James Moran Tells The Pakistani-American Democratic Committee That The US Attacked Iraq Because Of The Machinations Of Special Interests

"WASHINGTON: Senior Democratic Congressman Jim Moran from Virginia said on Sunday that Kashmiris should be given their birth right to self-determination.

Addressing a reception held by the Pakistani-American Democratic Committee, he said that the resolution of the Kashmir issue was vital for peace and stability in South Asia.

Kashmir and Middle East issues, he said, must be resolved through peaceful means, on the basis of principles and fairplay. Mr Moran said he had opposed the invasion of Iraq as it did not pose any danger. 'Baghdad neither possessed weapons of mass destruction nor was it abetting extremists,' said Mr Moran, adding it was because of the machinations of special interests that Iraq was attacked."

"Virginia Democratic congressman Jim Moran has called for the right of self-determination to Kashmiris...

The congressman triggered the ire of Jewish groups as President Bush was getting ready to go to war in Iraq by declaring that only the Jews could stop America from going to war in Iraq, implying thereby that the invasion of Iraq was more suited to Jewish rather than American interest. He is facing a difficult election this time, confronting as he does a Jewish opponent who is being supported by various powerful groups.

Mr Moran criticised the Bush decision to go to war in Iraq, arguing that the war was not justified as there were neither weapons of mass destruction in Iraq nor did Iraq have any links with extremist Islamist or terrorist groups. He also spoke against the Patriot Act, which, he said, worked against law-abiding and patriotic immigrants. He called the law discriminatory, charging that it had made family reunions difficult..."

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