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Greenpeace
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 1, 2003
10:25 AM
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CONTACT:
Greenpeace
Matilda Bradshaw +31 6 5350 4701
Mike Townsley + 31 6 212 96918
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United States Attempts to Block United Nations
Peace Bid
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| NEW
YORK - April 1 - Greenpeace today called on all members of the
United Nations to reject moves by the US to block a resolution
in the UN General Assembly condemning the invasion of Iraq and
calling for a ceasefire and withdrawal of US and British armed
forces.
In a communication,
obtained by Greenpeace, the United States urges countries to vote
against or abstain from supporting a General Assembly meeting
to discuss the war, adding it would 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."
"This communication
is nothing short of a thinly veiled threat. This is the last chance
for the overwhelming majority of UN member states who are opposed
to this war to stand up for the charter of the UN and the rule
of law," said Greenpeace campaigner Mike Townsley. "It's vital
that UN member states reject US pressure to undermine their rights,
and support the Arab League's resolution to call for an end to
the ongoing invasion of Iraq which is costing more lives day by
the day," he added.
Under UN Resolution
377, the so-called 'Uniting for Peace' Resolution, a majority
of the member states of the UN can call for an extraordinary session
of the General Assembly when the Security Council has failed in
its primary responsibility to maintain international peace and
security, because of a 'lack of unanimity' among the permanent
members.
"A few weeks
ago, George W. Bush wanted the members of the UN Security Council
to 'stand up and be counted', and to cast their votes in open
session," said Townsley. "But, after it was clear they were going
to lose, American and British diplomats opted out and never brought
the resolution to a vote. As opposition to the war continues to
grow, the US is desperate to squash further debate. We call on
all nations to vote with their consciences and with the overwhelming
majority of global public opinion, and not to give in to US diplomatic
and economic threats," he added.
This latest
move by Arab League diplomats comes one week after Arab League
foreign ministers adopted a resolution calling for action by the
UN Security Council. Last week's resolution stated that, if the
Security Council route failed, as it did, the issue must be brought
to the General Assembly.
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