18 March 2003
The South African Communist Party (SACP) is outraged at yesterday's address by President George Bush clearly indicating that the US, Britain and its other allies have decided to launch a war against the people of Iraq despite the absence of a UN Resolution and growing opposition to any war by the peoples of the world.
As part of the Stop the War Campaign, the SACP will join a candle-light vigil to be held tonight (19h00 - 21h00) at the US Consulate in Johannesburg (corner River and Riviera Roads, opposite the Killarney Mall, Killarney, Johannesburg). The General Secretaries of the SACP and COSATU, Blade Nzimande and Zwelinzima Vavi, will attend the vigil.
As the anti-war mobilisation has affirmed, the clear intention to attack Iraq confirms the intention of the US to act unilaterally, undermine global dialogue in order to impose its hegemony militarily and otherwise in every corner of the globe.
This has grave consequences for the future of the United Nations and how the issues and interests of all the people of the world can be advanced on a mutual basis based on social progress, social justice and global peace. This war will fundamentally reverse the struggle for the transformation and democratisation of the UN and other multi-lateral institutions.
The SACP wishes to make it clear that any attack on Iraq not authorised by the UN Security Council (let alone the desirability of any war given the unjustified domination of the UN Security Council by the advanced capitalist countries) constitutes a gross violation of human rights and those involved in such actions should be regarded by all progressive forces and peace loving people as war criminals.
The SACP calls on all South Africans and all peace-loving people in the world to escalate anti-war mobilisation and solidarity with the people of Iraq. As the Iraqi Communist Party has said, "The dangers of invasion and military occupation by the US, Britain and their allies, which could only bring further death and destruction. They have already endured terrible suffering as a result of two wars waged by their dictatorial rulers, the Iraq-Iran war (1980-88) and the Gulf War in addition to devastating consequences of more than 1 years of economic sanctions".
CONTACT
Solly Mapaila - SACP National Organiser
Cell:082 886 3526
Michael Sachs - Coordinator of the Stop the War Campaign
Cell: 083 289 2233
Mazibuko K. Jara - SACP Media Officer
Cell: 083 651 0271