IRAQ/IRELAND: The Irish parliamentary delegation to Iraq ended its five day visit yesterday with the Labour Party's foreign affairs spokesman, Mr Michael D Higgins, saying the visit had been "absolutely essential".
"It was like putting a brick in the wall against war," he said. "I found all the people we met at interviews open to suggestions on how to avert war.
"No one here is seeking a military solution to Iraq's problems.
"I am most apprehensive about the fact that a war will be a war against children.
"Everyone - men, women, officials, civilians - says it will be a war for oil," added Mr Higgins.
After dining with the family of an Iraqi friend living in Dublin, Mr Higgins stated: "The person in the family most seriously affected by the \ war and sanctions was the older woman.
"She kept asking, 'Will they hit us?' The last time all six huddled in the bathroom during the bombing because it has the smallest window.
"They used to go to the nearby shelter until the Amariya shelter was bombed with the loss of hundreds of civilian lives. Afterwards they stayed at home."
Mr Higgins went on to describe UN sanctions against Iraq as "a weapon of mass destruction".
Mr Higgins, who later travelled to Jordan, said he would be discussing with the Jordanian Prime Minister, Mr Ali Abu Ragheb, and other members of the government, the proposal for sending a mission to Iraq comprised of distinguished world figures .
"I will suggest that Jordan officially adopt this proposal," Mr Higgins said.
Senator Michael Kitt told The Irish Times that the current crisis could be resolved without resorting to war if the parties adopted the method used in the Irish peace process.
He said they should bring in outside parties to defuse the situation. The Iraqi authorities have welcomed the proposal .
