bay.

We could never have imagined, even in our worst nightmares, that two weeks later the terrible disaster in Maryhill, Glasgow would bring eight new names to the tragic list. Our hearts go out to all those who have lost loved ones who, as the First Minister said, simply left home to go to work on Tuesday morning. We offer our condolences, our warmth and our love to all who have found themselves connected to the tragedy in any way and we put ourselves at their disposal.

Finally, as others have done, we pay tribute to the magnificent firefighters from all over, and in particular to Strathclyde fire brigade, which has as ever risen to the painful challenge, to Strathclyde police, the paramedics and all medical and support workers on and around the scene as well as to all those in receiving hospitals.

It is important that we assemble to send comfort and concern from this chamber to the entire community. I thank the Presiding Officer and the First Minister.

Letter in The Herald
THE Scottish Socialist Party group in the Scottish Parliament appeals to every individual and political party in Scotland and the UK who protested against the illegal invasion of Iraq to now unite behind the call to bring the troops home.
It is clear that there is no military solution in Iraq, the troops are fighting an unwinnable war. The argument that withdrawing US and British troops from Iraq will result in civil war is completely untenable when it is the presence of those very troops that is the cause of the bloodshed and slaughter seen on a daily basis.
If the troops are not withdrawn immediately from Iraq the situation can only get worse and many more young Iraqis, British and Scots will be fruitlessly killed or maimed.
A political settlement in the Middle East that brings justice to the peoples of the region is the only solution to the nightmare now unfolding, an end to the plundering of the oil wealth by predatory multinationals while millions live in abject poverty, and a settlement that brings justice to the peoples of Palestine.
Rosemary Byrne, MSP, Frances Curran, MSP, Colin Fox, MSP, Rosie Kane, MSP, Carolyn Leckie, MSP, Tommy Sheridan, MSP, The Scottish Parliament.