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On Thu, 24 Jun 1999, J. Vernon wrote:
> When replying to this letter please KEEP IT SHORT. I've seen too many
> optimistically long discourses on Iraqi-British relations since 1991 that
> wouldn't even get read if they were published. I think the point to
> emphasise is that the UN requirements are a moving target, and that
> the implementation of them is unusual and cruel.
>
In addition to those points, and the moral issue of holding a country
hostage to its government's actions, one can bring up the following
points:
* The US and UK administration officials have stated numerous times
(especially since the past 2-3 years), that sanctions will *only* be
lifted if the Iraqi regime is changed, and a "suitable" (i.e. favored by
the US) is put in its place
Example: March 26, 1997: Albright, in her first major foreign
policy address as Secretary of State: "We do not agree with the
nations who argue that if Iraq complies with its obligations
concerning weapons of mass destruction, sanctions should be
lifted. Our view, which is unshakable, is that Iraq must prove its
peaceful intentions.... And the evidence is overwhelming that
Saddam Hussein's intentions will never be peaceful."
* With regards to weaponry, all agree that Iraq has destroyed most of its
weaponry. Scott Ritter goes further and states that:
"Iraq simply lacks the stocks of chemical and biological agent
needed to have any militarily significant effect. Tens of
thousands of munitions would be required, and at best Iraq has but
a few hundred." - From his newly published book - Endgame (page
200)"
"Today, Iraq no long possesses arms of mass destruction." - From
an interview with the London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Hayat,
March 31, 1999
For more quotes from Ritter, go to: iraqaction.org/ritter.html
- Rania Masri
http://iraqaction.org
> > ...On the contrary, an alternative route to the same end
> > exists. It is for Saddam Hussein to comply immediately and unconditionally
> > with what the United Nations requires of him.
>
> --
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*** Archived at http://linux.clare.cam.ac.uk/~saw27/casi/discuss.html ***