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World more dangerous than before US' invasion of Iraq - KK

World more dangerous than before US' invasion of Iraq - KK
By Brighton Phiri
Friday September 28, 2007 [04:00]

THE world stands at a more dangerous point now than before the United States of America (USA) invaded Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein, Dr Kenneth Kaunda has said. Addressing scholars and students at the University of Foreign Affairs in Beijing China on Tuesday, Dr Kaunda said the world faced the prospect of another cold war period with the super powers posing a threat to international peace and security. Dr Kaunda is on an official visit to China under the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

"The twenty-first century with unheralded potential for technological and economic advancement, opened with violent conflicts that pose a real threat to international peace and security.

There are more dangerous flash points in the world today than before...the interminable Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Israeli-Lebanese conflict, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, increasing threats of aggression against Iran, the war in Darfur region in Sudan, the simmering Ethiopia/Eritrean conflict, continuing conflict in Somalia, the uneasy peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Burundi, the spectre of international terrorism, Islamist militancy and threats to peace and security in regions beyond the Persian Gulf, and the recent Israeli bombing of the Syrian territory," Dr Kaunda said.

"Only recently, even Iran is assessing the signals from Washington D.C. over its nuclear ambitions and the threats to its national security, the US embarked on a new air defence system in Eastern Europe, thereby provoking Russia.

The Kremlin response was predictable. Russia will match the US military options. The world faces the prospects of another cold war period with the super powers posing a threat to international peace and security."

Dr Kaunda said with so many regional conflicts and the new potential confrontation between the US and Russia, the peace dividend promised by the end of the Cold War in the closing years of the 20th century was reduced to a mirage.

He said the world was less safe today than in 2001 when the US invaded Iraq to topple the late Hussein.
"In many ways it is more dangerous than before the Iraq invasion," Dr Kaunda said.

"Add to all these vice-gripping poverty, the HIV/AIDS and malaria that afflict the world's peoples, especially the African continent and which are obstacles to development."

Dr Kaunda said China faced tremendous challenges as a major power in the world to discharge its international responsibility without fear of intimidation.

He commended China for its positive contribution since its accession to permanent membership of the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

Dr Kaunda further commended China for rising to the top league of world politics without involving the traditional colonial approach of conquest, control, domination and exploitation of resources among the vanquished.

"All these challenges and cross-cutting issues call for China's attention, diplomatic skill and usual patience as its ascends the ladder of pre-eminence with its influence felt the world over," Dr Kaunda said.

"Unlike countries seeking to export their ideologies and values even by force, at no time did China seek to impose its will or ideology on the beneficiaries of the invaluable assistance without which southern Africa would still be in turmoil under apartheid controlled regimes."

Dr Kaunda said China's economic growth confirmed that Western propaganda against the country had failed because the communist tag, which was waved to frighten China's potential friends, was no longer relevant.

"Those who opposed our close and warm relations with this country are among the most active participants in the Chinese trade and investment. We do not hear of Red China...we see the scramble for the lucrative Chinese market, investment prospects and tourist destinations...we have been vindicated," said Dr Kaunda.

Labels: KENNETH KAUNDA, USA

posted by MrK @ 4:33 PM