No Belgian support for the occupation
More news from Belgium and around the world (Indymedia.be)
WSF 2004: CALL OF THE SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND MASS ORGANISATIONS
Mumbai, India, January 2004
We the social movements united in Assembly in the city of Mumbai, India,
share the struggles of the people of India and all Asians. We reiterate
our
opposition to the neoliberal system which generates economic, social and
environmental crises and produces war. Our mobilisation against war and
deep
social and economic injustices has served to reveal the true face of
neoliberalism.
We are united here to organise the resistance against capitalism and to
find
alternatives. Our resistance began in Chiapas, Seattle and Genoa, and
led to
a massive world-wide mobilisation against the war in Iraq on 15th
February
2003 which condemned the strategy of global, on-going war implemented by
the
United States government and its Allies. It is this resistance that led
to
the victory over the WTO in Cancun.
The occupation of Iraq showed the whole world the existing links between
militarism and the economic domination of the multinational
corporations.
Moreover, it also justified the reasons for our mobilisation.
As social movements and mass organisations, we reaffirm our commitment
to
fight neoliberal globalisation, imperialism, war, racism, the caste
system,
cultural imperialism, poverty, patriarchy, and all forms of
discrimination -
economic social, political, ethnic, gender, sexual including that of
sexual orientation and gender identity. We are also against all kinds of
discrimination to persons with different capacities and fatal illnesses
such
as AIDS.
We struggle for social justice, access to natural resources land,
water
and seeds- human and citizens' rights, paticipative democracy, the
rights of
workers of both genders as guaranteed in international treaties, womens'
rights, and also the people¹s right to self-determination. We are
partisans
of peace, international cooperation and we promote sustainable societies
that are able to guarantee access to public services and basic goods. At
the
same time, we reject social and patriarchal violence against women.
We call for a mass mobilisation on 8th March, International Women's Day.
We fight all forms of terrorism, including state terrorism. At the same
time
we are opposed to the use of terrorism which criminalises popular
movements
and restricts civil activists. The so-called law against terrorism
restricts
civil rights and democratic freedom all over the world.
We vindicate the struggle of peasants, workers, popular urban movements
and
all people under threat of losing their homes, jobs, land or their
rights.
We also vindicate the struggle to reverse privatisation in order to
protect
common, public goods, as is happening with pensions and Social Security
in
Europe. The victory of the massive mobilisation of the Bolivian people
in
defense of their natural resources, democray and sovereignty testifies
to
the strength and potential of our movements. Simultaneously, peasants
across
the globe are struggling against multinationals and neoliberal corporate
agricultural policies, demanding sovereignity over food and democratic
land
reform.
We call for unity with all peasants on 17th April, International Day of
Peasants Struggles.
We identify with the struggle of the mass movements and popular
organisations in India, and together with them, we condemn the political
and
ideological forces which promote violence, sectarianism, exclusion and
nationalism based on religion and ethnicity. We condemn the threats,
arrests, torture and assassinations of social activists who organised
communities in order to struggle for global justice. We also denounce
discrimination based on caste, class, religion, gender, sexual
orientation
and gender identity. We condemn the perpetuation of violence and
oppression
against women through cultural, religious and traditional discriminatory
practices.
We support the efforts of mass movements and popular organisations in
India
and Asia which promote the struggle for justice, equality and human
rights,
especially that of the Dalits, Adivasis, and the most oppressed and
repressed sectors of society. The neoliberal policy of the Indian
government
aggravated the marginalisation and social oppression which the Dalits
have
suffered historically.
For all these reasons we support the struggle of all the marginalised
throughout the world, and urge everyone worldwide to join the call of
the
Dalits for a day of mobilisation for social inclusion.
As an escape from its crisis of legitimacy, global capitalism is using
force
and war in order to maintain an anti-popular order. We demand that the
governments put a stop to militarism, war, and military spending, and
demand
the closure of US military bases because they are a risk and threat to
humanity and life on earth. We have to follow the example of the people
of
Puerto Rico who forced the US to close its base in Vieques. The
opposition
to global warfare remains our main object of mobilisation around the
world.
We call on all citizens of the world to mobilise simultaneously on 20th
March in an international day of protest against war and the occupation
of
Iraq imposed by the United States, Great Britain and the Allied Forces.
In each country, the anti-war movements are developing their own
consensus
and tactics in order to guarantee as wide a participation and
mobilisation
as possible. We demand the immediate withdrawal of all occupying troops
and
support the right of the Iraqi to self- determination and sovereignity,
as
well as their right to reparation for all the damages caused by the
embargo
and war.
