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ARAB LEAGUE MEETING TO DISCUSS MISSING KUWAITIS 12 - 13 SEPTEMBER 1999.
Iraq has agreed in principle and with certain conditions to taking part
in a commission charged with examining the fate of the disappeared,
605 Kuwaitis and third-nationals.
THE 605 HOSTAGES AND POWS ILLEGALLY ABDUCTED 1990 - 1991, STILL BEING
HELD IN IRAQ ARE FROM INDIA, PHILLIPINES, LEBANON, EGYPT, OMAN, SAUDI
ARABIA and Kuwait.
The 605 Kuwaiti POWs and hostages in Iraq are made up of 389 civilians
and 216 military personnel.
The Arab League is to discuss this issue of 605 prisoners of war and
other people missing from the 1991 Gulf War during its meeting next
week, being chaired by Iraq said Kuwait's Al-Rai Al-Aam Newspaper, on
Saturday.
Kuwait has repeatedly asked for more information concerning the fate of
600 people it says "disappeared" or were detained during Iraq's
occupation of the Emirate.
Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sabah Al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Sunday said he
hoped the next meeting of the Arab League, which will be chaired by
Iraq,
would be "problem free."
Iraq's foreign minister walked out of the last Arab League ministerial
meeting on Iraq in January in protest at the lack of condemnation of
the
US and British strikes.
Saudi Arabia's Okaz newspaper on Sunday said Gulf Foreign Ministers
would meet on Friday in the Red Sea port of Jeddah to coordinate their
position ahead of the Arab League meeting.
"The issue of Kuwaitis detained by the Iraqi regime is the main
point on the report of the Arab League's "Secretary
General" Esmat Abdel Meguid,
which is a sort of Agenda for the Ministerial Meeting," the daily
said,
quoting Kuwaiti league representative Abdel Aal Al-Qanai.
Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on Thursday
said
the Emirate would participate in the meeting, scheduled for NEXT WEEK
-
September 12 and 13, 1999 in Cairo, even though Iraq is chairing the
event.
( From H.E.L.P. in the UK with written e-mail permission by Clari Net
AFP )
"H.E.L.P." is supported by the world renowned Welsh Centre for
International Affairs and the Cardiff United Nations Association.
Moonirah has petitioned the President, European Parliament about the 605
Kuwaiti and third-national "hostages" plus "pows" still held by Saddam
Hussein in Iraq. We quote the facts herein, as media and press often
choose to focus on the non-compliance of weapons' inspections in Iraq -
knowingly omitting the 605 human faces of this tragedy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------INA
(Iraqi News Agency *** ) E-MAIL TO MOONIRAH OF "H.E.LP." IN WALES:-
In response to a communication for various global news agencies and
humanitarian groups, the Iraqi News Agency replied to one of H.E.L.P.'s
e-mail addresses in Wales, UK: hamzah@cwcom.net as follows.
*** e-mail to Wales from Saddam's regime:
Subject:
Re: un sanctions
Date:
Sat, 27 June 1998 15:35:55 +0300
From:
"ina" <ina@nisciraq.net> IRAQI NEWS AGENCY
To:
Moonirah<hamzah@cwcom.net>
Wales, United Kingdom
( H.E.L.P. Worldwide Campaign - Free 605 Kuwaitis + )
We confirm that Iraq holds no POWs, neither from Kuwait nor from any
other country.
This card is being played by Kuwait and the U.S. administration in order
to prolong sanctions against Iraq.
INA
_______________________________________________________________________________________
-----Original Message-----from WALES, United Kingdom.
From: MOONIRAH, H.E.L.P.
( Hostages' Envoys for Liberty of Prisoners in Iraq )
Reply to: ina@nisciraq.net <ina@nisciraq.net>
Date: Thursday, June 24, 1999 11:18 Õ
Subject: UN SANCTIONS.
Comment in return from H.E.L.P., WALES, UK:-
Alhamdoolillah - H.E.L.P. Worldwide Campaign highlights the plight of
605 pows and hostages still held in Iraq.
