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We call on the Malaysian Prime Minister to convince the 114 members of the Non-Aligned Movement to urge the United States to refrain from initiating the Iraqi War Media Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw (Kuala Lumpur, Friday): Yesterday, the Chief United Nations weapons inspector Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei, in charge of nuclear arms inspectors, told the Security Council that they found no evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. China, France and Russia insist on more time for inspections as an alternative to war. Meanwhile, President Bush’s war posture remains. US Secretary of State Colin Powell continues to threaten Iraq with force, saying “more inspections – I am sorry – are not the answer.” Has Iraq a cache of weapons of mass destruction? We don’t know. On 14 February, 2003, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein issued a decree banning the import and production of such weapons, to be followed by legislation. We hope that Saddam genuinely shows that he cooperates with the inspectors and turns up whatever suspicious cache. Don’t let Bush have the opportunity to strike. The Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said that Malaysia will not support any country, including the US and its allies, to wage war on Iraq even if the United Nations allows it. We hope the Prime Minister will convince 114 members of NAM which will have its summit meeting in Kuala Lumpur from 20 to 25 February, 2003, to urge the US to stop initiating war against Iraq and to use alternatives.   (15/2/2003) * Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong