Iraqi invasion begins ?

The propaganda campaign against Iraq has started in earnest to demonise Saddam Hussain. It is apparent that it would culminate in an invasion. While the main US concern is to find a figure to install as leader after the invasion, the concern of Muslims around the world is how to prevent total and wanton devastation that follows US attention – hostile as well as friendly. The Muslim world is less concerned about the extent of the westward orientation of the new or the old leaders, it is angry and anxious that American War on Terror is reducing all Muslim leaders to American puppets as it is transformed into a war against freedom movements in Palestine, Kashmir and Chechnya. While uncertain how to respond in general, reports in British press reveal that there are two avenues still open to prevent the invasion of Iraq. Inspired reports in British press find that Russia and China can be blackmailed into supporting invasion of Iraq and France easily sidelined. This shows that the three permanent members of the UN Security Council disapprove of the invasion. The US would only have the support of UK Govt, while the British public is against the invasion. Prime Minister Tony Blair has hesitated to endorse the invasion for that reason. It is, therefore, reasonable to assume that diplomatic contacts by the QIC and Arab States with permanent members of the UN Security Council (other than the US) could ensure that the USA act alone and in violation of International Law in invading Iraq. It may still not prevent the invasion but it would provide cause for taking President Bush and the US to court. Reports say that Turkey, Jordan and Kuwait – three out of five neighbours of Iraq – would allow the use of their territory and airspace for the invasion of Iraq. Iraq should plead with its neighbours – particularly Turkey, Jordan and Kuwait – not to allow the use of their territory for invasion and publicly bury the hatchet with Iran and Saudi Arabia. There is sympathy for Iraq because the American threat is not merely to Iraq, it is a challenge to the Arab and the Islamic world, indeed the whole world. But it is for Iraq to make the case; and for the Arabs and the Muslim world to support.