The UN actually set up a new "expert" panel 31st January 1999 to
investigate the outstanding humanitarian issues of Kuwait prisoners and
correspondence we have of the British Foreign Office states "sanctions
cannot be lifted until this issue is resolved" i.e. the 605 pows and
hostages awaited 9 years.
Baroness Emma Nicholson from the British House of Lords in London stated
publicly on Channel 4 TV in February 1998 that she personally saw
KUWAITI HOSTAGES INSIDE IRAQI PRISONS.
Tariq Aziz stated on UK TV News 4/8/99 that Iraq has complied with
Resolutions - wrong !
The UN continues asking Iraq for the release of 605 Kuwaiti and
third-national detainees held by the Regime.
H.E.L.P. campaigners are pleased to see recently that representatives of
the French Government, Jordan, Sudan and India have stated their support
for Kuwait during media and press interviews relating to the 605
detainees still held in Iraq, from several countries.
Humanitarians throughout the UK are genuinely concerned for the safety
of 605 individuals overdue for release, according to UN Resolution 1154
of 2nd March 1998 and Resolution 687 of 1991.
As mentioned in global reports to date by media and press which include
The Times, The Independent, The Daily Record, The South Wales Echo, The
Arab Times, Al Watan, Al Rai Al Aam in Kuwait, Al Anbaa in London plus
BBC Wales TV, UK Talk Radio, BBC Radio 5 Live, Touch FM, Red Dragon
Radio, BBC Wales Radio News / "Time Live" / 'A Voice For All' programmes
and The British Forces World-wide Radio 1998-1999:
This human tragedy is the focus of a worldwide campaign to highlight the
plight of 605 people incarcerated in Iraq and their traumatized
relatives awaiting their overdue freedom - including family members
residing in Cardiff - Wales, Scotland and London, plus their friends and
colleagues who dearly want their return.
Cardiff-born campaigner - Moonirah interviewed individual Kuwaiti
relations during a visit to the Emirate, February 1999 - gathering
further information for presentation at public meetings throughout the
UK. Welsh campaigners and humanitarian friends formed the H.E.L.P.
Worldwide Campaign after serious discussions in 1997, due to what is
viewed as procrastination and prevarication by the Iraqi Regime, as well
as their unreasonable refusals to attend meetings. An 'Expert Panel' of
the UN was established January 1999 "to investigate the outstanding
humanitarian issues" - of Kuwaiti prisoners held 9 years to date in
Iraq.
As the Wales' Co-ordinator for H.E.L.P., Moonirah suggests that
"tokenism" is not required, but clear and effective pressures could be
brought to bear by the world communities via the UN for the release and
repatriation of the 605 detainees, of several countries, illegally
abducted from Kuwait 1990 - 1991.
Especially, she adds and "quotes" - as she has British Foreign Office
1998 correspondence clearly confirming to the world, that despite 9
years of pointless global press speculation and hype, "Sanctions cannot
be lifted until this issue is resolved", verbally by telephone it was
again confirmed June 1999.
It may have come as a surprise to the Iraqi regime that humanitarians
without funding in various parts of the world, with compassion offer to
HELP those who still suffer in Kuwait, pressuring for the release of
loved ones.
WE ARE BRITISH, HUMANITARIAN CAMPAIGNERS, MUSLIM AND NON-MUSLIM.
THIS IS NOT AS "INEAS" IN THE USA SUGGESTS A "Kuwaiti cause", THANK YOU.
WE ARE NOT PERSONALLY ASKING FOR SANCTIONS AGAINST ANY NATION, HOWEVER
WE DO FULLY SUPPORT ALL UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTIONS.
