1 February 2003
Then came an off-microphone answer, and a deafening silence afterwards, to a question from a British journalist - had a link between the September the 11th terrorists and Iraq been made? "I can't make that claim" said Bush. Tony Blair picked up the baton , saying that no matter what, once the twin threats of a rogue regime armed with weapons of mass destruction and terrorists came together, the consequences would be disasterous. Weapons inspectors leader Han Blix has been invited to Baghdad for talks next week , but he has said he will go only if progress is made, for example on surveillance flights and interviews with Iraqi scientists. The next key date is February the fifth, when Colin Powell presents what the Americans claim is proof of Iraqi deception to the UN Security Council, gleaned from electronic listening devices. Iraq has demanded high level representation at this meeting. |
2 February 2003
Across the United States people shared a sense of loss and sympathy for the families of the dead astronauts. The mood at Washington's Air and Space Museum was sombre as news of the shuttle tragedy sank in. In New York, itself no stranger to sadness, there was initial concern that the shuttle might have been sabotaged. "I hope it was something defective in the shuttle and I pray for the lives of the people that were lost and that it is not another act of the world we are living in," said Richard Brightman, a New York resident. "Devastating! I was down by the World Trade Centre site and I just stepped into a Burger King, the TV was on, and I was just, like, how many more disasters can we take. So it is very devastating," said Justin Kastner, a tourist from Kansas. Eliezer Wolferman, the father of the Israeli crew member killed, paid tribute to his son at a makeshift shrine near his home in southern Israel. Ilan Ramon was a national hero and his voyage into space had been followed avidly by Israelis. Indians paused to reflect on the accident and pray for the victims. One of the astronauts, Kalpana Chawla, was born in the country. The 41-year-old American citizen was the first
Indian-born person to travel in space.
Iraq's deputy prime minister Tareq Aziz has said the chief United Nations weapons inspector Hans Blix will visit Baghdad next Saturday. Blix was invited to Iraq following his report last Monday critical of Iraq's cooperation with inspectors looking for evidence of weapons of mass destruction. "Mr Blix will be here - as I heard this morning from the foreign ministry - on the 8th, to discuss outstanding issues," Aziz said. Meanwhile, anti-war campaigners from the group Iraq Peace Team held a vigil at a damaged bomb shelter in Baghdad, in which 408 women and children died during a bombing raid by U.S. planes in the 1991 Gulf War. A poll conducted this week for ABC News and the Washington Post shows two-thirds of Americans support going to war against Iraq, and more than half believe the Bush administration should launch an attack even if it fails to win the backing of the United Nations. |
3 February 2003 --------------------------------------------------- d U.N. to meet
It is the start of what could be an intense week in the stand off with Iraq. As United Nations weapons inspectors continue their searches, in preparation for the delivery of their next major report on 14 February 2003, the chief inspector is getting ready to visit Baghdad at the end of the week. Hans Blix will meet Husam Mohammed Amin from the Iraqi Monitoring Directorate. Speaking about U.S. claims that the Pentagon has information on illegal weapons, Amin was dismissive. "We think that the so-called evidence that will be presented by [U.S. Secretary of State] Mr [Colin] Powell or other administration officials won't really have any evidence," he said. Meanwhile, in a bizarre twist, British peace activist
and former member of parliament Tony Benn says he has conducted
a television interview with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, the
first in over a decade. Benn has said he hopes it will be shown
in full within the next couple of days. ---------------------------------------------------
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5 February 2003 --------------------------------------------------- European delegates give UN evidence against Iraq A European parliament delegation has presented the United Nations in New York with evidence it claims proves Saddam Hussein possesses and is seeking to procure banned weapons. The group met with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and chief UN arms inspector Hans Blix. Spokeswoman Emma Nicholson said: "I brought with me, hot from Iraq and from the region, the Gulf, some fresh evidence from Iraqi people themselves of storage and resource acquisition of weapons of mass destruction materials." The US says it, too, has evidence of Iraq's alleged weapons programme, which it will present to the Security Council later this week. Iraqi spokesman Amer Al-Saadi is asking "why the delay?": "I mean, it's not the Cuban missile crisis, is it? It's something to search for, hidden items, they could give it to UNMOVIC directly, why are they keeping it all this time?" Washington hopes the new intelligence it is due to deliver to the Security Council on Wednesday will convince reluctant members of Iraq's unwillingness to cooperate. The inspectors' next report to the Council in ten days time is expected to play a crucial role in any decision on Iraq. --------------------------------------------------- US flexes military muscle as a warning to Korea
As the military build-up continues in the Gulf region, the US has put several of its bombers, fighter jets and warships on alert for possible deployment to the Korean peninsula. A Pentagon official said the forces would only be moved as a precautionary measure against any aggression by North Korea on its southern neighbour. There has been growing tension between the US and North Korea in recent months after Pyongyang broke a 1994 nuclear non-proliferation agreement with Washington. The US has said it wants to settle things peacefully with North Korea and that its current goal is to maintain a military status quo in the region. A spokesman said it was standard procedure to review defenses for existing security commitments when US forces were preparing for potential operations elsewhere. -------------------------------------------------- |
| 8 February 2003 ---------------------------------------------------
The United Nations' top arms inspectors are meeting in Baghdad today to assess Iraq's cooperation with a UN resolution, aimed at forcing the country to disarm. Before meeting in Iraq, Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei held talks in Cyprus on Friday. Blix has refused to reveal details of their discussions until a press conference on Saturday. His colleague Mohammed ElBaradei, a nuclear arms expert, has called for a meeting with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to discuss ways to improve their work, "time is critical and we need to show quick progress and we need to show drastic change on the part of Iraq in terms of cooperation in all areas" he said. Meanwhile, a further three Iraqi scientists have been
privately interviewed by the UN. It follows the first on Thursday.
The talks are reported to have lasted for upto three hours each.
No details have been released. Iraq continues to deny holding any
weapons of mass destruction.
A massive demonstration's expected to be held in Munich today as US secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld attempts to gain support for a war with Iraq. Arriving in the German city, Rumsfeld was greeted
by around 2,500 protestors yesterday. The nation has been angered by remarks made by Rumsfeld, who likened the country's oppsition to conflict to Libya and Cuba's. Germany, alongside France, Russia and China, wants inspectors to have more time to conduct their searches for so-called weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Washington however is pushing for a second UN resolution, which could give the go ahead for war. Around 8,000 people are expected to take to the streets
and with the possibility of violence, 3,500 police officers have
been placed on duty. |
10 February 2003
One of the biggest crises to hit NATO in its 54 year history could be unfolding. Belgium, alongside France and Germany, has announced it intends to block NATO plans to defend Turkey, if a US-led war on Iraq is declared. Turkey is the most likely launch pad for an American attack. The three countries warn that diplomatic efforts to divert conflict are being undermined while plans to protect Iraq's neighbour are stepped up. In a television interview, Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel said he wants the debate reopened, so that he can block the NATO Secretary General's decision. "We hope to do it, and we are going to do it, the three of us" he said. US military personnel are now reported to have reached the southeastern town of Diyarbakir and Turkish soldiers and tanks are continuing their deployment to the Iraqi border. Despite agreeing to allow its military bases to be used by the US, Ankara says it opposes war, and has campaigned to bring a peaceful settlement to the stand off, fearing that it could destabilise not only its country, but the entire region. Monday is the deadline for NATO members to raise their objections. ------------------------------------------------ This is no time to resort to force in Iraq says Russia and Germany
Russian president Vladimir Putin is in the German capital Berlin on the start of a four-day trip to Germany and France. Officially, the Russian leader has been taking part in German-Russian cultural events to celebrate the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg. But the main item on the agenda is talks among those nations resisting US pressure to apply force to disarm Iraq. Putin and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said they agreed on seeking peaceful disarmament of Iraq, adding that they saw no reason for resorting to force at this time. Both denied the existence of any so-called secret plan to provide an alternative to war
Strong opposition within Europe, to a US-led war with Iraq, appears to be falling on deaf ears. American President George W. Bush has once again stepped up the pressure on the United Nations, declaring that America is prepared to disarm Saddam Hussein with or without its backing. Bush made the comments to a group of republicans in West Virginia. "The UN gets to decide shortly whether or not it is going to be relevant in terms of keeping the peace, whether or not its words mean anything. But one thing is certain, for the sake of peace and for the sake of security in the US and our friends and allies, we will disarm Saddam Hussein if he will not disarm himself."
