THE Prime Minister's Office has received an online petition by about 800 Singaporeans expressing reservations about a war with Iraq.
The petition was organised by the activist group Think Centre as a 'virtual march' because it did not expect to be given a permit for a demonstration, the centre's president Sinapan Samydorai told The Straits Times.
The one-page document says, in part: 'As a citizen of Singapore that cherishes peace, I want to convey my deep reservations about war ...I encourage the Singapore Government to unreservedly condemn any attempt to wage an unjustified, illegal war on Iraq.'
Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong's secretary Ong Seow Peng replied on Wednesday to the petition, which was also sent to President S R Nathan, the Cabinet, members of Parliament and the United Nations.
In her reply, Madam Ong informed Think Centre that the petition has been forwarded to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Think Centre started collecting signatures via its website and through an e-mail campaign two weeks ago. Two people among the 787 signed against the petition.
Meanwhile, an online poll by Yahoo! Southeast Asia released yesterday showed that most of the Singaporeans who responded were against a US-led war against Iraq, AFP reported. The poll last month asked what would justify a war against Iraq.
Of the 2,942 respondents, 58 per cent or 1,727 people said 'nothing' justified an attack and that war must be avoided 'at all cost'.
More than 700 respondents, or 24 per cent, said war can be justified if Iraq violates the United Nations resolution related to its disposal of weapons of mass destruction.
Nearly 500 people or 16 per cent said a regime change to end the rule of President Saddam Hussein can justify war.
March 07, 2003
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Common Call for Peace
To: His Excellency, President Sellapan Rama Nathan, Singapore. Honourable, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, Singapore. Members of the Singapore Cabinet & Parliament and Members of the United Nations
We are delivering to you the signatures of the online petition, to give a voice to everyone especially Singaporeans who are against the War in Iraq, after the petition officially closes on 5 March 2003. Even though it is closed, we believe many more will continue to put their names down for this noble cause.
It should be clear by now that public opinion in most of the world is against the war.
We present to you the signatures on the petition at the time of closing at 11.59PM on 5 March 2003 (Singapore Time): 797 names
http://www.petitiononline.com/NoToWar/petition.html
Common Call For Peace
This online petition is in response to the possible War Against Iraq and the situation in Singapore where one is unable to hold a peaceful gathering even within the law against war which is a crime against humanity.
As a citizen of Singapore that cherishes peace, I want to convey my deep reservations about war. An eminent elderly Singaporean, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, has advised, "War is a disaster. Whoever wins, tremendous loss of life, property - a setback for civilisation."
Singapore is presently facing a most challenging economic uncertainty. There is also social uncertainty inflicted by the discovery of terrorist cells in our homeland. As our history has taught us, war will only worsen this situation.
I encourage the Singapore Government to unreservedly condemn any attempt to wage an unjustified, illegal war on Iraq.
I urge the Singapore Government to speak out against any act that is in violation of international law including the principles and articles of the United Nations Charter.
I believe the world and its leaders should not allow aggressive wars in the name of peace, security and disarmament.
Thank you for your kind attention and consideration in this urgent matter. I will keep you, our families and our hope for peace in my hearts and prayers.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
Sinapan Samydorai,
President of Think Centre
for & on behalf of A Group of Concerned Individuals (Singapore)
URL: http://www.thinkcentre.org E-mail: thinkcentre@hotmail.com
THINK CENTRE Towards A Vibrant Political Society
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PROTEST ONLINE AGAINST A POSSIBLE WAR IN IRAQ BY ADDING YOUR NAME TO A Common Call For Peace! !
Through this protest online, created by a group of concerned Singaporeans including members from Think Centre, we would like to urge you to add your voice to millions around the world who are against a possible war in Iraq.
Even though Singapore is facing it's own economic uncertainties as well as problems with terrorism, it does not mean that we, being part of the human race in a increasingly globalised & interdependent world, should ignore the plight of a people 7,000km away in another region.
Without a doubt, Saddam Hussein is a dictator. The people of Iraq would suffer more then their dictatorial & power-hungry leader if war is waged.
In fact, a renewed war against Iraq at this time would inflict an incalculable harm to the millions of Iraqi people who have been suffering enough already under the United Nations-imposed economic sanctions.
A war will seriously undermine world peace and the international legal order, including the United Nations system itself.
Sign the online petition by clicking A Common Call For Peace!
