The United States-led attack o­n Iraq continued to draw flak from local politicians and non-governmental organisations who object to the use of force to bring about a regime change in another nation.

In a joint statement today, Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali strongly condemned the decision of US President George W Bush to authorise attacks o­n Iraq yesterday morning.

"For certain this is not a war to liberate the people as Bush has claimed. The US administration instead had made the decision to follow 'rules of the jungle' where the mightiest wins," said the two leaders.

The US government launched its attack o­n Iraq yesterday morning with bombings of several locations in Baghdad, which targetted President Saddam Hussein and other key leaders.

The start of the war was greeted by mass protests worldwide. o­n the local front, political leaders and civil society groups roundly condemned the US and its allies.

According to Wan Azizah and Syed Husin, the invading powers had decided to ignore diplomatic channels via the United Nations after failing to secure an outcome supporting their intent for war.

"The US and British administrations tried to use the UN Security Council for their evil intentions but failing to obtain a majority vote, they decided instead to go into war by themselves.

"President Bush and [British Prime Minister] Tony Blair clearly stated that their aim was for regime change - by overthrowing President Saddam.

"We are aware of the atrocities committed by Saddam o­n his people but we adhere by the belief that any legitimate regime change has to be done by the people, and not by the use of force of a foreign power," they stressed.

War casualties

The two leaders further expressed their concern for the inevitable casualties of the war.

"We fear that this war will in the end lead o­nly to death, suffering and destruction. It is likely to cause instability in the region, ruin the economy of many countries and raise the incidence of violence in the world."

"Many innocent children, women and elderly people will suffer. Thousands of families will be forced to flee their homes and many more soldiers will be captured," they said adding caution for prisoners of war to be treated with human dignity.

Meanwhile, President of the International Movement for a Just World (JUST) Dr Chandra Muzaffar, described the attack as an "act of aggression" by Washington and "the most unpopular war in human history".

The staunch critic of US foreign policy said by doing so, Washington and its allies had violated the UN Charter which prohibits unilateral attacks o­n sovereign states.

"The UN should condemn the US-led aggression against Iraq. It should demand that Washington ceases its military operations immediately.

"Indeed, under the UN Charter, Iraq, as a victim of aggression, has the right to seek help from other UN member states and from the UN itself," he said in a statement.

Chandra added that US' action "confirmed what ordinary men and women have known all along: Washington has not respect for international law".

"It is a power unto itself. It acts unilaterally - aided and abetter by London and other crony states. Indeed, Washington's assault upon Iraq underscores the maxim it adheres to in international politics that might is right," he said.

Selective targets

In addition, he deplored US determination to selectively prosecute some countries while it overlooked the fact that Israel continued to possess nuclear weapons.

"Israel's 200 nuclear warheads have contributed to a deep sense of insecurity among its Arab neighbours, prompting some of them to acquire other weapons of mass destruction. (This) is something that is conveniently ignored by the warmongers of Washington and London," he said.

On the fate of the Iraqis, Chandra saw o­nly dim hopes. "All indications are that (Iraq) will be vanquished easily and among those who will be crushed to death will be the children of Iraq."

"Is this how the world's first global empire seeks to crown its victory - with corpses of children?" he asked.

Affecting the economy

Also showing opposition to the war was the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC), which said that the war will slow the country's economy growth.

"The business community fears that the war may lead to a wide-scale retaliation from Iraq and the Islamic world," said MCCC president Ngan Ching Wen in a statement today.

"This resulting animosity and tension between the US and the Muslim world may undermine world peace, disrupt global economic development and trade.

"The US should be held responsible if the world, which is already facing other economic uncertainties, were to slump into a deep recession as a result of a possible protracted war."

Candlelight vigil

Meanwhile, the Stop the War Coalition will be holding an anti-war candlelight vigil in Penang tomorrow night.

The vigil will be held in the compound of the Penang Office for Human Development, along the Macalister Road.

The coalition, supported by 60 civil society and religious groups, said in a statement that there will be songs, short speeches and prayers by representatives of various NGOs and religious groups.