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Manifesto drawn up by the mayors of the National Council of the Federation
of Municipalities of Catalonia (FMC)
Local authorities for peace
Bearing in mind the resolution adopted by the FMC National Council at Figueres, on 3 February 2003, on the conflict,
Before the invasion of Iraq on the part of the Anglo-American coalition, with the unconditional support of the Spanish government,
Confirming that the men and women of our local authorities and cities are expressing in an overwhelming manner their opposition to this war, and that their clamour for peace identifies them with many other men and women from all the world,
Conscious that local authorities are made up of men and women, and at the same time that local administrations are the organisations closest to citizens, able to interpret and understand their social sentiments,
We, the Mayors and Mayoresses of the Catalan local authorities, as legitimate representatives of these citizens, hear their protest and also wish to act as their voice and publicly express our disagreement with this war. And we do so in a joint and solemn manner.
For all of the above, on the seventeenth day since the beginning of the hostilities,
AGREE
First
To express our solidarity with the Iraqi civilian population who, in addition to being subjected to a cruel and murderous dictator, is now the unjustified victim of American and British bombs. The Iraqi citizens have been subjected to various wars, constant air attacks and an international commercial embargo that has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. They are the ones who are now once again directly suffering the consequences of this new military action. The war will destroy towns and cities, a necessary asset for a future of democracy and well being, and will sow a seed of resentment and possible future confrontations in Iraq and the entire region. We also regret the loss of life of those fighting such an unnecessary war.
Second
We denounce this war as being unjust and illegal, and one that clearly breaches international law and is counter to the spirit and principles of the United Nations Organisation. A war which, furthermore, is endangering European stability and consensus.
In this respect, the local Catalan world, with even greater force, reaffirms its European and Europeanist commitment and for this reason demands the necessary efforts be made in order to:
- Maintain the processes of political, economic and social construction of the EU.
- Re-establish the confidence and complicity among all the European partners
We would like to express our gratitude to all the European Governments that have done everything possible to prevent the war and we regret that they have been threatened and defamed from the other side of the Atlantic with the complacency of the Spanish Government, which seems to have forgotten that these are our neighbours, our partners and our friends and, therefore, our principal allies, with whom we share a market and a currency, institutions and legislation, programmes and budgets; in short, strategic interests.
Third
Demand that the countries that have initiated this act of aggression bring it to a halt with immediate effect, and give way to diplomatic action so that the dictatorship of Iraq can be defeated without the need for more innocent deaths, and at the same time permit the establishment of conditions so it can develop economically and socially in peace and by respecting human rights and the minorities that make up the Iraqi nation, in particular the Kurd population.
Fourth
Demand from the Iraqi Government, once the war has terminated, strict compliance with the resolutions dictated by the United Nations, and most specifically Security Council resolution 1441, and at the same time that it grants democratic rights to its people.
Fifth
Express our opposition to the participation of Spanish armed forces in this conflict, and demand from the Spanish Government a return to the policies of European and International agreement and consensus. Such policies of agreement must return the political protagonism to the United Nations Organisation.
Sixth
Demand from the Spanish Government that they urgently re-establish the bridges of dialogue broken with the Arab world and recommence the policies for the Middle East initiated at the Madrid conference and the so-called Euro-Mediterranean process of Barcelona. The deployment of firm, determined and effective actions of co-operation will be required in order to create a Mediterranean in the Middle East and a region of progress and social and economic stability.
Seventh
Clearly express our desire to contribute in the tasks of humanitarian assistance and reconstruction in order to alleviate the effects of the war, but at all times within a framework of co-operation between local authorities and under the leadership of the United Nations Organisation, and without expectations of trade or profit on the part of anyone.
Eighth
Demand from the Spanish Government that they listen attentively to the voices of the people, who have expressed their opposition to the war in an absolutely overwhelming manner.
Ninth
Demand from the population of our local authorities and cities, and the citizens of the world as a whole, that they continue to work for peace, by demanding the end to all violence and by helping build a more just world.
Tenth
Finally, express our strongest condemnation of violent acts, both against persons and institutions, political parties and companies, which certain groups have been responsible for, by taking advantage of the moment and ridiculing the sentiments of the majority of the population, who clearly express themselves to be in favour of peace and against violence. Such violent actions have to be denounced and condemned.
Eleventh
Extend this declaration to all the cities of the world through the federations and unions of cities and at the Council of Municipal Districts and Regions of Europe; on the tables of the Parliament of Catalonia, the national Parliament and the European Parliament; to the President of the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, to the President of the Spanish Government and to the sitting Presidency of the European Union.
Barcelona, 4 April 2003
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