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You're probably all aware of Voices in the Wilderness' sanctions-breaking trips to Iraq. Felicity Arbuthnot (the journalist who spoke in Cambridge last year) and two people from a London group are joining this delegation, leaving tomorrow, so I thought it was worth bringing your attention to it. Seb ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Subject: Outreach letter--vitw February 6, 1998 Dear Friends, As we write, the US is preparing to launch a massive military strike against the people of Iraq. Yesterday, Congress expressed its wholehearted support for a military solution to the present political crisis, with some members hinting at the need for more than air strikes. The humanitarian catastrophe inside Iraq continues to claim the lives of thousands of Iraqi children every month. Our voices must now raise the plea more emphatically than ever: Stop killing children, end the sanctions and send massive relief, not bombs, to Iraq. On February 9, the 11th Voices in the Wilderness delegation will depart for Iraq, bringing more than $125,000 in relief supplies and medicines. Mil Rai, Felicity Arbuthnot, and Martin Thomas of the United Kingdom, will be joined by Mike and Mary Donnelly of Portland, ME, Art Laffin of Washington, D.C., Charles Quilty of Rock Island, IL, Rick McDowell of Akron , OH and Kathy Kelly of Chicago, IL. Ourpresence in Baghdad may allow us to amplify pleas for nonviolent peacemaking. Albert Camus once wrote: "...and henceforth, the only honorable course will be to stake everything on a formidable gamble: that words are more powerful than munitions." Who will express the fears and hopes of Iraqi civilians who now face renewed bombardment to compound the affliction they already endure? We hope we can help. We urge you to consider immediate actions in your community. February 12, 1998, marks the seventh year since US "smart bombs" massacred at least 500 Iraqi ivilians who sought refuge in Baghdad's Ameriyah shelter. Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit has been on a liquids-only fast since January 20, 1998, when he and 53 Catholic US Bishops signed a statement calling for an end to the sanctions. He and others will demonstrate on February 12 at the White House. While military threats escalated in January, vigils, fasts and demos across the US helped raise a desperately needed voice on behalf of the children and families of Iraq. As war fever grows, we urge continued and vigorous nonviolent action. Your generosity enabled this campaign to develop--we will appreciate your ongoing support. Please make checks payable to: Voices in the Wilderness. Thanks once more for your help and care. Sincerely, Rev. Bob Bossie, SCJ, Kathy Kelly, Chuck Quilty and Rick McDowell for Voices in the Wilderness -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a discussion list run by Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To be removed/added, email soc-casi-discuss-request@lists.cam.ac.uk, NOT the whole list. Archived at http://linux.clare.cam.ac.uk/~saw27/casi/discuss.html