American imperialist rulers are itching to attack Iraq. This is the next phase in America’s ‘war against terrorism’. By attacking Afghanistan and installing the Karzai Govt. after removing the Taliban Govt., America has already made clear the aim of its anti-terror war. Under the flagship of this ‘war’ America wants to establish its military bases in every corner of the world and to impose regimes of its choice on third world countries which do not dance to its tune.

The real aim of American conspiracies to attack Iraq is to gain control of this oil rich country. Iraq stands second only to Saudi Arabia in having the biggest sources of oil. Not only that, the cost of oil extraction in Iraq is the cheapest in the world as the oil is not very deep down. The conspiracy to attack Iraq is part of the attempt to establish US control over energy resources in the world.

Baseless allegations

In order to attack Iraq, the American rulers are fabricating tales. Destruction of Iraq’s ‘weapons of mass destruction’ i.e., atomic, chemical and biological weapons, is the excuse being given to legitimize an attack. Those powers who have a treasure-house of atomic, biological and chemical weapons do not have the moral right to raise this allegation, but in the international policy of imperialism, strength is the sole parameter of morality. On its strength, American rulers are indulging in baseless propaganda against Iraq.

US rulers are not only crushing underfoot Iraq’s right to keep weapons it needs for its own self-defence, the fact is their allegations against Iraq are baseless. The “Weapons Inspection Committee” of the United Nations searched the whole of Iraq for many years, but could find no clue of any atomic, chemical or biological weapons. The then President of the inspection committee had himself certified that there was no possibility of Iraq having weapons of such nature. Then on what basis are American rulers levelling these allegations? Even otherwise, in the past decade, America and UK have repeatedly bombed Iraq and spread devastation and have clamped inhuman trade restrictions against Iraq.

The American rulers are also propagating that Iraq is a threat to its neighbouring countries. For a time span longer than the last decade, leave alone any act of aggression, Iraq has not even uttered any threat against its neighbours. Few decades earlier, the Iran Iraq war had lasted for eight years and America itself had kept extending support to Iraq in that war. The condemnation by all of Iraq’s neighbours of American preparations for an attack on that country itself establishes the baselessness of American propaganda.

Another aspect of the American propaganda campaign is that the Iraqi people must be ‘freed’ from the rule of Saddam Hussian. This is itself an example of the ‘power politics’ of the imperialist superpower, that it arrogates to itself the right to decide who will rule and what kind of rule there will be in any given country. The people of Iraq are with Saddam Hussain and the Govt. of Iraq because both are fighting against the conspiracies of US imperialism to capture Iraq. While America wants to remove Saddam Hussain, the representative of the Iraqi people, on the other hand world over there are military dictators hated by the people of their own country, but who are dear to American rulers. Let us look among our own neighbours – the military ruler of Pakistan, Parvez Musharaff, is their ‘confidante’; America is supporting King Gyanendra of Nepal. This is the real face of their ‘democracy’ and ‘human rights’. Whoever opposes the designs of US imperialism is a dictator and a terrorist and whoever prostrates before America is a democrat and an anti-terrorist.

Wide-spread opposition to American Preparations for Attack

Not only third world countries but even other imperialist countries are the target of American conspiracies to attack Iraq. That is why America’s war campaign is facing widespread opposition in third world as well as in imperialist countries.

People’s resentment against America’s belligerent stance is widespread in third world countries especially in the Arab countries. Iraq’s neighbours – including Saudi Arabia, till recently a reliable ally of America – have severely criticized America’s war attempts and have refused to allow their own territorities to be used for an attack on Iraq. Another neighbour, Iran, (which is part of the ‘axis of evil’ identified by America) has also severely criticized America.

American war designs have been openly opposed by other imperialist countries, especially France and Russia. In the past years trade relations have been developed by France and Russia with Iraq and many long term trade agreements have been made. Germany and also other European countries have also opposed American policy. Massive demonstrations have been held in various cities of Europe against the threatened attack on Iraq. More than 1.5 lakh people participated in an anti war March in London. Many members of Parliament as well as ranks of the ruling Labour Party in Britain are opposing this impending war. The number of participants in an anti-war demonstration in Florence city of Italy ran into a few lakhs. Anti-war marches have taken place in virtually all major cities of Europe.

Many massive anti-war demonstrations, where participation was up to twenty to fifty thousand people, have taken place in America itself. People in New York, San Francisco and other major cities have held demonstrations against war on Iraq. There is agreement among the leaders of America’s two main ruling parties Republican and Democrats – but a big section of American people are opposed to this war.

Despite initially stoutly opposing the option, the worldwide opposition to its belligerent schemes finally forced the American Govt. to go to the UN Security Council. There, France, Russia, China and other members opposed the Anglo American proposal. This proposal gave America the right to attack Iraq. The proposal remained stuck for many weeks. Later the Security Council passed a resolution for investigation of ‘weapon of mass destruction’ in Iraq. This has many vague provisions. The resolution passed by the Security Council is openly violative of Iraq’s sovereignty and reflects the current status of inter-imperialist contradictions – that is, that their contradictions do not develop to military confrontations. China, which calls itself socialist, has also supported the Resolution. Where the other imperialist forces are not capable in stopping America, there they try to ensure their share in spheres of influence and in loot and plunder of third world by becoming parties to the attack.

Oppose American conspiracies for Attack

While worldwide opposition has weakened American conspiracies, the clouds of war continue to threaten Iraq. This time America aims to remove the Iraqi Govt by its attack, which means a large scale ground war entailing the probability of casualties in large numbers. The power of Iraq’s weapons is nothing compared to America’s military strength, but the people of Iraq are ready for every sacrifice to defend their country’s sovereignty against American attack. Secondly, American rulers will face opposition at home if the number of American casualties are high. Where the American rulers have a treasury of weapons there Iraq has the organization and mobilization of its people. This war, which is being launched by the American rulers, is totally unjust, inhuman, and expansionist while the war that Iraq fights against the American attack will be human, just, and necessary.

Not only are the Govt and people of Iraq fighting for their independence and sovereignty, their fight is an integral and important part of the struggle of the world people against US hegemonism. Indisputably the people of Iraq will have to face widespread devastation and give immense sacrifices in this war. Their sacrifices will not be for Iraq’s independence alone; rather their sacrifices will be in the interest of the people of the third world and of the justice loving and peace loving people in all countries of the world.

It is in the interests of the people of India to oppose America’s attack and to support the Iraqi Govt. and people. The grip of imperialist companies on the country is tightening. The numerical strength of American military personnel and military advisors in our neighbouring countries is increasing. In the name of ‘joint exercises’, the pro-imperialist Govt. of our country has allowed the entry of American military and navy onto India’s land and seas. South Asia is a major target of American military domination. It is necessary and in national interest to stop America’s aggressive campaign. We must extend every possible support to the Iraqi people who today are standing against this campaign. Every patriotic Indian must speak out against this war. Only those can rejoice in this war who are itching to lick America’s boots, to whom the freedom of the country neither counts now nor counted earlier. Today it is such forces who are heading the Govt. in India. The people of India will also have to oppose betrayal of the country and the conspiracies of these American stooges.