PRESS RELEASE --- For Immediate Release

PAX CHRISTI INTERNATIONAL

SUPPORTS FRENCH-GERMAN PLAN FOR IRAQ

As tensions increase over the threat of military action in Iraq , the international Catholic peace movement repeated its strong support for a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the crisis. In a letter addressed to U.N. general secretary Kofi Annan and to U.N. ambassador Gunter Pleuger of Germany , Pax Christi International expressed support for a Franco-German plan to disarm Iraq . Pleuger is president of the U. N. Security Council for the month of February.

The plan would include reconnaissance flights, sharply increasing the number of weapons inspectors and the creation of a no-fly zone over the entire country.  Pax Christi believes the strategy would pacify any potential Iraqi threat to world security while giving the U.N.-mandated weapons inspection process sufficient time to ensure the complete and comprehensive removal of all weapons of mass destruction from Iraqi territory. Chief weapons inspectors Hans Blix and Mohamed El-Baradei are expected to brief the Security Council on Friday.

Pax Christi member organisations will participate in mass anti-war demonstrations that are planned for Saturday in many countries around the world. Even conservative estimates point to widespread devastation for the Iraqi civilian population in the event of war as well as to the prospect of a widening conflagration affecting the entire region for years to come.

Noting the ease with which a military solution has been presented as unavoidable, the organisation rejected the notion that all other means have been exhausted.  “[Inspectors] should be given the time and support they need to complete their work and to ensure monitored dismantlement of any weapons of mass destruction that they may find,” urged Etienne De Jonghe, Pax Christi’s international secretary. In addition to strengthening the inspection process, the organisation proposed a tighter military embargo and more focused economic sanctions that do not threaten the lives of innocent Iraqi civilians. “ Iraq can thus be disarmed without the risks and costs of war,” said De Jonghe.

Started after the Second World War to foster healing and reconciliation in Europe , Pax Christi International is a non-governmental Catholic peace movement active worldwide.  Pax Christi International works on many issues related to security and disarmament, human rights, peace education, economic justice and conflict resolution. See copy of the letter in attachment.

Brussels , 13 February 2003

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