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"The Iraqi people want to know when Mr Bush will get tough" This headline says it all. Who is Michael Rubin trying to kid? We (the US & UK) firstly systematically destroyed the infrastructure necessary for life during the totally one-sided war. (Notice that our rulers have never told us about the extent of this devastation). Secondly, we have maintained a genocidal sanctions policy which has probably killed 1 million Iraqi children as well as ruining the lives of 20 million innocent and hapless civilians. Nameless and unaccountable officials on the 661 committee and in the foreign office have blood on their hands and our failed political institutions are unable to hold them or the executive to account. Under Saddam Hussein, Iraqis enjoyed a high standard of living with excellent public services. Now after more than a decade of our policies they still don't have safe water, proper sewage, proper electricity supplies, decent education, jobs, healthcare etc. No concerns were raised by the US & UK about his repression and authoritarian rule until of course it suited us. Indeed we helped him. I'd be surprised if Michael didn't meet any ordinary Iraqis who noticed the very different treatment doled out by the US to Israel (a country which has nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, is in violation of many UN resolutions, has indulged in ethnic cleansing, has annexed land, has built and is building settlements on occupied land, is involved in state terrorism etc). Hitler and his government were able to get away with their treatment of Jews and other minorities largely because too few Germans were prepared to speak up. Two long-serving high-ranking UN officials resigned in protest at the sanctions on Iraq. They are now campaigning hard as individuals against this deliberate humanitarian disaster. Apologists for Labour Government policies on Iraq get promoted! 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://www.casi.org.uk