April 2002

Views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of the AFSC.

Some Push for Iraq War; Others Plead for End to Sanctions

--From "Media Alert," March 19, Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC) <epicmedia@igc.org>

Facing the reality of a protracted war in Afghanistan, hardliners in the Bush administration are pushing the President to attack Baghdad as early as April. Otherwise, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and other hardliners fear that US public opinion may soon turn against them. Indications of an accelerated timeline are evident in scattered media reports. The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, for instance, reports the US Army's 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, is deploying to Kuwait, and could be ready to launch an offensive against Iraq as early as April. Perhaps most disturbing, however, was today's testimony by CIA Director George Tenet to the Senate Armed Serices Committee. According to him, "Baghdad has a long history of supporting terrorism. It has also had contacts with al-Qaeda." Yet the BBC reports, "Mr Tenet did not present any new hard evidence of Iraqi collusion with al-Qaeda to the committee." Clearly the campaign to sell another war to the American people has kicked into high gear. How concerned citizens and residents across the United States respond could determine whether or not that war is launched this year.

Voices in the Wilderness, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to lifting the sanctions on Iraq, placed the following statement in the International Herald Tribune reflecting a wide international consensus against sanctions. Signatories included Nobel Peace laureates, former heads of state and government, members of Parliament, religious leaders, and distinguished writers, scientists, artists, students, and human rights advocates.

The ad was also signed by former UN staff in Iraq, among them Denis Halliday, Hans Von Sponeck, and Jutta Burkhardt--senior UN officials who resigned in protest over the human catastrophe resulting from sanctions.

"How much more evidence is needed to convince the UN Security Council that sanctions are harming innocent people beyond any tolerable limit, and violate the very international laws the United Nations is meant to protect?" asks Hans Von Sponeck. "The place to settle the Iraq conflict is in the UN Security Council and the Arab League, not in the battlefield."

For interviews, statements, more information, or a complete list of signatories to the Not in Our Names Campaign: 773/784-8065; <www.notinournames.org/iht> (also available from Peacework on request)

Kathy Kelly, director of Voices in the Wilderness, at a January AFSC conference on the Campaign of Conscience. Photo: Terry Foss

We, the undersigned, representing a wide international consensus, demand the immediate lifting of economic sanctions against Iraq.

The sanctions regime imposed on the people of Iraq for over a decade is one of the great injustices of our time. It has brought starvation and disease to millions of innocent Iraqis. UNICEF has shown that economic sanctions have contributed to the death of half a million children. For the period 1990 to 2000, UNICEF found that of 188 countries surveyed, Iraq suffered the worst change in mortality levels amongst children under five years old. Child mortality rates in Iraq actually more than doubled during the decade.

This is not simply a crime against the children of Iraq and millions of Iraqi families. It is a violation of internationally recognised human rights and humanitarian standards.

Plunged into mass poverty, Iraqis need jobs and living wages. The UN Security Council's own 'Humanitarian Panel' concluded in 1999 that the humanitarian crisis in Iraq will continue until there is a 'sustained revival of the Iraqi economy.' Yet the sanctions are designed to damage the Iraqi economy and prevent such a revival.

The 'smart sanctions' proposed by the governments of the United Kingdom and the United States, and the latest Security Council resolution on Iraq, are still economic sanctions . Although they are claimed to ease restrictions on humanitarian imports, they do not allow the economic revival so desperately needed . No foreign loans, no foreign investment, no access to foreign exchange, and no Iraqi exports other than oil are permitted under the resolution. Nor will resources become available for teachers and civil servants, or for the rehabilitation and upkeep of the shattered infrastructure, hospitals and schools. The proposed 'smart sanctions' are not the solution to the economic and social catastrophe facing ordinary Iraqi citizens, but a grim perpetuation of a failed policy.

We demand an end to the suffering. The global conscience demands an end to the economic sanctions now.

Voices in the Wilderness is undertaking two important programs in the face of escalating threats of war by the US towards Iraq:

The Iraq Peace Team will be a long-term presence of US citizens who will be linked with ordinary Iraqi families. They will develop language exchanges in Baghdad & maintain a peaceful presence there. Applicants should contact the Chicago Voices in the Wilderness at 1460 West Carmen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640; 773/784-8065 for more information about logistics, cost & schedules. The first training will be held in late April with departure for Iraq in early May. Other trainings will follow.

A Compassion Iraq Peace Walk from the Jordan-Iraq border is being planned for May 17 to June 22. The 350-mile walk would be accomplished in three weeks. For more information contact Dr. James E. Jennings, Compassion Iraq Coalition at 4685 Chamblee-Dunwoody RD A7, Atlanta, GA 30338; 770/454-9109.

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