The western alliance is now deeply fractured on the question of war
with Iraq. Divisions within the Security Council are growing. France
and Germany have pledged to try to prevent a war, even if that means
not supporting America in a UN vote. Does this negate what we wrote
concerning the position of France and Russia? Not at all. It was always
clear that the French, Russians and Germans were opposed to the policy
of the USA in relation to Iraq. They have different interests and
therefore different policies. That was never in doubt. But the point is
that this will not deflect the American imperialists from carrying out
their declared aims.
The words of George Bush’s annual state-of-the-union address were full
of lofty sentiments. But the President aims were more prosaic. There is
growing opposition at home to his war plans. And half way through his
first term of office, his popularity ratings are falling. He is worried
that he may not get re-elected in two years’ time.
The war that is being prepared by the USA is a blatant act of
aggression against the Iraqi people. It has not a single atom of
progressive content. All the arguments used to justify this monstrous
war are false to the core. This war is not in the interests of anyone
except the imperialists and the big oil companies that stand behind the
White House clique. Let us unite to organise a massive campaign of
agitation against the war, with demonstrations, pickets, leafleting and
mass meetings in every workplace, school and college.
Parts of the antiwar movement are basing their
opposition on the fact that there is not yet any UN backing for action
against Iraq. Fred Weston looks at who is on the UN Security
Council and how the USA can bribe and bully most of them into
supporting their war effort. And concludes that we must oppose the war,
with or without UN support.
The long awaited Blix report to the UN has solved nothing. It is worded
in such a way that anyone can use it to argue for immediate attack on
Iraq or… for more inspections! Thus the United Nations is demonstrating
once again that it can solve nothing. The real decisions will be taken
by the major powers, in this case the United States, the only real
superpower on the planet.
Join us!