October 13, 2002: The Federation of Australian Muslim Students and Youth holds deep concerns regarding any potential attack on the sovereign country of Iraq and its peoples. Given the increasingly bellicose nature of statements issued in particular by the President of the United States, George Bush, we have grave fears that such an attack will proceed. Should this happen, we are afraid that the consequences and repercussions will be felt not only across the entire Middle East but undoubtedly also right here in Australia. The recent threat of reduction in wheat grain sales to Iraq is a case in point and not to be taken lightly. Additionally, we do not wish Australia to become embroiled in a conflict that would impact deleteriously upon the very fabric of our multicultural society.

As in other Western countries with conspicuous Muslim minorities, Australia’s diverse Muslim community has already suffered considerably as a result of the tragic and devastating events of September 11, 2001. Mosques have been vandalised, our womenfolk have been abused, homes have been violated and aspects of racism, discrimination and anti-semitism (against both Muslim and non-Muslim Arab Australians) have been vehemently expressed. We oppose any actions that would needlessly deteriorate the rights we enjoy as Australian citizens.

We are well aware that Mr Howard’s Liberal Government has made no decision at this stage on whether or not to become involved in any military action against Iraq. We object in the strongest terms to any possible attack upon Iraq, either unilateral or multilateral, nor do we condone or support any overt or covert involvement of Australian military or intelligence forces in the region. The people of Iraq have borne the brunt of a ‘cold war’ and continued sanctions for the past decade. We have seen the gradual and shocking decay of its national infrastructure and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of its citizens – mostly innocent children - which should have been opposed and prevented by the so-called civilised nations of the world. The people of Iraq should not be subjected to another round of horror and ‘terrorism’, similar to that occurring currently in Afghanistan.

We remain unconvinced about the US claims that the Iraqi regime is developing weapons of mass destruction. Indeed we have yet to be furnished with evidence that Iraq even has any such weapons, let alone proof that Iraq intends to use them against another country or power. We do not believe that the despot, Saddam Hussein, poses a major threat to international security and stability. The United States, on the other hand, does have the world’s largest stockpile of weapons of mass destruction and has shown willingness to use such weapons when it is in America’s interest. We believe that UN weapons inspectors should be given the opportunity to conduct full and open inspections, regardless of how much skepticism may be held about the sincerity of Saddam Hussein. Our first priority must be to exert as much diplomatic pressure as possible on Iraq to allow inspections.

We think Australia should maintain a neutral, balanced and independent stance in the current circumstances. Why should Australia be so keen to commit itself to a partnership of American global enforcement? We should support neither a unilateral nor a UN-sanctioned multilateral approach to inflict war on Iraq. If Australia is really concerned about the enforcement of UN Security Council resolutions, then it should firstly give serious consideration to those longstanding resolutions demanding Israel’s withdrawal from illegally occupied Palestinian territories. This would enhance Australia’s reputation in the Middle East and the rest of the Muslim world by showing that we are fair and evenhanded.