Top UN experts are signalling a change of heart on the part of Iraq, after two days of talks in Baghdad. Mohamed ElBaradei and his colleague Hans Blix are indicating that they have seen the first signs of a new positive attitude from Saddam Hussein's officials. "They gave us some papers which are being analysed and they gave us some further information," said chief weapons inspector Blix. "We had some discussions with the scientists. That is why I am talking about a beginning. I had not seen this before. "We are not at all at the end of the road." As search teams continued their work on the ground, combing a school among other suspect sites, their bosses also, however, expressed the desire for more co-operation, ahead of their all-important report to the UN Security Council on February 14. A willingness to co-operate is what Iraq is increasingly keen to express. Saddam's refusal to allow surveillance flights over Iraqi territory, for instance, has been a key stumbling block. One of his advisers said that efforts were now being made to end the deadlock. "We hope that it could be resolved within the coming days before Dr Hans Blix makes his report," said General Amer al-Saadi in a press conference. He also urged the inspectors to be fair in their assessment, declaring that documents handed over proved that Iraq was free of banned weapons and telling reporters "our track record is clean." ------------------------------------------------
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11 February 2003 Bush: France "short-sighted" over Nato veto
NATO will make a new attempt today to sort out one of the worst disputes in its 54-year history. Following talks with the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, US President George Bush, accused France of being short-sighted. "I am disappointed that France would block NATO from helping a country like Turkey prepare. I don't understand that decision. It affects the Alliance in a negative way," said Bush. Earlier, the NATO Secretary-General, George Robertson, announced that France, together with Germany and Belgium, had vetoed helping Turkey, a fellow NATO member, prepare for possible attacks by Iraq in the event of an American-led war against Baghdad. France argues that extending assistance to Turkey now would be tantamount to admitting that an Iraqi conflict was inevitable. If there is one, Turkish military bases near the
Iraqi border could play a vital role, acting as launch pads for
a land invasion of northern Iraq. The Americans are determined
to protect the Turks from revenge attacks by deploying AWACS surveillance
planes, Patriot missiles and anti-chemical and biological warfare
teams. Russia teams up with France and Germany over Iraq
Russia says it supports the Franco-German plan to
disarm Iraq peacefully through beefing up the inspections programme.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin made his views clear after meeting
his French counterpart, Jacques Chirac, in Paris. A joint statement
called on every effort to be made to avoid war, something the
presidents said could lead to an "unpredictable escalation
in tension". However, Chirac and Putin insist their comments
are not directed against the US, and neither have raised the prospect
of using their United Nations Security Council veto to block a
war resolution. The harmony between the leaders did not spread
to the streets of Paris. A large crowd gathered to protest at
Putin's visit, accusing him of genocide in the rebel Chechen region. ------------------------------------------------
The chief United Nations weapons inspector, Hans Blix, has played down the row over the Franco-German plan by saying one does not exist. He also said the idea of UN soldiers guarding his team would make matters worse, not better. Blix spoke out en route for the UN in New York. "I do not think there is a French-German proposal in the first place. I was contacted by the French embassy in Baghdad and I had a message from the French capital that there was nothing beyond what the (French) Foreign Minister (de) Villepin proposed and talked about in the sessions of the Security Council in New York," he said. Blix is due to report to the Security Council on Friday. The day before, a special meeting will be held to discuss humanitarian aid to Iraq in the event of war. Meanwhile, the Iraqi president, Saddam Hussein, appears to be going back on Baghdad's unconditional acceptance of flyovers by U-2 surveillance planes. He said if the UN wanted the flights to go ahead, it should tell the US and Britain to stop their bombing raids. Otherwise, he said, Iraq would be effectively capitulating. On the diplomatic front, the Pope's peace envoy, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, is due in Baghdad today. He will urge Saddam to comply fully with Blix's team. ------------------------------------------------
Italy has celebrated her very first day of remembrance
to mark one of the greatest mass migrations of the Twentieth Century. ------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------- 12 February 2003 "Bin Laden" tape urges Muslims to fight for Iraq
An audio tape message said to be from Osama bin Laden has urged Muslims to fight the United States and Israel and repel any war against Iraq. The speaker says: "We are following with great concern the preparations of the crusaders to launch war on the former capital of Muslims." The voice brands the Iraqi regime of President Saddam Hussein as "infidels" but says that in the fight against America, the interest of Muslims coincide with the interests of socialists. Saddam's secular Ba'ath party has ruled Iraq since 1968. The tape has been broadcast by the Gulf-based satellite television station, al-Jazeera, which Washington claims is a mouthpiece for Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network but US intelligence experts believe the voice is bin Laden's, further proof that America's arch-enemy is still alive. -----------------------------------------------
For the Americans, the audio tape played by the TV station, al-Jazeera, believed to be by Osama bin Laden is a definite propaganda coup coming just a week after the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, told the United Nations Security Council that al Qaeda and Iraq were linked. Speaking to al-Jazeera, Powell's spokesman, Richard Boucher, said the tape proved America's contention. "He is threatening the whole world," he said. "We have said this is a fight for civilisation, to protect civilised countries against this kind of terrorism and I think that is demonstrated again by this tape. So the fact is there is still a threat out there and we all need to continue to cooperate in fighting against this type of terrorist." Last week, the United States was placed on orange alert, the second-highest level, after intelligence reports of a threat from groups linked to al Qaeda. The tape, particularly if the voice is Osama bin Laden's, may help the Bush administration to convince at least some of the doubters in America and abroad that a war to rid Iraq of its alleged weapons of mass destruction is justified. -----------------------------------------------
The NATO crisis over help for Turkey is now in its third day, with no sign of a breakthrough. France, Germany and Belgium are still blocking proposals to increase the Alliance's presence in Turkey before a war on Iraq. The NATO Secretary-General, ( Lord ) George Robertson, is pinning his hopes on further talks today, as relations between Washington and what the US Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, dismissed as "Old Europe" worsen. "There's a lot of discussion going on. We have not reached agreement yet, but the sheer volume of talking that is going on gives me some hope," said Lord Robertson. Turkey could prove crucial in the event of war, because of its airbases close to northern Iraq. Thousands of Turkish soldiers are already deployed in the Kurdish-controlled area across the border. The United States is continuing its mobilisation plans and the Secretary of State, Colin Powell, has said that Washington is prepared to send more forces to Turkey, even without an agreement among NATO members.
------------------------------------------------ |
13 Febbraio 2003 German leader defence his no-war policy over Iraq
The crisis over Iraq has sparked one of the worst splits within NATO in decades. Military and political leaders have vowed to heal the rifts by Saturday. The trouble was sparked by an American request to send additional NATO military hardware to Turkey in the event of war. However several NATO partners have said a war build up makes no sense before UN inspectors reveal their findings before the Security Council. But Turkey with two huge military bases in the south of the country and a shared border with Iraq wants the additional protection now from its partners. Under NATO accords, any member of the alliance which comes under attack must be protected by other members. The German government today told Ankara that if Iraq launches a strike against it, Germany will come to its defence. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Iraq denies missiles breach UN rules
As the UN Security Council waits to hear the latest report from its chief weapons inspector Hans Blix, Iraq has denied some of its missiles exceed permissible limits. Blix said yesterday his experts had discovered rockets with a greater range than is allowed under UN resolutions. "We have also had a report from our own staff on the expert meeting on missiles that have taken place these last two days and I have received very valuable advice. For the rest, I will speak on Friday and I invite you all to listen." The British Minister Tony Blair was unequivocal about how he regards the find. "If these reports are correct -- obviously the inspectors should give evidence of what they know about that and I'm sure they will tomorrow -- if these reports are correct, it is very serious because it would be not just a failure to declare and disclose information but a breach of resolution 1441." Iraqi authorities recently promised to cooperate more fully with UN teams as they carry out their search for banned weapons. But the discovery of the illegal missiles is likely to result in a tougher assessment by Blix when he delivers his report at the UN tomorrow. That could hasten the countdown to military action. -------------------------------------------------------------------
NATO will try and sort out differences by this weekend
Anti aircraft installations now surround public buildings and tourist sites in Washington. The code orange state of alert is being taken very seriously. Avenger and Stinger ground-to-air missiles and sentinel radars have been deployed after the CIA warned a new terror attempt could take place this week. People have been heeding a call to protect themselves, buying up duct tape to seal windows against a chemical or biological strike. They are also stocking up on the basics, including bottled water and canned food - just in case: "The idea is to have enough stuff so that you can stay in your house by yourself if there is a dirty bomb for three or four days and have enough food for everybody and be comfortable," said one shopper pushing a packed trolley towards the cash till. Another said: "I need batteries for flashlights in case the power goes off or we have to turn the power off because of terrorist attacks." Also on the shopping list are gas masks, hard hats and first aid kits. According to the CIA, Muslim extremists could be planning an attack to coincide with the end of Haj, the annual five-day pilgrimage to Mecca. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Terror fear grips US
Anti aircraft installations now surround public buildings and tourist sites in Washington. The code orange state of alert is being taken very seriously. Avenger and Stinger ground-to-air missiles and sentinel radars have been deployed after the CIA warned a new terror attempt could take place this week. People have been heeding a call to protect themselves, buying up duct tape to seal windows against a chemical or biological strike. They are also stocking up on the basics, including bottled water and canned food - just in case: "The idea is to have enough stuff so that you
can stay in your house by yourself if there is a dirty bomb for
three or four days and have enough food for everybody and be comfortable,"
said one shopper pushing a packed trolley towards the cash till.
