Australian Experts Conclude initiation of this War "Fundamental Violation of International Law"

In a statement aimed at the limited military support Australia is giving the US, 43 experts on international law published a strong warning on February 26.

A pre-emptive strike on Iraq would constitute a crime against humanity, write 43 experts on international law and human rights.

The initiation of a war against Iraq by the self-styled "coalition of the willing" would be a fundamental violation of international law. International law recognizes two bases for the use of force.

The first, enshrined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, allows force to be used in self-defense. The attack must be actual or imminent.

The second basis is when the UN Security Council authorizes the use of force as a collective response to the use or threat of force. However, the Security Council is bound by the terms of the UN Charter and can authorize the use of force only if there is evidence that there is an actual threat to the peace (in this case, by Iraq) and that this threat cannot be averted by any means short of force

I have changed some original spelling to American English - the s to z type of thing. Of course, I also had to correct all of my bad spelling in the headline and opener first.