It's pretty obvious that you are correct and more nations than Iraq are in violation of UN resolutions. So that begs the question, how can the UN be considered a relevant organization if compliance to its resolutions is not required? What power does the UN have if it is not willing to enforce the resolutions that it passes?
UK's 'biggest peace rally' Simon Jeffery and agencies Saturday February 15, 2003 Anti-war protesters gather on London's Embankment. Picture: Stefan Rousseau, PA. London today became the scene for what appears to be the biggest public rally in British history. Throughout the world, millions gathered to protest at the prospect of a war in Iraq. In hundreds of cities, including Damascus, Athens, Seoul, Rome, Tokyo and Sydney, demonstrators marched, chanted and unfurled banners against conflict in the Middle East. The London demonstration, which organisers currently estimate to be 1.5m people strong, began ahead of its scheduled starting time as the numbers congregating at Embankment forced police to allow them to march through Westminster and Whitehall earlier than expected. Scotland Yard is unable to confirm exact figures at present, but said the numbers ran into hundreds of thousands. Organiser John Rees, of the Stop the War Coalition, said the atmosphere was "great". He added: "The march is huge. People are cheering and making lots of noise. Ken Livingstone is up at the front of the march." A second march started in Gower Street, central London, and met with the first at Picadilly Circus. There were loud cheers from the thousands who gathered around the statue of Eros when the two marches joined up. All around them, main streets were packed with people walking 20 abreast. All ages were represented among the marchers, from babies to pensioners. Many had travelled with family or friends to voice their concerns. A few thousand people had already gathered in Hyde Park, the destination of both marches, where a rally was later held. US civil rights campaigner the Rev Jesse Jackson thanked the protesters for being a part of the largest demonstration against war "in the history of Britain and the history of the world". "It's cold outside but our hearts are warm. It may be winter but all of you together are generating some serious street heat," he said. "George Bush can feel it, Tony Blair can feel it. Turn up the heat." Mr Livingstone, the London mayor, mounted a sustained personal attack on Mr Bush. "This is an American president who uses the death penalty with complete abandon and disregard for any respect for life. This is no example," he told the rally. "So let everyone recognise what has happened here today, that Britain does not support this war for oil. The British people will not tolerate being used to prop up the most corrupt and racist American administration in over 80 years." Other high-profile figures at the rally were musicians Damon Albarn and Ms Dynamite, model Kate Moss, peace campaigner Bianca Jagger, politician Mo Mowlam and playwright Harold Pinter. British Transport Police said that railways around London were extremely busy, with extra services being put on to accommodate the protesters. "They're jam-packed," a spokesman said. "The people are coming from all over." Bearing placards featuring slogans including "make tea, not war", protesters have travelled from all parts of the UK. For thousands, it was their first protest march, with many having joined new anti-war groups formed in their villages, churches and colleges. Marchers will include a group of Bedford taxi drivers called Britons Versus Bush and a collection of DJs dubbed Ravers Against the War. The London demonstration was organised by Stop the War Coalition, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and the Muslim Association of Great Britain. More than 450 other organisations affiliated themselves to the coalition including Greenpeace, the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the SNP. But concerns have been expressed in the Jewish community that the anti-war march has been linked to the "Freedom for Palestine" campaign. Some Jewish and Arab protesters were, however, marching together. Thousands of anti-war protesters also took to the streets of Glasgow, marching through the city centre towards the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, where the Labour party's spring conference is being held. Around 61,000 people are estimated to haven taken part in the largest-ever peace demonstration ever staged north of the border. Mr Blair speaking in Glasgow, said that he "respected and understood" people's desire to march. "I ask the marchers to understand this: I do not seek unpopularity as a badge of honour," he said. "But sometimes it is the price of leadership and the cost of conviction."
