NATO Involved in Flawed Afghanistan Bomb, Brute and Bribe Operation

Nov 14, 2006

REPORT ON THE NATO QUEBEC CONFERENCE

By Joan Russow (PhD)
j.russow@shawlink.ca
Global Compliance Research Institute


(i) NATO MISCONSTRUED ARTICLE 51 OF THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS
In 2001, NATO States disregarded the Charter of the United Nations when they accepted the US misinterpretation of Article 51- self defence clause- as justification for the US act of revenge against Afghanistan. The NATO states were lobbied by peace groups to support not the US act of revenge but the rule of international law and support chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations and seek justice through the International Court of Justice.

(ii) NATO MISSION VIOLATES UN CHARTER BY FAILING UN CONDITIONS
There was conditional support by the UN Security Council of NATO’s International Security Force. This force, oft described as a peacekeeping force, was sanctioned in UN Security Council resolutions only if the force's actions were in keeping with the Charter of the United Nations. Under the UN Charter, one of the purposes of the United Nations is the following:

"To establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained,...”

The NATO states has been found to have violated the Convention against Torture and have yet to be assessed on their violation of Geneva Protocols on banned weapons systems such as Depleted uranium, and on their violation of international environmental instruments.

(iii) NATO IGNORES FUNDAMENTAL INTERNATIONAL PRINCIPLE
Since 2001, most of the NATO countries have been belligerents in Afghanistan. The current "mission" described as a 3D - defense, development, and diplomacy- mission violates a fundamental international principle that a belligerent state should never be involved on the ground in reconstruction. NATO states are supporting a 3 B campaign: BOMB, BRUTE, and AND BRIBE OPERATION. Bombing a village, blasting in doors, brutally killing and wounding citizens and ignoring culture and then bribing with funds for reconstruction of hospitals to heal the victims are beyond any claims of legitimacy.

(IV) NATO USING MACHIAVELLIAN “HEARTS AND MINDS” STRATEGY
NATO supports the longstanding Vietnam strategy of attempting to win hearts and minds in order to obtain “intelligence”. Although there are irreversible environmental, social, and human rights consequences of the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, the only immediate recourse is for NATO to withdraw immediately, and be required to pay full compensation for damage and destruction of their invasion and occupation of Afghanistan.


Joan Russow (PhD) j.russow@shawlink.ca
Global Compliance Research Institute

Dr. Russow is the author of The Charter of Obligations, published the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). It looks at international sgreements dealing with issues of peace, the environment, social justice and human rights.