– Say no to war!
– Five reasons to become active against war
– Challenges from the “resist” campaign
– Resistance is possible!
– Support “resist”
– Text of the appeal
As part of the worldwide peace movement, the campaign „Resist – Oppose an attack on Iraq“ organizes broad social resistance against the impending invasion into Iraq. More than 3,000 individuals have already pledged through “resist” to practice resistance in whatever means possible in the case of a war against Iraq.
Our goal in case of war: to organize a nonviolent sit-in of several thousand participants in front of the Rhein/Main Airbase near Frankfurt. However, our first obligation is to put pressure on the German government and the Bush administration – to stop the impending war before it’s too late!
Act now! Support the „resist“ campaign!
Say no to war!
The United States and Great Britain’s intentions to actuate a war against Iraq are becoming more and more obvious. On October 11, 2002, US President George W. Bush received a carte blanche from the US Congress for an invasion with or without a UN mandate. Also, through appropriate compliance with the UN resolution and with Iraq’s complete cooperation with UN controllers, the US will find a pretext for claiming a violation of the conditions on the part of Iraq. The mobilization of troops in the Gulf region is almost complete. If the calculations of the US Hardliners is correct, the war could begin within the next few weeks. Already the initially closed line of European governments against an invasion against Iraq has begun to crumble. After the elections, even Germany is swiftly back peddling. The German government has granted the Americans and the British fly-over rights, use of military facilities as well as protection, free movement of troops and logistical support for this war. Against campaign promises, they are actively supporting the war. But the constitution forbids support and participation in aggressive war (Art. 26 GG and Strafgesetzbuch § 80). This is not a question of political will, but a question of loyalty to and esteem of the constitution.
“Resist” heavily condemns the Iraqi regime, especially its countless human rights violations. At the same time, several different reasons compel us to actively oppose war against Iraq:
1. No blood for oil
2. Trampling over international civil rights
With the U.S. proclaimed “preventive war”, the new American strategy of global dominance and military intervention without UN instructions will supposedly be put into action. The principles of international civil rights and the 1945 UN Charta, which forbids all forms of violence or threats of violence, will be broken to an unprecedented extent. In the future every country could declare an attack on another using the current U.S. argumentation, calling it “self-defence” or “fighting terrorism”.
3. There is no evidence
The U.S. government bases its claim of the necessity of a preventive war on the argument that Iraq still possesses weapons of mass destruction and is in close contact with terrorist organisations. At this time there is no evidence to back up such arguments. Iraq has probably neither the capacity necessary for the production of such weapons nor cooperation with Islamic terrorists, to whom Saddam Hussein’s Baath regime has always preserved a great distance. The course of the UN inspections up to this point more likely confirms the early opinions of the experts (and of the German News Service), that Iraq currently poses no immediate threat to its neighbors.
4. The consequences of war would be catastrophic
An intervention in Iraq will only continue to heat up the many conflicts in the mideast, possibly throwing them completely out of control. The internal political situation in the mideast would be further destabilized. Such a war would be like pouring water on the mills of fundamental currents. We can also assume that the war will mainly be carried out in the cities. Thus, the system of bringing supplies to the citizens, which due to the UN embargo is already completely insufficient, would completely collapse. Thousands of citizens would die, including not only those wounded or killed in the crossfire, but also those dying of hunger and starvation.
5. There are alternatives to war
Weapons inspections are providing an opportunity to avoid war and to gain relative security and control over various methods of mass destruction. The threat of the Baath regime would be contained in this manner. With the long overdue lifting of the embargo, solutions could finally be found for the country, especially for those civilians living in misery, who are by no means responsible for the politics and crimes of the Iraqi regime. Just as urgently needed are solutions for the entire mideast region. Finding initiatives for a peaceful solution in Israel/Palestine is the key—to which we challenge the powerful United States.
Therefore, we are saying NO to a war against Iraq and demand:
No military invasion into Iraq!
The current bombings of U.S. and British forces on Iraq must end immediately!
The German government and other European governments must take an offensive stand against the war on Iraq to the European Union and to NATO!
In the case of a war on Iraq, the U.S.A. and Great Britain should be forbidden fly-over rights and the use of military bases and airports in German territory for the proceedings of this war!
All German troops and weapons stationed in the Gulf region must be pulled back!
The UN embargo against Iraq, for humanitary reasons, must be lifted.
More and more people no longer wish to helplessly stand by and watch the apparently almost unavoidable war on Iraq develop. “resist” seeks to motivate thousands of people from completely diverse circles, to become active in some form or another, according to each individual’s capabilities to do so. By signing the “resist” appeal, you are committing to become active.
In the wake of the possible war on Iraq, the “resist” campaign wishes to develop pressure for the adoption of our demands. We still have a chance to prevent this war, but only if we act now!
When war does indeed begin, the organisation of a large nonviolent sit-in in front of the Rhein/Main air base in Frankfurt will become the central focus of the resist-campaign. We follow the tradition of the acts of civil disobedience in the 80s at Mutlangen and at other American military bases. Our goal is to show with this act a sign of determination for peace and to place the conflict at a highly symbolic, critical location. The U.S. air base in Frankfurt is currently, and especially in case of war, a very important logistical turning point for the build-up of troops and the transportation of reinforcement materials. At this location we will be encountering the American war logistics at one of its most critical points.
Support “Resist”.
Sign the “resist” appeal and, in the case of war, take part in our large non-violent sit-in!
Order more copies of this appeal, distribute them to your friends and acquaintances and make them available at public forums.
“resist” finances its publicity work and organisation of actions and demonstrations against the war on Iraq solely through donations. Please support us with a donation.
In the case that the U.S. government invades Iraq, I pledge today to take part in protests, demonstrations and/or other actions of civil disobedience at U.S. military bases, U.S. consulates and the U.S. embassy in Berlin.