IT IS THE U.N. PLUS OUR OWN BRITISH GOVERNMENT MINISTERS WHO STATE
VERBALLY AND IN WRITING THAT "sanctions cannot be lifted until this
issue is resolved" -
PRESSURING FOR THE RELEASE OF 605, H.E.L.P. HAS BY E-MAIL, FAX, WEB SITE
'MESSAGE BOARDS' AND POSTED LEAFLETS - DULY INFORMED GROUPS,
INDIVIDUALS, AGENCIES, ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENTS OF THIS FACT, AS
IF, AS IT SEEMS PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE OF THESE FACTORS THEY DO NOT HAVE
FULL DETAILS FOR THEIR OWN DISCUSSIONS, 'FREE SPEECH' DEBATES AND
CONFERENCES BASED ON THESE ISSUES.
WE ARE GLAD "INEAS" IN THE USA REALIZED THAT HUMANITARIAN CAMPAIGNER
'MOONIRAH' IS AN UNKNOWN PERSON, AS SHE DID NOT BEFORE, NOR DOES SHE
CURRENTLY ACTUALLY WISH FOR PERSONAL NOTORIETY, THANKS !!!
AS " A HUMANITARIAN " MOONIRAH MERELY OBTAINED EFFECTIVE MEDIA AND PRESS
NEWS COVERAGE DURING 1998 AND 1999 TO HIGHLIGHT THE PLIGHT OF 605 DEARLY
LOVED RELATIVES, COLLEAGUES AND CHERISHED FRIENDS.
DESPITE NEW HUMAN CRISES OCCURRING DAILY, ALL SUFFERING PEOPLE NOW
THROUGHOUT THE GLOBE NEED ASSISTANCE, WITH EQUAL ATTENTION AND THE
SUBJECT OF THE 605 HOSTAGES AND POWS SHOULD NOT BE MARGINALIZED,
SIDELINED OR PUSHED UNDER THE CARPET.
WE IN BRITAIN INITIATED THE EFFORT "H.E.L.P." WORLDWIDE CAMPAIGN - THEN
TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS IN THE UK AND FROM ABROAD, FOCUSSED ON
HIGHLIGHTING THE PLIGHT OF THE 605 DETAINEES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
As" Hostages' Envoys for Liberty of Prisoners in Iraq ", we speak as
Envoys for voices in isolation, 605 multi-nationals incarcerated nine
years to date in Iraq.
GLADLY, BRITAIN SENDS PEOPLE AND HUMANITARIAN AID TO IRAQ, PLUS OUR TAX
FUNDS WHICH WE PERSONALLY PAY FROM OUR OWN PERSONAL SALARIES DOES
SUPPORT REFUGEES FROM IRAQ THROUGHOUT THE UK.
OUR AIM, WITH THE " H.E.L.P. WORLDWIDE CAMPAIGN " WITH SUPPORT OF THE "
WELSH CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS " AND THE " CARDIFF UNITED
NATIONS ASSOC ", IS TO CALL FOR RELEASE OF 605 VARIOUS NATIONALITIES,
FROM 9 YEARS OF INCARCERATION IN IRAQI PRISONS.
INEAS@aol.com wrote: "The embargo against the people of Iraq must be
lifted whether
there are Kuwaiti POWs in Iraq or not." "Remove us immediately from
your list."
Many foreign government representatives are currently voicing support
for the Kuwaiti N.C.M.P.A. efforts also, according to the international
press and media agencies, including news groups on the Internet. Look
and see !
Permission granted to relay news by Agence France-Presse ( via ClariNet
)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Release
of 605 detainees in Iraq is already requested within UN Resolutions 1154
(1998) and 687 (1991) so "sanctions cannot be lifted until this issue is
resolved" confirms the British Government's Foreign Office.
A British initiative is leading the campaign to HELP Kuwaiti and
third-national families campaign for the release of their relatives
still incarcerated by Saddam, Moonirah of H.E.L.P. is to visit the
Middle East Department at the Foreign Office during 1999 - 9 years since
illegal invasion of the Emirate of Kuwait.
Freedom of the 605 detainees is currently being discussed by the UN and
at meetings regarding Iraq, attended by the representatives of our
British Foreign Office who liaise very closely with His Excellency
Shaikh Salem as Chairman of the Kuwaiti Committee N.C.M.P.A. The issue
will also be on an Agenda of The Arab League, September 1999 in Cairo,
the meeting of which will be 'chaired' Iraq.