I don't care for Bush's handling of the crisis, but statements like this give me the inclination to explain the anti-war movement as just as deluded as some of the most adamant Bush supporters. Some have accepted everything that the Bush admin has claimed, and that is very difficult to do if being objective. Similarly, to make claims that there is complete disregard for life and that war would be only for OIL also indicates a selective bias. (The mayor's 'corrupt and racist' remark I will disregard since I have not heard that repeated by the anti-war crowd; it must be that idiot's opinion and I won't extrapolate it to the rest of the anti-war crowd). There will always be anti-war protests, which is a good thing, but usually not on this scale. What seems to resonate consistently through the demonstrations is that Bush is a cowboy and this is all for oil. Nothing is mentioned about Iraq's non-compliance, and none appear to see Iraq as a major threat. * I agree with the demonstrators that war is a bad thing. * I agree that Bush is a horrible international politician. * I disagree about what they believe are the reasons for war. I do not find the same resonance that they do with the 'only for OIL' reason. * The belief that a 'li'l ol' country like Iraq is no threat to the US' is aintiquated; it went out the window on 9-11. And don't think I just dismiss the protests. I try to understand them, just like I try to understand why people say war is necessary. Based on the consistent theme I sense from them, I don't find the anti-war argument compelling (i.e., all about OIL). If Powell can be trusted, I find his argument compelling. Quite a mess.
no body saying the war is only for oil but oil is part of the reason and i say most i am guessing 99% of the anti war protester dunt like saddam n know how bad a person he is but not supporting this war doesnt mean they support saddam
Let's use a little common sense here. We don't send in the SWAT team to give someone a parking ticket. This does show the ineffectiveness of the UN however.
Good idea, we could send them in as the front line since there are no chemical or biological weapons. I can see it now, all holding hands walking through the desert... aww, what a sweet site.
I disagree with the position taken by the demonstrations and heavily discord most of their opinions on the reasons war might unfortunately be imminent but the practice of public protest is one of the greatest rewards for any member of a democracy.
If Iraq left no doubt about the concept of cooperating...If they had scientists banging on doors and wishing to tell all without Iraqi prescence...If they showed an accounting for all WMD that is in question...If Saddam was sorry for invading Kuwait...If Saddam was sorry for experimenting on his own people...If Iraq would obey the no-fly zone...There are less than a handful of these classification of countries, and they cannot have WMD and gain an audience for terrorists... I would be out there duct taping signs encased with plastic sheeting saying No War or something, and back slapping Smeggysmeg and Jeff if Iraq did some simple things from the start. I feel there is no doubt War is our only recourse to safeguard your children and mine...
ROXRAN, for me there are so many IFs in both directions and IFs are not a good enough reason for War, especially where the most affected people with be the innocent in Iraq.
Well said. I never understood why people felt threatened by stuff like this. I don't like it when the KKK marches, but it is absolutely their right to do it.
Amazingly, Jesse Jackson made a good point at one of the Peace Rallies today...If the US decides to go it alone, ie. pre-emptively invade Iraq without UN approval, how will they maintain any moral authority to tell any other nation that they can't invade lesser nations for reasons they deem acceptable? I'm not a Jackson fan by any means, but that is an interesting point...
so basically you are telling me the UN is a joke...i think everyone pretty much already knew that. i love all those useless resolutions.
i love this point...the us is not going it alone...i have no clue why that keeps getting brought up. and its not about invading lesser nations that we don't feel are acceptable...its about taking out leaders who are hell bent on irresponsibly (sp?) acquiring WMD's and militarism. there are many regimes that the US does not get along with but at the same time is not using military force to change them...examples Cuba, Iran, and China
Yeah, who would want to see an evil terrorist dictator get removed from power or see their tortured people get the freedom we all take for granted. Go ahead and protest, You've got nothing else better to do with the freedom your forefathers fought and died for in America.
Yeah, who would want to see an evil terrorist dictator get removed from power or see their tortured people get the freedom we all take for granted. Go ahead and protest, You've got nothing else better to do with the freedom your forefathers fought and died for in America. So I presume you would support the US attacking Iran, North Korea, Cuba, China, and much of Africa and the Middle East as well? If that's your justification for it, there are plenty of other evil dictators who torture their people.
