| Chugoku Shimbun Peace News | |
| Iraq War, a shaken cause - Gensukin world congress interviews | '03/8/5 |
The purpose given by the US and UK for making war on Iraq was to eliminate its weapons of mass destruction. However, no evidence of such weapons has yet been found, and the reason for the war threatens to crumble into a misinformation scandal. We spoke to two participants in the Gensuikin, Gensuikyo World Congress; one a US peace activist who helped to lead the anti-war effort, the other a member of the British Parliament who opposed the war in Iraq.
- Think again about dispatching Self-Defense Force George Galloway (48), member of the British Parliament, Labor Party Q: Why did you oppose the war in Iraq? The relationship between the world of Islam and the Western nations has never been very good. All the Iraq War has done is make it worse. It has increased the hatred of the US and Britain in other Islamic nations, making it quite likely that other terrorist attacks will occur. In London, we had an enormous demonstration against this war. Two million people took to the streets in February. Most people wondered from the beginning why we were in war, and that question has yet to be answered. Q: Is suspicion mounting in the UK about disinformation by the government regarding Iraq's weapons of mass destruction? Some are calling the "English Watergate." Many believe there was deliberate misinformation. Prime Minister Blair placed such a high priority on maintaining his friendship with President Bush that he was forced into a lie. Responsibility for that is being pursued intently. Q: Japan is talking about sending our Self-Defense Force to Iraq. To Iraqis the Self-Defense Force will be an occupying army, just like the Americans and the British. Given that soldiers there are dying one after the next in terrorist attacks, there is an excellent chance that Self-Defense Force personnel will also die. Furthermore, the good relationship Japan has built with Islamic society will also be lost at a stroke. I believe Japan should reconsider sending troops. Q: What is the proper role of the A-bombed cities? The strategy of the Bush administration did not end with the Iraq War. It will inevitably shift its attention to North Korea and the other members of the "axis of evil." Japan should not follow the US in this. The nation that suffered the damage of the world's first nuclear weapon should powerfully send the message that, "War for any reason is hateful." (Junichiro Kanai) - We need international solidarity Judith LeBlanc (51) US Executive Committee Member, United For Peace and Justice Q: What is your view of the Iraq War? The Bush administration started that war using the September 11 attacks as justification, claiming imminent danger from weapons of mass destruction, and cleverly using the fear of the people. Now they're there to make sure that US companies profit from rebuilding the country that they destroyed. Q: How is the peace movement doing since the Iraq War? Many activists actually believed they could stop the attack on Iraq. Therefore, in April, during the fiercest fighting, they wavered and fell apart somewhat. However, as it becomes clearer that the war was not just for the people of Iraq but also for our own nation's profit, the movement has become more active again. Q: How will the campaign go now? Our coalition was formed last fall with participation of 600 organizations nationwide. Some were bereaved by terrorist attacks. Right now, the campaign to call back the US soldiers stationed in Iraq is building momentum. In the next few days, all over the US, there will be considerable excitement about opposing the Bush administration's nuclear policies. It is the first since the dropping of the atomic bomb to retain the option of a preemptive first strike with nuclear weapons. We intend to fight for disarmament in the US, which has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world. We need a powerful solidarity among peace groups worldwide. Q: How will you work with Hiroshima? Using opportunities like this World Congress, we'll call for joint actions. For example, what about a signature campaign? That would be a way to convey the experience of the hibakusha and Hiroshima's desire for nuclear abolition to the rest of the world. Around the world, the danger is coming increasingly into the open. I hope Hiroshima will keep the faith and will continue to convey its message to the next generation. (Hiromi Morita) 
(Caption)(above) Mr. Galloway stresses that "Most British citizens have serious doubts about the Iraq War." (below)LeBlanc: The peace movement in the US is getting reactivated
    
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