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.
[Main archive index/search] [List information] [Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq Homepage]
[ Presenting plain-text part of multi-format email ] Dear all, A few thoughts on the future of CASI: (1) CASI has been an excellent source of credible research and a well organised forum for discussion and networking - these are strength which could be applied to other issues and even other countries. (2) There is a desperate need for an organisation to act as a guide to all the disparate issues relating to the future of Iraq (relief, debt, reconstruction, occupation.) pointing people to key news, research and actions they can take. (3) The truth about the sanctions needs to be documented and those who died remembered. A book, drawing on CASI's work over the last 6 years, would be incredible important. A memorial to the 100'000s of largely unnamed victims is needed. Perhaps memorials in Baghdad and also London & New York (at UN HQ) as an admission of responsibility. (4) There are other countries currently under embargo (North Korea for example) and some which probably should be (Burma). An international sanctions campaign could be a watchdog on present and future sanctions regimes to ensure that civilian populations are not harmed. Update on Jubilee Iraq (campaign on debt & reparations): (1) So far.4000 people from 73 countries have signed the petition, a large number are Iraqis..30 MPs from all political parties have supported an EDM in Parliament.20,000 postcards to ministers are being sent by Voices in the Wilderness and SPEAK. (2) A team of Iraqi and Canadian lawyers are developing plans for an arbitration tribunal similar to the US-Iran Claims Tribunal and employing the concept of odious debt (loans which were made to Saddam without the consent of the Iraqi people and did not benefit them). (3) US moves to maximise short term cash flows for reconstruction look likely to result in an 18month moratorium in debt claims - announcement likely at G8 summit next week [I will be out in Evian for the summit]. However the US has not yet cancelled its own debt and reparation claims and Jubilee Iraq seriously doubts it will seriously press for full debt cancellation since the debt will enable the US to control and privatise Iraq's economy through the IMF for decades after the direct occupation has ended - this is why this issue is so critical for anyone concerned about Iraq. (4) HELP DESPERATELY NEEDED. Jubilee Iraq is still largely being run by just a few people in their evenings & weekends and we urgently need help - particularly from Arabic, French, German and Russian speakers to develop the campaign in those countries. Please sign the petition www.jubileeiraq.org/petition.htm if you haven't yet done so, forward on to all your friends and write to Gordon Brown and you MP. Ma'a Salama, Justin Alexander Justin@jubileeiraq.org 0044 7813 137171 www.jubileeiraq.org <http://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