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13 February 2003
Friends of the Earth has condemned the rush to war against Iraq, stating that it threatens an environmental and social disaster.
Friends of the Earth International is the largest grassroots environment organisation in the world, with groups in 68 countries. A statement against the war can be found at www.foei.org. Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland has also issued the following statement against the war.
"Friends of the Earth strongly condemns the looming war against Iraq and deplores the humanitarian and environmental impacts that will result from such a war. Given the likely impacts, Friends of the Earth believes that the proponents of war against Iraq have failed to justify military action.
Friends of the Earth supports global treaties, diplomacy, and negotiation to resolve disputes and to promote human rights, environmental protection, and sustainable societies. Under the prevailing circumstances, pre-emptive military action contradicts such an approach, and risks furthering a vicious circle of terrorism and violence that would damage prospects for sustainable development in the Middle East and elsewhere around world.
It appears that a major motive for the proposed war, led by the US and the UK, is a perceived need to safeguard access to oil in the region. Friends of the Earth believes that the only solution to the problem of oil dependency by highly industrialized countries is a rapid move to clean and sustainable energy sources. Military action to secure oil supplies threatens to increase environmental injustice. It would concentrate control over resources amongst the richer over-consuming nations. Worse, it would increase the rate of consumption of fossil fuels, and thus emissions of climate-changing greenhouse gases, with the most severe impacts being felt in poorer developing nations.
Friends of the Earth's present opposition to a war against Iraq does not imply any support for or endorsement of the repressive policies of the Iraqi regime."
A briefing paper on the likely effects of war against Iraq on the environment, and on the relationship between oil and the war can be found at: www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/war_iraq.pdf (PDF† 111K)
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For further information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
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