The struggle against terrorism not only acts as a pretext for continuing
the
war and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, but it is also being used to
threaten and attack the global community. At the same time, the US is
maintaining a criminal embargo against Cuba, and destabilising
Venezuela.
We call upon all people to give maximum support this year to the
mobilisation for the Palestinian people, especially on 30th March,
Palestinian Land Day, against the building of the wall of apartheid.
We denounce imperialist forces that are generating religious, ethnic,
racial
and tribal conflicts in order to further their own interests, increasing
the
suffering of the people and multiplying the hate and violence between
them.
More than 80 per cent of the ongoing conflicts in the world are internal
and
especially affect African and Asian communities.
We denounce the unsustainable situation of debt in poor countries of the
world, and the coercive use by governments, multinational corporations
and
international financial institutions. We strongly demand the total and
unconditional cancellation and rejection of the illegitimate debts of
the
Third World. As a preliminary condition for the satisfaction of the
fundamental economic, social, cultural and political rights, we also
demand
the restitution of the longstanding plunder of the Third World. We
especially support the struggle of the African peoples and their social
movements.
Once again we raise our voices against the G8 Summit and the meetings of
the
IMF and World Bank, who bear the greatest responsibility for the plunder
of
entire communities.
We reject the imposition of regional and bilateral free-trade agreements
such as FTAA, NAFTA, CAFTA, AGOA, NEPAD, Euro-Med, AFTA and ASEAN.
We are millions of persons united in the struggle against our common
enemy:
the WTO. The indigenous people are struggling against patents on all
kinds
of life-forms and the theft of biodiversity, water, land. We are united
in
fighting the privatisation of public services and common goods.
We call upon everybody to mobilise for the right to water as a source of
life that cannot be privatised. We are endeavouring to recover control
over
public, common goods and natural resources, previously privatised and
given
to transnational enterprises and the private sector.
In the victory at Cancun, the death of Lee symbolised the suffering of
millions of peasants and poor people all over the world that are
excluded by
the "free market". His immolation is a symbol for our struggle against
the
WTO. This proves our determination to oppose any attempt to revive the
WTO.
WTO out of agriculture, food, health, water, education, natural
resources
and common goods!
With this determination in mind, we call upon all the social movement
and
mass organisations of the world to join the mobilisation in Hong Kong or
in
any other place where the WTO ministerial will be held. Let us join our
efforts to struggle against privatisation, in defense of common goods,
environment, agriculture, water, health, public services and education.
In order to achieve our objectives, we reiterate our strong desire to
reinforce the network of social movements and our capacity for struggle.
GLOBALISE THE STRUGGLE! GLOBALISE THE HOPE!
 Poster
|
International Day of action- 27th September
Stop the occupation of Iraq
Support the Palestinian People
(Ankara, Athens, Helsinki, Berlin, Paris, Oslo, London, Madrid, Barcelona, Warsaw, Vancouver, Tokyo, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, New York, ...)
|
Brussels, Saturday 27th September, 3pm
Demonstration
Change of route!!
Depart: Rouppeplein / Place Rouppe
End point: Place du Nouveau Marché au Grain- Rue Dansaert / Nieuwe Graanmarkt - bij de Dansaertstraat, (speeches and music)
More info:
09/233.46.88
0473/51.64.62
Please support this event financially by donating money on the bank account of Oxfam, number 001-1909531-65, mention "27/09"
Supporting organisations- 11.11.11 - Koepel van de Vlaamse Noord-Zuid Beweging, Agalev, Artsen voor Vrede, Association Belgique Palestine, Attac Belgique-België, Bruxelles Tous Ensemble, CADTM/CODEWES, Christenen voor het Socialisme, CODIP, Commission Justice et Paix, Coordination Nationale d'Action pour la Paix et la Démocratie, CNCD Opération 11.11.11, Europees Netwerk van Oscar Romero Comités, Groupe Liégeois pour une Economie Distributive (GLED), Humanistische Jongeren vzw, Humanistisch Verbond Nationaal, Inanna, Intal/Geneeskunde voor de Derde Wereld, Kairos Europe (Wall-Brxl), KAJ Nationaal, KP, Leef!, Manneken Peace, Mediadoc/DIOGENE(S), Medical Team, Mouvement International pour la Réconciliation/Internationale des Résistants à la Guerre, Mouvement Chrétien pour la Paix, Mouvement des Jeunes Socialistes, Mouvement Ouvrier Chrétien, Objectief Beweging voor Gelijke Rechten/Objectif Mouvement pour l'égalité des droits, Oxfam-Solidarité/Oxfam-Solidariteit, Pax Christi Wallonie-Bruxelles, Peterschap Palestijnse Kinderen, Prego - jongeren mét spirit, ProPaz para Colombia, PVDA- PTB, Rassemblement Liégeoise pour la Paix, Socialisme Zonder Grenzen/Socialisme sans frontières, Socialistische Arbeiderspartij SAP, Solidarité Mondiale, StopUSA, SOS-Irak België-Belgique, SOS kinderen Irak Nederland, 't Uilekot, Union Liégeoise pour la Démocratie et la Paix, Vlaamse Jeugdraad, Voor Moeder Aarde, Vrede vzw, Werkplaats voor Theologie en Maatschappij, WIS
Protest vigil 26th June, 6pm at the US Embassy
Members of the Belgian Platform Against War on Iraq, and local anti-war groups are calling for a protest vigil in front of the American Embassy in Brussels on Thursday June 26th from 6pm. They oppose the way in which an illegal war suddenly changed into a "legal" occupation, without an end date. UN resolution 1483 gives the US-led coalition complete political and economic control over Iraq, while in the mean time the UN and the Iraqi population get a very marginal role.
