|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Saturday, 29 March 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Politics | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| Iraq war should be stopped immediately - PA by Uditha Kumarasinghe The People's Alliance has taken up the stand that the present war in Iraq should be stopped immediately, PA Media Spokesman Dr. Sarath Amunugama told the PA weekly media briefing yesterday. He said the Arab League who recently met in Cairo requested the support of the entire world community to put a halt to the war immediately in Iraq. " The PA also extends its fullest support to this request made by the Arab world. The PA challenges the Government to express its stand on this issue." According to Amunugama, in his address to the nation on Thursday U.S. President George W. Bush had said that 40 countries have signed an agreement extending their support to the U.S. Government towards the military exercise against Iraq. "We want to know whether the Sri Lankan Government is also among these 40 countries who support the U.S. President for this disruptive war. The Foreign Ministry should make a statement clarifying this position if the Sri Lankan Government too was a signatory along with these countries." The Government has not made any comment so far regarding this issue, Amunugama said. "We also like to ask the SLMC whether they also support this war by betraying the rights of Muslims. They should also express their stand to the public on this issue." He said the stand of the PA is that the United Nations should directly intervene in the rehabilitation and reconstruction effort in Iraq. However, there are differences the opinion between the U.S. and British Governments about the role of the UN. Meanwhile, the PA requests the Government to support the Oil for Food Programme of the UN. This is a most vital programme which assists in overcoming the starvation of nearly 50 per cent of non-combatant people in Iraq. The PA requests the UN Secretary General Koffi Annan to implement this programme immediately, he said. He said a vote will be called today (March 29) on this programme. Therefore the PA requests the Government to vote in favour of this programme. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
