We must shift from the military to the political

For the 3rd anniversary of the war on Iraq, the Mouvement de la paix
organises a conference tour of 20 conferences-debates(*) with Naba
S.Hameed Al Barrak (Iraq) and Jimmy Massey (ex-US marines), to inform on the
consequences of this conflict and debate about the means to put an end to
it.

The US coalition invaded Iraq three years ago.

Thousands of people lost their lives. George Bush estimates victims of
military activities at 30,000, but how many others died because of
generalised shortages? Iraq has been bled white, destroyed, Iraqis are
deprived of everything. No freedom, no democracy. A civil war may arise
from current political and religious tensions.
Occupying troops are in no way part of the solution but part of the
problem.
The Mouvement de la paix is infuriated that French and European political
officials are speechless in front of multiple breaches of people's rights
and of International Law during this conflict.

The Mouvement de la paix urges France and Europe to strongly act in favour
of:
· ·an immediate end to military operations and an enforcement without
delay of the Geneva Conventions and International Treaties over the protection
of people and individuals, putting an end to arbitrary arrests and detentions
and to the generalised practice of torture.

· · a calendar of quick withdrawal of occupying troops so that the Iraqis
enjoy again full economic and political sovereignty.

· · an immediate economic support for the people and a vast programme of
rebuilding, in a sovereign framework and in partnership with the UN,
financially supported notably by the countries that have occupied Iraq.

· · empowerment of the Iraqi civilian population, for it is essential that
the Iraqis actively participate in the rebuilding of their country and in
the democratic process. Financial and political means must be provided to
to this civil society in full expansion, it is the one which will establish
democracy and build the future Iraq.

·· consider as their duty to provide political asylum to occupying army
deserters -a great number of soldiers are seeking asylum.

In this 3rd anniversary; we stand in solidarity with the victims of this
conflict and all those who work to put an end to it, especially in the
Iraqi and US civil society.

(*) see details of our programme on our website: www.mvtpaix.org