This is unacceptable. Especially as more and more reports confirm that this war was not fought because of the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Resolution 1483 also rewards the US-led coalition financially. Through the Development Fund for Iraq they can control oil and other resources, and also decisions over the contracts to repair the damage made by the war.
The organisers of the protest vigil want this demonstration to sound an alarm bell. They don't want Iraq to set a precedent for the complete dismantling of the system of international law, and the principles of the UN-charter. The politics of aggression waged by the United States and the UK has to be judged and condemned. The occupation has to stop as soon as possible. It is unacceptable that the population of Iraq has to pay for the repair of damage caused by the war, and that Western companies make profit from of it. (The concrete demands of the Belgian platform against war on Iraq can be found on www.geenoorlog.be)
Practical info:
When: 26th June 2003, from 6pm
Where: US Embassy, Regentlaan 27, Brussels (metro Wetstraat)
Who: Members of the Belgian Platform Against War on Iraq, local groups (Manneken Peace Not War, Antioorlgoscomité VUB, GAAG,…) and a delegation from the international peace conference taking place in Brussels on 26th and 27th June.
REPORT OF THE ANTIWAR COALITION MEETING
Geneve, May 31st 2003
The meeting agreed that the worldwide antiwar movement, which organized
the
unprecedented global antiwar resistance in the last months, needs to
stay
mobilised.
We must continue to campaign against the occupation of Iraq and to use
this
period to meet, to discuss, to make a balance of what we have done, and
to
find the best way to consolidate our national and international
networks.
THE STRUGGLE AGAINST OCCUPATION OF IRAQ REMAINS OUR COMMON PRIORITY
War in Iraq is not over. After the bombing and the invasion, the Iraqi
people are now suffering a foreign military occupation.
Our first priority remains the struggle against occupation, for the
withdrawal of all the foreign troops, for self-determination, for
self-management of the resouces of Iraq.
The meeting agreed to commit our movements to campaign and to mobilize
to
avoid any kind of
legitimation of the occupation. It strongly condemned any attempt by UN
and
national governments to find a mediation with the occupying powers in
order
to take part in the so called "reconstruction".
We will do our best to push governments, parliaments, national and
international institutions not to recognize any administration in Iraq
coming from the occupation.
The Iraqi population is facing a desperate situation due to the
occupation,
after years of suffering from sanctions and dictatorship.
We stand shoulder to shoulder with them, and we support the growing
resistance to colonial occupation.
We will organize civil missions, and we will start independent programs
of
mutual cooperation.
The meeting supported the project for an International People's
Tribunal, to
prosecute those responsible for the occupation, and agreed to demand
that
the General Assembly of UN makes a
formal condemnation.
GLOBAL RESISTANCE TO GLOBAL WAR, PERMANENT RESISTANCE TO PERMANENT WARS
We agreed on the need to enlarge our agenda. If war is global and
permanent,
we have to build up the permanent and global resistance to war.
Opposing the extension of the war on terror must be a key element of our
campaign. We must be prepared to mobilise against attacks on Iran, North
Korea, Syria, Cuba and the rest of the so called 'Axis of Evil'
A special effort was asked of all our movements to support the
Palestinians'
struggle for justice and freedom and to campaign against the
occupation.We
support the civil missions and
strongly oppose the decision of Sharon government to deny entry in
Israel
to the peace activists. As well as supporting the struggle of the
Palestinians, we support those Israelis who campaign against occupation.
