"The United States is preparing for a possible war against Iraq, deliberately turning a blind eye to the progress made in UN weapons inspections in Iraq," the commentary said. "This will only arouse more and more opposition and criticism from the international community."

Noting that more than 20,000 Germans marched in heavy snow in Munich, Germany, on Feb. 8 to protest a possible US-led war on Iraq, the commentary said, "There are abundant and well-founded reasons for the international community to oppose the war."

First, up to now the United States is unable to show evidence to prove that Iraq either has weapons of mass destruction or is connected to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network. Therefore there is every reason to let the UN weapons inspectors continue their operations in Iraq.

Second, the international community is increasing its efforts to solve the Iraqi crisis peacefully as the country agrees to cooperate more closely with the UN weapons inspectors. France and Germany have tried to draw up a new plan to reinforce weapons inspections to ensure that Iraq has destroyed all weapons of mass destruction.

Third, the reason for attacking Iraq given by the United States is illogical. The United States claims that it would launch military actions against Baghdad "for US safety and world peace." However, it is not convincing to say the United States is facing "direct" and "imminent" threats from Iraq. And even if Iraq indeed posed a threat to world peace, it would be up to the UN Security Council to authorize the use of force instead of individual countries taking actions unilaterally, the commentary said.

The commentary urged the United States to "remain calm and reasonable and think over the suggestions of the international community."

(Xinhua News Agency February 15, 2003)