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I sent this some time ago but it still seems to be relevant. From: Mark Parkinson <mark@bodmin-comm-coll.demon.co.uk> To: KUWAIT605@aol.com Subject: Re:Voices UK Letter-writing Campaign draft letters Date sent: Tue, 18 Apr 2000 14:12:35 +0100 Hi Moonirah Thank you very much for the information. It is my view that the 605 are casualties of US/UK policy on Iraq (whilst not excusing SH of course). That policy has focussed on isolating the Government of Iraq from diplomatic activity, bombing its territory and maintaining a genocidal sanctions regime. Here are some steps that the Kuwaiti Government could take: 1) asking the allies NOT to police the no-fly zones from Kuwait (use Saudi Arabia or carriers instead). From an Iraqi perspective, Kuwait is actively supporting attacks on its sovereignty, territory and people - without UNSC approval. Who is the zone protecting anyway? There is a cost implication of course. It is a shame the zone was extended - as punishment for actions in the North. This makes it more necessary to use Kuwait. 2) try to cooperate with Iraq concerns about Iraqis missing in Kuwait. 3) ask for the suspension or reduction of the 30% that is being taken away from Iraqi oil earnings until such time as the economy and population recover. This 'dirty' money is being earnt at the expense of civilian lives - 6000 a month. 4) begin to restore diplomatic relations with Iraq. It has been US/UK policy to rubbish the Iraqi Government (there are many bad ones around the world). If we treat them as dirt then can we expect them to behave any better? 5) most importantly, press the US/UK to remove the 605 as a precondition for lifting sanctions. Then hopefully this would become a humanitarian issue NOT a political football. Making the release of the 605 a condition for lifting these murderous sanctions is tantamount to murder itself. Anyway it has not worked. I do hope that the Russian will make progress - this was a good move in my view. It appears that the US/UK/Kuwait Governments are quite content to see 6000 Iraqis perish every month as well as the misery that the rest are going through. Do they really care about the 605 or are they more interested in having them as yet another reason to keep sanctions in place? > Could you please explain whether you or HELP are in favour of keeping > the economic sanctions on Iraq until the 605 are released? ------- End of forwarded message ------- Mark Parkinson Bodmin Cornwall -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a discussion list run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq For removal from list, email soc-casi-discuss-request@lists.cam.ac.uk Full details of CASI's various lists can be found on the CASI website: http://welcome.to/casi