Ms Jane Bailey of the Foreign Office's Middle East Department in a
letter to H.E.L.P. stated that they could discuss the Government's
position further on Moonirah's next visit to London, having also written
that the Foreign Office supports the efforts made by organizations such
as hers, to draw attention to and work for the release of Kuwaitis,
particularly an interview requested by BBC Radio 5 Live in London, which
covered the issue.
Cardiff-born Moonirah was hosted this year by the Kuwait National
Committee for Missing PoWs for her first visit to the Emirate, where she
met their Defence Minister, His Excellency Shaikh Salem Al-Sabah as
Chairman of the K.N.C.M.P.A.. She was invited to meet H.H. Crown Prince
Shaikh Saad Al -Sabah their Prime Minister.
Where are the British ex-patriates today who were given HELP by Kuwaitis
1990 -1991 ?
Alive and free - whilst the Kuwaitis and third-nationals still suffer as
hostages and pows in Iraq, since Saddam's 'communist based' Ba'ath Party
illegally invaded The State of Kuwait, 9 years ago.
"The Iraqi regime is responsible for the deteriorating condition and
depression among Arab peoples." "The Arab states share one cause and
the same sufferings noting to the dilemma of Kuwait's prisoners kept in
Iraqi jails as a "humanitarian" issue." quote newspapers in Arab
countries.
We are humanitarians and wonder why political activists continue
ignoring the truthful facts appertaining to the request for release of
prisoners included in the syntax of UN Resolutions 687 (1991) and 1154
(1998) ??
A call for an immediate release of Kuwaitis and third country nationals
held in Iraqi jails, was made in Kuwait, by Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Mohammad Dheifallah Sharar, who
is also Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs. The Kuwaiti
minister renewed condemnation of Iraq for its 1990 invasion, holding
Baghdad responsible for the lost Arab unity. "Kuwait is holding the
Iraqi regime responsible for the deteriorating condition and depression
among Arab peoples since the (invasion) disaster" he said after the
cabinet's weekly session. The remarks come on the eve of the ninth
anniversary of the Iraqi illegal invasion. Iraqi troops illegally
invaded the Emirate on August 2, 1990 and were ejected by the U.S.-led
United Nations' coalition force after a seven-month occupation of
Kuwait. The Iraqi illegal occupation violated all Islamic principles and
international conventions.
The British General Sir Peter De La Billiere in his best-seller book on
page 317 confirms "we should have held on until ALL civilians had been
repatriated" - because 605 were still held by Saddam in Iraq ! The
International Red Cross request to visit the hostages and pows in Iraqi
jails - to no avail.
The South Wales Echo newspaper, BBC Wales TV, BBC UK Radio 5 Live, BBC
Wales Radio and the British Forces Radio have all recently reported
facts relating to this humanitarian issue based on facts.
This is truth from a British politician who spent time inside Iraq
providing much needed aid of medicines and food to the innocent Iraqi
people - there is no way it can be merely suggested as a card being
played to prolong sanctions by the US or Kuwait. We in Britain know
full well the factual details regarding this, so with the greatest of
respect today, the Iraqi News Agency will have to understand that THESE
WORDS ARE COMING FROM BRITAIN - NOT KUWAIT OR THE US !!
Anyway ! Despite 9 years of past and current speculation about
sanctions - it is still clearly confirmed by the Foreign Office and UN
that "SANCTIONS CANNOT BE LIFTED UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED".
Some media and press have chosen to focus on the weapons inspections
connection with sanctions = freedom of choice, however the fundamental
true reason of continued sanctions relates to the awaited release of 605
human beings still held in Iraq - all part of the syntax within UN
Resolution 1154 dated 2 March 1998. ***
H.E.L.P. is operated by voluntary humanitarians without payment or
reward in this life.
