War casualties delivered to Australian Prime Minister

Auckland, Saturday March 8, 2003: Body bags symbolising the first casualties of the Iraqi crisis have been delivered to the Australian Consulate in Auckland.

The casualties of ‘innocent people’, ‘public opinion’ and ‘international law’ were delivered as Australian Prime Minister John Howard arrived to officially open the Consulate.

“In backing the U.S. push for war, Howard has dismissed Australian public opposition to war,” said Greenpeace No-War spokesman, Robbie Kelman.

“A preventive attack on Iraq would be illegal under the terms of the UN Charter as Australia is not in danger of imminent attack from Iraq,” said Kelman.

“The lives of many Iraqis will be at risk if Australia, the US and their allies go through with threats to wage war on Iraq.”

“John Howard should be working within the UN to ensure Iraq is disarmed peacefully through the weapons inspection process rather than committing Australian troops to military action,’’ Kelman said.

Greenpeace has participated in on-going protests condemning Howard’s support for war today, beginning at Whenuapai Airbase this afternoon.

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