The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
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Please take the time to forward this
press release to any media sources you know...many thanks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- 7th
August 2001
FAO: Newsroom Former
Assistant Secretary General to the United Nations flies in from Geneva with his
hiking boots to walk the British county side to protest against economic
sanctions on Iraq Hans von Sponeck, former UN Assistant Secretary General and humanitarian co-ordinator in Iraq will rendezvous with Corinne Fowler and Sally Entwistle who are mid way through a 1000 mile walk from John O’Groats to Lands end to condemn the governments continued support for economic sanctions on Iraq. Hans von Sponeck plans to join them for a day in an act of solidarity with the victims of economic sanctions in Iraq. He will be flying in from Geneva this Saturday (11th August) arriving at Heathrow for 8.30am armed with a pair of hiking boots. He will then travel to meet the walkers east of Taunton (Ash Cross at the intersection of the A738 and A358). The trio will be challenging the new US-backed British proposed ‘smart’ sanctions policy as nothing but a cosmetic re-packaging of the already existing policy, for which the UK and US are the sole advocates. The UN Security Council will meet again in December in an attempt to reach an agreement on the shelved new proposals. Hans von Sponeck resigned his position in May 2000 ending a 34 year long career in the UN. His resignation was in protest at the effect of the economic embargo on ordinary Iraqis, in particular children. He was very outspoken in his resignation speech saying, “As a UN official I should not be expected to be silent. How long must the civilian population be exposed to such punishment for something that they have never done?” Sally and Corinne are members of Britain Against Sanctions on Iraq (BASI) a national group run by student volunteers. The walk is the first of its kind in the anti-sanctions movement and symbolises the ever growing revolt of ordinary people against the injustices currently being perpetuated in Iraq. Of all the countries currently under international sanctions Iraq is suffering most. The campaign for the lifting of economic sanctions on Iraq stands head and shoulders above all other anti-sanctions movements. This is not the voice of a few isolated protesters but rather the unified voice of millions of everyday citizens appalled and ashamed at the insistence of their political representatives in punishing innocent civilians. The UK anti-sanctions movement is growing in size and credibility thereby becoming a voice which must be heard. International Law must return to Iraq, today not tomorrow, for each day that passes economic sanctions on Iraq claim another 300 silent victims. Hans von Sponeck, Sally Entwistle and Corinne Fowler will be available for interviews and photo-calls at any point along their route. For more info Tel: 0113 282 4810 Mob: 07713 742021 E-mail: info@basinet.org You can also find out more about Iraq and the walk by visiting BASI’s website: www.basinet.org Ahmed Al-Ani |