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Last hope for the UN

Greenpeace activists stage action in front of Hong Kong Legislative Council, calling on the government not to be complicit in the illegal war on Iraq Enlarge Image

US unilateralism no laughing matter

"Frustrated with the United Nations' consistent, blatant regard for the will of its 188 member nations, the US announced Monday the formation of its own international governing body, the USUN." Some would merely laugh off this satirical story in America's Finest News Source, The Onion. But as the Arab League calls for an emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly to halt the illegal, unilateral war on Iraq we must ask, is it really just a laugh?

Greenpeace activists anchored a large banner to a boat today, reading 'When Will the U.S. Disarm? No War' and sailed it in front of the United Nations headquarters. Enlarge Image

US to UN: Butt out

An extraordinary communication from the United States to UN representatives around the world has been leaked to Greenpeace.(Full text of the leaked document here). In it, the United States warns that the simple act of support for a General Assembly meeting to discuss the war will be considered "unhelpful and directed against the United States." They further threaten that invoking the Uniting for Peace resolution will be "harmful to the UN."

Greenpeace activists from the Greenpeace vessels, Rainbow Warrior and Argus display a peace symbol on the side of two of the transport vessels -CATHERINE and REPUBLICA DE ROMA which are shipping helicopters, tanks, trucks and other military vehicles to the Gulf. Enlarge Image

The second superpower

On February 15th, 2003, history saw the world's first truly global anti-war demonstration. It didn't stop a fundamentally flawed war. It didn't make a US president who wasn't elected by a majority of Americans listen to the majority of world opinion. It didn't prevent over 10,000 civilian deaths. Yet that day has yielded real results, and the 30 million people who took time to say "No" to war sent a potent signal of hope: peace can speak with one voice.

25 activists climbed onto the famous Brandenburg Gate with banners saying 'no war' and 'old Europe says no war' . Enlarge Image

Year one of war

Last February, 30 million people took to the streets to oppose the invasion of Iraq. "Let the Inspections Work!" and "No War for Oil!" the banners read. Twelve months ago, the bombing started, the troops landed and the tragic story of the Iraqi people's suffering continues to this day.

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Latest Update

March 21, 2003 Although the war has started this does not mean we give up. In the last 3 days, more than 27 thousand people from 119 countries have sent letters to their UN ambassadors asking them to support a "Uniting for Peace" resolution in the UN General Assembly to make clear the world's opposition to a devastating and illegal war in Iraq waged by the United States and a small group of allies. The Uniting for Peace resolution has stopped wars before, even after they've broken out. The United Nations should not accept being relegated to a strictly humanitarian role when it could still play a powerful role in stopping this conflict. Take action now by sending a letter to the UN. If you've already done that, send an E-card to your friends, families, fellow students and colleagues asking them to take action too. Growing politcal support: President Megawati of Indonesia told an impromptu press conference that Indonesia supports the Non-Aligned Movement's call for the UN General Assembly to convene an emergency meeting to take over the role of the UN Security Council. Support for this resolution is growing rapidly around the world. The Russian lower house of Parliment has passed a resolution in support of uniting for peace. Even the US government is starting to get worried. Apparently it has sent letters to all countries telling them not to support calls for a UN resolution. Friday, March 22, 2003 UN General Assembly President Jan Kavan of the Czech Republic said he thought it "very likely" that a special session would be called as early as next week. If no session were called or a resolution defeated, "it would be a very clear victory for the United States," he said. "Nations opposed to war will probably muster a majority in the assembly," according to Reuters.