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Dear all, I thought this sounds worthwhile supporting. Nadje >>>My name is Ahmed Shames, I spoke to you on the second day of the CASI >>>Conference about a demonstration we are organising on Sunday 8th April. >>> >>>I have attached our Mission Statement which has details about the march. >>>We are trying to unite as many anti-sanctions' groups and societies as >>>possible, in a time when sanctions are at their weakest. At the same time >>>we're looking to involve the large Iraqi community in London, by holding >>>it on the anniversary of the execution of a famous Iraqi scholar - >>>Ayatullah Mohammad Baqir As-Sadr. >>> >>>We would therefore greatly appreciate your backing and support. >>> >>>Looking forward to hearing from you soon. >>> >>>Kind regards. >>> >>>Yours sincerely, >>>Ahmed Shames >>>_________________________________________________________________________ Mission Statement >>>. >>> >>>In support of the Iraqi people, we will be holding a march from Marble >>>Arch to Trafalgar Square on Sunday 8th April, 2001 commencing at 3:00pm. >>>We demand an end to the suffering of the Iraqi people, caused primarily >>>by the economic sanctions imposed on the country by the UN for the past decade. >>> >>>Unicef estimates that an additional half million Iraqi children under >>>five have died since sanctions were imposed in 1990. Two UN Assistant >>>Secretary-Generals, sent to Iraq to run the UN’s humanitarian programme, >>>have resigned and now campaign against the sanctions. The second, Hans >>>von Sponeck, asked, “How long should the civilian population be exposed >>>to such punishment for something that they have never done?” >>> >>>A growing number of countries - including France, the Netherlands, and >>>Canada and organisations including the Liberal Democrats, Amnesty >>>International, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), the >>>Catholic and Anglican Churches are attacking the sanctions. Britain >>>remains publicly supportive of the US’ hardline policy, in spite of this >>>growing chorus of criticism. It also routinely accuses sanctions >>>opponents of sympathy for the Iraqi regime >>> >>>We completely condemn the oppressive Iraqi regime, which has contributed >>>to the destruction of an entire people and catalysed the destructive >>>effects of the sanctions on the innocent population. However, this does >>>not make Britain's support for the economic sanctions any less criminal. >>>In particular, we regard elected officials who support this policy as >>>having a hand in this crime. >>> >>>All are welcome to attend. If you have any further questions, please do >>>not hesitate to contact us at marchagainstsanctions@hotmail.com , or if >>>you prefer, you can call us on 07801 289 148. >>>
___________________________ Dr Nadje Al-Ali Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies University of Exeter Old Library Prince of Wales Road Exeter EX4 4JZ Tel.: (o) (+44) (0) 1392 264026 mobile: (+44) (0) 7801 931869 Fax: (+44) (0) 1392 264 035 Visit the Institute's Website: http://www.ex.ac.uk/iais