AGAINST MILITARIZATION, AGAINST NEOLIBERALISM
Millions of people now understand the link between war and the economic
plan
of domination behind corporate globalization.
In this situation, the movements who are fighting war, neoliberalism,
social
and economical injustice are not only natural allies: they are part of
the
same fight for a different world.
We commit ourselves to campaign against the increasing of the military
expenditure, for nuclear and conventional disarmament.
In Europe, we will be in the frontline against the European army and
against
a security model for Europe based on re-armament: our security can be
assured only by disarmment, peace, social justice and solidarity.
We declare our will to join the worldwide campaign against the US
military
bases, and in Europe we want to link this campaign with the opposition
to
Nato bases and plans.
In many countries the antiwar movements have worked in alliance with
Muslim
communities and organisations: we need to ensure this happens accross
Europe as it is one of the sources of our movements strength, and it is
a
counter to increased repression and xenophobia generated by
the so-called "war to terrorism".
The strength of our movement comes from its global dimension. We commit
ourselves to improve our international links and relations. We support
the
declarations coming from the Cairo Conference and the Jakarta
Conference.
SEPTEMBER, A MONTH OF GLOBAL MOBILIZATION AGAINST WAR AND NEOLIBERISM
The meeting agreed that September will be a month of global mobilization
against war and
neoliberism.
Many movements are preparing themselves to take part in the global
mobilization against war and neoliberism against the WTO summit in
Cancun,
Mexico. A global day of action is planned for the 13th of September.
Many movements will mobilize on the 27th of September, on the
anniversary
of the start of the second Palestinian Intifada against the occupations
of
Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan.
Many other actions are planned at the national and local level. A new
year
against war will start in September. The ESF in Paris and the WSF in
India
will provide us new occasion to meet and to build up our common agenda.
(report made by Raffaella Bolini and Chris Nineham)
Planespotting II at airport Oostende
Sunday 20th April 2003 // Oostende
More info...
March 1: Antwerpen (1:30 pm) – Beveren
March 2: Kazerne Westakkers (2 pm) – Beveren
On 12th April, anti-war demonstrations will take place around the world. The Belgian government has taken an official stance against the war, but it continues to allow US military transports. These transports of death travel on Belgian railways, and through Belgian airports.
Belgian public opinion is against teh war, and against the weapon transports.
JOIN THE PEACE MARCH
March 1 (10 km): Depart 1:30 pm at Antwerp Grote Markt – end point in
Beveren (around 5 pm) at Kasteel Cortewalle (very close to the train station)
March 2 (6 km): Depart 2 pm at Kwartier Westakkers (On the N 70 a few km’s from Sint-Niklaas in the direction of Beveren) – end point is Beveren at the
Kasteel Cortewalle)
More info: René Stroobants
0475/42.10.33
Organising the Peace Concert costs money! You can support the event by donating money to (Belgian) account number
001-1909531-65 (mention ‘vredesconcert’)
STOP THE WAR
Thursday 27th March: PEACEFUL, but noisy demonstration opposite the US Embassy in Brussels
|
Stop the war: NOW!!
Ban the American military transports: NOW!!
|
|
"Prevent a massacre in Baghdad, stop the US troops!"
Belgian doctors launch an urgent appeal to the international community
Wednesday March 26, 1 a.m. Dr. Geert Van Moorter on the phone from Baghdad
"Together with Dr. Colette Moulaert, I went around the city the past few days. Some shops are still open, bakers are still baking bread and vegetables and fruit are still available. But the food situation is becoming critical and prices are rising. Fortunately food distribution is well organized by the Iraqi government. But when the advancing US troops would disrupt the supply lines, the whole population could starve.
Today there were several power disruptions. We learned that Basra has been without water and electricity for the past five days. The whole city is taken hostage because of the US aggression. As doctors we cannot but call this a human rights violation, or even a crime against humanity.
The population of Baghdad is relatively calm, in spite of the continuing air raids. We can see more armed civilians on the corners of the streets. They show us their weapons spontaneously and with pride. They say they are ready to resist the US-British attacks and add that they will not surrender soon. We are afraid that the US military will use indiscriminate violence in an attack on Baghdad and that they will use heavy and dirty weapons against the fierce Iraqi resistance. Definitely, there will be many civilian casualties.
