Protesters reiterate opposition to Iraq war

Australians across the country have held rallies to demonstrate their continued opposition to the Iraq war, which began two years ago.

Protesters called for all Australian troops serving in the US-led coalition in Iraq to be brought home immediately.

But Prime Minister John Howard says he remains proud of Australia’s involvement in Iraq over the past couple of years.

Mr Howard says he is pleased to see Australia has played a part in helping Iraqis embrace democracy.

"The rallies recognise the fact that not everyone agreed with our position," he said.

"But I remain steadfastly of the view that it was the right decision.

"I believe in the long run the Middle East will be a more democratic, a more stable place and people will be given the opportunity to live their lives in freedom."

In Sydney, about 1,000 people have marched through the city centre to Hyde Park.

They have heard from a number of speakers, who condemn the invasion as a war crime that has cost the lives of 100,000 Iraqi civilians.

Sister Susan Connelly has told the rally she disagrees with those who say that whether the war was right or wrong, the issue is now about rebuilding Iraq.

"Rebuild, yes, but we must never capitulate to whitewash," she said.

"We must never cease saying that the unprovoked invasion of one sovereign nation by others is simply wrong."

Sister Connelly says security around the world has been weakened by the attack on Iraq.

"Our security is threatened because one of its foundations has been severely cracked," she said.

Mamdouh Habib, the Australian who was locked up by the United States at Guantanamo Bay, offered his thanks to Australians who helped the push for his release.

"I’m really appreciate what you’ve done for me to come back here, to come back home to Australia - my country, my home, my family," Mr Habib said.

"I really appreciate everybody stand up for me and my hope... you stand up for David Hicks as well to come back home."
Withdrawal calls

In Brisbane, the anti-war protest has coincided with a Palm Sunday rally for peace.

The event attracted speakers from a range of community groups, who expressed similar sentiments against war.

"There can’t be democracy in Iraq until the troops in Iraq pull out [which is] as the major demand of all the rallies throughout the world," Robert Nicholas, from the Stop the War Collective, said.

"How can you say that you’re liberating Iraq when there’s over 150,000 US troops there?"

Mr Nicholas says allegations that Senator Ross Lightfoot carried money into Iraq for an oil company show the war was for money, not democracy.

"This wasn’t a war about weapons of mass destruction or to liberate Iraq, it’s a war for profit for corporations," he said.

In Fremantle about 200 people have protested against the war, while Adelaide’s rally has attracted about 100 people, who gathered outside the Federal Government’s offices.

The group, which was led by former human shield Ruth Russell, read out the names of Iraqis who have been killed in the conflict.

Ms Russell says it is time for the Iraqis to manage their future on their own.

"The best thing that could happen now is that the Australians withdraw, the Americans withdraw," she said.

"The Iraqis are educated, intelligent people and they want to now take real control of their own lives, they do not need us there to help them.

"We are the problem not the answer."
’Scandal’

On Saturday, Tasmania’s Peace Coalition organised a similar rally in Hobart.

The coalition’s David O’Byrne says the privatisation of Iraq’s national assets by the country’s provisional government is an outrage.

"It’s a scandal of the highest order," Mr O’Byrne said.

"It’s a prime example of the motivations of the US, the UK and the other pathetic fawning nations that make up this crumbling coalition."

President George W Bush has defended his decision to order the invasion, hailing the campaign as a landmark event in the history of freedom.

Mr Bush insisted in his weekly radio address that the war had made America safer and was inspiring change across the Middle East.

"Today we are seeing hopeful signs across the broader Middle East," he said.

"The victory of freedom in Iraq is strengthening a new ally in the war on terror, and inspiring democratic reformers from Beirut to Tehran."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200503/s1327543.htm