US challenged over opening Iraq`s economy to foreign investors
IRNA
London, Oct 8, IRNA -- The British government was being called upon
Wednesday to publish its legal advice on the war against Iraq
following the decision by the US-led occupation administration to open
up the country`s economy to foreign investors.
Liberal Democrat leader in the House of Lords, Baroness Williams
was arguing that Article 43 of the Hague regulations made the decision
made two weeks ago illegal.
Any changes to administrative structures of a country under
occupation can only be made for security, public order or humanitarian
reasons.
The decision by head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, Paul
Bremer, appeared to `illegal and contrary to the Hague regulations, as
the attorney general himself confirmed in advice to the prime minister
in March`, Williams was set to say, according to EPX News.
"These so-called `reforms` are shock-therapy of the sort that did
so much damage in post-Soviet Russia," she warned. "They will create
resentment among Iraqis and fuel suspicion about the motives of the
coalition," she said.
Her appeal was for the full publication of Attorney General Lord
Goldsmith`s legal advice, which warned Tony Blair on March 26 that a
`further Security Council resolution is needed to authorize imposing
reform and restructuring of Iraq and its government`.
"There are no specific provisions on Geneva Convention IV or the
Hague Regulations dealing with the economy of the occupied territory,"
he said, adding that the imposition of major structural economic
reforms would `not be authorized by international law`.
HC/AH/210
End
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
