Iraq today warned members of the Non-Aligned Movement who will convene in Kuala Lumpur this month that the United States may pressure them towards protecting its global interests.

Iraq's Ambassador to Malaysia Kais Al-Yacoubi said US as the sole superpower would want to exert this pressure so that it could dominate the world.

He expressed hope that the 114 NAM members, in line with their aspirations to live peacefully and to be independent in decision-making, would not cave in.

"The noble principles of NAM itself are against the aims of the US to dominate the world as the sole superpower.

"I am expecting that there will be very big pressure exerted o­n this summit in an attempt to make it a failure," he said in an interview with Bernama .

According to Kais the US wanted to see NAM and other countries split and not working as a team.

The ambassador reiterated his hope that the 13th NAM summit here from Feb 20 to 25 would be able to overcome the pressure and attempts to weaken the movement.

"I have full confidence in the wise leadership of Prime Minister (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) and his government. They will carry out this summit effectively and successfully.

"Our hopes are big that this summit can achieve success in line with the noble principles of the NAM movement," he said.

Important role

Kais stressed that the movement was never opposed to any country and always strived for a peaceful world.

"This movement is not against anyone and its principles and aims are noble, but is against control and domination and this will entail enemies and not because NAM provokes others," he said.

Kais said NAM had an important role now and needed to be more active as the "challenges are big and decisive".

He added that at the Kuala Lumpur summit, Iraq would raise "basic issues as well current issues" such as the United Nations' sanctions o­n the country, the US threat to wage war and the Palestinian issue.

"We are sure other countries will also be keen to help and support the Iraqi people in confronting these unjust sanctions," he said.

"And believe me, most members of NAM will join Iraq and support efforts to find a peaceful solution to this threat against Iraq, within the framework of the UN...far away from any pressure. The provocation and US threats to invade Iraq should be discussed within the movement," he said.

Thousands perished

As a result of these sanctions imposed o­n Iraq more than a decade ago, the ambassador said, 1.5 million Iraqis had died.

"They prevented and stopped all shipments; even pencils for students, claiming that these can used in weapons of destruction. They even stopped sending vaccines for cattle and other animals because they say the vaccines can be used in biological weapons.

"A very concerted plan indeed to prevent the Iraqi people from living like people in other countries. The impact of the sanctions is getting worse by the day," he said.

Kais added that his people appreciated Malaysia's support for the lifting of the sanctions as well as the o­ngoing signature campaign against the war.

"We are very keen to give our utmost support to the success of this NAM meeting," he said.

Iraq is facing a possible war with the US and its allies who have accused the oil-rich nation of manufacturing weapons of mass destruction.