Another said: "I need batteries for flashlights in case the
power goes off or we have to turn the power off because of terrorist
attacks." Also on the shopping list are gas masks, hard hats
and first aid kits. According to the CIA, Muslim extremists could
be planning an attack to coincide with the end of Haj, the annual
five-day pilgrimage to Mecca. Putin threatens to veto second Iraq resolution
Agreement among United Nations Security Council members over a second resolution that would effectively sanction war on Iraq is still looking unlikely. At the end of a three-day visit to France, Russia's President Vladimir Putin insisted he would use his power of veto as a permanent council member if need be. He said the purported Osama bin Laden audiotape broadcast on Tuesday neither proved nor disproved a link between Iraq and al Qaeda. Putin went on to say he was not yet convinced of the necessity for war, despite his personal affection for President Bush. Like everyone else, he is waiting for UN weapons supremo, Hans Blix's update report to the Security Council tomorrow. Blix has been discussing the latest developments with his advisors - including details of an Iraqi missile system that appears to violate UN resolutions. He told reporters: "We have also had a report
from our own staff on the expert meeting on missiles that have
taken place these last two days and I have received very valuable
advice. For the rest, I will speak on Friday and I invite you
all to listen."
The CIA's director George Tennet has issued a grim warning over North Korea. He told a high level White House committee the communist state probably has one or two nuclear bombs and has missiles capable of delivering them to the United States. White House spokesman Ari Fleisher underlined Washington's concerns. "Technology and time mean that regimes like North Korea will increasingly have the ability to strike at the United States whish is the reason why it is important for us to have a missile defence system." Tennet's warning follows hard on the heels of a
decision by the UN's chief atomic energy inspector Mohammad El
Barradei to report North Korea to the UN Security Council. The
move paves the way for economic sanctions against the Stalinist
regime in Pyongyang. Ariel Sharon in the dock for war crimes
A ruling by a Belgian court which would allow Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon to be tried for war crimes has sparked a diplomatic row between Belgium and Israel. The plaintiffs are using a Belgian human rights law which claims universal jurisdiction to try crimes against humanity and genocide. But Sharon cannot be tried until he leaves office and loses diplomatic immunity. Israel has recalled its ambassador for Belgium in protest at the court ruling, which has been welcomed by the plaintiffs' lawyer Luc Walleyn. "It means that all people involved in that crime, either Israeli or Lebanese, will be investigated, that a neutral court will have to judge that case," he said. Danny Shek from Israel's Foreign Ministry says no nation can unilaterally take the initiative to appoint itself the worldwide judge of crimes, and that any legal procedure abroad against an Israeli citizen is very problematic. The ruling opens the way for survivors of the 1982
Sabra and Shatila massacre of Palestinian refugees in Israeli-occupied
Beirut to press their case against Sharon, who was defence minister
at the time. Nearly 3,000 people were killed. A year later, an
Israeli commission found Sharon indirectly responsible but he
was never prosecuted. -------------------------------------------------------------------
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| 14 February 2003
That is the question on everyone's lips. Today, Chief United Nations Weapons Inspector Hans Blix and nuclear arms expert Mohamed El Baradei will give the UN Security Council their eagerly awaited second report. It is widely believed Blix and El Baradei will report Baghdad has not fully cooperated with disarmament demands, but despite pressure from the US for a second UN resolution, will say Iraq still has a chance to avoid war if it fully cooperates. It comes as a number of long range missiles were discovered this week in Iraq. It's believed the weapons exceed a UN-imposed range limit of 150km. It is unclear whether Blix will make this find the centre of his report. Even if it is confirmed that the missiles exceed their limit, the range is insufficient to reach Israel, the most likely target. Iraq has denied it has the means to attack Israel. Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz brought a personal message from his boss Saddam Hussein to the Pope at the Vatican in a last-ditch attempt to avoid war. It is not clear what is in the hand-delivered letter, but the Pope, despite his frail state, has in recent days launched his own peace initiative. This week he sent an envoy to Baghdad with a personal note. Vatican officials say they urged the Iraqi leadership to cooperate further with UN inspectors, but admitted Saddam Hussein was in their words no angel. Tareq Aziz said the world had to rally against the forces of evil. It was assumed he was talking about the United States and not his own President
Millions expected to take part in anti-war protests
Anti-war demonstrations are being held throughout the world. In Melbourne, tens of thousands of Australians took to the streets, voicing their opposition to a US-led war against Iraq. At the same time, the last of 2,000 Australian troops left for the Gulf today Organisers predict millions will turn out around the globe in one of the biggest anti-war protests ever. Huge rallies are expected in London and New York over the weekend. Students and staff from the University of Minnesota protested at what they say is tax money being used in the interests of big oil companies. Teachers' federations also spoke out, saying conflict
could drain resources from the classroom, at a time when cuts
are already being made.
At least four people are still being questioned by anti-terrorist police in Britain after being arrested near Heathrow airport outside London. In a separate incident at another London airport, Gatwick, a Venezuelan man was seized after he arrived on a flight from South America with a live grenade in his luggage. The arrests added to the confusion around London's main airports where security is already extremely tight. Hundreds of police officers and soldiers have surrounded the key airports in Britain because of fears of some sort of terrorist attack. However the government has not said what triggered
the sudden step up insecurity measures. While the public may be
reassured by the extra protection, it has created a major headache
for passengers and airline companies. It is especially difficult
at Heathrow, which is the busiest airport in Europe.
It follows a meeting today in his Ramallah compound with a quartet of international peace brokers. Officials from the European Union, United Nations, Russia and the US urged the President to make democratic reforms in his Palestinian Authority, as part of wider plans to end more than two years of violence between Israelis and Palestinians. Until now, Arafat had been reluctant to appoint a Prime Minister, fearing onewould weaken his power base. The move has been accepted, in principle, by Palestinians
and Israelis , but both hold reservations about certain elements
of the plan. |
15 February 2003 Anti-war protesters take to streets
Protesters against a possible war with Iraq have
taken to the streets in what is one of the biggest demonstrations
ever seen in Britain.
He said he "respected" and understood the desire to march. But he added: "I ask the marchers to understand this: I do not seek unpopularity as a badge of honour. "But sometimes it is the price of leadership and the cost of conviction." A few hours after he spoke a tide of banner-waving
protesters surged through central London.
Contingents arrived in the capital from about 250 cities across the UK.
Two separate meeting points were used before the streams converged in Piccadilly Circus and made their way to Hyde Park for a rally.
Christian message Police said people continued arriving at the meeting points more than three hours after the march started, giving an indication of the huge final number expected. Leading the demonstrators into the park was Italian student Giancarlo Suella, 29, who held a banner reading: 'Bush And Blair, A Good Christian Will Never Kill'. He said: "I came to England to make my point to Mr Blair, it's hard to believe what he is doing." Police said so far the event had passed off peacefully, although one person was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon and racist material. Andy Todd, assistant deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said the crowd had been tolerant and patient and "the biggest I have experienced."
Anti-war protest
While hundreds of thousands took to the streets, one man mounted a lone protest outside the Iraqi section of the Jordanian embassy in central London, holding a placard proclaiming his support of military action to bring down Saddam Hussein. Jacques More, 44, a writer from Croydon, south London, said: "War is a last resort and it's a necessary resort when evil dictators rule and murder their own people." At the rally, Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy
told the crowd: "I'm not persuaded by the case for war."
