***** Statement by the Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB) Executive Board on the IRAQI conflict Berlin, January 13 th 2003
War is no solution!
It is with great concern that the DGB observes the deployment of US troops in the Gulf region. Although the United Nations arms controls have so far come up with no evidence that Saddam Hussein's regime continues to harbour weapons of mass destruction, an attack on Iraq seems imminent. The international community of nations has repeatedly condemned the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein and called on Iraq to respect fundamental human rights. Saddam Hussein is responsible for the plight of the Iraqi population and the brutal persecution of minorities and political opponents.
We support all peaceful means of fostering humanitarian improvement of the situation in Iraq and of contributing to lessening the threat in the crisis-ridden region. The DGB is firmly opposed, in this situation, to any attempt to achieve these goals by the use of military force.
- The international attempt to overcome terrorism and the potential for mass destruction, in particular in the hands of dictators, is a matter for the community of nations and not for a single country, even if that country is currently the only superpower. If the possibility of a last-resort use of force must be allowed for, this has to be subject to a United Nations' decision, based on its global monopoly on the use of force, and the rules of international law.
- The DGB still believes the international alliance against terrorism to be essential. However, it sees the chances of success as lying above all in combating the evil at source. As long as poverty and misery, political oppression and social exclusion are part of people's everyday experience in many parts of the world, the scourge of terrorism will not be eradicated. It is new economic, social and development policy initiatives that are needed, not recourse to military force.
- The DGB warns against the incalculable political and economic risks entailed by military intervention in Iraq and which could lead to destabilisation of the Middle East as a whole. Even worse is the fact that the main tribulations resulting from a military conflict would be inflicted upon the already sorely tried Iraqi civilian population.
- The DGB supports the German government in its stance of non-involvement in another Iraqi war and calls upon it to broadcast this stance increasingly loudly and clearly in the coming weeks. All peaceful options to avoid conflict must be brought into play. It is the responsibility of the German federal government to enlist support for a peaceful solution in the UN Security Council.
http://www.dgb.de/sprachen/englisch/statement_iraqi_conflikt.pdf *****
-- hk