Meeting in the capital of Europe from 14 to 17 April, the BRussells Tribunal brought together intellectuals and activists from Europe, the US and the Arab world to hear testimony on the role of the Project for the New American Century think-tank in promoting aggressive war as a means of reasserting US hegemony in a changing and unstable world (see Al-Ahram Weekly, 686, 15-21 April, Focus on the BRussels Tribunal). Below, we print the full text of the commission's conclusions, followed by extracts from the public debate which followed the final session, and personal statements by Egyptian commission members Samir Amin and Nawal El-Saadawi No submission In this personal statement, BRussels Tribunal Commission Member Samir Amin adds his own reflections on the system behind the crimes exposed during the three days of proceedings The world is currently faced by a project of systematic US domination operating through the military control of the planet. This global strategy is not that of constructing a "benevolent Empire". It closes all avenues allowing for the progress of democracy. It does not even provide an adequate political framework for the deployment of a "fair global market". It is a strategy aiming at the plunder of all the resources of the planet for the exclusive benefit of major globalised corporations. The project is based on the principle that the so-called "US interests" (ie those of these corporations) should predominate over any other "interests". That principle not only negates any principle of international law, it also negates all human rights for all peoples. Moreover the USA has given to itself the "right" to prevent by all means, including "preventive wars", the possibility of any potential economic, political, or military competitor appearing on the scene, be it Europe, China, Russia or any other country or group of countries. That is a crazy project, and for that reason the means of its implementation are bound to be criminal. The reports and statements of PNAC, together with certain other documents which codify that plan, have been produced by the most extremist representatives of that strategy (and thus constitute an intellectual crime). This group is now in office in Washington. Moreover, the same targets are shared by much wider political circles, including those which may continue to rule the US in the near future. This plan is not only a "paper project". It is being put into practice, in occupied Iraq as well as in occupied Palestine. It has already shown its real face: depriving the victim nations of any rights, reducing their life to minimal survival, multiplying the daily practices of humiliation. The plan has already failed both morally and politically. The victim nations have not accepted their submission, but are responding by growing resistance, which will not disarm until this policy is defeated. Due to its failure, the promoters of the strategy are now looking for ways and means to associate Europe (through NATO), and the international community (through the UN), with the continued pursuit of the same goals. However, even should this come to pass, it would not change the criminal character of the project. Criminals should not be rewarded by further "support", or entertain the illusion that this could help them "solve the problems" created by their own misdeeds. The peoples of the world, working hand in hand with the people of the US, must defeat that project, impose the withdrawal of all occupying forces from Iraq and Palestine, impose a return to the respect of international law and respect the rights of the peoples.
