QUAKERS believe that the resort to violence as the means to settle conflicting international interests is immoral and only succeeds in causing unnecessary suffering and sows the seeds for future violence.
The way to solve international conflicts is by entering into peaceful dialogue.
For that reason, in the present confrontation with Iraq, we would urge our Government to pursue the UN route as stated in UNSC Resolution 1441. In practice, that would mean allowing the UN weapons inspectors to complete their work and make their report. And -- in our understanding of 1441 -- further action would require a further resolution.
We are appalled at the belligerent attitude taken by the Bush administration, sadly supported by our Prime Minister, which seems intent upon attacking Iraq in the very near future, whether weapons of mass destruction are unearthed or not. We are fearful that the current US government will seriously undermine the credibility of the UN by misusing UN processes as a means of reducing opposition to war rather than using them in good faith as a method of avoiding war wherever possible.
Three aspects of both US and UK policy we find to be particularly disturbing:
1. The constant reiteration that the US and the UK are privy to certain intelligence (too sensitive to be disclosed) that already confirms Iraq possesses Weapons of Mass Destruction though the Weapons Inspectors do not find this to be the case.
2. PM Blair's assertion that he "knows" terrorists, assisted by Iraq, have definite plans to inflict acts of terror in the UK.
3. The assembling and transporting of massive forces to strategic locations in the Middle East in preparation for waging war on Iraq. This mobilisation in itself creates a momentum for war.
Finally, we are concerned re the double standards and deceit hidden within the policies outlined above. There is a state within the Middle East that possesses Weapons of Mass Destruction and attacks its neighbours and that is Israel. Also, is not the real motive for all the above the desire to control Iraq's oil resources
Bolton Quakers
Silverwell Street
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