Doctors call for inquiry into Australia's war on Iraq

The Medical Association for Prevention of War has called for an independent inquiry into Australia's involvement in the Iraq War.

MAPW president Dr Bill Williams said: "It's time to quiz the men and women who sent Australians to war in Iraq. Let us scrutinise their reasons. Were they valid? Was our intelligence accurate? Was our participation legal?

"The invasion of Iraq was opposed by the parliamentary Opposition and by the majority of ordinary Australians. As predicted by our organisation and many others, it was a humanitarian disaster with many negative long-term regional and international legacies.

"A formal commission of inquiry could help us avoid unnecessary, destructive and counter-productive military engagements in the future."

Calls for an inquiry coincide with a bill before parliament that would require the consent of parliament before troops are committed to a war. This is a constitutional requirement in many countries.

From GLW issue 825