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 UK has just produced a NEW CAMPAIGN POSTCARD to Tony Blair about the corporate invasion of Iraq and US/UK plans to privatise Iraq's economy (see text below). Copies of Voices UK's two previous cards - about the current humanitarian situation and about Iraq's debt - are also available. All three cards are ideal for mailings or for use at local anti-war stalls / events and can be viewed on-line at http://www.viwuk.freeserve.co.uk/postcardtexts.htm. COPIES OF THE 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. Please specify which - and how many - cards you want. Best wishes, Gabriel ARROW / Voices UK www.voicesuk.org ************************************************ TEXT BEGINS In February 2003 - before the invasion of Iraq had even begun - the US Government 'drafted sweeping plans to remake Iraq's economy ... based on free-market principles' (Wall Street Journal, 1st May). These plans include 'the mass privatisation of Iraqi industry' - including Iraq's oil sector - and 'fundamental tax reform.' Similar 'economic restructuring' elsewhere has led to corruption, massive job losses, poverty and gaping inequality. US corporations such as Bechtel and Halliburton, with close links to the Bush administration, have already been awarded lucrative contracts for 'postwar reconstruction' and stand to profit still further from the war now that the US and Britain control Iraq's oil revenues. The British Government are now encouraging UK companies to take part. According to a senior US adviser to the Iraqi ministry of industry and minerals, 'the privatisation of dozens of Iraqi companies is likely to begin within the next year' (Financial Times, 8th June). Yet it is unclear whether elections will even have taken place by then. The future of Iraq's economy is a matter for the Iraqi people - not the US and British governments or US/UK corporations. I demand that Iraq's people be allowed to determine their own economic future - and to control their own natural resources - free from foreign interference. TEXT ENDS _______________________________________________ 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