The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
Views expressed in this archived message are those of the author, not of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
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Dear List Members, Voices in the Wilderness UK has just launched two NEW POSTCARD CAMPAIGNS ABOUT IRAQ: A) a card to Tony Blair about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Iraq - greatly exacerbated by the US/UK invasion and its aftermath - demanding that the US and British governments 'fufil their obligations under international humanitarian law and use all the resources at their disposal to end the current humanitarian crisis.' and B) a card to the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, demanding cancellation of Iraq's crippling debts and 'reparation' payments. Both cards use powerful human images from Iraq - including pictures taken by voices' 11th sanctions-breaking delegation to Iraq in May 2002 - and can be viewed on-line at http://www.viwuk.freeserve.co.uk/takeaction.html. Both are are ideal for use at local anti-war stalls / events. The texts of the two cards are reproduced below. COPIES OF BOTH POSTCARDS (WHICH ARE FREE, THOUGH DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME) CAN BE OBTAINED BY CONTACTING THE VOICES OFFICE: voices@viwuk.freeserve.co.uk or tel. 0207 837 0561. It is, of course, essential that we continue to campaign against the illegal US/UK occupation of Iraq. But - as UNICEF report that acute malnutrition amongst Iraqi under-fives in Baghdad appears to have doubled since their previous survey in Feb. '02 (almost certainly as a result of the war) and the World Health Organisation confirms the presence of cholera in Basra - it is also essential that we continue to press the US and British governments to bring to an end the humanitarian crisis they have created and sustained over the past twelve and half years by means of war and economic sanctions. Best wishes, Gabriel voices uk / ARROW www.viwuk.freeserve.co.uk **************************************************** [1] 'HUMANITARIAN CRISIS' POSTCARD TEXT The people of Iraq continue to suffer - and Iraq's children continue to face 'grave threats to their survival, health and general well-being' (UNICEF, 2 May) - as a result of 12 ½ years of economic sanctions, the invasion and its aftermath. According to Medicins Sans Frontieres (2 May) the US/UK have 'failed to meet [their] responsibility under international law to ensure that the health and well-being of the Iraqi people is being provided for.' 'Insecurity and uncertainty persists across Iraq' and hospitals, water plants and sewage systems - already under severe strain and under-resourced before the war began - 'have been crippled by the conflict and looting. Hospitals are overwhelmed, diarrhoea is endemic and the death toll is mounting.' (Joint statement by Save the Children, Oxfam and CAFOD, May 2) I demand that the US and British governments fulfil their obligations under international humanitarian law and use all the resources at their disposal to end the current humanitarian crisis. ************************************* [2] 'DROP THE DEBT' POSTCARD TEXT Saddam Hussein owes over $150bn in debts and 'war reparations.' Under current rules, the UN diverts 25% of Iraq's oil revenues to pay 'reparations ' for the invasion of Kuwait and the 1991 Gulf War. The cost of rehabilitating Iraq's essential infrastructure - vital to restoring public health in Iraq - has been estimated at $50 - $100 bn. Before the US/UK invasion Iraq's oil exports were worth roughly $10 - 12 bn a year. Clearly it would take decades for Iraq to pay Saddam's debts and 'reparations', diverting critical resources needed to rebuild Iraq. There is no moral reason why the Iraqi people should be forced to pay for actions taken by Saddam Hussein - the Iran-Iraq war and the invasion of Kuwait - over which they had no control and for which they have already suffered greatly. I demand that ordinary Iraqis not be forced to pay Saddam Hussein's debts and 'reparations' for the 1991 Gulf War. These debts and 'reparations' must be cancelled. [A diverse, non-partisan network - Jubilee Iraq - has been set up to campaign for the cancellation of Iraq's debts and 'reparation' payments. Their information-packed web-site is www.jubileeiraq.org] _______________________________________________ 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