Govt to come out soon on invasion of Iraq

Ghana would soon come out with a statement on the American and British invasion of Iraq to protect and defend the integrity of the nation, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs said in Accra on Wednesday.

Mr Owusu-Agyeman, who was speaking when he received letters of protest from about 5,000 demonstrators against the invasion, said Ghana had no secret agreement with any country to wage war against Iraq.

The Outgoing Minister's was reacting to the contents of one of the letters presented to him through Mr Kyeretwie Opoku of the National Reform Party (NRP).

The protest letter which was addressed to the President of Ghana said: "We of the 'Anti-War Campaign' protest at the ambivalent position of the government of Ghana in connection with the illegal war unleashed on the Iraqi people by the United States of America and Great Britain."

It said an overwhelming number of people of the world were opposed to the war as manifested in the numerous protest marches taking place around the world.

It stated that the war had no basis in legality and international morality, and that its objective was to promote the parochial interests of the America Oil Oligopoly (small number of suppliers that control a commodity in the market place).

It reminded the government of the provisions of the Constitution under Directive Principles of State Policy. These are to promote and protect the interest of Ghana, seek the establishment of just and equitable international and social order and adhere to the principles enshrined in the charter of the United Nations and the African Union.

The letters demanded complete closure of the military and intelligence relations that Ghana currently has with the United States