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Date: Wed, 18 Aug 1999 17:57:53 GMT
+------------------------------------------------------+
+ Paper reprints authorised. Electronic redistributors +
+ must request permission from Amnesty International. +
+ Contact: ua@amnesty.org.uk +
+------------------------------------------------------+
PUBLIC AI Index: AMR
51/133/99
18
August 1999
Further information on EXTRA 101/98 (AMR 51/110/98, 16 December
1998) and follow-ups (AMR 51/112/98, 17 December 1998; AMR
51/114/98, 18 December 1998; AMR 51/117/98, 23 December 1998; AMR
51/31/99, 18 February 1999; AMR 51/40/99, 3 March 1999; AMR
51/81/99, 19 May 1999) - Fear of indiscriminate mass killings of
civilians in Iraq
US/UK/IRAQ
Air strikes by US and UK forces against Iraqi targets inside the
southern and northern air exclusion zones have continued and
reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 50 civilians since
the beginning of June 1999. Scores were said to have been injured.
In the latest incident, on 17 August 1999, 14 people, all members
of the same family and including five women and five children, were
killed when a missile reportedly hit their house in the town of
Jassan in southern Iraq, said to be outside the air exclusion zone.
A further eight civilians were said to have been killed in northern
Iraq.
Amnesty International continues to receive replies from UK
government officials in response to Urgent Action network appeal
writers, stating that US and UK forces had been acting in
self-defence and that great efforts were being made to avoid
civilian casualties. In spite of these assurances civilian deaths
continue to be reported and more than 130 civilians are believed to
have been killed since the beginning of 1999.
FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send
telegrams/e-mails/faxes/express/ airmail letters in English or your
own language:
- expressing concern at the continuing reports of loss of civilian
life as a result of US and UK air strikes;
- expressing concern that despite all assurances received those
responsible for the airstrikes do not seem to have given the utmost
consideration to the proximity of civilians;
- asking them to urge their forces to refrain from attacks expected
to cause incidental loss of civilian life "which would be excessive
in relation to the direct military advantage anticipated."
APPEALS TO:
(Time difference = GMT - 5 hrs / BST - 6 hrs)
President
Bill Clinton
[Salutation:Dear President Clinton]
The White House
Office of the President
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington DC 20500
USA
Telegrams: President, Washington DC, United States America
Faxes: + 1 202 456 2461
E-mails: president@whitehouse.gov
PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO: His Excellency Mr Philip
Lader, Embassy of United States of America, Grosvenor Square, London
W1A 1AE. Fax: 0171 409 1637
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send appeals after
15 September 1999.
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
+ If you have any queries about this Urgent Action or about +
+ the UA scheme in general, please contact: +
+ Ray Mitchell / Becky Hess +
+ Amnesty International UK Section +
+ 99 - 119 Rosebery Avenue +
+ London EC1R 4RE email: ua@amnesty.org.uk +
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
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