Appendix to Ken Livingstone joins other Mayors in declaration against war in Iraq

AN APPEAL FROM EUROPEAN MAYORS AGAINST A WAR IN IRAQ

As the winds of a new war start to blow again over the Middle East, we, the mayors of the major capital cities of Europe, wish to forcefully assert that a new conflict in Iraq can and must be avoided.

It must be avoided because, at the dawn of this 21st century, war cannot continue to be the "normal" instrument for solving problems.

The war against Iraq risks causing many more problems than military unilateralism claims to solve. It risks reducing even more the possibility of building peace in the Middle East, causing new innocent victims, fuelling suffering and desperation, and blocking all possible democratic evolution throughout the entire region. It risks widening the gap that separates the West from the Islamic world and exposing the world to a new escalation of terrorism. Lastly, it would risk weakening dangerously the role of international organizations, in particular the UN, which, instead, needs to be strengthened.

International terrorism, and any political or religious terrorism, must be condemned firmly, irremovably, and absolutely. In its regard, and that of anyone whose intention would be to impose a single thought, a single faith, or a single lifestyle or code of conduct, the action of the international community must be a determined one: an effective response that combines the reasons of resoluteness and peace, taking into account the political, social, and cultural complexities of our times.

The hope for our future lies in the capacity to defuse the fundamentalist pressures by acting on the primary causes that feed and nourish them: balancing economic differences, cooperating in the development of the poorest countries, and encouraging the activities of reciprocal knowledge and tolerance.

Saddam Hussein's regime - like all those responsible for violating human rights and international law - can and must be opposed by the United Nations and the international community using the numerous instruments offered by law, legality, and international criminal justice. Iraq will have to comply with all UN Security Council Resolutions and closely co-operate with the inspectors. The recourse to the use of force, which can only be sanctioned by the UN, must be an extreme eventuality only.

Europe, which has known the tragedy of the war that marked the 20th century, must cultivate its profound "missions": human rights, freedom, democracy, and the fight against poverty and hunger in the world. And we are convinced that it is a strong Europe that is needed by our hope for a fairer world, one that is capable of patiently and tenaciously cultivating dialogue, the coexistence of peoples, and the most precious good we have: peace.

The cities have a fundamental role to play, as centres of cultural development, sustainable economy, and social inclusion, as the very basis of democracy. Every time the discussion of peace touches on the search for solutions, the role of the cities comes into play, with the local powers called upon, as they will be more and more, to respond to their citizens' request for a peaceful life, one of justice and safety.

It is for this reason that we are launching our appeal to avoid the tragedy of a new war, and to build, instead, a road that can lead to security and peace for all the peoples of the Middle East.

Walter Veltroni Ken Livingstone
Mayor of Rome Mayor of London

Klaus Wowereit Bertrand Delanoë
Mayor of Berlin Mayor of Paris

Michael Häupl Freddy Thielmans
Mayor of Vienna Mayor of Brussels

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