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Media Statement<br><br> Aggression!<br><br>An act of aggression! There is no other way of describing Washington's<br>invasion of Iraq at 11.15 a.m today, 20 March 2003.<br><br>The United States, its staunch ally, Britain, and other states in that<br>gang of invaders not only failed to obtain United Nations endorsement<br>for the war but have also violated the UN Charter.<br><br>The United Nations should condemn the US led aggression against Iraq.<br>It should demand that Washington ceases its military operations<br>immediately. Indeed, under the UN Charter, Iraq, as a victim of<br>aggression, has the right to seek help from other UN member states and<br>from the UN itself.<br><br>While we do not expect the UN to take a collective stand against the<br>world's sole superpower, it is our earnest hope and prayer that people<br>everywhere will continue their courageous campaign against the war. It<br>is, after all, the most unpopular war in human history.<br><br>American aggression has confirmed what ordinary men and women have known<br><br>all along: Washington has no respect for international law. It is a<br>power unto itself. It acts unilaterally -- aided and abetted by London<br>and other crony and client states.<br><br>Indeed, Washington's assault upon Iraq underscores the maxim it adheres<br>to in international politics. Might is right. The weak must submit to<br>the will of the strong.<br><br>The war on Iraq proves -- if proof was needed -- that Washington intends<br><br>to use its might to re-shape the world in accordance with its imperial<br>ambitions. Of course, control over Iraqi oil is central to its imperial<br><br>drive. The invasion of Iraq is also critical to Israel's hegemonic<br>agenda in the Middle East.<br><br>Forcing Iraq to eliminate its weapons of mass destruction is part of the<br><br>attempt to ensure that Israel feels safe and secure. That Israel's 200<br>nuclear warheads have contributed to a deep sense of insecurity among<br>its Arab neighbours, prompting some of them to acquire other weapons of<br>mass destruction is something that is conveniently ignored by the<br>warmongers in Washington and London.<br><br>In contrast to Israel and, of course, its protector, the United States<br>of America, Iraq, at this juncture, with its very limited defence<br>capabilities, appears to be weak and vulnerable. All indications are<br>that it will be vanquished easily. Its people will be slaughtered<br>mercilessly. And among those who will be crushed to death will be the<br>children of Iraq.<br><br>Is this how the world's first global empire seeks to crown its victory<br>-- with the corpses of children?<br><br><br><br><br><br>Dr. Chandra Muzaffar <br>President<br>International Movement for a Just World (JUST)<br><br><br>20 March 2003<br><br><br> <b off></b>
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