There is only one way to prevent the impending massacre and humanitarian disaster: stop the advance of the US troops and call back Bush and his military. As doctors who want to prioritize preventive medicine-the prevention of death, disease and injury-we launch an urgent appeal to our colleagues and the whole international community: go all out to stop the US aggression. Take action to make the US abandon its war of aggression. Demand the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and the restoration of respect for international law and Iraq's sovereignty. It is in the interest of the Iraqi people's health and life."
 | The demands of the demonstrators are: Stop the WarNo military transports, or military flights over Belgian territoryBelgium must use its veto within NATO if the US asks for support against Iraq or elsewhere in the region
The Belgian platform against war in Iraq is made up of 250 organisations |
Demonstration: Friday 21/3/03
European Action Day
30,000 trade unionists and students march through Brusselsfor a social and democratic Europe
for peace and social justice in the world |  |
Statement issued by the London Meeting of the international coordination
against war
March 1st 2003
Following the unprecedented success of the global anti war day on February
15 we announce a massive escalation of action in the next weeks to try to
prevent war. We believe a war on Iraq is wrong whether it has the backing of
the United Nations or not.
There will be direct action at military installations and to stop military
transport, mass pressure on parliamentary and United Nations
representatives, student strikes and occupations, workplace industrial
action, the establishment of peoples' assemblies and popular consultations
against war.
Every day now is crucial in the campaign to stop war.
In many countries there will be mass demonstrations on International Womens'
Day March 8.
In many countries there will be demonstrations, protests and mass civil
disobedience on March 15 in solidarity with the 'Converge on the White
House' demonstration in Washington.
March 21st will be wherever possible a day of workplace solidarity against
war. This will involve workplace assemblies and various forms of industrial
action. In some countries national strike action against war is being
already being planned on this day.
We call on trade unions everywhere to support and promote action against war
on March 21st.
We put the warmongers on notice that if they ignore world opinion and launch
a new attack on Iraq there will be a tidal wave of resistance.
On the day of an attack we call for mass protests in the centre of every
town and city in the world.
The following Saturday we call for mass demonstrations in every capital
city.
We stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Iraq in urging everyone,
everywhere to play their part in trying to stop this insane war.
Weapons of mass destruction around the world
EGYPTIAN ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS ARRESTED AND TORTURED
From Ahmed Ben Bella, Georges Galloway (MP), John Rees, Stop the War Coalition :
At least 13 Egyptian activists against the war on Iraq have been arrested. Ten
of those 13 remain in custody, including a journalist and a film maker, and we
know that eleven of the 13 arrested have been tortured. We have received a
plea for solidarity from a broad range of anti-war and human rights groups in
Egypt, asking us to protest to the Egyptian embassy in each of our countries,
and to the Egyptian government. As signatories to the Cairo Declaration of
December 2001 against war and globalisation, we ask you to support their appeal.
For further information, or to register support, contact Jonathan Neale of the
International Campaign against Agression against Iraq at
findjonathan@hotmail.com, or by phone on 44(0)7986-220641. The phone number of
the Egyptian embassy in London is 0207-499-2401.
Speed is of the essence.
The appeal from Egypt reads in part :
On the 18th of January State Security Police arrested 11 activists
participating in an anti-war demonstration in Cairo. In the dawn of the 8th of
February they arrested and issued an order of detention for Ibrahim El Sahari,
journalist at El Alam El Yom, founding member of Center for Socialist Studies
and prominent activist in the Egyptian antiwar movement. On 9 Feb, at 2 p.m.,
they arrested another antiwar activist, Sabri El Sammak, director of
production at Aflam Misr El Alameya, the production company of Egyptian
filmmaker Youssef Chahine.
A vicious war is about to hit the region causing a damage whose proportion
no one can fully predict. It is the people of the region who are going to pay
for this war. In those black moments of history the least the peoples of the
world can do, and the Egyptian people are no exception, is to raise their
voices against that war and the interests it serves.
We demand the immediate release of our detained colleagues and to stop the
harassment of the Egyptian solidarity movements, which are exercising their
legitimate right in collective peacefull expression, a fact supported by the
recent court order which rejected the government's decision to ban the
organization of peaceful demonstrations against the war on Iraq.
The names of those still in custody are Sabri Al Sammak, Ibrahim Al Sahari,
Tamer Hindawi, Abdel Gawad Ahmed, Mohammed Khalil, Samir Al Foli, Magdi Al
Kordi, Mahmoud Hassan, Mohammed Dakhli, and Mohammed Hosni. The activists in
Egypt are worried that many more will be arrested in the next few days if
there is not sufficient international pressure for their release.
please protest to :
President Hosni Mubarak, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Telegram : President of the Republic, Cairo, Egypt.
