The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
Views expressed in this archived message are those of the author, not of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
[Main archive index/search] [List information] [Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq Homepage]
Dear Diarmaid, my understanding is that if the Security Council approves of the attack - more accurately, as you describe it - the proposed US/UK massacre - then it is legal. It will still be a massacre to allow us to get a political settlement in Iraq that is agreeable to US/UK interests but it will be legal. I read somewhere that the US is promising different members of the Security Council a share in the spoils(ie Iraq's oil) if they go along with the attack. But the US and UK are also explicit about the fact that they do not necessarily want Security Council authorisation for their war crimes. In fact this contempt for the most basic principles of international law in the UN Charter, which demands such authorisation, has a history.The US attack on Sudan in 1998 happened without approval from the Security Council as did Operation Desert Fox(1998) by the US and UK against Iraq(in which, unbelieveably, more bombs were dropped on Iraq in 3 days than in the whole of the Gulf War which lasted over 40 days) - no Security Council approval. Legally, therefore, these were war crimes. You may have noticed that practically every time Blair(or Bush) mentions the UN it's to say something that can be paraphrased as "Get with us on this or be irrelevant" or "UN approval would be nice but it's not neccessary." They thereby make a point of saying that they could not care less about international law or the UN Security Council. In order to help deter these criminals I have pledged to carry out civil disobedience if they launch a massive attack on Iraq and I urge everyone else to do the same or something similar. Regards, Tim ---- Original Message ----- From: "Diarmuid" <diarmuidfogarty@onetel.net.uk> To: <casi-discuss@lists.casi.org.uk> Sent: Saturday, September 21, 2002 8:16 AM Subject: [casi] Repeated request [ Presenting plain-text part of multi-format email ] Just a reminder of my earlier question. I know how easy it is for these things to get lost in the various threads: Who decides if the UN approves of the wholesale massacre of Iraqi people? Is it the General Assembly or the Security Council? How many countries consitute the Security Council? [How many of those countries form part of the G7/8 body?] Of course, I could go and find out this information for myself...well, actually, this is almost what I'm doing! Any answers? _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk