Peacetime Foundation asks nation's leaders to join anti-war movement

The Peacetime Foundation of Taiwan reaffirmed its anti-war stance yesterday amid escalating tension in the Middle East, saying that only through the mechanism of the UN can the Iraqi issue be peacefully resolved.

The foundation's executive director, Chien Shi-chieh (簡錫土皆), made the reaffirmation after US President George W. Bush issued a 48-hour ultimatum on Monday for Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and his sons to leave the country or face military action.

Chien, who is a former legislator of the ruling DPP, called on President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰), PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜), Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) to sign a joint declaration in an anti-war campaign launched by his organization.

He also expressed concern over what he claimed was Taiwan's support for the US-led war against Iraq and its willingness to open its airspace for the use of US aircraft to conduct military attacks.

"The island's haste in showing its support for the US plan to attack Iraq could make it more difficult for Taiwan to win assistance from the international community should mainland China attack Taiwan," Chien claimed.

"Taiwan was one of the first Asian countries to throw its support behind Bush's decision to use force against Baghdad, " he further said, adding that "the al-Jazeera TV Station has reported Taiwan's support for the US plan every 30 minutes, thus giving Taiwan a bellicose image among Islamic countries."