[casi] CASI's Response to the End of Sanctions

["John-Peter Hopperger" <j-ph@DELETETHISmindspring.com>]

Dear list,

I feel strongly about the unjustifiable, illegal, barbaric invasion
of Iraq.  I think about the injustice heaped upon the lives of dear
human beings and the needless suffering they are made to endure.
Dirk, Roger, Elga express a healthy outrage at the demoniac ways
that provide the possibility for so-called modern nations to steal
from a people that has so little left.  Along with them and many
others I am committed to not stop resisting until sovereignty
is restored to Iraq and restitution is made.

Even so, CASI's official statement in response to the lifting
of sanctions, and its declaration of neutrality about the invasion
seem wise and proper to me.  I believe both were necessary to
preserve the credibility CASI has achieved on the international
scene.  The professed mission was to see sanctions end.  There
were no qualifying clauses insisting that the lifting had to be done
in a certain way.  For CASI to start speaking against the lifting
of sanctions would have been a philosophically correct but
politically detrimental step.  It would have allowed detractors
to accuse CASI of opportunism and inconsistency.

I understand the hypothesis that sanctions are an economic type
of warfare, and that CASI's stand against sanctions was really a
stand against war.  Again, while the philosophical truth of this is
clear, CASI's mission statement precluded adding an overt anti-
war declaration.  By resisting the temptation of doing so, CASI
has, I believe, demonstrated organizational integrity.  It cannot be
accused, as others are, of not being really committed to a clear
objective other than "chronic anti-Americanism."

Now it is different.  Having come to closure by acknowledging
that its objectives have been met, CASI can reorganize on a new
platform and present a new mission statement--one that will be
more in line with the current challenges, and therefore more in line
with Dirk's, Peter's, Roger's, Elga's et al vision.  It can do this
without opening the door for the opposition to brush CASI off as
just another "wishy-washy leftist bunch of USA haters."

I present this as my personal take on the situation, cognisant of
the fact that my views are not the summum bonum of correct
interpretation.  Hopefully, they can nevertheless add something
of value to the discussion.

Best regards,
JPH


_______________________________________________
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