Links

Friday 14 February 2003, Media Release

NSWALC JOINS INDIGENOUS OPPOSITION TO WAR ON IRAQ

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) today joined other Indigenous leaders in opposing any Australian involvement in an invasion of Iraq.

"Any invasion on Iraq will result in the deaths of many innocent Iraqis, including women and children. How can we justify being involved in such a tragedy?" Chairperson of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Les Trindall said.

At a meeting of the NSWALC today, Council moved a motion endorse the Local Government Association resolution of the 2002 Annual Conference, which called on the Government to withdraw troops from the Middle East immediately.

Chairperson Trindall questioned the need for a war, believing that Iraq poses no immediate threat to Australia's security and attacked what seems to be the American Government's steadfast desire to invade Iraq with or without the support of the United Nations.

"We have yet to see any real evidence that Iraq has significant weapons of mass destruction or that they have substantial links with the al-Qaeda Terrorist network, but despite this America seems to be obsessed with invading Iraq. There is little doubt that an attempt to control the oilfields of Iraq, plays a significant part in this obsession," he said.

"Mr Howard is not acting in the best interest of the Australian people, including our young people being sent there to fight. Most Australians oppose this war. The best way to secure our country is to strengthen our relationships with our Asian neighbours in the Asia Pacific, not by attacking Iraq," he said.

Mr Trindall added that it is wrong to assume that opposing the war, means we are supporting Saddam Hussein. "What we are opposing is a war which is not necessary, war should be the last option. We believe the Prime Minister should take note of the stand taken by the governments of France and Germany who are committed to allowing the weapons inspectors more time to carry out their work," he said.

Mr Trindall has called on Aboriginal people in NSW to take to the streets in demonstrations against the war, like the one in Hyde Park on Sunday 16 February. "We as Aboriginal people are always having to rally for our rights. I think we now need to involve ourselves in issues of national and international importance by joining other Australians in protest."