"The arguments have been contradictory and inconsistent and the information has all too often been misleading as well as inconclusive. It's no wonder that people are scared and confused." Also speaking at the rally is former US presidential candidate Reverend Jesse Jackson, who told BBC News: "Bush must be prudent with his power and Blair must not follow blindly George Bush. "He must hear the people of Britain and protect the integrity of British independence." Among other high-profile supporters were the capital's mayor Ken Livingstone, actress Vanessa Redgrave, human rights campaigner Bianca Jagger and former MP Tony Benn. The model Kate Moss and British designer Alexander McQueen were leading a protest group from the fashion world. Also there was Hollywood actor Tim Robbins, who told BBC News the crowds were "what democracy looks like". If Mr Bush and Mr Blair ignored them "they are not rightful leaders of a democracy", he said. The crowd will be entertained by music from former Blur frontman Damon Albarn and the singer Ms Dynamite. All police leave in the capital has been cancelled and 3,500 officers drafted in from the Met, the City of London force and British Transport Police to control the event. Roads around the route will be closed to traffic
until the rally finishes at around 1700 GMT. World wide by millions against war
A day of world wide anti-war demonstrations has begun, the first kicking off in New Zealand and Australia. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets, in protest at an imminent US led attack on Iraq. Many people have been outraged, following the Australian Prime Minister's decision to deploy troops, jet fighters and warships to the Gulf, where they will join British and American forces preparing for war. In Tokyo, Japan, hundreds of protestors gathered outside the US Embassy. The Japanese government has urged Iraq to abide by UN resolutions for a peaceful solution. Analysts predict the country will lend moral support to a US led attack. In Bangkok, around 2,000 mainly Thai Muslims rallied in front of the British and American embassies. Demonstrations are planned across Asia throughout the day, including in Hong Kong, as well as in 20 cities around India and Pakistan. Young and old joined in, all with the same message. One of the biggest is set for London, where upto a million activists are expected to march in what could turn out to be the largest demonstration in the city's history. The outspoken American peace campaigner Jesse Jackson will address the crowds, organisers hope the sheer number of people will send a clear message to Prime Minister Tony Blair, who continues to support the US in its threats to disarm President Saddam Hussein by force. In Rome, similar numbers are expected. Recent polls have shown 70 per cent of Italians are against war on Iraq, even with a second United Nations resolution.
Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz has spoken of his support of the demonstrations. He left Rome today after meeting Pope John Paul II where he promised Baghdad would do everything necessary to prove it has no weapons of mass destruction. Aziz and the Pope held a private meeting, the Pontiff urged Iraq to 'faithfully respect' United Nations resolutions. Aziz continues his mission in Assisi in central Italy. He prayed at the tomb of St Francis, the patron of peace. Aziz is one of Iraq's most high profile Christians. Meanwhile, in Iraq, weapons inspectors say they have visited several sites today, including a factory which build parts for missiles.
Secret archives on Second World War opened by Vatican
Archives detailing the relationship between the Catholic Church and Nazi Germany have been opened by the Vatican today. A move which could inflate a controversial and secretive era in the Church's history. Religious groups and historians have been anxious to see the information, hoping to clarify the Vatican's position at the time of the holocaust. Dating from 1922 to 1939, the documents are largely from the Vatican's embassies in Munich and Berlin and fill many kilometres of shelf space.Before he led the church, Pope Pius XII was an ambassador to Berlin. Critics say he became pro-German and this later influenced his position. He is accused by some Jewish groups of not doing enough to prevent the holocaust. Defending itself, the Vatican said it did not speak out because it feared it would worsen the situation for Catholics as well as Jews in occupied territories during the war. The Prefect for the secret archive said: "I don't believe that we can say or think we are going to make any new discoveries which will change what we already know about history. Vatican officials have said they hope this will clear up the uncertainty.
From Israel, to Argentina, from Poland to Pakistan, millions of marchers are taking to the streets this weekend in a planet-wide protest against a war in Iraq. In London, up to a million activists are expected to gather for a rally. Prominent American peace campaigner Jesse Jackson has crossed the Atlantic to address the crowd. Organizers hope the event will send a clear message to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has consistently backed the US in its threats to disarm Saddam Hussein by force. A rally in Rome is set to be on a similar scale. Peace flags have been displayed from windows and balconies across Italy in the run-up to this weekend's demonstrations. Recent polls show that 70 percent of Italians are against war on Iraq, even with a UN mandate. Protesters down under got the the ball rolling, with tens of thousands packing into the streets of Melbourne. Their anger was directed not just at the United States but at Australia's own Prime Minister John Howard who has joined Tony Blair in committing troops for a possible conflict. The signal being sent by the global gatherings is undoubtedly a strong one. Whether it will make any difference as the military build-up in the Gulf continues, however, only time will tell.
What now? That is the question being asked after Friday's crunch session of what is being dubbed the not-so United Nations. The man everyone wanted to hear from was the UN's chief weapons inspector Hans Blix but his report on Iraq's co-operation was inconclusive. On the one hand, he said that his search teams had found no weapons of mass destruction. On the other, however, he accused Baghdad of omissions in its arms declaration of deadly chemical agents and stocks of anthrax. "Documents which Iraq provided, suggested to us that some 1,000 tons of chemical agent were unaccounted for," he said. "I must not jump to the conclusion that they exist. However, that possibility is also not excluded." Leading the way for the anti-war lobby, French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin made a forceful plea for peace. He drew a rare burst of applause from the visitors' gallery when he referred to France being an "old country" in a jibe at US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's dismissal of France and Germany as "old Europe" over their opposition to conflict. De Villepin asked for the inspection process to be given more time and said that the time had not yet come for discussion of a second resolution. His American counterpart, however, was unimpressed. Colin Powell told the Security Council that Iraq was trying to trick the United Nations. "More inspectors, I'm sorry, is not the answer. What we need is immediate co-operation," he said. "We cannot allow this process to be endlessly strung out as Iraq is trying to do right now. String it out long enough and the world will start looking in other directions." Despite strong opposition to conflict, demonstrated within the Security Council, the US and Great Britain are expected to present proposals for a second UN resolution, aimed at endorsing possible military action against Iraq, within a matter of days. Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has announced the production and importation of weapons of mass destruction is now banned. The move came on the same day that Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei, chief weapons inspectors, delivered their second report on Baghdad's cooperation with the United Nations. The Iraqi Parliament is expected to approve the new law immediately, which addresses one of the UN's key demands. According to the ruling, individuals and companies in private and mixed sectors are banned from importing and producing chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. Ministers have been ordered to take all the necessary
measures to implement the decree.
They detonated a house full of mortars in the city of Neiva, killing at least fifteen people and injuring thirty other. Police officers are among the dead- the devices were set off as they carried out a raid on the building after reports that the weapons inside were going to be used to shoot down an aircraft carrying President Alvaro Uribe. The hardliner, who has pledged to crack down on the guerrilla group, is due to visit the city for a security meeting on Saturday. It comes after 33 people died in a blast in a Bogota
nightclub last Friday, an attack also blamed on the FARC.
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16 February 2003 New Yorkers join anti-war protests
About 100,000 protesters have gathered near the United
Nations headquarters in New York to demonstrate against a possible
war with Iraq. also joined by some relatives of victims of the attack on the World Trade Center, marching as "9/11 families for peace". Police threw a massive security cordon around the UN - completely sealing off First Avenue for 16 city blocks and posting snipers and radiation detectors around the area. "The government is not representing our concerns," said Sarandon. "There are alternatives to war. Nothing has been proved so far that warrants an invasion of Iraq," she told reporters. Diverse participants The BBC's Emma Simpson in New York says there are crowds as far as the eye can see, with people from all walks of life - from veteran activists to so-called Soccer Moms. More than 300 buses and four special trains have been
bringing demonstrators from across America to the rally, with another
rally planned for San Francisco on the West Coast on Sunday. The New York rally leaders have said that they are co-ordinating with the protests taking place in 600 cities around the world. "Our voices will be heard as we make our contribution to this unprecedented day of international anti-war activism," said organiser Leslie Cagan. Our correspondent in New York says the crowd roared their approval upon hearing news that the anti-war demonstration in London had been attended by about a million people. But the demonstrators were prevented from marching past the UN building itself. A judge banned that march last week after the police said that, with the terrorist threat, they could not ensure order. Divided opinion BBC News Online's Washington correspondent Steve Schifferes says US public opinion is still divided on the looming war, despite the barrage of evidence and testimony by US leaders over the last few weeks. According to the latest opinion polls, three-quarters of Americans now expect a war and two-thirds approve of war as a option. But the latest New York Times/CBS News poll shows that 56% say the US should seek UN approval before going to war, and 59% want to give the inspectors more time. And our correspondent says there is no majority for military action if it is likely to result in high casualties or turn into a long war. President Bush's overall poll ratings have continued to decline, with many people more worried about the economy or the threat of domestic terrorism. Millions join global anti-war protests Millions of people worldwide are marching in demonstrations against a possible US-led war against Iraq. Hundreds of peace rallies are taking place in up to 60 countries this weekend. The demonstration in London was the capital's biggest in peacetime. The organisers put the turnout at nearly two million, while police said it was more than 750,000. Protests are now getting under way in the United States, with the main rally taking place outside the UN headquarters in New York. Hundreds of thousands of anti-war protesters thronged the streets of Paris, Rome, and Berlin. In Barcelona, Spain police estimated that up to 1.3 million people marched in support of peace, with around 200,000 marching in Seville and more than 600,000 in Madrid, the Associated Press news agency reported. Sporadic violence - blamed by police on anarchists - was reported in Athens, Greece, but so far the demonstrations have been peaceful. The demonstrations come a day after UN chief weapons inspector Hans Blix issued a largely positive assessment of the UN's disarmament process in Iraq. 'War about oil' Addressing a massive crowd in Hyde Park, London mayor Ken Livingstone said "this is all Britain standing together regardless of age, race or sex". Veteran US civil rights activist Jesse Jackson told the Hyde Park rally that "it is not too late to stop this war".
