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PRESS RELEASE

From the Norwegian Peace Alliance, Oslo -
FOR REPLY, use address: office@nowar.no
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: [url=http://www.nowar.no]http://www.nowar.no[/url]
(You are welcome to forward to movement or media contacts)

Oslo, Jan. 16, 2003


Most nations seem to hold that a new resolution by the Security Council, which in express words authorizes an armed attack against Iraq will make such a war legitimate. However, under the UN Charter there is no basis for such a resolution, since the legal conditions in Art. 42 are not presently fulfilled in the Iraq situation. This was the essence of a stern warning to the Norwegian Government Thursday. The challenge, which threatened the extremely US-loyal Norway with legal action if the Government should support or participate in a war in violation of international law, came in a letter from attorney-at-law, Haakon Helle, acting for the Norwegian Peace Alliance, the Norwegian umbrella of peace organizations.

- To keep the peace is the key objective of the UN and its Security Council is the only body in the world which can legally decide to use military force. The sole exception is the right of countries to self defense “if an armed attack occurs”, but there is no present reason to fear an attack by Iraq against the US or any other country, says Fredrik S. Heffermehl, president of the Norwegian Peace Alliance.

- A right to preventive action or “preemptive attack” would destroy the existing prohibition against force that it has taken centuries to establish. If a country is found to have illegal weapons there is a case for eliminating them, but not for war, Mr. Heffermehl added.

Since ministers in the Cabinet of Norway have created considerable doubt about their familiarity with international law and their intention to abide in good faith, the Norwegian Peace Alliance warned the Government that they will scrutinize all its actions and decisions and - if they violate international law - demand an injunction from the Norwegian courts.

Below: the Norwegian Peace Alliance letter 16. Jan. 2003 to the Governement. Groups in other countries are encouraged to address their own governments with a similar warning and establish a preparedness to go to court if their national law and court system should so warrant.

Norges Fredsråd / The Norwegian Peace Alliance
Storgata 11, N-0155 Oslo, Norway
Ph: 23010339, Fax: 23010303