NAM Nations Say 'No' to War against Iraq

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, February 24, 2003

NAM Nations Say 'No' to War against Iraq

Presidents, kings and prime ministers, who attended the 13th Non-aligned Movement (NAM) summit Monday, said "No" to war against Iraq but urged Iraq to cooperate with UN weapons inspectors.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Presidents, kings and prime ministers, who attended the 13th Non-aligned Movement (NAM) summit Monday, said "No" to war against Iraq but urged Iraq to cooperate with UN weapons inspectors.

In his opening remarks at the NAM summit, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad accused the United States and western countries of adopting "double standards" in combating terrorism and made a strong plea for outlawing war and establishing an order in which no single nation is allowed to assume the role of world policeman and decide unilateral action.

Mahathir, who took over the chairmanship of the NAM that represents 55 percent of world population and almost two third seats at the UN, said that the biggest threat to NAM countries today was "the tendency of the powerful to wage war when faced with opposition to spread their dominance."

"It is no longer just a war against terrorism. It is in fact a war to dominate the world," he said, adding "powerful countries no longer respect borders, international laws or simple moral values following the September 11 terror attacks."

He said, "They are now talking of the use of military conquests to change governments and are even talking of using nuclear weapons. It is no longer just a war against terrorism. It is in fact a war to dominate the world. NAM has a lot of problems and issues which it must tackle."

Meanwhile, South African President Thabo Mbeki called on members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to act together to press for a peaceful solution to international conflicts.

With special reference to the Iraqi crisis, Mbeki, the outgoing NAM president, said that the imminent U.S. war on Iraq will increase instability in the Middle East and the world.

He added that war will deliver a deadly blow to the poor of the world, who will have to bear the additional pain of growing impoverishment.

"As we meet here, ...... the terrible promise of war hangs over the peoples of Iraq and the world. When and if it will break out we do not know. How many human casualties we also do not know," he said.

He indicated, "We must together make the statement that we do not want war. But we must also make the statement that neither do we want weapons of mass destruction."

In an interview with local media, Syrian Vice-President Abdul al-Halim ibn Said Khaddam said that the intended U.S.-led war against Iraq was a part of "an American project" to control not only the Arab area but the whole of West Asia.

Saying that military action against Iraq was an action against the sovereignty of Iraq and "sovereignty of the UN Security Council", Abdul al-Halim said it should be the UN's responsibility to implement resolutions on Iraq.

He said, "The Security Council has issued a resolution concerning the Iraqi crisis and therefore the Security Council (that) should be responsible to implement it," he said.

In his message to the summit, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged Iraq to choose full transparency and cooperation with the UN inspectors to help avoid conflict.

He said, "This summit is taking place at a critical juncture, with the prospect of war in Iraq looming before us. However, I believe that war, even now, is not inevitable."

He said, "The international community must make every effort to encourage Iraq to comply fully with Security Council resolution 1441 and to cooperate pro-actively with the inspectors so this objective is achieved peacefully."

"It is imperative that Iraqi leadership understands the gravity and the urgency of the situation, " he stressed.

He indicated, "If ... the international community fails to agree on a common position, and action is taken without the authority of the Security Council, the legitimacy of, and support for, any action will be seriously impaired."

The 13th Non-Aligned Movement Summit opened at the Putra World Trade Center here Monday.

A total of 63 heads of state and government are attending the two-day summit themed "Continuing the Revitalization of NAM".

NAM consists of 114 countries from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America and Caribbean regions. Timor Leste and St Vincent and Grenadines are to be officially accepted as new members of the Movement at this summit.

Questions?Comments? Click here

NAM Continues Efforts for a Consensus on Iraq Issue

US Plans to Take Unilateral Control of Post-war Iraq: US Paper

NAM's United Voice Can Help Avert War: Mahathir

Top CPC Leader Pledges Greater Focus on Fighting Corruption ( 5 Messages)

China Hopes for Peace, Stability in Korean Peninsula ( 2 Messages)

US Has no Reason to Launch Imminent War on Iraq ( 3 Messages)

Resolved to Recover Lost Cultural Relics in Overseas ( 12 Messages)

China Remembers Deng Xiaoping on Anniversary of Death ( 4 Messages)