From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: QUAKER APPEAL: LIFT IRAQ SANCTIONS
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 1992 00:41:56 GMT

/** mideast.gulf: 26.0 **/
** Topic: QUAKER APPEAL: LIFT IRAQ SANCTIONS **
** Written  4:15 pm  Sep 30, 1992 by afscnatl in cdp:mideast.gulf **

INTERNATIONAL QUAKER APPEAL FOR THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ

Thirteen Quaker service agencies around the world, including the
American Friends Service Committee, have jointly issued an appeal
for the people of Iraq.  We are working to lift all non-military
sanctions imposed by the United Nations.

The full text of this appeal is posted here.

Comments are welcome.  Please post them as responses to this
topic.

If you wish to order copies of the 12-page brochure (20 for $5),
please contact your nearest AFSC office, or:

Denis F. Doyon Program Coordinator Middle East Peace Education
American Friends Service Committee 1501 Cherry Street Philadelphia
PA 19102 USA

tel: (215) 241-7019 fax: (215) 241-7177 peacenet: afscnatl

We hope you will join us in calling on the United Nations to lift
all non-military sanctions against Iraq.

The text of "Sanctions & Suffering: A Quaker Appeal for the People
of Iraq" follows:

(front cover)

SANCTIONS & SUFFERING

A Quaker Appeal for the People of Iraq

(inside front cover)

"The war hurt us a lot. I have a baby brother and sister, and they
used to cry whenever they heard the airplanes and sounds of
explosions. One morning a missile exploded in the street in front
of our house. I never forget how frightened I was that day. There
was no electricity, water or fuel of any kind, and my mother was
pregnant at the time and couldn't cope with all the housework even
with my help in looking after the children and taking care of
them. The price of food is very expensive and sometimes I try not
to eat a lot so that my brother and sister have more to eat."

- 15 year old Iraqi woman

"I am against war, since war means destruction, hurt and ruin.
Nobody should like war especially when all the great powers of the
world gang up against one country in an unequal war and try to
destroy all signs of progress and make the country go back to the
middle ages. People are starving to death and inflation is murder.
Missiles and bombs do not think, they hit and explode -- whether
you are military or civilian, sick or well, old or young, men or
women, you die. Where do you go to hide?"

- Iraqi woman over 50 years old.

Pamphlet credits:

Children's art courtesy of the Iraqi Children's Art Project,
Canada.

Photographs by Rick McCutcheon, CFSC.

Type & Design by Sage Design, Toronto, Canada.

(page 1)

Dear friends,

This is a call for action from Quaker service organizations around
the world to people of faith and conscience.  We are asking that
people with a deep humanitarian concern, whatever their
persuasion, urge their governments to advocate that the United
Nations lift all non-military sanctions against Iraq.

Civilians, especially children, elderly people and other
vulnerable groups, are dying in Iraq as a direct result of the
Gulf War and the continuing sanctions.  Health studies show that
disease and malnutrition are widespread, and that infant mortality
rates have risen sharply. Iraq is a public health catastrophe.

Quaker relief workers were among the first non-military westerners
to enter Iraq after the cessation of the fighting in March 1991.
Since then our message has remained the same: non-military
sanctions should be removed.  International voluntary agencies
cannot supply sufficient aid.  Iraq can afford to supply its own
basic humanitarian needs, if it is allowed to trade.  Sanctions
applied to achieve political aims are forcing innocent people to
suffer and die.

Members of the United Nations Security Council risk setting a
dangerous precedent of denying basic human rights.  Even though
the Iraqi government's stance is weakened by its own human rights
record, the world should not stand by and watch Iraqi children die
while waiting for the government in Baghdad to do the right thing.
The  failure of the Iraqi government and of the members of the
United Nations Security Council to reach a compromise has resulted
in a political impasse.  Human needs have been overridden by
political interests.

We believe the impasse can be overcome.  People of faith can play
an important role simply by asserting humanitarian concerns.

We appeal to you to take action.

(page 2)

THE IRAQ SANCTIONS DILEMMA

Quaker service agencies have come to unity: The United Nations
Security Council should lift all non-military sanctions against
Iraq. It is the most practical moral response to the ongoing
public health emergency in Iraq.

