-Caveat Lector- http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,918056,00.html
China and Russia condemn US attack Paul MacInnes Thursday March 20, 2003 As the world responds to the onset of conflict in Iraq, there has been widespread criticism of the outbreak of war and a common plea that care is taken to minimise casualties. China led international response to the declaration of war, accusing the United States of starting an illegitimate conflict and "violating the norms of international behaviour". The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Kong Quan, told a regular press briefing the attack had been "carried out in disregard for the opposition of the international community". "We express regret and disappointment," Mr Kong said. "We urge the relevant countries to stop using force, to stop military action. The Iraqi question must return to the track of political settlement within the UN framework." Stressing that China believed the situation in Iraq could still be solved peacefully, Mr Kong went on: "We are deeply concerned about the loss of lives and property that might follow. We are also worried about its impact on peace and the development of the world. "As to the next step, the Chinese government will continue its efforts towards peace". These views were supported by Russia, whose prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov addressed a weekly government meeting this morning. "The Russian leadership expresses regret that the Iraqi crisis is being resolved by military means without a decision by the UN security council," he said. "That is to say by the system of international security." France, the country widely blamed by the US and Britain for a failure to secure a second UN resolution to authorise war, was measured in its response. A brief statement by the foreign ministry concentrated solely on the humanitarian aspect of the conflict, saying that French leaders "hope that everything will be done to spare the civilian population more hardships. They call on the countries of the region to abstain from any acts that would aggravate the situation." Islamic countries lined up to attack the legitimacy of the war. There was a strong response from Iran, where the foreign minister, Kamal Kharrazi, was quoted by the Islamic Republic News Agency as saying: "American military operations on Iraq are unjustifiable and illegitimate." Mr Kharrazi stressed that Iran would not take action in the conflict "to the benefit of either side". Iran, along with Iraq and North Korea, forms part of the "axis of evil" identified by President Bush last year. Asian Islamic leaders addressed the press within minutes of President Bush's declaration of war, saying the US would pay a heavy price for the conflict. "This is not an attack on Islam but an attack on humanity," said Syafii Maarif, head of the 30-million-strong moderate Muhammadiyah Muslim group in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country. His views were echoed by Abdul Hadi Awang, the president of the conservative Islamic opposition in Malaysia, who said: "This despicable war exposes the ugliness of America and its allies." . The sole voice of support for American action so far has come from Australian prime minister John Howard, who announced that his country's troops were entering into combat in the Gulf. "I want to take the opportunity on behalf, I am sure, of all Australians of expressing our hope that all of our men and women will return home safe and sound," Mr Howard said. "We should all be united in our hopes and prayers for their safe return." http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,918056,00.html <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http://archive.jab.org/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http://archive.jab.org/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