The protesters marched under a sea of multi-coloured banners and slogans such as "No War On Iraq" and "Make Tea, Not War". UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has suffered a fall in popularity following his staunch support of US plans to launch military action against Saddam Hussein. In New York, celebrities and activists such as Susan Sarandon, Danny Glover, South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and black activist Angela Davis attended a peace rally near the United Nations headquarters. Mr Tutu, addressing an estimated crowd of at least 100,000 people, said that those who wished to wage war on Iraq "must know it would be an immoral war". Some families of the victims of the attack on the World Trade Center also attended the rally. Several placards carried the phrase "Thank You France and Germany", a reference to the European countries' opposition to war, French news agency AFP reported. Middle East anger Demonstrations have also been held in cities across the Middle East, including Israel, and in East Asia. In a rare sign of unity, 3,000 Jews and Arabs marched together in Tel Aviv. Officials reported at least one million people marched in the streets of Baghdad, while in the Syrian capital of Damascus more than 200,000 people marched, with one banner carrying the slogan "Axis of Evil: America, Britain, Israel". Some of the first protests on Saturday were seen in New Zealand, as environmental pressure group Greenpeace flew a plane over Auckland harbour trailing a banner reading "No War, Peace Now". About 5,000 marched through Auckland and a similar number in the capital Wellington. Rallies were held in several cities in Australia, where a protest in Melbourne on Friday drew a crowd estimated by organisers at 150,000 - the largest there since anti-Vietnam War marches 30 years ago. In Seoul - capital of South Korea, one of the staunchest US allies in Asia - hundreds of demonstrators rallied, shouting chants such as "Bush, Terrorist!" and carrying banners urging "Drop Bush, not bombs". Moved on In Malaysia - a predominantly Muslim state - hundreds demonstrated outside the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur. despite a police ban on the demonstration. Officers eventually persuaded the crowd to move on peacefully while colleagues in riot gear stood by. The Malaysian Government has been a strong critic of US policy towards Iraq. However its opponents claim that it wants to channel support for the anti-war movement into a government backed Malaysians for Peace campaign. The organisers of Malaysians for Peace claim to have gathered more than one million signatures against war and are planning a large rally next Saturday to coincide with the Non Aligned Movement summit which will bring dozens of world leaders to Kuala Lumpur. In Singapore, where public demonstrations are not permitted, two women were moved on by police after a brief protest against war in Iraq outside the US embassy. In Thailand about 2,000 people - mostly Muslims -
rallied in front of the US and UK embassies in the capital on Saturday.
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The
UN has been completely sealed off
If Mr Blair will hear his people he can alter the direction
of the rush to war 17 February 2003 EU leaders have begun an emergency summit in Brussels with the aim of adopting a common position on Iraq. Worldwide anti-war protests over the weekend have increased pressure on members, which back the US position, but Britain's Foreign Minister, Jack Straw, said they must be prepared to apply force if needed. Germany's Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer, was slightly more optimistic about their chances of agreeing to seek a second UN resolution authorising force. He said, "If everyone's ready to agree on a common position, then a compromise will swiftly follow." France, however, remains adamant that the UN inspectors must be given more time. On arrival its Foreign Minister, Dominique de Villepin, simply said he was happy to be in such a courageous country, a reference to Belgium's support of Paris over NATO defence plans for Turkey. With such deep divisions, any consensus reached today will be judged to be a success.
NATO leaders have ended a month long deadlock to boost the country's defence in case of a war against Iraq. The deal effectively sidestepped French opposition as it was approved by the Defence Planning Committee, of which France is not a member. NATO Secretary General, George Robertson, hailed the breakthrough. "These measures are intended to provide Turkey solely with defensive assistance. Alliance solidarity has prevailed, NATO nations have assumed their collective responsibility towards Turkey, a nation at the moment under threat", he said. Turkey also realises France, Belgium and Germany did not want to jeopardise its safety. Deputy Prime Minister, Ertugrul Yalcinbayir, said the trio were "criticising the United States, but they also had to recognise that Turkey might need some help defending itself." He also said that Turkey would be safe even if war breaks out as it would not be directly involved
The United States is pressing ahead with its drive to disarm Iraq by force if necessary. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice says consultations are continuing over a possible second UN resolution. She also told American television, however, that she believes the existing resolution, 1441, and other resolutions already authorize "serious consequences" being imposed on Saddam Hussein. "If our friends and allies believe that it would be useful to have a Security Council resolution that affirms the Security Council's willingness to act under 1441, then we are open to that. It is not that we need it," she said. Her comments came as weapons inspectors continued to search for the Iraqi leader's alleged secret stockpile. With every passing day, however, their mission is being overshadowed by ever-increasing tension. Iraq's claim that civilian targets were hit by aircraft taking part in US.- British patrols over no-fly zones in the south will do little to lighten the atmosphere. In Cairo meanwhile, Arab foreign ministers said their countries should deny any support for military action against Iraq, which they said would pose a threat to the national security of all Arab states. Their call, however, fell short of a binding resolution that would pose difficulties for Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, which host tens of thousands of US troops preparing for a possible conflict.
he crowds in Cyprus are celebrating not just victory for their candidate, but the end of a 40-year era. One of the leaders of divided Cyprus has been beaten, and a new man now leads the Greek Cypriots. Conservative nationalist Tassos Papadopoulos, 69, has domestic priorities he wants to deal with before engaging with a UN reunification plan he says does not give the Greek Cypriots in the south a good deal. The island of Cyprus is currently split from east to west, the northern Turks with 18 percent of the population but 37 percent of its territory; the southern Greeks with most of the wealth. 84-year-old Glafcos Clerides, the loser, has said he is willing to act as Papadopoulous's advisor in talks, which had been hoped to lead to the UN's end-of-February deadline. This was part of a timetable with end of March referenda on the deal on Cyprus, followed two weeks later by the signing of an EU accession treaty. It is not sure if this shock win will blow this smooth progression off course.
One of the most ambitious schemes ever to tackle traffic congestion in a big city gets underway on Monday morning in London. A large part of the centre of the city will now be off-limits to motorists unless they pay an eight euro congestion charge. Hundreds of video cameras are in place to make sure no-one gets away without paying. Most drivers expect problems as the toll system is put in place. While no-one doubts traffic congestion in central London is appalling, not everyone is convinced that charging a fee will work. Many motorists are unlikely to make the switch to London's public transport, which is considered to be one of the most rundown and expensive systems in western Europe.
Nearly half the United States is under a thick blanket of snow following a relentless blizzard. The whole of the East Coast has been covered by the cold snap. Millions of people have been confined to their homes with snow falling faster than it can be cleared. It has fulfilled forecasts of being a record-setter, having dumped 30 centimetres of snow in Washington last night as it pushed north. With several other cities expecting up to half a metre
of snow, domestic airlines have advised passengers to postpone their
plans, which is not proving to be that much of a problem for some.
The snow has made for a winter wonderland during the three day holiday
weekend, giving families plenty of time to go sledding or enjoy
romantic wintry walks.
