European Socialists statement on Iraq

national | miscellaneous | news report

Friday March 14, 2003 18:57

by flanagan - Labour Party

head_office at labour dot ie

PES calls for Europe to speak with one voice

PES GROUP STATEMENT ON IRAQ

The PES Group,

Reaffirms its conviction that the war is avoidable. Calls upon the European Council due to meet on 21/22nd March to make all endeavours to ensure that Europe speaks with one voice in this decisive step of the crisis. Reiterates its position adopted on 15th January 2003 on Iraq and that of the European Parliament of 30th January 2003 in which clear guidelines were established to face the present crisis and to fulfill the aims of the UN Security Council Resolution 1441 and previous resolutions;

Welcomes the demonstrations for peace by millions of people worldwide, including those in the United States, and that of 15th February in which the citizens of all EU countries, in an unprecedented number, took part, expressing their opposition to war and claimed a common European position; expresses its full satisfaction that in these demonstrations, the PES Group position was largely shared.

Supports the conclusions of the European Council of 17th February 2003, also agreed by the applicant countries, and demands that this common position be followed by the acting EU Member States in the UN Security Council;

Recalls the importance of achieving complete disarmament of Iraqi chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons of mass destruction if existing and to dismantle the possible capacity of Iraq to produce such weapons;

Insists that the Iraqi Government, in order to comply with the UN Security Council Resolution 1441, must continue to allow UNMOVIC inspections, unconditionally and with unimpeded access as well as ensure a pro-active attitude as demanded by the European Council of 17th February;

Considers that the 7th March report of Mr Hans Blix, Executive Chairman of UNMOVIC, and of Mr El Baradei, Director-General of the IAEA, shows that the inspections carried out until now and the pressures exerted from all sides on Saddam Hussein have enabled positive results to be obtained, including the destruction of some prohibited armaments. The inspections must continue. They can be strengthened by fixing benchmarks and a timetable for the disarmament. We support this objective and we ask all Member States of the UN Security Council to refuse to give international legitimacy to any military action as long as the UNSC considers the inspections meaningful;

The PES Group:

Further expresses its opposition to any unilateral military action and believes that a pre-emptive strike would not be in accordance with international law and the UN Charter and would lead to a deeper crisis involving other countries in the region.

We urge the European Council to do everything in its power to contribute to the solution of conflict in the Middle East as agreed at the European Council of 17th February;

Confirms its commitment to the multilateral approach in international relations and considers that the respect of the role of the UN and its bodies is the best way to reinforce this perspective;

Demands the regime in Iraq to be responsive to the widespread criticism of its internal and external policies, mostly victimising its own population. Demands that it applies a policy of tolerance, respect of human rights, freedom and basic support for all its citizens, irrespective of ethnicity and religion and submit itself to a democratic process ;

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Comments (5 of 5)

Censorship

by the way

Sat Mar 15, 2003 19:59

Why was a posting critisising the Labour Party taken down? Is is censorship from Daithi?

Example of Social Democrat policies in action

by NAIC

Sat Mar 15, 2003 20:24

The Irish Labour Party when critisised about their 'comrades' or should I say 'colleagues' in Europe, we are met with cries of 'They are not the Irish Labour Party'. In reality they stand for the same policies and are fundamentally the same. So as they seem to be claiming to be part of European Social Democracy maybe could they could try to justify some of these policies outlined below.

GERMANY
Just yesterday German Social Democrat Schroder launched serious attacks on working people.

These attacks have meant that the welfare state won by the working class in Bismarcks Germany have been rolled back.

New laws will make it easier for workers to be sacked and to be on badly paid low security contracts. No it is not nessisary to tell a worker why he or she is being sacked!

He announced plans to merge social welfare payments with unemployment benefit and to cut the value and duration of dole payments.

In the future, those under 55 will receive unemployment benefit for just 12 months, while those over 55 will receive it for 18 months.

Schröder said he wanted to "cut what the state provides, promote people's own initiative and demand that individuals contribute more by themselves".

Look at how he treats the German people. How can we believe this man when he claims to be anti war as he has the interests of Iraqi people in his heart?

BRITAIN
We all know Blairs record on the war. He has also launched a series of neo liberal policies that have seen privitisations and cuts left right and centre, so much so that Blair has been labelled Tory Blair. Despite backbench revolts over the war, the parliamentary party supports these policies as do most of the membership. He has also forced the firefighters out on strike for a justified pay claim. Can the Irish Labour Party justify this?

SWEDEN
Responsible for cutbacks and neo liberal policies left right and centre. They support the Euro. Have ruthlessly forced inocent peole arrested at Gothenburg onto hungerstrike. Supporters gave roses and cheered the police that shot live ammo into peacefull protesters. Has allowed US warplanes overfly Sweden and has signed arms deals with the US.

Similar stories all over Europe. The Social Democrats are not firends of the ordinary people of Europe. They are all parties of big business. In reality they all support war in Iraq and their opposition is only there because of the material interests of their own bourgeoisie.

Ireland

Sat Mar 15, 2003 20:30

IRELAND
The have the luxury of being in opposition for most of the last 15 years but they do support Bin Tax, social partnership, tax amnesties, tax cuts for the rich etc. Have completely sold out activists again and again and are only interested in getting their people elected. Their position on the war is very shakey, most of their membersip in fact would support the war if it had UN backing, they also praise Blair for 'restraining' Bush. they are in favour of sanctions in Iraq and UN weapons inspectors/US spies continuing in Iraq. They are sell outs!

HOLLAND
In recent government formation negocitions with CDA they publicly came out and said they would back the CDA's support for war if it was in return for cabinet positions!

These people are sell outs and traitors. They do not represent the workers in any way.

JUSTIFY NOW

Sun Mar 16, 2003 19:00

Can some Labour Party supporter (I know you are out there) please come on and justify the actions of your 'colleagues' in Europe?

I presume they agree with the policies and actions of these parties.

WHAT ABOUT SPAIN??!

Tue Mar 18, 2003 15:33

I notice no anarchists have had a go at the Labour Party for their position on the war but you are all very quick to critisise the Trots.

Hypocritical middle class sell out bastards.

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European Socialists statement on Iraq

Comments (5 of 5)