Two held for Sydney Opera House peace protest

Two peace protesters – a Briton and an Australian – were arrested today after they climbed Sydney Opera House to paint “No War” on the roof in huge letters.

The demonstration followed Prime Minister John Howard’s statement that he was committing 2,000 Australian troops to the possible invasion of Iraq.

The premier strained to be heard over shouts of “murderer” from the public gallery as he explained his decision to MPs in Canberra.

Demonstrators outside said they were planning massive street protests across the country for the day war breaks out.

Opposition leader Simon Crean condemned Australia’s involvement, saying an invasion did not have United Nations authorisation. Polls show most Australians are against their country’s involvement in an Iraq war without UN support.

“We really feel that John Howard has misread the anger and concern that is happening right across the community,” activist Nic Maclellan said. “Australia should not be involved in this war in any way.”

Meanwhile, in New Zealand, Prime Minister Helen Clark said today that it was “highly debatable” whether a US-led strike on Iraq could be justified under international law.

UN Security Council Resolution 1441 on Iraq, which was passed last year, “quite specifically does not use the phrase ‘all necessary means,”’ she said. That wording was used in a UN resolution supporting the 1991 Gulf War.