The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Kaire M. Mbuende, on 20 March reacted to the war in Iraq as follows:

The Government of the Republic of Namibia condemns the military attack on Iraq by the United States of America in the strongest possible terms.

This military action is in contravention of international law and undermines the international rule of law. The attack was unnecessary and pre-mature in view of the progress report presented by Dr Hans Blix to the Security Council. The UN Inspectors were encouraged by increasing cooperation by Iraq. The majority members of the Security Council are of the opinion that peaceful means have not been exhausted. We believe that diplomacy was not given ample time. Military action without UN Security Council approval is an abrogation of responsibility on the side of two permanent members of the Council. The maintenance of international peace and security is the sole responsibility of the Security Council. No member of the Council has the mandate to act unilaterally. the unilateral action by the US and the UK threatens to undermine the UN.

The military operation in Iraq is the US and the UK‘s private war. It has nothing to do with the international community that has expressed its opposition to military action against Iraq. The US and Britain must bear responsibility for the damage that they are going to cause in Iraq. They should not ask the UN to contribute to the rehabilitation of infrastructures as the UN did not authorize military action. They should also account for the lives of innocent civilians who will be caught in crossfire.

We call upon the US and the UK to act responsibly and cease military operation with immediate effect. Let there be peace on earth.