2003: Indian Muslim Statements, The Milli Gazette

2003: Indian Muslim Statements
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ALL INDIA MUSLIM MAJLIS-e-MUSHAWARAT

Impending US Invasion Violates International Law
Defies UN System and Iraqi Sovereignty
Constitutes Threat to Security and Sovereignty of all States
Government of India Must Deny all Facilities to USA

New Delhi, 18 March, 2003: Shri Syed Shahabuddin, President of the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), has issued the following Statement:

"The US has abandoned the UN Option, the Resolution Option, the Inspection Option and in defiance of the world public opinion, shared by the overwhelming majority of the member-states of the UN, and in violation of the international law and the norms of the emergent international order, adopted the INVASION OPTION, in accordance with its pre-determined schedule.

The US action has thrown the UNO into a trauma. One hopes that the trauma does not prove to be fatal, though it has exposed its ineffectiveness when the law-breaker is the superpower of the age.

The US is no doubt the only superpower today. It can do what it likes. Militarily it has no rival. Politically it can silence into inaction and acquiescence, even the other great powers - Russia, China and France and the economic giants, Germany and Japan, not to speak of the powerless and terrified states in the rest of the Third World.

In one mighty stroke, President George Bush has demolished his great country 's reputation, lined it up in the gallery of rogue, lawless, states and identified it with Neo-imperialism and Neo-colonialism.

The US's ultimatum raises two basic questions of National Sovereignty and the Right of Self-determination of Nations. The question is not the record of President Saddam Husain but whether a foreign state has the right to topple him and impose an alternative regime and whether the Iraqi people are not free to have a leader of their choice. US cannot set 'select' heads of other states/governments!

Iraq does not pose a threat to the USA. Iraq does not have weapons of mass destruction or long-range delivery systems. Iraq has no linkage with international terrorism. Iraq's only 'sin' is that it has the second largest oil resources in the Gulf.

International law and the UN Charter do not give the US any right to take unilateral action or make a pre-emptive strike.

The US has launched on a dangerous enterprise, which threatens the security and sovereignty of all states. Today it is Iraq, tomorrow it can be India, if it does not toe the US line. It has served a notice on friends and foes alike.

The Indian people must raise their voice of protest, alongwith all the peace-loving people of the world, against this rape of international law and pressurize the government to deny the use of Indian territory, sea or air space to the USA and any facilities or assistance in prosecution of its crime against the Iraqi people and against humanity."

Sd/- Syed Shahabuddin
ALL INDIA MUSLIM MAJLIS-e-MUSHAWARAT
N-44, Abul Fazal Enclave, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi - 110 025 Phone: 2632 6780 Fax: 2632 7346 Email: muslim@del3.vsnl.net.in q

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