The statement noted that US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have attacked Iraq without UN backing, thus it means "this is an unjust and illegal war. America has no right to proclaim to itself the role of world policeman."

The ANC and the government remain convinced that had the UN arms inspectors been given more time, peaceful disarmament would have been possible, the statement said.

"This war is wrong because it is the poor who are the main victims. Already the first casualties include innocent women and children," it added.

As agents for peace, the statement said, the ANC and its allies will continue to work alongside many other organizations in the interest of the people of Iraq. "To this end we will soon announce various types of actions in protest against the war."

"It is wrong because it inflames, rather than resolve, global conflicts. It is wrong because the forces of power and greed motivate it. The fact that troops have been deployed to secure Iraqi oilfields confirms world allegations of US hypocrisy," the statement noted.

This war has now further threatened international peace and security. It is creating instability both in the Middle East and elsewhere, according to the statement.

(Xinhua News Agency March 26, 2003)