News • 23 March 2003

GWU lead peace demonstration

By Matthew Vella

FLORIANA – A crowd of about 200 demonstrators yesterday joined the General Workers Union for the fourth peace demonstration this month against the war in Iraq. Front-lined by General Workers Union secretary-general Tony Zarb and members of its youth section, the demonstrators marched around St Anne Street in Floriana, to finally stage a short sit-down protest in front of the US embassy.

Trailing just a metre behind Zarb was none other than his arch-nemesis, Xarabank presenter Peppi Azzopardi. Azzopardi and Zarb have been at loggerheads over the issue of the GWU’s reports on the impact of EU membership on workers and employment.

It was a bright day this time round for the peace demonstrators, whose first outing a month ago was overshadowed by grey skies. The demonstration had been preceded by a candle-lit vigil held earlier this week.

A few metres away from the embassy, the Moviment Graffitti campsite flourished with peace banners, an ongoing symbolic gesture expressing solidarity with the Iraqi people, as war entered its third day. Some protestors have camped outside the US embassy since Wednesday.

Malta’s stand

During the last weeks, NGOs and journalists have repeatedly asked Prime Minister Fenech Adami to state what position the government has taken on military action in Iraq.

Fenech Adami says the government has aligned itself with the UN, but foreign reports and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have claimed that the 10 EU candidate countries pledged support to the US led war at the signing of the Vilnius declaration.

MOVE! media officer Henry Curmi Dimech congratulated the Maltese government for aligning itself with the UN: "This means the government considers military action in Iraq illegitimate." The group had earlier this week presented a letter to the PM in person, asking him to clarify Government’s position on the Iraqi crisis.

Anti-war support

Other participants in the march included Moviment Graffitti, the Third World Group, Azzjoni Pozittiva, and members from Alternattiva Demokratika and Front Maltin Inqumu.

Ex-premier Dom Mintoff was not present at the march this time, although FMI member Dr Anna Mallia could be seen trailing amidst the crowd, as well former CNI member Toni Abela.

Members of the GWU youth movement communicated a resolution from the European Trade Union Confederation to the crowd:

"As young people we want a world where peace and prosperity for all nations are the first and final priorities of global governance. We want to ensure a future for all persons based on international peace, poverty eradication and global democracy.

"We call on all young people in Europe and around the world to galvanise their efforts for peace in their own countries and to advocate democracy, freedom and dignity for all."

Alternattiva Demokratika spokesperson Michael Briguglio was also present at the march. He said the Green Party condemned the military attack, and reiterated that the US led attack against Iraq was illegal.

"This attack undermines the authority of the United Nations. This creates a precedent in that wars can now be the prerogative of the sole world super power in its attempt to impose a new world order."

AD said the Malta government was duty bound to condemn the illegal actions of the United States: "Since the US attack on Iraq is unilateral, the Maltese government should join European Union members like Germany and France in condemning the US attack."

matthew@maltamag.com