From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: WILPF: Action on Threats to Bomb Iraq
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1992 19:09:58 GMT

/** mideast.action: 29.0 **/
** Topic: Action on Threats to Bomb Iraq **
** Written  1:26 pm  Aug 16, 1992 by dtaller in cdp:mideast.action **

WOMENUS INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
 ALERT : PROGRAM & LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN
from Mary Zepernick, Pres. U.S. Section 
August 1992

Dear WILPF activists,
This August eerily mirrors August of two years ago, with George Bush 
sending troops to Kuwait and making threatening noises. This year, 
however, he is also the one threatened--with defeat in November. The 
Reagan-Bush administrations have specialized in using foreign RcrisisS to 
galvanize patriotic fervor to divert attention from the sorry state of the 
nation. Be prepared for an August, September, or October RSurpriseS.

International WILPFUs position is articulated in Edith BallantyneUs letter to 
the UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali (see below). The U.S. 
Section has written George Bush and Bill Clinton, emphasizing the 
following:

*the Gulf War, demonstrated that complex Middle East issues do not lend 
themselves to a Rquick fixS, or in fact, to a military solution at all;

* bombing raids will serve only to further polarize the situation and to 
injure and kill yet more innocent people;

*the United Nations must be used as an instrument of peace and mutual 
security, not of war.

Use the above points and following suggestions to galvanize public 
opposition to bombing Iraq or any other target. Write your own letter to 
President Bush, and to Congresspeople, stating your opposition to war 
under any circumstance. 

ACTION
Contact the White House and the Clinton campaign:

White House, Washington DC 20500; 202-456-1111; 
Gov. Bill Clinton, Clinton Committee, PO Box 615, Little Rock, AK 72203;
..... hot line 1-800-995-2388.
Write, call and visit your Congresspeople, stating your opposition to war 
under any circumstance (they will be home August 14).

Write letters to the editor, emphasizing BushUs ulterior motives for 
belligerence, and exposing his much-touted success in foreign policy as, 
on the contrary, a disaster.
Continue educating and acting on WILPFUs Middle East position as 
updated at the recent International Congress in Bolivia:
........WILPF opposes and calls for the immediate end to the embargo 
against Iraq. The continuation of the embargo is in violation of the UN 
Charter and the Security CouncilUs resolution which imposed the 
embargo in the firs place. The embargo on food and medicines and 
medical supplies was all along, and continues to be, a violation of the 
international humanitarian conventions. It brings untold suffering.and 
death to the Iraqi people, especially the children.

If you donUt already have a contingency plan for emergency situations, this 
its the time to develop one. If bombing begins, what do you do? Where do 
you go?  DonUt wait!  Take the initiative to show up in the community, with 
forums, street theater, rallies, whatever will convey the message: NO 
MORE SURPRISES!  Focus on BushUs political motivation for drumming 
up a foreign RcrisisS. Invite the media.

For more information, contact WILPF  1213 Race St., Philadelphia, PA 
19107, phone 215-563-7110,  fax 215-864-2022 with ideas and 
questions.

---
Text of letter from Edith Ballantyne, Secretary-General WILPF , 
Geneva, Switzerland to Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, 
dated July 29, 1992

Dear Mr. Secretary-General.

The WomenUs International League for Peace and Freedom is dismayed 
and alarmed by continuing threats of military action being made against 
Iraq unless it accepts demands to open certain government ministries for 
inspection by UN teams.

We urge the United Nations to prevent any military undertakings against 
Iraq. We believe that dialogue must continue and compromises must be 
found that take into account the national pride of a people in this and nay 
other dispute that may arise in future.

We further believe that the United Nations should change its position 
towards Iraq, and we urge again that the embargo against the country be 
lifted and tit it be Allowed to reconstruct and develop for the benefit of its 
people.

We are more convinced than ever that the policy of Rthe victor punishing 
the victimS does not lead to peace but only to more conflict and suffering.

We appeal to the United Nations that it not become engaged again in war, 
but that it pursue negotiations in good faith, and use every non-military, 
constructive means, in line with international humanitarian instruments, to 
find solutions to the present dispute with Iraq and to all future disputes 
and conflicts wherever they may arise.

** End of text from cdp:mideast.action **

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