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18 February 2003
As the United States and Britain work on a new UN resolution that would back an attack on Iraq, the European Union is attempting to speak with one voice on the crisis following an emergency summit in Brussels. The Prime Minister of Greece, Costas Simitis, whose country holds the EU Presidency, says a war will be 'catastrophic' even if it is a 'just war', and that all diplomatic avenues must be explored before any battle. But the key question remains, how long will diplomacy be given? With the French President Jacques Chirac making it clear he would not support a new UN resolution at this stage, France is leading the nations who say there should be no rush to war. That leaves Britain and America with the task of winning over those political leaders who think the UN weapons inspection team should be beefed up and given more time. All eyes will be on the wording of the new UN resolution. It could issue a set of conditions to Saddam Hussein, with a tight deadline to disclose any weapons of mass destruction. The next few days will be crucial test in the Iraq crisis, as Europe attempts to speak with one voice despite deep divisions remaining.
Turkey is planning action to protect its interests in the event of a war in Iraq. It wants to send up to 55,000 troops into Kurdish controlled northern Iraq to prevent rebel groups from trying to establish an independent state. Turkey and the United States have reportedly already held talks about installing a joint task force in the oil rich region, but Ankara does not want to be seen as part of an invasion force. However, Ankara fears its Kurdish opponents will pool their resources to profit from confusion caused by any conflict. But Turkey is unlikely to send in its soldiers without the green light from Washington, which is waiting to deploy its own troops on Turkish soil. So far, Turkey has refused to open its bases until
a multi-billion euro financial deal is agreed, to offset potential
losses from a war. EU leaders react to Iraqi compromise
Germany, Europe's most ardent pacfifist, has made it clear it will not participate in any military intervention. Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder secured important compromises in the text. "For us it was important to choose a text that gave the inspectors the time they and the UN feel they need to do the job in hand," he said. "The passage 'time is rapidly running out' was not acceptable for us and it was taken out." That passage had been proposed by the UK, still Washington's staunchest ally. Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "I hope very much that these points of agreement send a strong message and signal to Iraq this really is the final opportunity to disarm peace fully." Less diplomatic was French President Jacques Chirac, who slammed European candidates for EU membership who had openly sided with the US over the Iraqi issue. "To join the EU supposes a minimum of consideration for others, a minimum of consultation," he said. "If at the first difficult issue people start giving their own opinion before consulting the very group that they want to join, it is not a very responsible way to act. It is very bad behaviour. "Those countries have missed a great opportunity to shut up." Candidate nations are meeting European Union and Parliament chiefs to discuss Iraq this morning.
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 February 2003 Al Qaeda conspirator gets 15 years
The Morroccan man who aided the September 11th hijackers has been jailed for 15 years in Germany. Mounir El Motassadeq was on trial at a court in Hamburg. The court found him guilty of aiding the hijackers who killed 3,045 people in New York and Washington. The trial, the first of any individual linked to the suicide hijackings, had thrown up some difficult legal issues. Prosecutors said El Motassadeq was aware of the hijackers plans and provided logistical backup for the Hamburg al Qaeda cell. But his defence argued the 28-year-old had done nothing but befriend fellow Muslims. This is the first trial following the terrorist attacks to take place in Europe.
United Nations countries, which are not part of the 15-member Security Council, have voiced their views on the Iraq crisis. Many of them have demanded more weapons inspections to peacefully disarm Saddam Hussein. Iran's UN Ambassador Javad Zarif voiced fears the United States had too much authority over the UN. "We cannot accept that the priorities of one power could provide the criteria for the effectiveness of the United Nations," he told the meeting. Whilst France leads countries opposing a rush to
war and demanding more time for weapons inspections, the US and
Britain are currently drafting a short UN resolution authorising
an attack. In Iraq the weapons inspections continue. However, the
man leading them, Hans Blix, has so far not come up with the 'smoking
gun' Washington had been hoping for. America is reportedly planning
an attack on Iraq in mid-March. If military action is to be avoided,
time is clearly running out for the inspectors and a peaceful solution
to the crisis.
There is no hiding America's intentions for Iraq, as Washington announces it is sending a further 28,000 troops to the Gulf. They will join over 180,000 military personnel already deployed in the region. The Forward Command center, a US base near Doha in Qatar is the nerve centre for central command operations and could run a potential military campaign. US officials say they could all be in place by early March. USS Milius is just one American warship patrolling
the area, where forces remain on high alert. Crew members are prepared
for possible chemical weapon attacks. In that event, the ship can
be partially sealed so it can continue fighting. The destroyer carries
a crew of over 250, and among its arsenal of 90 missiles are Tomahawks
and anti-submarine torpedoes. The UK, America's closest European
ally, has also agreed to deploy more than 40,000 troops, as well
as war planes and ships.
While the US continues its military build up for an eventual war on Iraq, preparations of a different kind are underway in Kuwait, the neighbour Iraq invaded in 1990, sparking the Gulf War. Jose Mole, a Filippino nurse working in Kuwait City, has converted half his home into a shelter. Windows are sealed against a chemical attack and he has stocked up on the essentials - canned food and bottled drinks. "I feel we are ready for the things that are going to happen," he says adding that should war come, it would be a "disaster". Jose is one of more than a million immigrants who came to Kuwait for work. Now he and those like him find themselves on the front line of a possible war.
A series of overnight operations by the Israeli army have left a scene of destruction in the Gaza Strip. A total of 11 Palestinians were killed when around 40 Israeli tanks rolled into the centre of Gaza City. Among the dead were three men crushed when a building they were in collapsed. The workshop next door had been dynamited by Israeli troops, on suspicion it was being used to make arms. Gunfire and explosions were heard all over the city
in the second incursion in as many days. Palestinian gunmen fired
rifles and homemade rockets at the Israeli forces. The Israeli operation
is part of a crackdown ordered after radical group Hamas, blew up
a tank at the weekend. Despite the violence, talks continue in London
to discuss a possible ceasefire in the 29-month-old Palestinian
uprising. Mediators from the US, Russia, Europe and the UN have
been trying to hammer out a "roadmap" to peace. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 February 2003 Washington tells Turkey time is running out
The United States has warned Turkey again that it risks losing a 26-billion euro aid package if it does not allow American troops on its soil in the event of a war in Iraq. Ankara is demanding substantially increased assistance, based heavily on grants. It also wants clearance to follow invading US soldiers into northern Iraq to secure its southern borders, which are home to dissident Kurdish groups seeking independence. Washington strongly favours a northern assault, but Turkey's stalling tactics have forced Pentagon officials to re-consider their campaign. Now military planners are suggesting they will simply write Turkey out of their programme. Officials say such a move will not greatly reduce their effectiveness, but in diplomatic terms, Turkey's co-operation is crucial as its one of Washington's closest Muslim allies. Hundreds of American soldiers are already in the country
to modernise the bases and ports, with thousands more on the way
in anticipation of a deal being reached. But Turkey says if its
support means anything, the US has to greet its requests with goodwill
and keep in mind its sensitivities. UN to order destruction of illegal missiles
Sources in Iraq say weapons inspector chief, Hans Blix is to ask Baghdad to destroy missiles believed to contravene United Nations restrictions. The al-Samoud 2 missiles were found to have a longer range than permitted by the UN during controlled tests. But Iraqi officials insist those tests did not take into account the weight of fuel and payloads. The issue could prove key to establishing whether
Iraq is prepared to give up its defence system in the face of a
possible invasion. Baghdad is calling for technical talks with weapons
inspectors. At the al-Mouthanna munitions plant, UN staff have been
continuing to destroy stocks of mustard gas and the artillery shells
which could be used to deliver it. The US is expected to complete
a draft second resolution effectively sanctioning war to the UN
this week. However, it is unlikely to push for it to be voted on
straight away.
Preparations for a possible war are gathering pace in northern Iraq among the country's Kurdish population. Many fear Baghdad may launch revenge missile attacks on them if a military conflict erupts. Thousands of Kurds have already reportedly fallen victim to chemical or biological weapons. It all means business is booming for Salim, owner of an army surplus store in Arbil, even if his stock came off the line some time ago. "People like to buy these masks, but they're not new," he said. "These ones expired 16 years ago, the Iraqi army imported them from foreign countries." Kurdish groups form the largest armed opposition to the Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein, and their differences flared into a civil war in the mid 1990s -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 February 2003 ARCHIVES
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has revealed that the military build-up in the Gulf has reached the point where an attack against Iraq could be launched at any time. Tens of thousands of US and British troops are in the region along with dozens of warships and hundreds of aircraft. The United States and Britain are preparing to press for a new UN resolution warning Saddam Hussein that time has run out. In the meantime, Rumsfeld, speaking on US television, made it clear that the military is poised for action. "We are at a point where, if the president makes that decision (to attack), the Department of Defence is prepared and has the capabilities and the strategy to do that," he said. The technicalities of such an operation remain to be sorted out, however, with Turkey driving a hard financial bargain in return for allowing US troops to use its bases for a possible invasion. This may be why the White House has turned to Romania for help. The strategically-placed country has already agreed to let the US use its airports and airspace in any strike on Saddam. Dozens of American experts have headed to the former Soviet bloc nation, to evaluate its military infrastructure.
