PARLIAMENT TO DEBATE ALL-OUT OPPOSITION TO WAR

A new amendment (text enclosed) has been submitted to the SNP motion on the coming war against Iraq due to be debated on Thursday morning.

The motion calls for all-out opposition to the war, even if approved by the UN. It also calls for MSPs to take part in acts of civil disobedience against the war. It is tabled in the name of Tommy Sheridan, Scottish Socialist MSP but is backed by John McAllion, Robin Harper, Dennis Canavan and Dorothy Grace Elder, and others are expected to follow.

Tommy Sheridan said,
“The Parliament must make clear its unequivocal opposition to the war. We know that the US can bully and bribe other nations on the Security Council to support war, as we have seen in the past. I also want MSPs to stand up and be counted on a personal basis. This war can be avoided if we campaign strongly up to and including the world demonstrations on 15 February. The Scottish Parliament can give a lead on Thursday – let’s make it a clear lead.”
~ ~ ~

For more information, contact Tommy Sheridan on 07887 795075 or Hugh Kerr on 0131 348 5631/07713 063647

Amendment: Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): As an amendment to motion SIM-03760 in the name of Mr John Swinney (The current international situation),
leave out from second “believes” to end and insert:
“considers the Iraq inspections should be the first stage in comprehensive investigations of weapons of mass destruction possessed and being pursued by states throughout the world, including the USA, UK, Israel, Pakistan, India, North Korea, Russia and any others who must be persuaded to allow full and comprehensive assessments of nuclear, chemical, biological and other weapons of mass destruction, with a view of pursuing genuine and all-encompassing disarmament of such weapons throughout the world; believes that there is no moral, humanitarian or military reason to go to war with Iraq whether or not the UN gives its approval, and therefore calls on all MSPs to oppose the coming war by all means possible including civil disobedience.”