March 2003

by Elias Davidsson

In the case the United States (and allies) will bomb, invade and occupy Iraq, the international community will face an immense challenge to respond to such a blatant act of aggression that would not only violate international law and undermine the United Nations system but threaten to lead to a regional or perhaps a world-wide conflict. Under present circumstances, any attempt to deter this aggression by military means could lead to a global conflagration, an option no sane person could propose. For this reason, an appropriate political response should be envisaged. The following proposal is presented for discussion, elaboration and adoption by individuals, organisations, movements and States that are determined to uphold the principles and purposes of the United Nations and the rule of law in international relations. It bases on the assumption that mere verbal condemnation of US aggression would neither deter such policies nor achieve the prompt withdrawal of US forces from Iraq. The proposal should hopefully serve as a list of demands that civil society opposed to war and aggression could espouse in the wake of a potential aggression against Iraq.

Should the US (and allies) initiate a bombing campaign and invasion of Iraq, civil society, individually and collectively, should demand from governments the adoption of the following peaceful measures:

(1) Recall their Ambassador from Washington;

(2) Convene an emergency session of the UN General Assembly to be held outside the United States to discuss the threat to, and breach of, the peace by the United States (and allies) in order to adopt measures to deal with that threat/breach under the United for Peace procedure [that permits the General Assembly to undertake measures for the maintenance of international peace and security when the Security Council is unable or unwilling to act, due to a veto of one or more of its permanent members];

(3) Transfer the headquarters of the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, from the United States to another jurisdiction, preferably that of a peace-loving, non-nuclear State;

(4) Demand the immediate dismantlement of the worldwide network of US military bases and installations and the repatriation of US military and auxiliary personnel;

(5) Suspend from the United Nations, the IMF, the World Bank, the World Trade Organisation, the OECD and NATO, the membership of States that have committed the act of aggression against Iraq, until such States have solemnly pledged to abide unconditionally by the provisions of the UN Charter and international law, abolish their stocks of weapons of mass destruction and accept their responsibilities for the consequences of their violations of international law and the UN Charter;

(6) Amend the Charter of the United Nations to reflect the aspirations of the world's peoples for a more just, democratic and peaceful world order.

Editorial Note:

Our site received this letter from Elias Davidsson on 23rd February, 2003. We heartily endorse these (and other such) suggestions.

Elias Davidsson has been active in Iceland's anti-war movement, and may be reached at edavid@simnet.is; his writings can be downloaded at http://www.juscogens.org

Elias Davidsson is currently director of PRICE, an International Trust Fund for Promoting Remedies for Injuries Caused by Economic Coercion. (Note however, that this letter reflects the personal views of Elias Davidsson, and may not necessarily represent the views of PRICE and its board members).