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Hello to All, The Canberra Times (Sat, Oct 23) ran a book review of Scott Ritters new work. Although I can't scan a copy of the article up here, it implied that Ritter seemed to think the Iraqi's unwilling to undergo weapon inspector sites, and ultimately that there were no guarantees that Iraq had disarmed. Unfortunately, I dont have the expertise to go into weapons inspections, but I thought that I could try link the impossibility of attaining a condition of lifting the sanctions -assurances of Iraq's peaceful intentions- to the immorality of imposing the sanctions on a civillian population, in less than 250 words. I've included a copy of the letter I intend to send here; if anybody has constructive criticisms, that would be very useful. Although briefly- i do say that un has a role in this genocide- there must be some way, were the member states determined enough, of not recognizing the legality of these sanctions, and ensuring that the UN does not ever impose comprehensive sanctions again. That's an argument for those here more familiar with the workings of the UN, though. Cheers, Diaa __________________________________________________________ Scott Ritter consistently reiterates the impossibility of ensuring the complete destruction of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, most likely, in the psychological sense. Former weapons inspector, Raymond Zalinskas, stated in 1998, "inspections have resulted in the destruction of all major targets related to chemical and biological warfare (NPR 2/13/98), also noting only by killing every scientist in Iraq would the theoretical possibility of Iraq replenishing its weapons of mass destruction be eliminated. Thus, nine years later, the removal of the Iraqi sanctions remains unattainable, conditional upon SC resolution 687 (1991), which demands assurance of Iraq's peaceful intentions- a psychological and qualitative demand- rendering the Iraqi people's plight more inhumane. Sanctions not only prevent food from entering Iraq; which is rationed (in meagre amounts) to Iraqi's under the food-for-oil deal, but prevents rebuilding of Iraq's shattered infrastructure, particularly electricity and water systems, severely impacting upon every segment of society, particularly mothers and children. 25% of children suffer from malnutrition; 567,000 have died as a result of these sanctions (UN FAO 1995), and between a conservative 2,690 and a more realistic 5,357 more die each month from malnutrition related diseases (IAC 1999). The suffering of the Iraqi people under sanctions is "undisputable and cannot be overstated" (Findings of report commissioned for the SC, 30/3/99). Furthermore, the illegality and immorality of comprehensive sanctions are clear; making the knowledge that a major condition required to lift sanctions is technically and psychologically impossible, a damning inditement of the UN's involvement in this genocide. -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 the whole list. Please do not send emails with attached files to the list *** Archived at http://linux.clare.cam.ac.uk/~saw27/casi/discuss.html ***