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Media statement by Stop the War Coalition, Malaysia

Malaysian Govt Must Take Lead in Expressing Global Outrage

Malaysia must resist US bullying

In the face of the on-going killings, displacements, distortions, destruction and divisions which have followed the illegal invasion of Iraq, the Stop the War Coalition, Malaysia urges the Malaysian Government:

1. to intensify its efforts to call for an immediate emergency session of the UN General Assembly to discuss the Iraq situation under UN Resolution 377 "Uniting for Peace".

   This is the mechanism by which the General Assembly can be called where the "Security Council has failed to exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security because of the lack of unanimity of the permanent members."

   We are aware that the US is doing everything in its bullying power to prevent such a session being called, despite their protestations that they are leaders of the "free and democratic" world. We urge our government to resist this bullying and for our Prime Minister, as chairman of NAM and chairman-to-be of OIC, to lead the way in encouraging other UN members to come together at this critical and urgent time.

   Continuation of the US-led aggression will mean more unnecessary killings, displacement, destruction and division. Every effort must be made to stop this illegal war as soon as possible for the sake of the people of Iraq, the people of the region and all the peoples who inhabit this, our precious world.

2. to take the appropriate steps to review and rescind Britain's and Australia's membership of the Commonwealth. The 1971 Declaration of Commonwealth Principles commits all Commonwealth members to the upholding of international peace and order, as well as committing members to the strengthening of the United Nations as the forum to deal with issues of peace and security in the world.

   The manner in which the British and Australian governments have flouted international law in supporting the American-led invasion of Iraq demonstrates a clear departure from the principles of the Commonwealth. Their arrogant, immoral and illegal behaviour must be called to account.