UN Resolution was no "victory"
November 11, 2002 12:00 AM
A West Midlands MEP is calling for more calm and less triumphalism following the historic UN Security Council resolution calling for weapons inspectors to be sent back into Iraq.
Liz Lynne, a Liberal Democrat MEP who has voiced her concerns about war with Iraq, said:
"It is true that, were it not for George Bush's hawkish stance against Iraq, we probably would not now have achieved this resolution. But it is equally true that it is a far cry from his original insistence of 'regime change.' Until September 11 he had completely ignored the situation and many of his more hawkish advisors were responsible for arming and sustaining Saddam Hussain in the first place. He has very little to be proud of."
"I am deeply concerned by noises from the US and UK Governments that this resolution can be used as a pretext for unilateral action. It is clear that Security Council member Syria and the Arab world do not share this view. If we are to keep them on board, we must show them some respect.
"We must now hope that Saddam Hussain co-operates fully with the UN weapons inspectors."
Liz has also called for the military in the US and UK to talk to a Birmingham-based organisation called Operation Desert Haven. Operation Desert Haven is developing plans to cut civilian casualties in the event of an Invasion of Iraq.
Liz said, "War with Iraq is almost too dreadful to contemplate. However, it remains a possibility that this could come to pass. It is important that the military talk now about how non-combatants can be kept out of the conflict. They should talk to Operation Desert Haven and consider its proposals."
Notes to editors: a statement from Operation Desert Haven can be found at www.operationdeserthaven.org.
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