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Statements on the war
‘I think it is utterly pointless to go to war. But as we
are at war we do need to support the people that are fighting for
us. I feel sorry for all the people who have family and friends
in Iraq and the armed forces. I cannot see why this matter could
not be sorted out peacefully.’
Rachel, 14, Burnham, UK
‘States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute
an axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of our world…
History has called on America and our allies to action, and it is
both our responsibility and our privilege to fight freedom’s
fight.’
US President, George Bush, State of the Union Address, 29 January
2002
‘Like many, many Iraqi people, I am against Saddam Hussein
and at the same time against America’s intervention in Iraq.
Saddam Hussein came to power with American backing, and now they
want to get rid of him and impose another leadership on us. It has
nothing to do with democracy, or the good of the Iraqi people –
this is about the supremacy of the United States over the world.’
Nadia Mahmoud, Iraqi dissident and women’s rights campaigner
living in London
‘So our choice is clear: back down and leave Saddam hugely
strengthened; or proceed to disarm him by force. Retreat might give
us a moment of respite but years of repentance at our weakness would,
I believe, follow.’
UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, address to the nation, 20 March
2003
‘In the modern world, the use of force should only be a
last, and exceptional, resort. It should only be allowed in the
case of legitimate force, or by decision of the competent international
authorities…only this firmly guards us against temptations
of adventure.’
French President, Jacques Chirac, at a speech in Beirut, Lebanon
‘My two brothers – one younger than me, only 16 –
have been drafted into the army and are now in Baghdad. I am very
worried about them and about my family. I don’t like Saddam
Hussein but I am against this war.’
Ahmed, 17 year-old Iraqi asylum seeker in Britain
Classroom activity: Interpreting different
viewpoints
From Iraq: war and peace online
resource
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