Non-Aligned Movement Condemns War Plans Against Iraq

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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“the 114-member Non-Aligned Movement are expected to call for Iraq to comply with United Nations resolutions to disarm, while making clear their opposition to a US-led war on Iraq”

Malaysian NAM summit condemns any military action against Iraq](http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,1429_W_785625,00.html) DW World News 24 Feb 03

Leaders from the developing world, meeting in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur for a two-day summit are preparing to approve statements condemning possible military action against Iraq. Presidents and prime ministers from the 114-member Non-Aligned Movement are expected to call for Iraq to comply with United Nations resolutions to disarm, while making clear their opposition to a US-led war on Iraq. A draft declaration prepared by foreign ministers says Iraq must “actively comply” with the UN. However, it also makes clear it favours “non-use” of force to resolve the dispute.

A statement supporting the Palestinians has also been agreed, which reportedly condemns Israel’s policy of allowing settlers to establish themselves in the West Bank and Gaza. The summit is also expected to ask member state North Korea to rethink its withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. In return, members will note North Korea’s complaints of US belligerence.

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This is supposed to be a summit that brings “together the leaders of 116 nations - representing around half the world’s population.” Now compare that with the influence that this NAM wields - say, vis-a-vis the UN Security Council (comprised of a handful of select, rich countries). For some reason, the differences are kind of sad and pathetic in terms of how little this summit will mean in ‘genuine’ terms, versus what the delegates hope to accomplish.

Non-aligned summit opens, BBC, 24 February 2003

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Thats so true nadia, most of the world community will never have a say in controlling their destiny, that unfortunately is a privilege only given to a select few nations within the Security Council. Even some of these permenant members seem to get bullied by the Bush Adminstration into supporting its foreign policy agenda regardless of what the public reaction is within their corresponding countries. I hope the media gives the appropriate coverage to the summit. I think BBC News 24 has shown quite alot of the speeches. Not surprisingly other media channels seem to have only briefly mentioned them.