Major Divisions Growing in the European Union

Workers' Daily Internet Edition : Article Index :

Major Divisions Growing in the European Union

Packed Ilford Meeting Opposes War on Iraq

No to Any UN Resolution that Calls for War on Iraq!

We Will Win The Peace!

In the wake of the protests by millions throughout Europe and the world in opposition to a war against Iraq, on Monday the European Council reaffirmed that the EU’s objective in regard to Iraq "remains full and effective disarmament". However, in their final conclusions the leaders of EU countries stressed, "We want to achieve this peacefully. It is clear that this is what the peoples of Europe want."

The European Council meeting in Brussels had been hastily convened by Greece, which holds the presidency of the EU, in an attempt to establish unity within the EU and particularly between the big European powers, France and Germany on the one hand, who had publicly expressed their opposition to war, and Britain, the most zealous warmonger and closest ally of US imperialism on the other. It is no secret that the divisions between these countries remain as open as ever, following the meeting, both on the question of Iraq as well as on the future of the EU itself.

The declaration which emerged from the European Council meeting certainly acknowledges the strength of the opposition to war amongst the peoples of Europe, just as it acknowledges the centrality of the UN in international affairs and the principle that "force should only be used as a last resort". However the EU remains the organisation of the big European monopolies, not that of the peoples of Europe and the declaration contained the same threats against Iraq as those made by the open warmongers led by Britain and the US. The significance of the declaration was made clear when Tony Blair emerged from the Brussels meeting just as bellicose as ever. In a press conference the Prime Minster once again turned truth on its head by arguing that any war would be the responsibility of Iraq and added that there would be what he referred to "appalling consequences" in allowing the present Iraqi regime to remain in power. He concluded by arguing that irrespective of what the people of Britain desire it was his job to "enforce the will of the UN".

The European Council meeting therefore resolved nothing, least of all the contradictions and contention between the big European powers and between the big powers and the other members and prospective members of the EU. Britain and France have again publicly quarrelled over the role of those countries that are applying to join the EU. The British government has sought to encourage these countries, mainly those from eastern and south-eastern Europe, to support its warmongering position and that held by the US. Three of these countries, the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary, signed the letter drawn up by the British government in support of the US in January. Subsequently ten other countries, most of them applicants for admission to the EU, have also signed a letter supporting the US position on Iraq. The British government attempted to get all the candidates invitations to take a full part in the European Council summit, a move blocked by France and Greece. But in a press conference on Monday the French President, Jacques Chirac, criticised what he referred to as ‘childish and irresponsible behaviour", while on Tuesday Tony Blair publicly backed their action.

The struggle between the big European powers thus shows no sign of diminishing and indeed seems set to be exacerbated by the expansion of the EU. The contention between the big powers is evident not only on the question of the future of Iraq, where they pursue similar but rival interests on behalf of the big monopolies, but also over the relationship between the EU and the US and over the future balance of power within the EU itself. It is clear that the British government is positioning itself to take full advantage of the "new" Europe and aims to become the dominant power in Europe as well as the major ally of the US.

The contention between the big powers show that their differences are not based on any principles that favour the people of Europe, Iraq or other parts of the world. Their contention reflects the cut-throat rivalry that exist amongst the big monopolies which far from being a factor for peace is increasing instability and the danger of war in the world. Only the people’s forces can be decisive in bringing out peace and stability to the world.

Some 200 people packed into Ilford town hall on Wednesday, February 12, to oppose the impending Anglo-American aggression against Iraq. The meeting which was called by Redbridge Against the War was addressed by Matt Wrack of the Fire Brigades Union, Inayat Bunglawala of the Muslim Council of Britain and MP George Galloway.

Matt Wrack said that there would be hundreds of fire-fighters marching against the war on Iraq on February 15. He noted that for over seven years the fire-fighters have been campaigning for an increase in pay and despite their well researched and well reasoned arguments, the government had chosen to ignore them. He added that the government would not fund the fire-fighters’ pay claim to save people’s lives in this country but was willing to spend vast amounts to destroy the homes of Iraqi people. Further, he noted that as a result of their own experience of government disinformation about the fire-fighters’ claims, the fire-fighters were able to see through the government’s war propaganda.