We respectfully suggest that although some individuals hold the view "an
occasional mention" might retain understanding and sympathy from various
parts of the world regarding this humanitarian issue, we firmly believe
that - the matter should be spoken of including updates on progress with
overt support by foreign governments' members, international agencies,
pressure groups and humanitarian individuals.
On February 27th 1999, Moonirah of H.E.L.P. stated "enough is enough" -
it is already 9 years too long that 605 people have suffered and their
families sadly still live "in limbo". A day should not pass without
radio, media and press coverage for the ongoing hostages and pows' issue
- do not let the 605 be marginalized please.
Please note that as reported by global media and press - U.N.
Ambassadors defend the sanctions and that the entire issue on Iraq
includes UN sanctions - Kuwaiti hostages in Resolutions - weapons
inspections.
The H.E.L.P. Worldwide Campaign is a humanitarian initiative by
relatives and friends in Britain, Kuwait and other countries of the 605
Kuwaiti and third-national detainees still held, after 9 years in Iraq
by Saddam.
The British Foreign Office state quite clearly in correspondence and
recently by telephone that "sanctions cannot be lifted until this issue
is resolved" - i.e. despite the speculation by global media and press,
as well as current meetings being held by interested parties.
Saddam's regime sent a message direct by e-mail via their Iraq News
Agency (INA) to Welsh humanitarian Moonirah, founder and voluntary
Wales' Co-ordinator of H.E.L.P., although they did fail to identify any
name of authorization. (Sent by INA four months to the day of Moonirah's
live desert radio appeal to Saddam.
Hostages' Envoys for Liberty of Prisoners in Iraq were reported by BBC
WALES TODAY during Operation Desert Fox in December 1998 about the Welsh
humanitarian initiative of the H.E.L.P. Worldwide Campaign, pressuring
for the release of 605 Kuwaiti and third-national detainees still held
by Saddam in Iraq.
BBC TV, WALES TODAY featured the Chairman, Kuwaiti, Dr Fawzi Al-Khawari
in Cardiff, 1998. Moonirah also petitioned the President of the European
Parliament about the 605 hostages and PoWs.
Cardiff-born Moonirah was hosted by the Kuwait National Committee for
Missing PoWs for her first visit to the Emirate, where she met their
Defence Minister, His Excellency Shaikh Salem Al-Sabah as the Chairman
of the K.N.C.M.P.A. She had been invited to the Emirate to meet the
Crown Prince Shaikh Saad Al -Sabah their Prime Minister, Moonirah stayed
at the Safir Hotel for two weeks during their 8th Liberation
Anniversary, February 1999 - a stone's throw from Kuwait Towers, where
120 floors up she viewed the Emir's Palace area where Saddam's soviet
helicopters had illegally invaded 2/8/90, when he was allegedly
'strapped for cash' and already owed billions to Russia, Kuwait and
Saudi Arabia.
Yet, recently Saddam was quoted as amongst the richest billionaires in
the world - well yes, anybody would be now - after stealing so much from
the Emirate. Money cannot buy back the lives of deceased, tortured and
murdered 1990 - 1991 in Kuwait and money cannot buy the freedom of
hostages and pows in Iraq.
Moonirah visited the their National Assembly attended by Shaikh Saud
Al-Sabah whom she had admired for answers during a 1998 BBC documentary,
she also met their Leader and Speaker of Parliament Ahmad Al-Saadoun, as
well as Ahmed Al-Baqer whom, both were re-elected to the National
Assembly July 3rd, 1999.
During the humanitarian campaign visit Moonirah interviewed relatives of
the prisoners, on video and was invited to speak at a seminar of the
Kuwait Red Crescent Society.
She was included in a massive PoW campaign event with Kuwait University
Students, a variety of Arab television, radio and newspaper reports of
the arabian region and was asked to return for further live interviews
with Ben Salem of KTV 2. February 27th on the border of Kuwait - Iraq
during a day in the desert with detainees' families, Moonirah made an
appeal for release of the prisoners to Saddam on Arab Radio and she was
introduced to a son of the Emir.
