Troop deployment 'illegal'
28jan03
THE deployment of Australian troops to the Gulf region was a provocative
and illegal act, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils has said.
The body's president, Dr Ameer Ali, said today the decision to send troops
was driven by a policy focused on maintaining friendship with the US.
"It is a decision that ignores the ramifications of the war in the
Mid-East", Dr Ali said.
The federation said the deployment of troops to the Gulf was provocative
and illegal.
It also said Prime Minister John Howard was putting at risk the lives of
the 500 Australian servicemen and women now on the way to the Gulf.
"Our troops have been sent without consultation with parliament and without
popular support," Dr Ali said.
He said the UN report by Hans Blix had not revealed the "smoking gun" the
US claimed Iraq possessed.
He said Muslim Australians did not support the actions of the Iraqi
dictator and would like to see an end to his reign.
But "any conflict in the Gulf must be sanctioned by the United Nations, any
act of violence outside this is an illegal act of aggression", Dr Ali said.
He said a US-led war with only Britain and Australia in support would
violate international law and further isolate Australia from the world
community, especially its very large and influential Islamic neighbours.
"The repercussions against Australia both economically and socially could
be irreversible," he said.
Dr Ali said Australians had a large Middle Eastern population and the
concerns for their families and relatives were real.
"This is about human lives, real people like you and me, kids that go to
school, listen to pop music, play sports and have names; they are not
collateral damage, they could be someone you know.
"We hope that some sense will prevail and that they will listen to the
international community which is totally against unilateral action by the
US, Britain and Australia," Dr Ali said.
"John Howard will have the blood of innocent women and children on his
hands if he goes ahead.
"The Australian Muslim community prays that the war will be averted and
that our troops will come home safely."
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,5902686%255E421,00
.html