Inayat Bunglawala said that Muslim people are rapidly becoming part of the mainstream of society in Britain and that it was very good working together with others to build for the February 15 demonstration. Turning to the situation in Iraq, he said that the UN had estimated that half a million people have died there as a result of the sanctions but this was not on the TV or in the press. He continued, "All human lives are of value, whatever part of the world they are in." He noted that the UN humanitarian co-ordinator in Iraq had said that the policy of sanctions was causing genocide. He then spoke about the asylum seekers from Afghanistan and Iraq, two countries devastated by the policies of the West, whose boat was refused permission to land in Australia. As a result of this, 300 – 400 people died when their boat capsized. Finally, he noted that as long as the facts which breed anger are not changed, the problem of terrorism will continue.

George Galloway condemned the continuing witch hunt against Muslims and the efforts to link the show of tanks at Heathrow to the Muslim festival of Eid. He said that this was an attempt to sow division in society. He denounced the impending attack on Iraq as a "blunder and a crime". Turning to the notion that such an attack would "liberate Iraqis", he said " the idea that there is some white man's burden that has fallen to Bush and Blair nauseates me". He noted that with regard to chemical weapons, Winston Churchill was the first one to use such weapons against the Kurdish people. Further, he condemned the fact that parliament has voted sixteen times on fox hunting but up to now has been denied the right to vote on the killing of Iraqi children. He called on everyone at the meeting to make sure that they were at the February 15 demonstration and to bring at least one person with them.

After the contributions from the platform, the floor was opened for members of the audience to take part in the discussion. A forest of hands shot up, showing the strength of feeling of those present. Speaker after speaker condemned the war propaganda and the disinformation. One Iraqi woman questioned how the US could bring democracy to Iraq when there is no democracy in the US itself. A young Muslim woman spoke movingly of her own feelings about the growing people's anti-war movement. She said that for the first time in the 20 years she has lived in Britain, she felt close to the British people as she could see that they were taking a stand against the government and the media whereas before she felt that they were with the forces of the establishment against the minorities. She added that justice is the most important thing and she was willing to march with anyone who will march to save human life. Her contribution was greeted with loud applause.

Another speaker said that the situation was very serious. The US had promised that the War on Terrorism would be a long war but it had to be stopped now. He said that the British government was terrorising the people and condemned the media for failing in its duty to provide people with balanced information so they could make up their minds for themselves. Then he turned to the present political arrangements which frustrate the people's will and asked whether the elected representatives could simply do what they wanted even when this was not what the people who elected them wanted. Finally, he declared that the US dream of world domination must be curtailed.

Another contributor demanded that there should be no conciliation with a war of aggression against Iraq even if a UN Security Resolution was passed to give it the go-ahead. Another speaker raised the question as to what should happen after February 15. She said that at her workplace, she had organised a discussion group which had been very successful and had encouraged many of her work colleagues to become more involved.

Many other contributions were made but because of time not everyone was able to participate. Nevertheless, the over-riding feeling from the meeting was that people were united in their determination to oppose the warmongering plans of the British and US governments and many stated their intention to be on the February 15 march. This meeting was a further sign of the great concern people feel about the present dangerous situation. It also underlined the urgent need for more forums where the people can meet and openly discuss the many issues confronting them, as part of their effort to build an alternative to the warmongering course of the rich and powerful.

Distributed on the 15.2.03 demonstration by Gulf Crisis Group, Milton Keynes

Attempts are being made by some to get the anti-war movement to support war on Iraq if it is sanctioned by a second UN resolution. This position needs to be firmly opposed. There can be no justification for a US- and British-led war on Iraq whatsoever. The US and Britain are already responsible for war crimes against the people of Iraq through the enforcement of genocidal sanctions and illegal "no-fly" zones. These sanctions are killing between 4,000-6,000 Iraqi children every month according to Unicef and Save The Children.

In spite of claims to the contrary none of the UN Security Council resolutions passed since September 11, 2001, have explicitly given the US or Britain the right to bomb either Afghanistan or Iraq. The attack on Afghanistan and the threatened war on Iraq are both in violation of article 33 of the UN Charter, which states that:

"(1) The parties to any dispute, the continuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security, shall, first of all, seek a solution by negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice.