Whilst enjoying a few hours between schedules on a cool February day in
1999, on the Arabian coast at a beach house with friends, Moonirah was
invited to return during the summer. On her last day in Kuwait, Moonirah
heard that the Iraqi regime tried to find out if the founder was
operating for 'political gain' or 'financial reward' but it was really
just a Welsh humanitarian's idea which is supported by the Welsh Centre
for International Affairs and the Cardiff United Nations' Association,
at the Temple of Peace, in the capital city of Wales. Also, the regime
learned that the voluntary Wales' Co-ordinator of H.E.L.P. from January
1992 was a civilian police communications employee who "retired" in 1997
on medical grounds with an injury, to HELP people in need.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Facts
regarding sanctions against Iraq, to all global media, press and
humanitarians:
CNN and Reuters reports mention speculation of various countries
regarding sanctions against Iraq. During June 1999 Britain tabled a
draft UN Resolution together with the Netherlands which would allow for
partial changes to the sanctions imposed on Iraq, if Saddam's regime
complies with certain outstanding requirements of 9 years, related to
BOTH the serious humanitarian issue of 605 Kuwaiti plus third-national
hostages and pows PLUS weapons inspections.
Such facts were confirmed again 23/6/99 to Cardiff-born Moonirah, the
Wales' Co-ordinator with the H.E.L.P. Worldwide Campaign speaking with
the Middle East Department of our own British Foreign Office in London.
Each media and press journalist writing about these issues throughout
the past nine years, have mostly chosen to merely focused on the weapons
matters and purposefully omit the human face of this tragedy, being that
605 people are sadly missed and wanted home in Kuwait plus several other
countries.
We are grateful that press and media here in Wales do highlight the
plight of the hostages and pows. Western 'media or press omitting news
of the 605 is merely misleading their viewers and readers.
Relatives of hostages reside in Cardiff, Wales and areas of the UK - we
want all 605 released to freedom ! *** British Foreign Office
correspondence which we possess of 1998 - 1999 clearly confirms that
sanctions cannot be lifted until the outstanding issue of 605 hostages
and pows, Kuwaiti and third-nationals, is resolved.
Any mention of Saddam in global media and press, should include the
facts appertaining to the 605 Kuwaiti and third-nationals still held to
date, in Iraq. ( see: The Times & South Wales Echo 1998 - 1999 )
Although millions of press pages have asked "what else Saddam must do to
satisfy UN ?", it has been known full well for the past 9 years that
"Release of the 605 Prisoners" is a crucial part of all the ongoing UN
Resolutions relating to "Sanctions against Iraq" - "Weapons Inspections
Full Compliance".
Whilst political games were played with the UN since 1991, children and
parents of the 605 suffered, living in limbo, still awaiting their
return. ***
Currently, certain western media and press sources do not have
up-to-date facts published and such omissions of detail merely confuse
the general public in other countries - but not us in the UK.
Kuwaiti and third-nationals were knowingly abandoned, incarcerated in
Iraqi dungeons - 605 human beings suffering inhumane conditions and 9
years on are still held by the regime, as a last card in the games
played with United Nations and Unscom. i.e. Kuwaitis who hid, fed and
protected our own British ex-patriates then resident and working in
Kuwait who were released after all illegally abducted to Iraq as "human
shields".
Where are those British today - alive and free, whilst Kuwaitis who gave
them HELP still suffer in Iraq ??
Saddam as reported recently in global press is doing well, listed
amongst the richest billionaires - fine. Why not now release the 605
detainees please ? After humanitarian visits to Iraq, Baroness Emma
Nicholson stated on Channel 4 TV, February 1998, she had seen Kuwaiti
hostages in Iraqi prisons - you could ask about this.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kuwait has secured India's help for release of 605 hostages and POWs
from Iraq.
There are also 35 other nationals being held, including an Indian.
NEW DELHI, Aug 12 (AFP) - Kuwait on Thursday sought India's help in
securing the release of 605 prisoners of war it said have been held by
Iraq since the 1990 invasion.
