If Saddam remains, all marches in vain

If Saddam Hussein disarms and there is no war, then the real work of building a democratic Iraq begins, says Chris Hudson

AN PHOBLACHT, Sinn Fein's idea of a newspaper, had a go at me last week for not going on the Dublin peace march because I believed some of the organisers were anti-American. But what goes round comes round. They could not attend the march in Shannon because of threatened violence; well, at least they have a sense of humour. The focus of the Dublin peace march was George Bush and Tony Blair and condemnation of their position, which was to speed up the preparation for war and to use force outside of a second UN resolution. Excepting of course, that not all of those participating in peace marches would accept a second resolution to use force. The ground has shifted somewhat as now both Blair and Bush are in favour of a second UN resolution being presented to the Security Council, which mandates using force against Saddam Hussein. Although 1441 already allows for the use of force.

Nobody can disagree that the millions that marched for peace have had the effect of delaying the rush to war, assuming that was the intention of both Bush and Blair. However, what is the corollary of this, what is the counter-balance to force Saddam Hussein to disarm? I have absolutely no doubt it is the build-up towards war and the threat of force.

From observing TV coverage and other media reports, it would appear that the majority of people marched against war in Iraq and for peace. I presume they meant peace in Iraq? Which is strange, as there is no peace in Iraq and if there is to be peace, it may be that force will be needed. Those participating in marches covered the spectrum from those who are absolutely opposed to the Bush-Blair line across to those who supported Saddam Hussein. According to TV coverage, some people actually carried pictures of Saddam on a couple of marches.

I don't think it is McCarthyism to question the motives of some of the people who organised the Dublin march as opposed to the people who took part in the march. Millions of people who marched against the war did so for that reason only. But some of the organisers, and I don't think they hide this, have a different agenda. Check their websites, I did. Guess what, the Socialist Workers Party supports the overthrowing of this "corrupt system" (UK and I presume Ireland). Pana (Peace and Neutrality Alliance) is made up of, amongst others, Republican Sinn Fein, whose comrades planted a bomb in Enniskillen a few days before the big march. It is a bit confusing that there are people who sometimes are for war and sometimes are for peace, and there are people who are sometimes for peace who are sometimes for war.

The poet Roger McGough captured this beautifully in his short poem, which is as follows: There are fascists pretending to be humanitarians/ Just like cannibals on a health kick/ eating only vegetarians.

Many major figures in the Christian churches implore those of us, who are Christian, to pray for peace; indeed, I think that is what most of us are probably doing. But if peace can only be brought about by the removal of Saddam, is it okay to pray that Saddam and his immediate entourage will all have massive coronaries leading to their immediate demise? I can imagine the response of the collective church leaders. They would answer, if it is God's will so be it, just keep praying.

It is not unreasonable, in my opinion, to believe that the visits of people like Tony Benn, Michael D Higgins and others failed to convince Saddam's regime to deliver. I honestly don't think, on the back of these visits, there will be any chance either that Saddam will be declaring a social democracy along Scandinavian lines. It is to the credit of Hans Blix and his team and his patience that there has been some move but equally the threat of force is playing a major part in that movement. I believe that it is not unreasonable for the Irish Government to support the continued threat of force by allowing American soldiers to pass through Shannon. The main issue here is if there is no second resolution and America takes unilateral action, then that co-operation should cease. We cannot condemn terrorists for not being mandated and then accept governments doing the same. It is essential to have public support and or the support of parliament.

In the past, I supported the African National Congress and their military wing along with many of the people participating in the Dublin march. We recognised that the ANC determined what methods and how they would free South Africa from apartheid. Yet sadly, I have heard little or no voices in support of those hoping to bring democracy to Iraq, the Iraqi National Congress.

By all means, oppose war absolutely but that is not enough. If Saddam disarms and there is no war, then the real work begins. The support for a democratic Iraq. Which is getting rid of Saddam and the sanctions, and supporting the Iraqi National Congress. How that happens will not be determined by the peace marchers but by the Iraqi people.

Let me attempt a prophecy that there will be no war and Saddam will co-operate in full with Hans Blix due to the threat of war and his life. I hope I am right when I believe that this war may not happen and that the threat of force will have compelled Saddam Hussein and his fellow tyrants to comply with UN resolutions. If this prophecy comes true, the person who will have made that possible will be Tony Blair. He has done this by retaining the link with America and restraining them from going to war much earlier and by his attempts in cajoling Europe into a stronger position against Saddam.

Even if there is a war and it is swift, Blair will be seen as the architect of a united resolve to rid the world of a tyrant. Ireland should assist this by canvassing positively for the second resolution. If that is not to be, the rest of us should plan our future contributions by helping the Iraqi people obtain freedom and democracy and rid themselves of the tyrant fascist Saddam Hussein and his Baath party.

Otherwise, if Saddam remains in power and the brutalities, tortures, and murders continue, all the marching will have been in vain.

This is written by a socialist, which makes it all the more astonishing that he is not only grasping for the truth, but occasionally touching.

Kudos to George W. Bush, I might add, because of his steadfast refusal to let evil endure.

Regards, Ivan

To: Kip Lange; dixiechick2000; UofORepublican; kayak; LET LOOSE THE DOGS OF WAR; keats5; ...

A Sinn Fein meeting: "Well boyos, do we throw a bomb or march for peace today? Eeny meeny miney moe.........."

Now there is a prayer I can get behind!

5 posted on 03/02/2003 8:02:54 AM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Sometimes "peace" is another word for surrender.)

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