Peaceful protestor James Birch took to the streets of Bermuda yesterday to demonstrate against a possible war on Iraq.

The 24-year-old computer consultant said he was not anti-American, but was against the country's foreign policy and believed that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein should be dealt with by an international court.

Mr. Birch took his protest, complete with placards and drum to the outside of the United States Consulate General on Middle Road in Devonshire for an hour during rush hour traffic.

Police were called but just asked him to move off Consul property onto the road.

"No one country should have the right to do what America is doing in Iraq," said Mr. Birch.

"Bermudians in general do not seem to be interested in world politics and I wanted to make a stand by doing something that would make them aware, and also open this up to discussion, as what America does affects us.

"People ask `well what about Saddam Hussein?' He should be dealt with by an international court. It should not be where America, or any other country, has the right to dictate what should happen, or to carry it out their own.

"I want it to be clear that I am not anti-American, I am against America's foreign policy."

But despite protesting alone yesterday, he said he was joined in his efforts by people the world over in other countries.

"I am echoing what protesters the world over are saying. People are protesting against the potential war in Iraq, America pushing the United Nations around, and members of the Security Council. The UN was set up to avoid these types of situations - basically to avoid conflict. After September 11, President Bush said `if you are not with us, you are against us' and many are afraid to speak out against what they see as wrong, for fear of reprimand."

The public's response to Mr. Birch's protest yesterday was generally supportive, with passing motorists tooting their horns.

"A third of the motorists tooted their horns and greeted me with a thumbs up, and only one person said some pretty nasty things to me.

Mr. Birch was carrying the South American equivalent of the West African djembe drum.

On the significance of the drum, he said: "It was often used when countries were going to war - but I was beating it to stop the war."