"India's help will be important in getting this humanitarian issue
resolved. India is regarded as a great country," said Sultan Ahmad
Al-Khalaf, head of a delegation from the Kuwaiti National Committee for
Missing Persons and POW Affairs. Al-Khalaf's delegation arrived in India
on Wednesday for a five-day visit. Briefing reporters on his meetings
with Indian leaders including Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh, the
Kuwaiti official said New Delhi's response had been positive. "They
supported the cause. Their response was encouraging," Al-Khalaf said,
adding that his team also met members of India's autonomous human rights
commission.
The 605 Kuwaiti POWs and hostages in Iraq are made up of 389 civilians
and 216 military personnel. The delegation, which stopped in China, is
also due to visit Iran and Turkey. India, which has traditionally warm
ties with Iraq, opposed Operation Desert Storm which liberated Kuwait in
1991. India and Iraq opened talks in May 1999 to broaden economic
cooperation.
Permission granted to copy news by Agence France-Presse (via ClariNet).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------It
would be possible to lift sanctions tomorrow, says Mr Hoon from the
F.C.O., if Saddam Hussein accepted his international obligations. Gulf
War II, nine years later and Saddam Hussein is yet to meet his
obligations of compliance with UN Resolutions 1154 (1998) and 687 (1991)
by releasing 605 detainees still incarcerated in Iraq, from several
countries. UNICEF, International Red Cross, Middle East Watch and
Amnesty International are all aware of this outstanding humanitarian
issue.
August 1999 marked the ninth anniversary of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait
and the imposition of United Nations sanctions which cannot be lifted
until this issue is resolved, as confirmed in writing in 1998 and by
telephone recently in 1999 to H.E.L.P. (UK BRANCH) by the Foreign Office
- we quote these facts as media and press choose to focus on the
non-compliance of weapons' inspections in Iraq - omitting the 605 human
faces of this tragedy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
France and Jordan's governments support * Kuwait. Also Sudan has praised
Kuwait's policy towards them and the Arab causes, describing their
attitude as "civilised and constructive. "The Arab states share one
cause and the same sufferings noting to the * dilemma of Kuwait's
prisoners kept in Iraqi jails as a "humanitarian" issue when expressing
Sudan's readiness to back Kuwait's "just causes," spearheaded by the
issue of hundreds of detainees in Iraq. "Sudan considers this cause a
humanitarian one and is linked with the Sudanese concern due to the
similar political conditions... and I believe that it's a main issue
towards achieving Arab solidarity..." said their Foreign Minister
Mustafa Osman Ismail, currently visiting Kuwait.
The Arab states share one cause and the same sufferings noting to the
dilemma of Kuwait's prisoners kept in Iraqi jails as a "humanitarian"
issue. Meanwhile, the Sudanese diplomat expressed his country's
readiness to contribute to discussing the Kuwaiti war prisoners cause
and offered to help. ( See H.E.L.P. Worldwide Campaign )
He said the Sudanese foreign minister will lay the cornerstone of the
Sudanese Embassy in Kuwait.
In a statement to Kuwait News Agency, Omar said on the occasion of the
expected visit of Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismail, the visit will
come in response to an invitation by First Deputy Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. He said it was an
outcome of developing relations and noticeable progress between the two
countries. Omar pointed out that the Kuwaiti-Sudanese relations will be
normalized at the diplomatic level only but relations between the two
peoples were never been halted." "Sudan opposed and is still opposing
the Iraqi aggression on Kuwait" Omar said, adding that his country
supports the sovereignty of other countries. Despite the cold bilateral
relations, Kuwait was very positive while dealing with the Sudanese
different causes. Kuwait was keen on political, social and cultural
contact with the Sudanese people and leadership in all international
forums and regional levels, he noted.