Better known for his efforts in Iraq, weapons watchdog Mohamed ElBaradei iscurrently carrying out inspections in neighbouring Iran. His visit follows Tehran's announcement of an ambitious nuclear programme. The news set alarm bells ringing in Washington despite assurances that the project is purely intended to meet the growing energy demands of Iran's 65 million people. Among those not convinced of that, are members of the Iranian opposition in exile who claim nuclear weapons testing is underway and say the clerics are this week trying to conceal the truth from the visiting head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran, alongside Iraq and North Korea has been branded part of an "axis of evil" by the Bush administration. The White House is keen to know why the country would need nuclear power for energy reasons when it is OPEC's second biggest oil producer and when it has the world's second biggest reserves of gas. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22 February 2003
A deadline of March 1 has been set by the United Nations for Saddam Hussein to begin scrapping banned missiles. The demand was given to Iraq's ambassador to the UN and relates to liquid-fueled Al Samoud 2 misiles. Their range is said to exceed UN limits. It was signed by chief weapons inspector Hans Blix. He has also ordered Baghdad to destroy the missiles' engines and numerous component parts. The consequences for failing to do so look certain to involve military action,with the US and Britain set to argue that war is justified if a UN order is defied. Washington and London are putting the finishing touches to a new draft resolution that they plan to present to the UN Security Council next week, which would seek authorization for conflict. Turkey, meanwhile, has signalled that agreement
is within reach in talks with the Bush administration on allowing
US forces access to bases that could serve as staging posts for
strikes against Saddam.
Baghdad has avoided a direct response to an order from chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix to begin destroying missiles by March 1, but Iraq's Foreign Minister says that all such issues can be resolved as part of ongoing co-operation. Naji Sabri was speaking on the sidelines of a meeting in Malaysia of the 114-member Non-Aligned Movement, an organization founded during the Cold War as a counterweight to the Eastern and Western blocs. The grouping includes Iraq, Iran and North Korea, the three states US President Bush has branded an "axis of evil." Members have put forward a draft resolution opposing war in Iraq. The Foreign Minister of South Africa, Nkosazana Dlamini-zuma, set the tone in her speech. "Iraq must be disarmed if it possesses weapons of mass destruction and the question is how best to achieve this," she said. "We believe that it is possible and desirable and essential that we do this through peaceful means." Members have stressed the significance of the movement's views. There are currently six non-aligned nations with seats on the UN Security Council, which is soon set to be asked to vote on a second resolution authorizing the use of force against Saddam Hussein. Aznar visits the US to show solidarity with Washington
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar has emerged as one of Europe's most vocal backers of the United States during the Iraq crisis. He met with US President George Bush at his Texas ranch on Friday evening andreiterated his support for the US and British-led campaign to make Iraq comply with a UN resolution to disarm and criticised Europeans reluctant to join the fray. France and Germany have led opposition to an invasion, insisting weapons inspectors be given more time. Although Aznar faces opposition to the war at home,
he has promised the US the use of Spanish bases for any future strike
against Iraq.
At least 96 people are now known to have died with around 170 more injured after a fire destroyed a US nightclub. The blaze started during a concert by a rock band which was using a pyrotechnic display as part of its stage act in the town of West Warwick in the northeastern state of Rhode Island. Flames from the stage ignited the roof and the fire spread rapidly. One witness later described the scene. "Everybody was running out", he said. "People were running out on fire, pretty much. It is probably the worst thing I've ever seen in my life." Fire chiefs said the club had no licence for pyrotechnic displays and that it was too small to require the installation of a sprinkler system. The Rhode Island blaze comes less than a week after
21 people were killed in aChicago nightclub following a stampede
to escape a fight.
Extraordinary pictures taken by the New York Port Authority show the exact moment when a barge carrying petrol exploded on Friday sending a huge eruption of burning fuel shooting into the air. The blast took place at an oil depot off Staten Island. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was quick to rule out terrorism. A spokesperson for ExxonMobil, which owns the Port facility, said that the bodies of two barge workers had been found in the water and another worker was being treated in hospital with serious burns. The 30 other workers at the site of the blast were unhurt
Opponents of President Hugo Chavez have been blocking the streets of the Venezuelan capital Caracas in protest at the arrest of a man they are calling a political prisoner. Carlos Fernandez is the activist in question. He has been detained for spearheading a strike against the leftist leader. His arrest at gunpoint sparked outrage among his supporters. They have slammed it as illegal and accuse the president of trampling over democracy. Civil rebellion and treason are the charges facing Carlos Fernandez for leading the two-month strike that battered the economy. A second wanted man, a union boss, has now gone into hiding. Hugo Chavez dismisses his critics as "terrorists" and has hardened his position against his foes after their strike failed to topple him from power. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 February 2003 New UN Resolution in days
US President George Bush has said that the United Nations had one last chance to prove its relevance by adopting a US-backed resolution that could pave the way for war on Iraq. Bush was talking to reporters after meeting Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar. Bush says that Iraq has failed to comply with UN disarmament demands. But prospects for passing a new Security Council resolution are in doubt with veto-holders France leading opposition to an early decision on war. Bush's meeting with Aznar took place on the same day, Saturday, that warplanes patrolling a US and British no-fly zone in southern Iraq attacked communication sites after Iraq forces fired at the aircraft. Further north in Baghdad, the director of the company involved in producing the Al-Samoud II missile has said that destroying the weapons, as ordered by Chief UN Weapons Inspector, Hans Blix would deprive Iraq of defence just as it was being threatened. On Friday Blix demanded Iraq hand over dozens of the missile's components for their destruction on March 1st.
Two suspected members of the Basque separatist terror group ETA have been arrested by police in the French Basque Country. The two, a thirty year old man and 26 year-old woman were intercepted by police in a stolen car in the town of Iroulequy. According to Spain's minister of the Interior, Angel Acebes the two were carrying weapons and false documents. The minister also underlined the importance of police clamping down on the organisational structure of ETA in France. One of those arrested, Miguel Otegui was tried and acquitted in 1997 for the murders of two policeman in 1995. The other, Alona Munoz is believed to have been involved in seven attacks between 2000 and 2001.
Thousands of people have formed a human chain in the German city of Cologne to show their opposition to war in Iraq. The protest supports the stand taken by the German government, which has consistently said the country will not, under any circumstances, vote to support a United Nations war resolution. The demonstration came as German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said he feared military action to disarm Iraq could strengthen the hand of international terrorism and cause turmoil in the Middle East. Elsewhere in Germany, anti-war activists staged a sit-in outside a US air base at Frankfurt. In northern Italy, America's armed forces were also targetted by protesters,with a military train stopped several times as it made its way to the US base Camp Darby near Pisa. Italian public opinion is massively opposed to any military action against Saddam Hussein, although the country's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has lined up alongside US President Bush throughout the Iraqi crisis.
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24 February 2003 US makes final push for support ahead of Iraq war resolution
The US government and its closest allies are on a diplomatic rush. They want to ensure everyone is on board when the moment comes for a decisive UN Security Council vote on military action against Iraq. For that reason American Secretary of State Colin Powell is in Beijing meeting the Chinese leader. China has a crucial role, it is just one of five permanent members of the Security Council and Washington would be more than happy to just get it to abstain during the vote on whether to authorise war or not. Western allies are also eager for public backing from as many Arab states as possible. That is why the British defence Minister Geoff Hoon is in Kuwait. He has said a failure by the international community to deal with Iraq head on could cause long lasting damage to the UN itself. No date has been set yet for a UN resolution on Iraq, but a vote is now expected within the next three weeks and no later than mid March. Kurds living in northern Iraq have warned of 'uncontrolled clashes' if neighbouring Turkish troops cross the border. People living in the town of Kalak near the oilfields in Mosul, fear for their safety. Mines left over from previous battles continue to ruin their lives and they do not want another war. One boy says he lost his brothers and sisters because of an explosion, narrowly escaping death himself. Another resident said there is no defence for the villagers, they are having to build them for themselves There is a large Kurdish minority living along Turkeys border with Iraq, and Ankara's reason to send in troops is to prevent an independent Kurdish state emerging from this current crisis. Kurdish officials have denied this will happen. Iraq's two main kurdish factions are in agreement, they will defend their territory. Azad Miran from the Army of the Kurdish Democratic Party said they will 'resist any invasion of a neighbouring nation by any means.' Scenes of Kurdish soldiers undergoing training are increasingly worrying Turkey. Kurdish leaders and the Turkish military are planning to meet on Tuesday, to hold further talks on Ankara's plans. Over a hundred developing nations currently meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement have called on Baghdad to comply with UN disarmament resolutions at the same time as stridently opposing any US-led war against Iraq. Some of the strongest words came from the summit's chairman and host, Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohammed. He said that a war on a Iraq would be seen by many as a war on Muslims. "The world is in a terrible mess - a state that is worse that during the East-West confrontation: the cold war," he said. "All the great hopes following the end of the cold war have vanished, and with the terrorists and anti-terrorists fumbling blindly in their fight against each other, normality will not return for quite a long time." Many delegates say that the Chief UN Weapons Inspector, Hans Blix's demand that Iraq destroy its longer-range missiles has offered Iraq a way out - a chance to comply and avoid war.