(2) The Security Council shall, when it deems necessary, call upon the parties to settle their dispute by such means."

The only circumstance in which the Charter allows a nation to attack another is when it has been attacked and needs to defend itself. Iraq has not attacked the US.

It is important that we stick to opposing war on Iraq despite all pressure that we should keep quiet in the name of "fighting terrorism".

We oppose the racist propaganda against Muslims, North Africans and asylum seekers by politicians, business leaders, and the newspapers. They are inciting hatred of "foreigners" to line people up behind Blair’s warmongering.

Even if the UN were to pass a second resolution in support of an attack on Iraq, the Security Council itself would be in breach of international law.

No to any war on Iraq!

Reproduced from Voice of Revolution Website of the US Marxist-Leninist Organisation – February 16, 2003

February 15, 2003, began with the sun rising on Auckland, New Zealand, and the first demonstration in an unprecedented Worldwide Day of Action. By the time Honolulu, Hawaii, took to the streets for a march on a US military base, in well over 600 cities worldwide on each and every continent humanity rose with a resounding, unified voice rejecting US empire and war and governments’ refusal to submit to the will of the peoples for peace. Millions stepped forward to represent the strivings of the peoples for another world and for decision-making power.

Here in the US, among the hundreds of actions nationwide, the defining clash of the times was experienced by all in the sharpest relief in New York City. On the one side, the desperation of US empire, war, state terror and police state repression; on the other, humanity, the people forging their fighting unity, speaking with one voice in chorus with all the peoples of the world: Peace and Progress! Dignity and Rights! We Decide! We Will Win!

In their hundreds of thousands, workers, women, youth and national minorities, social, political, religious and environmental activists of all kinds – including many families and first time participants in mass actions – converged on Manhattan. Imbued with the profound confidence of representing the will of the people of the US, they put forward all their demands for peace and progress. Showing the growing legitimacy crisis of the US imperialists on every front, government attempts to justify the unjustifiable were met with rejection and contempt. Further, participants sharply targeted the government and imperialist system itself as the biggest problem in the world and chief block to winning the aims of the collectives and whole world they were there to represent.

From the 51 Street stage up 1st Avenue was filled for three miles. On 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, participants blocked from reaching 1st filled the streets for more than two miles, from 49th to 87th Streets. With estimates indicating 500,000 to one million people occupying midtown Manhattan, with certainty the movement is strengthening itself despite "orange alerts", a militarised city, the denial of march permits and every other obstruction and effort to impose a psychosis of fear. That the state used the demonstration as an opportunity for a massive live training exercise in crowd control and repression was clear to all participants, veterans and new activists alike. Every block of First Avenue was a "protest pen". On Third and Second, police forces were given a green light for impunity, massing participants with no space to move within a particular block, then letting loose a charge of mounted police through the crowd. Participants old and young, even baby strollers, were arbitrarily targeted for trampling, with periodic targeted arrests and all-out police beatings. At the "unpermitted" action at Times Square and elsewhere in the city, these actions were stepped up further, with activists targeted solely on the basis of looking like activists. Initial reports tell of more than 300 arrests and numerous injuries from police violence.

By day's end, however, participants reported feeling anything but defeat. Sharp in everyone's consciousness was the fact that it is the people themselves which are the source of security, the police nothing but insecurity. All took care of all, everyone's back was protected by another as veteran activists quickly mobilised others in the face of attack. The very young and old were shielded by the youth whose courage was shown again and again as they intervened to make themselves the targets of police clubs or galloping horses. While police met with success at clearing this or that intersection or block, the ultimate defeat of the empire they serve was heard in the thundering response of participants from every walk of life: "Whose World? Our World! Who Decides! We Decide!" The chant was not a demand; it was a battle call and a defining of the battleground. On countless cars, buses and trains streaming from New York, participants discussed the actions, the world's stand on February 15, and the steps to build-up their fighting forces and fighting unity for tomorrow and the next day. We the People Are Decisive! their sentiment, We Will Win Peace! their determined affirmation.