JCP Shii calls for movement to prevent U.S. war against Iraq

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on a satellite TV program aired on August 22 said that the U.S. plan to attack Iraq goes against the United Nations Charter. "If the U.S. carries out a preemptive attack, it will only destroy the international peace order," Shii said.

During the ASAHI NEWSTAR interview, Shii emphasized that public opinion and opposition in the world must be developed to prevent the expansion of the U.S. war.

Referring to the U.S. Department of Defense Annual Report submitted to the U.S. Congress on August 15, Shii explained the following three dangers involved in the U.S. plan to strike Iraq:

First, the U.S. declares intention for preemptive strike, by saying, "defending the United States requires prevention and sometimes preemption... The best defense is a good offense."

Second, the U.S. considers using nuclear weapons as an option. It said, "...the U.S. will use every means at its disposal to defeat him (the enemy)... to achieve victory."

Third, the U.S. calls for the overthrow of the regime of a hostile nation, saying, "Such a decisive defeat could include changing the regime of an adversary-state..."

"This is tantamount to declaring a war against Iraq," Shii said and warned that the U.S. is ready to start preparations for attacks on Iraq in line with the report. (end)