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IRAQ: STAY MOBILIZED




With the papers full of speculation that Kofi Annan may have been able to
broker a diplomatic solution to the immediate military crisis in the gulf
there is a danger that the crucial issue of the EMBARGO will slip back
into obscurity. Iraqi children are dying at the same rates that they were
before the current crisis. The new "oil-for-food" deal is woefully
inadequate - according to Dennis Halliday, the UN humanitarian
co-ordinator for Iraq, Iraq would need something like $30 billion a year
to
fund its needs for food, medicine and infrastructure (statement made
on 12th Jan. 1998). The
new "oil-for-food" arrangement is likely to provide something like a sixth
of this figure.
 OVER A MILLION CHILDREN HAVE ALREADY DIED FROM
EMBARGO-RELATED CAUSES ACCORDING TO FIGURES FROM THE IRAQI MINISTRY OF 
HEALTH
- FIGURES
THAT HAVE BEEN VERIFIED BY UNICEF (THE UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND).

Robin Cook is indicating that the embargo may be lifted in the near future
if Saddam complies with the UN weapons inspection programme. If his past
record is anything to go by (eg. his statements about selling arms to
repressive/aggressive regimes) these statements are worthless. Nothing is
likely to be done without MASSIVE PUBLIC PRESSURE.

Plus, if the US don't whack 'em this week they may well whack 'em in a
fortnight or a months time.

So STAY MOBILIZED.

Gabriel Carlyle
Magdalen College
tel. 276012.

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