Welsh Euro-MP Jill Evans (Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales) has spoken in Porto Alegre, Brazil, about the hypocrisy and double standards of the international community, but praised the German government for their clear stance against conflict in Iraq.

Speaking from the World Social Forum at a session of the World Parliamentary Forum on the role of parliamentarians in building up the democratic society, Ms Evans, who represents the whole of Wales in the European Parliament, said:

"Peace is the most important issue facing us today. This World Social Forum is taking place under the shadow of an impending attack by one of the richest and most powerful countries in the world on one of the poorest countries in the world. A war against Iraq is immoral and unjustifiable."

"People can see the hypocrisy and double standards on the part of the international community: they turn a blind eye to Israel’s breach of UN resolutions but prepare for war against Iraq without evidence."

"The USA has been putting enormous effort and resources into starting a war - traveling around the world bullying and bribing countries to get support. But George W. Bush didn’t even turn up in Johannesburg to the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Just think how different the outcome would have been if the same dedication had been put into fighting poverty and injustice – still our greatest enemies – or into bringing peace and justice to the Palestinians."

Jill Evans drew a parallel between her visit to Palestine last year and her participation in a delegation to Iraq early in February:

"I hope that, after meeting Iraqi people, we will highlight their suffering and show how disastrous a war would be. We can help inform public opinion and reflect it."

"I congratulate the German government on their opposition to any UN resolution endorsing war against Iraq. The position of individual UK politicians is crucial now. Opposition to war is increasing in momentum with the majority of people in Wales and the UK against."

"The more MPs of all parties who publicly oppose the war, the more difficult it is for the Labour government to join the US in an attack which they have supported so enthusiastically so far."

Ends.