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In message <002901c2d609$4ca16310$cf18bd50@Laptop>, Glenn Bassett <glenn@kcnl.globalnet.co.uk> writes >Blair seems to be trying to ignore the many complicated consequences of war >(I think he knows he's lost those arguments now) and to reduce the issue in >people's minds to a simple black and white choice: get rid of Saddam or >leave him. In my view we should be responding quickly and in numbers to this >argument by pointing out the assumptions in this line, and all the points it >leaves unanswered. In debating with those who advocate war, perhaps we should challenge the blue-print being put forward for post-war Iraq: commentators so far seem to think that there will be a short military mission - eg. under Gen. Tommy Franks(!) - followed quickly by a transfer to an Iraqi government. How realistic is this? Who will be consulted in the reconstruction of Iraq? In particular, how much will the post-war 'regime' involve small- scale 'ordinary' Iraqis - especially women? Often it's the grass-roots people who (invisibly) hold things together when times are tough - to leave them out because the international agencies are thinking only in the larger scale is a recipe for disaster. For discussion on the post-conflict recovery process (in Kosovo), see the articles and reports of Lesley Abdela, who was Deputy Director for Democratisation for the OSCE Mission in Kosovo during 1999-2000. http://www.shevolution.qbfox.com/articles_and_talks/kosovo/ She illustrates how quickly ordinary, local people can become disillusioned during a period of international control and reconstruction: http://www.shevolution.qbfox.com/articles_and_talks/kosovo/missed_opport unities.html - Missed Opportunities, Lessons For The Future http://www.guardian.co.uk/Kosovo/Story/0,2763,193532,00.html - Men with a Mission: No Women (brief quote below) Cathy Aitchison --------------- quote from 'Missed Opportunities, Lessons For The Future': 'The local population has felt impeded rather than liberated by UNMIK (UN Mission in Kosovo) despite UNMIK's remit. Part of the problem was/is the Kosovar population and community leaders felt/feel completely excluded from the process of trying to find new solutions. They were neither employed - other than as drivers and interpreters - nor consulted. 'A Kosovar delegate at a meeting I attended of sixty NGO leaders said: "You 'internationals' are polluting our air and clogging up our roads with all your white vehicles. You refuse to employ us as professionals in your organisations. There are thousands of you. You all make promises but we neither see action from you 'internationals' nor do you provide us with funds to get on with things ourselves." ' -- Cathy Aitchison _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk