Thousands Urge Peace at Rallies Around World

Thousands of peace protesters rallied worldwide today with just hours left before the U.N. deadline for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait or face attack.

The demonstrations followed widespread anti-war protests Monday. In many places the anger was aimed at the United States, which has said it will use force to drive Iraq from Kuwait unless it withdraws by the deadline.

Protests were held in several major cities in Australia today, including one in which 4,000 people gathered in Sydney for an hourlong rally outside Town Hall. Some demonstrators carried mock coffins and others waved anti-American banners and placards.

The demonstrators jeered when speakers mentioned Prime Minister Bob Hawke, who committed three naval ships to the Persian Gulf after Iraq seized Kuwait on Aug. 2.

In Cape Town, South Africa, 17 Muslims were arrested today outside the U.S. Embassy after they chanted and carried placards denouncing the U.S. military presence in the gulf. “Save Oil, Burn (George) Bush” and “Hey, Hey, Uncle Sam, Not Another Vietnam,” read the signs.

Peace organizers in Japan, meanwhile, mustered only 30 people today to present a protest letter to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.

In London, anti-war protesters today handed in a letter at Prime Minister John Major’s 10 Downing Street office. Elsewhere in Britain, there were prayers, protests and vigils.

In Rome, Roman Catholic groups continued prayer vigils for peace after a special prayer service was held in the city’s main synagogue Monday night.