He said the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) resumed
granting Sudan loans which reflected Kuwait's understanding to the
conditions in Sudan and keenness on maintaining strategic relations. The
Sudanese foreign minister was also delivering to His Highness the Amir
Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah a message from Sudanese President Omar
Hassan Al-Bashir. Minister Ismail also planned to confer with HH the
Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, First
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah,
Speaker of Kuwait's Parliament Jasem Al-Khorafi and members of foreign
relations committee in the parliament, reported Kuna.
Permission granted to copy news by Agence France-Presse (via ClariNet).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOUR VIEWS ARE WELCOME VIA E-MAIL:
help-kuwaiti.hostages-pows-iniraq@dtn.ntl.com
With appreciation for your attention.
Moonirah - Wales' Co-ordinator.
Hostages' Envoys for Liberty of Prisoners in Iraq
H.E.L.P. WORLDWIDE CAMPAIGN
PO Box 625
CARDIFF CF10 1WD
WALES UK
m03exu00@cwcom.net wrote:
>
> I am writing from Manchester Coalition Against Sanctions and Bombing of
> Iraq, known for short as Coalition On Iraq
> Coalition on Iraq Press Release
>
> A campaign has been set up in Manchester to highlight the plight of
> Iraqi suffering, particularly amongst children, as a result of the use
> of depleted uranium and an international military blockade. Campaigners
> are organising a rally for September 18th to End the Blockade and stop
> the Bombings of Iraq and Kurdish areas. The rally, addressed by Kurdish
> human rights campaigner Kerim Yildiz of the Kurdish Human Rights
> Project, will be in Picadilly Gardens from 12.00 noon until 1.00 p.m.
> Saturday the 18th. A disturbing feature of the bombing of Iraq is the
> use of uranium tipped missiles. The effects of uranium on children in
> Iraq and Gulf War veterans has recently been highlighted by Trevor
> McDonald's TONIGHT programme and a series of articles in the Daily
> Express. Campaigners point to a three fold increase in childhood
> cancers in Iraq which now has one of the highest child mortality rates
> in the world due to increased cancers and malnutrition, yet, because of
> the blockade, much needed anti-cancer drugs cannot get through in
> sufficient numbers. Iraq, under the sanctions, can only have a small
> amount of aid in exchange for oil. As a result 5000-6000 children die
> every month in Iraq and over a million have died since 1991- more than
> 5% of the population. The former UN Assistant Secretary General Denis
> Halliday who was in charge of the oil for food programme resigned over
> this issue, saying, "We are in the process of destroying an entire
> society. It is as simple and as terrifying as that. It is genocide."
> Campaigners say they want to see a lifting of international sanctions,
> or blockade as they put it. " 'Sanctions' makes it sound not too
> threatening," says campaigner Jason Travis, "but these sanctions are
> enforced by naval and air power. They are an act of war using
> starvation of a population for political and economic reasons. That is
> defined as a war crime under the Geneva Convention but that is precisely
> what the British and US governments are doing." Campaigners meet every
> Saturday on Market St outside Tesco Metro in Manchester where they are
> collecting petition signatures to end the sanctions and money for the
> Mariam Appeal to take anti-cancer drugs into Iraq on a bus driven by
> George Galloway MP. A course of leukaemia treatment costs only £20 in
> Iraq but many children are dying as their families are too poor to
> afford this small amount. Campaigners are therefore asking for public
> generosity in a humanitarian appeal. The money will be used to take
> medical supplies into Iraq. The bus leaves Glasgow on September 7th to
> arrive in Baghdad in early November. The campaign is supported by
> several trade unionists, including official backing from OLDHAM National
> Union of Teachers who are concerned that the long term effects of
> poverty and disease are blighting the life chances of Iraq's future,
> their children. For more information on the campaign and how to get
> involved please ring 0161 881 7774 or 0161 834 8301.
>
> J Travis
> 3 Higson Avenue
> Chorlton
> M21 9EP
> e-mail jtravis@cwcom.net
>
> --
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This is a discussion list run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
To be removed/added, email soc-casi-discuss-request@lists.cam.ac.uk, NOT
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*** Archived at http://linux.clare.cam.ac.uk/~saw27/casi/discuss.html ***