Why SOAS Stop the War group members oppose Bush and Blair's "war on terror" and an attack on Iraq

	I oppose an attack on Iraq because the war against terrorism is in fact a war for terrorism which is being used for the political ends of the US and its allies, to re-assert their right to commit acts of state terrorism, and to bolster their power and the ideology of capitalist globalisation. Jon Pattenden (PhD student SOAS) TOP
	Any attack on Iraq by US and British forces would have little to do with getting rid of Saddam Hussein and everything to do with asserting their hegemony over this part of the Middle -East, largely to ensure oil supplies for American business. Johnny Darlington (IFCELS SOAS) TOP
	I became involved with the SOAS stop the war group because I became concerned with US and UK willingness to bomb innocent people in their pursuit of "Justice". I could find no virtue with the richest and most powerful countries in the world bombing one of the poorest. The next thing we are expected to accept is an attack on Iraq, an act that flies right in the face of British public opinion. We are expected to understand the need for the US to attack Iraq for trying to gain nuclear capability. It's somehow ironic that the only country in the world to have used nuclear weapons, in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, is the United Stated herself! I understand that the US has to bring the perpetrators of September 11th to justice; it's just that I don't understand their definition of the word. Liam Frost President SOAS student union 2001-2 TOP
	'Coming from what was once the world's largest colony, I am convinced that imperialism must be destroyed if ordinary people all around the planet are to go on living. The SOAS STW Group offered me the opportunity to join a broad anti-imperialist platform which would enable me to show solidarity towards the oppressed all over the globe. So I am here.' Shona (Suchetana Chattopadhyay / PhD student SOAS) TOP
	I oppose the war on terrorism because I see the war as an attempt by the US to dominate and control the world. Furthermore, I don't believe that 'terrorism' can be stopped by war, nor do I believe the US government has the right to decide who are 'terrorists' and who are not. Marianne Maeckelbergh (MA student Development Studies SOAS) TOP
	I am against the 'war on terror' and the proposed attack on Iraq because it is imperialism by military means. It is not a war to liberate the people of this region, or to 'save' the world from terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. America is fighting to stabilise the political landscape in the foremost oil-producing region of the world and to secure its economical interests in the Middle East, and the US will not flinch from using weapons of mass destruction to ensure the outcome it wants, as shown by the encouragement from congress to arm Israel with nuclear weapons. Iraq is only the second country on the list of 54 'terrorist' nations that America is intent on bombing. What is a terrorist? Anyone who speaks out against the imperialist agenda of the US and that includes the people in the heartland of the country. The attack on civil liberties and the criminalisation of dissent has just begun with the passing of 'anti-terrorist' legislation not only in the States, but also across the board in the UK, Canada, France, etc. We are all terrorists now. Joy (Member of SOAS Revolution) Read Joy's eyewitness account of her visit to Nablus with the International Solidarity Movement TOP
	An attack on Iraq would represent the military face of US led globalisation. In my country, Brazil, we are already suffering from the effects of the globalisation of poverty as the IMF and World Bank intervene to protect big business. The best way to bring about a more equal world, free from war and poverty is to organise to oppose Bush's ''war on terror' and to stand up to both neo-liberalism and war-mongering. Um outro mundo e possivel! Another world is possible. Patricia Soderi (SOAS STW web designer) TOP
	Why I joined SOAS Stop the War Group: "The hypocrisy of the Western powers is very frustrating to say the least. The SOAS Stop the War Group has not just enabled me to participate in an ongoing and informed debate about my frustrations but has allowed be to take positive action to oppose the ongoing hypocrisy of our so called leaders." Scott Cunliffe (MA Student SOAS) TOP

The SOAS Stop the War Group was formed as a response to the post-September 11 international political developments. Immediately after the terrorist attacks, the United States and its Allies declared their intention to bomb Afghanistan, which they identified as the base of the alleged mastermind behind the terror-strikes, former friend and fundamentalist Osama bin Laden. A coalition was deemed essential by those worried over yet another attempt on the part of the world's wealthiest nations to attack one of the world's poorest. A platform was also necessary to protest the attendant rise of racism and passage of repressive security laws which threatened to further marginalise different social groups as well as all those who oppose or are suspected of opposing the state, irrespective of colour and in whichever form. Since its formation, the SOAS STW Group has tried to work in coordination with the National Stop the War Coalition and the CND. t has been active in mobilising students and staff at SOAS against the War and participated in all the major rallies held in London from October onwards, protesting against the bombing of Afghanistan. Large Teach-ins have also been organised on the multiple dimensions of the conflict and related issues like globalisation, the Palestinian Intifada, Islamophobia and Racism. With the take-over of Kabul and decline in visibility of the War-effort for the time being,the emphasis of the Group has shifted to different regions of the world where conflicts or threat of potential conflicts have intensified as a result of the US 'War on Terror'. Weekly meetings have been organised .Speakers have been invited to highlight gender in Afghanistan, the Arms Trade, the crisis of state in Argentina and its links with policies pursued by the US and its Allies, the crisis in South Asia underlined by prospects of India-Pakistan War and genocide. The SOAS STW Group has also participated in CND events against the US threat to expand the war to Iraq and meetings organised by various groups in support of Palestinians. The 'War on Terror' is far from over. The US and its allies, particularly Britain, have declared that the war will continue for decades to come. An infamous list of enemy-nations who are regarded as obstacles to US hegemony have been drawn up and these countries are to be serially attacked. Since there is no end of conflict in sight, its necessary to prepare ourselves for timely interventions. If you are concerned about the rise of racism, xenophobia, war-mongering and laws which under the guise of anti-terrorism can be used to suppress future democratic protests, then this is the forum for you. We are a platform facilitating debate, discussion and protests on the international dimensions of regional conflicts and the regional fall-out of wars waged by the most powerful nations of the globe. We welcome all those who share our concerns on plans of the world's sole superpower and its supporter-states to wage 'infinite war'.

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