Pope John Paul condemns the possibility of a war in Iraq, saying it could be avoided and that it would be a defeat for humanity. He made clear his opposition on Monday in his annual "State of the World" address to diplomats accredited to the Vatican. "No to war! War is not always inevitable. (Getty Images)...

Pope says "No" to war in Iraq 

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul condemns the possibility of a war in Iraq, saying it could be avoided and that it would be a
defeat for humanity.

He made clear his opposition on Monday in his annual "State of the World" address to diplomats accredited to the Vatican.

"No to war! War is not always inevitable. It is always a defeat for humanity," he said.

"And what are we to say of the threat of a war which could strike Iraq, the land of the Prophets, a people already sorely tried by more than 12
years of embargo?," he said.

"War is never just another means that one can choose to employ for settling differences between nations," he said in a clear reference to the
military build-up for a possible U.S.-led war against Iraq over its alleged weapons of mass destruction programme.

He said international law and diplomacy were the only means worthy of resolving differences.

"As the Charter of the United Nations organisation and international law itself remind us, war cannot be decided upon, even when it is a
matter of ensuring the common good, except as the very last option and in accordance with very strict conditions, without ignoring the
consequences for the civilian population both during and after the military operations," he said.

The pope said he had been struck recently by a "feeling of fear" in the hearts of people. He said the world was threatened not only by war
but also by "an insidious terrorism capable of striking at any time and anywhere." 

Reuters

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