HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ---------------------------
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/09/24/nlibs24.xml&sSheet=/news/2002/09/24/ixnewstop.html Daily Telegraph September 24, 2002 Kennedy attacks 'imperialist' Bush By Benedict Brogan, Political Correspondent -"Who decides the legitimacy of such change? On what basis in international law? And with what ultimate objective in mind? I have yet to hear a satisfactory answer to these questions. There is more than a hint of imperialism here," he said to sustained applause. -Mr Kennedy, who travels to London today to answer Mr Blair's statement on Iraq, said he was worried about America "undermining the moral, legal and practical authority of the United Nations". -A delegate, William Beard, of Wolverhampton, attacked "this unjustified, unwanted and unwinnable war". Anti-American rhetoric surfaced from a senior front-bencher when Malcolm Bruce described the Bush administration as a "regime" and condemned its "arrogant defiance" on green issues. Charles Kennedy tapped into growing anti-Americanism in his party yesterday by accusing President Bush of "imperialism" in the build-up to war against Iraq. On the eve of the emergency recall of Parliament, he warned Tony Blair that he could not count on Liberal Democrat support in a Commons vote for military action. Making an emergency statement to his party conference in Brighton, he was cheered when he questioned the motives behind the White House's policy of "regime change" in Baghdad. Adopting a stance that has raised eyebrows in certain sections of the party, he said he was "increasingly concerned" about Mr Bush's determination to overthrow Saddam Hussein. "Who decides the legitimacy of such change? On what basis in international law? And with what ultimate objective in mind? I have yet to hear a satisfactory answer to these questions. There is more than a hint of imperialism here," he said to sustained applause. Mr Kennedy, who travels to London today to answer Mr Blair's statement on Iraq, said he was worried about America "undermining the moral, legal and practical authority of the United Nations". There were "extreme uncertainties and dangers" in going to war against Saddam Hussein, he said. But military action should not be ruled out "as a last resort". He said: "The first priority of the Government must be the return of the UN weapons inspectors. Anything less than unfettered access anywhere in Iraq is unacceptable. "The unconditional return of the inspectors requires a clear timetable and no ruling out of an ultimate resort to military action if that necessary compliance is denied or thwarted. But we are not there yet." Mr Kennedy was heard mainly in silence. Delegates reserved applause for the sections that were the most questioning of American motives and his call for pressure to resolve the conflict between Israel and Palestinians. He said Britain should take account of the "sensitivities" of its Muslim community and of the Arab world at large. He reiterated his support for the Government's policy of "standing shoulder to shoulder" with America after September 11 but said Britain must remain a "candid friend", willing to offer "the occasional cautionary tap on the shoulder". With the Government's dossier on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction to be published today, he said America had produced "no definitive evidence directly linking" Baghdad to al-Qa'eda. Lib Dems would adopt a "common-sense approach" to the issue. In a signal to Mr Blair that he could not bank on the Lib Dems to defeat Labour anti-war MPs, Mr Kennedy said his party would not suspend its "critical faculties". The mood of the conference is running against war and America's robust diplomacy since September 11. Lib Dems will debate an emergency motion on Iraq tomorrow which calls on Iraq to allow weapons inspectors unfettered access and says military action should only take place with UN, EU and Parliamentary approval. Although the motion makes no mention of America, senior front-benchers are concerned that the tone of the debate could be harshly critical of the United States. A delegate, William Beard, of Wolverhampton, attacked "this unjustified, unwanted and unwinnable war". Anti-American rhetoric surfaced from a senior front-bencher when Malcolm Bruce described the Bush administration as a "regime" and condemned its "arrogant defiance" on green issues. __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New DSL Internet Access from SBC & Yahoo! http://sbc.yahoo.com --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bacIlu Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
