"This senseless act of cruel violence will only convince us, and all the people of South Africa, that the current aggression by the United States and Britain against the government and people of Iraq is both undesirable and counter to the goals of democracy and peace," the ANC said in a statement.

Earlier on Wednesday, ANC Secretary General Kgalema Motlanthe sent a message to Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, assuring Iraqis, at this moment of extreme danger for them, of the continued support of the ANC "for all efforts to end the unilateral aggression of the United States and other countries."

The ANC remained committed to the peaceful resolution of international disputes and conflicts, to the maintenance of respect for international law, and for the need to ensure institutions such as the United Nations were "truly capable of reflecting, and acting on the wishes of the nations of the world," he said.

"We are acutely aware of the humanitarian crisis which these actions will precipitate and the responsibility of all nations to provide whatever assistance possible to the people of Iraq.

"The people of South Africa, together with the majority of nations and peoples of the world, will continue to campaign, even in the face of the US-led invasion, for a peaceful resolution," Motlanthe said.

In its statement, the ANC again called on "the aggressors to immediately withdraw their forces from Iraq," and allow the people of that country to determine their own destiny without the interference of foreign military powers.

(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2003)