Following the European Parliament discusses the latest situation in Iraq today (Wednesday), Welsh Euro MPs Jill Evans and Eurig Wyn have reiterated Plaid Cymru’s view that war against Iraq would be disastrous and would cause even more instability in the Middle East.
Speaking from Brussels Jill Evans, the leader of Plaid Cymru in the European Parliament and Chair of CND Cymru said:
"The European Parliament must send a clear signal to George Bush and Tony Blair that pre-emptive military action against Iraq is wrong. It would have no legal or moral justification, it would intensify international tension and conflict, and would lead to the death of many more innocent people. And Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales is calling for an immediate halt to the almost daily bombings being carried out now by the United States with Britain’s support."
"Of course Saddam Hussein is a dangerous man who has persecuted the people of Iraq – Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales was saying that in the eighties when the British government was selling him arms. But killing more innocent men, women and children is not going to bring justice to the Iraqi people. This war is little to do with human rights and a lot to do with oil and arms sales."
Eurig Wyn MEP, who addressed the European Parliament on the Iraq conflict today added:
"Nelson Mandela recently described President Bush's attitude as ‘a threat to world peace’ and he has warned that America risks destroying the United Nations if it proceeds without international support."
"We all want to see a democratic government in Iraq, but more bloodshed won’t achieve that. If we do not oppose this US onslaught against Iraq then we all become guilty of perpetrating the horrors we are trying to prevent."
Plaid Cymru controlled Gwynedd County Council also recently added its voice to the opposition to war when it supported a motion calling upon all Welsh Councils to urge the Prime Minister and his supporters to exercise extreme caution before striking at Iraq and Saddam Hussein, and to press for intervention from the United Nations to avoid unnecessary suffering to thousands of innocent people.
Jill Evans MEP is Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales’ Spokesperson on International Affairs.
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