Fax : +202 390 1998
E-mail : webmaster@presidency.gov.eg
And to General Habib al-‘Adeli ; ministry of the interior
Telegram : Minister Interior, Cairo, Egypt.
Fax : +202 579 2031
E-mail : moi@idsc.gov.eg
And to diplomatic representatives of Egypt accredited to your Country.
Europe United Against the War: Peace action during EU Summit, Monday 17/02, Brussels
 | Demonstration Saturday 15/02: No War Against Iraq
100,000 march through BrusselsOslo, Berlin, Rome, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Turku, Stockholm, Glasgow, Amsterdam, Paris, Athens, Skopje, London, Athens, Barcelona, Helsinki, Malta, Belfast, Sao Paulo, Mexico, Ecuador (more...) AND BRUSSELS: Demonstration, Saturday 15th February: No War against Iraq Join the International day of action against the war Platform against war on Iraq Stop USA Latest News: Indymedia EGYPTIAN ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS ARRESTED AND TORTURED |
On Saturday 15th February there will be anti-war demonstrations in several European capital cites. Brussels, "the capital of the European Union" will not be left out! The platform against war on Iraq and Stop USA call on everyone to take part in this demonstration.We want a clear signal from these European countries: Together we can stop the warmongers
Posters
International Demonstrations on 15th February
International Call for action
Europe opposes war on Iraq (opinion polls)
Declaration from the organisers of the Budapest demonstration
Declaration from the organisers of the New York demonstration
 | No to War on Iraq! No war against Iraq
No Belgian or European participation A world free of weapons of mass destruction No sanctions Peace and justice for Palestine Respect for international law by all countries No war for oil France and Britain: use your veto! |
No to the War against Iraq
(Appeal from the preparatory meeting of the second European Social Forum)
Millions of citizens all over Europe and the world express their refusal of this war. The appeal launched by the European social movement in Florence and the World social movement in Porto Alegre produced an extraordinary important result.
We members of the European social movement launch today in all the European capitals this common message.
War against Iraq is closer and closer: we want to stop it, we want to oppose it, in any case, in whatever hypothesis.
Our resistance to war does not start and does not finish today: we commit ourselves to go on in our own countries, with different actions, spread and coordinated as much as possible.
We do not want this war. It has an appearance: a fight against terrorism and one of the worst existing regimes. It has a reality: suffering of Iraqi civilians, destabilization of a whole region, its colonisation, and affirmation of the power of the United States.
Making war against Iraq has never aimed to re-establish democracy in this country or to end the suffering of people who live there. Former complicity of Western countries with Saddam HUSSEIN, as well as the impunity since ever enjoyed by its rulers, attest the opportunism shown by United States and countries which back them. The geopolitical interests of the first World power, its economic interests, among others in oil, its productivist logic, and its conception of a world governed by rules which it unilaterally defines are the true reasons of this war.
Even authorized by the Security Council, this conflict would nevertheless be illegitimate. If the Security Council came to authorize resorting to force, it would be by giving in to pressures from the United States, and it would amount to confer a semblance of formal legality to a decision that would remain in contradiction with the aims of the United Nations Charter.
The credit of the United Nations would then be further weakened, while it tolerates so many other violations of the most elementary political, economic, social and cultural rights over the World. War against Iraq would be an additional illustration of the policy of "two weights, to measures" chosen by the "International Community".
People of those countries do not need another war, they need respect of their rights, all their rights. Only the revival of the World and Regional disarmament processes and the political solution of conflicts which bring bloodshed on this region, in particular the recognition of the national rights of the Palestinian people in conformity with the resolutions of the UN, would bring an answer to those threatening dangers. What we need is a balanced global development, another world rather than the policy of resorting to strength which United States try to impose.
This is what the world public opinion in its majority wishes to express by demonstrating its opposition to the policy of United States and its allies, among which 8 European countries who felt complied to display their allegiance. Three countries of this continent have at their disposal a right of veto in the Security Council. This is why, in Europe, we have an immense responsibility. It belongs to us to tell our governments our refusal to caution this war or any participation in it. It belongs to us, citizens of the World, to stand up and strongly tell our governments : we do not want the war against Iraq.
Gathered in the European meeting preparing the European Social Forum 2003 in Paris-St.Denis the following organisations who sign this text:
.JPG)
