Council against Iraq war (From Stroud News and Journal)

Council against Iraq war

Stroud District Council has become the latest in a growing number of local authorities to come out against an unprovoked war in Iraq.

At a meeting on Thursday night members passed a resolution to urge David Drew MP and Tony Blair to do what they could to work towards peace in the Middle East and against an Iraqi war.

Green Councillors Martin Whiteside and Toby Green, put forward the motion calling on the United Nations towards a peaceful and just settlement in the Middle East, to refuse to instigate a war in Iraq without the full backing of the United Nations, and to work towards the elimination of weapons of mass destruction throughout the world.

Only five councillors voted against the motion.

"We feel that this sends an important message to our local and national leaders that everything must be done to avert war," said Cllr Whiteside, an aid worker when not representing Thrupp on the council.

"By linking the Middle East and the situation in Iraq, Stroud District Council is sending a clear message that global peace cannot be achieved without a resolution to all areas of tension in the Middle East."

The initial motion had proposed that the government should work to persuade the Americans not to adopt a strategy of pre-emptive strikes, and to refuse to support them in such strikes. However, the Conservative leader of the Council, Cllr John Stephenson-Oliver, suggesed the amendment, which then received the council's support.

Cllr Toby Green, who seconded the motion, said: "Obviously, we're disappointed that the motion was not voted through as we tabled it.

"Talk of pre-emptive strikes is contrary to the UN charter, and hence goes against every principle of international law.

"But we are happy that there has been a full debate in Stroud - something that looks as though it will never happen in Westminster.

"This council's resolution in favour of peace is still an important step, and sends a clear signal to central government that they do not have a mandate for war. "