Tommy Lapid, the leader of the centrist Shiniu party, has signed up to a coalition with Israeli leader Ariel Sharon. The deal gives Sharon a slim majority in Parliament, allowing him to form a Government, which will also include the hard right National Religious Party which opposes a Palestinian state. It comes a day after Sharons discussions with the centre left Labour party ended, dashing hopes of a more moderate partnership. Meanwhile Israeli troops have pulled out of Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip. A week of bloody clashes left at least six Palestinians dead, and more than 20 injured. Two dozen Israeli tanks, backed up by helicopter gunships, reportedly took part in an operation to destroy the homes of militants and impose a curfew.
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25 February 2003 ARCHIVES
Britain, America and Spain have presented
a new United Nations resolution to the UN Security Council, designed
to give the go ahead for military action against Iraq. In a closed meeting, Britain's UN ambassador, Jeremy Greenstock , told the Security Council Iraq has made the wrong choice and has refused to meet its obligations. A vote on this new proposed resolution is expected in just weeks, following Chief UN weapons Inspector Hans Blix's delivery of his latest report on 7 March. Passing this resolution will need nine votes, and no vetoes from the council's permanent members, which includes France, Russia and China. A veto from any of these countries would not come as a surprise , all have shown strong opposition to military action. Meanwhile, in a counter-attack, France and Germany have tabled their own memorandum, in a bid to gain support. Following a meeting between French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder Chirac said "war is always the worst solution, always a failure. Everything must be done to avoid it."
It is taking time but Washington appears to be getting its way, with US forcesnow one step closer to deployment on Turkish territory, ahead of possible military action against Saddam Hussein. It is reported that Turkey's parliament will today be presented with a motion proposing that American troops be given the green light to take their positions. In the meantime, US military hardware remains blocked at the Turkish port of Iskenderun while the United States and its NATO ally put the finishing touches to the terms of the deal. Turkey's cabinet has taken the key step of clearing the way for a vote in parliament. The government is torn between loyalty to the US on the one side and on the other side Turkish public opinion, which is overwhelmingly hostile to the prospect of war. Those in power will no doubt be hoping that a multi-billion
dollar financial package from the Bush administration will, for
many Turks, soften the blow of their country's co-operation.
Tension along the Korean peninsula is once again extremely high after the secretive North Korean regime announced it test-fired a missile over the Sea of Japan. It said it was necessary for security reasons. Five years ago North Korea took the world by surprise when it was able to launch a ballistic missile over Japan. The United States has played down the latest incident but the international community remains extremely concerned about North Korea's nuclear intentions. It says it is pursuing a nuclear development programme
for peaceful purposes but the United States believes its wants to
build nuclear weapons.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell greets the new South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun. The leader faces a tough challenge, as tensions rise between his neighbour North Korea and America. Powell, on a diplomatic tour of the region, reassured Moo-Hyun that Washington has no plans to use military force against Pyongyang, and hopes for a non-violent solution: He said, "Both of our countries and many others have a stake in a peaceful Korean peninsular, that's verifiably free of nuclear weapons. That is why we believe strongly that multilateral talks are the appropriate way to begin to resolve this difficult issue." The Japanese Prime Minister and Moo-Hyun agreed today to 'calmly and carefully' handle the communist North Korea. It comes as the US announced it is cutting the amount of aid it sends to Pyongyang to 100,000 tonnes this year, but said the move is not related to the countries suspected nuclear weapons programme.
Early this morning a group of anti-war demonstrators chained themselves to the tracks near the Italian city of Pisa: Their aim, to stop a train carrying military equipment to one of the biggest American army bases in Europe - Camp Darby. The US military will not say whether any of the equipment being moved by rail would be used in a war in Iraq. Some of the biggest anti-war demonstrations in Europe have taken place in Italy. The Italian political opposition supported the protestors. It says the American rail shipments are illegal and parliamentary approval is needed first. Police had no trouble freeing the line and the trains managed to reach the army base a little behind schedule. However Italian train drivers now say they will not deliver any more American military equipment claiming it is not their job.
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27 February 2003
Members of the UN Security Council meet later today for what are likely to be stormy discussions on a draft resolution, which lays the groundwork for war against Iraq. The resolution, put forward by the US, Britain and Spain, declares that Iraq has failed to meet UN demands for disarmament, as spelt out in Resolution 1441, passed unanimously last November. Today's talks in the Security Council are informal and will take place behind closed doors. No vote on the resolution is expected before the middle of next month. But France and Germany remain opposed to military action, proposing instead tougher and more extensive arms inspections. China and Russia take a similar position, today declaring that war against Iraq "can and should be avoided". Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov made the declaration in a joint statement following a meeting in Beijing. Both men repeated their determination to promote a political solution to the Iraqi issue. Tony Blair stands tough on Iraq despite party rebellion
British Prime Minister Tony Blair is pushing ahead for a quick vote at the UN on the use of force against Iraq despite facing a massive revolt by his own party. In a long debate last night on Iraq, 199 MPs - the majority from his own party -backed an amendment that the case for war has not been proven. The Prime Minister still won the day because of his huge majority in parliament and support from the centre-right opposition. But it was still the biggest challenge to his own leadership since coming to office six years ago. It also underlines how far from mainstream British public opinion
Tony Blair is over the issue of Iraq. A handful of demonstrators
stood guard outside parliament during the debate. More than a million
participated in anti-war protests across the country earlier this
month.
US President George W.Bush has defended his case
for war with Iraq, claiming the toppling of President Saddam Hussein
would not destabilise the region, but instead bring hope for a democratic
movement across the Middle East. "We will ensure that one brutal
dictator is not replaced by another. A new regime in Iraq would
serve as a dramatic and inspiring example of freedom for other nations
in the region" he told the American Enterprise Institute in
a nationally televised speech. Bush also vowed the US would only
stay in Iraq as long as it was required, allaying fears it would
be involved in a lengthy occupation.
Just hours ahead of the UN Security Council's behind-closed-doors debate on Iraq, German Chancellor Schroeder met Russia's President Putin in Moscow. Both men dismissed the Anglo-American-Spanish draft second resolution on Iraq, and called for fresh efforts to disarm Baghdad peacefully. The hastily-arranged talks called for strong support for the alternative memorandum on Iraq drawn up with France, and supported by China, prolonging the mandate of the UN weapons inspectors for another four months. Both said they remained convinced that, tensions aside, the goodwill still existed for a peaceful outcome to the crisis; "I have never once, for instance, heard the US President say he wants to wage war. He also wants to solve the problem by peaceful means", said Putin. In Paris President Chirac welcomed Spain's Jose
Maria Aznar, who is in Italy today and will meet Tony Blair in Spain
tonight. Aznar said he continues to seek a new UN consensus for
the resolution. Chirac, who is opposed to a new resolution, said
after the meeting war was not inevitable.
Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has been preparing his people for war and advising them on what to do to keep casualties to a minimum, while promising "abundant blood" would be paid by the United States if it attacked. He has told families to dig trenches in their gardens to protect themselves from air-raids, and to prepare themselves for the worst, including urban warfare. Meeting Governors and Mayors, many from the majority but disenfranchised Shi'ite south, Saddam received their assurances that they were ready to repel any invader. In the frontline southern port of Basra, still under effective military rule from Baghdad after rising against him in 1991, people are stocking up on essentials. The city still bears the scars of the last Gulf war, and despite a surface normality, many people interviewed are dreading more conflict. |
