IT HAPPENED 15 YEARS AGO
On March 11, 2003, ten days before the invasion of Iraq, the well-known Brazilian writer Paolo Koeljo addressed the US President George Bush in a letter.
Thank you, great leader George Bush.
Thank you for showing us all the danger posed by Saddam Hussein. Many would otherwise forget to use chemical weapons against their own people, against Kurds and Iranians. But that is not the only reason I thank you. In the first two months of 2003, you have discovered a lot more important to the world, so you deserve my gratitude. So, remembering the song I have taught as a child, I want to express my gratitude.
Thank you for showing everyone that the Turkish people and his parliament are not for sale, even for 26 billion dollars. Thank you for discovering the gap in the world that separates the choices of the mighty and the people's desires. Thank you for having clearly shown that neither Hose Marija Aznar nor Toni Bler did not give the least importance, nor did they respect the received voices. Aznar is perfectly capable of ignoring the fact that 90 per cent of Spaniards are opposed to the war, and Blera does not at all disturb the biggest public protests that have taken place in England in the last thirty years. Thank you for forcing Tony Blair to come before the British parliament with a fake dossier written by a student ten years ago and presenting it as "indisputable evidence gathered by the British secret service". Thank you for allowing Colin Pauel to make a fool of myself by showing the UN Security Council a photo that was publicly blamed on Iraq's disarming inspector Hans Bliks seven days later.
Thank you for taking the present stand and ensuring that the anti-French speech of the French Foreign Minister at the plenary session is welcomed by applause - as far as I know it - only once in UN history, after Nelson Mandela's speech. Thank you for your rhetorical statement that "UN now has the opportunity to demonstrate its importance", which has made the country's most controversial to oppose any attack on Iraq. Thank you for your foreign policy, which inspired British Foreign Minister Jack Straw to say that even in the 21st century "the war can be morally justified".
Thank you for trying to share the Europe that is just trying to unite; this warning will not go unnoticed. Thank you for having achieved what very few of them have achieved in this age: unite millions of people from all continents in the struggle for the same goal, though this goal is against you. Thank you for not paying attention to us and undermining all those who oppose your decision. Thank you because without you we will not know your own readiness to fight. This time it may not serve purpose, but in the future it will undoubtedly be of use. Now, when it is no longer possible to silence the war drums, I would like to say what the old European king had said to an intruder: "Enjoy in a beautiful morning, let the sun shine upon the armies of your soldiers, for in the afternoon I will defeat you." Thank you for being here - the army of anonymous people, gathering in the streets trying to stop the process that has already been started, has enabled us to know the feeling of helplessness. So, enjoy this morning and celebrate it to bring you. Thank you for having not listened to us and you did not seriously understand us, but know that we are listening to you and we will not forget your words.
Thank you, great leader George Bush.
Thank you very much.
Paolo Koeljo