When the Gulf crisis began, concerned people, including many
Friends, supported the use of international sanctions -- combined
with assertive diplomacy -- as a means of putting pressure on Iraq
to withdraw from Kuwait. After the war ended, Quakers immediately
called on the United Nations Security Council to lift non-military
sanctions.  The war had driven Iraqi forces out of Kuwait,
achieving the original objective of the sanctions.  It had also
destroyed IraqUs civilian infrastructure.  The sanctions prohibit
oil exports, all imports except for those approved by the United
Nations, and foreign investments.  The Security Council has
proposed a one time $1.6 billion sale of Iraqi oil, but it has
attached political conditions unacceptable to the Iraqi
government. This impasse has kept the sanctions in force.  We
believe there remains a humanitarian imperative to allow Iraq to
rebuild its shattered civilian economy.  As long as sanctions are
maintained, this is impossible.

box:  "The first few days of the war were terrifying... After a
while we got used to the bombing and the air raids. The effect of
sanctions on our country has been bad, prices have risen sky high,
but our income hasn't changed. I don't know what our future is
going to be like, or even if we are going to have a future."

- 13 year old Iraqi Arab girl.

(page 3)

THE SUFFERING OF CIVILIANS IN IRAQ

The public health emergency in Iraq is taking a higher toll in
civilian lives than the coalition bombing did in 1991.  The price
of food has risen beyond the means of most Iraqis; the inflation
rate on basic foodstuffs has reached 2000%.  Government rations
cover only 30% of a familyUs nutritional needs.  Hospitals lack
medicine and basic supplies, and typhoid, hepatitis, meningitis
and gastroenteritis are epidemic.  Farmers face shortages of
seeds, fertilizers and irrigation equipment.  Sewage systems,
power plants and other facilities destroyed in the Gulf War cannot
be repaired for a lack of spare parts.  Many of the temporary
repairs made to these facilities since the end of the war are now
failing.

The best efforts of international relief agencies can supply only
5-10% of Iraq's needs for food and medicine.  The problems are too
big even for the combined efforts of United Nations and private
relief agencies, especially as demands on relief agencies are
growing worldwide. The realistic solution is to employ IraqUs
resources to meet the basic humanitarian needs of the Iraqi
people.

WHY LIFT SANCTIONS?

Without income from international trade, Iraq will not be able to
finance the reconstruction of its shattered economy, which United
Nations observers have estimated will cost $22 billion.  Until it
can sell oil -- its principal export -- on the world market, Iraq
will not even be able to complete essential repairs to its
infrastructure.  The Sadruddin Aga Khan Report to the United
Nations estimated that $6.9 billion in repairs were necessary to
provide basic humanitarian services to the civilian population.

To argue that the continued suffering of the poor and lower middle
class of Iraq will trigger a successful revolution is a dubious
proposition.  After years of war and internal strife the people of
Iraq are simply struggling to survive.  We believe that military
sanctions should be maintained, and that effective international
monitoring of civilian trade should be established, to ensure that
Iraq's resources are devoted to peaceful purposes.  Yet we are
convinced that it is morally wrong to seek political or policy
changes in a foreign government by depriving its citizens of
essential food and medicines.  This course of action can only lead
to further suffering and perhaps further bloodshed.

(pages 4-5)

WHY ARE WE MOVED TO RESPOND?

Many people of faith and conscience around the world laboured to
prevent the outbreak of war in the Gulf.  We reached out to people
in the Middle East in a search for common ground.  We appealed to
our national leaders -- and to Iraq's -- to find some way to
resolve the conflict peacefully.  We supported diplomatic efforts
at the United Nations and in the capitals of several countries.
We petitioned, we marched and we held vigils. And we prayed.

Now, we believe that people of faith everywhere should respond to
a new danger.  The growing interdependence of the worldUs
economies has given a few large and powerful nations a new means
of exerting pressure upon smaller and less powerful nations.
Economic sanctions may be acceptable in some cases when they do
not threaten life, when they are agreed to by the leaders of the
potential victims, or when they are a realistic alternative to
war.  When, however, sanctions are applied to a country such as
post-war Iraq, with an economy already devastated by war and
dependent on imports for its basic sustenance, it is primarily
civilians who suffer and die while the political and military
elite remains relatively immune.  As effectively as high-tech
weapons, sanctions can devastate the lives of millions of children
and vulnerable adults.

We appeal to you with our concern.  The impasse between the United
Nations Security Council and the Baghdad government inflicts great
suffering on the people of Iraq.  This cannot be right.  We urge
you, as people of faith and conscience, to act, to let the people
charged with these decisions hear your voices.

box:  "What causes wars, and what causes fightings between you? Is
it not your passions that are at war in your members? You desire
and do not have; so you kill.  And you cannot covet and cannot
obtain; so you fight and wage war."

- James 4:1-2

(page 6)

THE QUAKERS' PART IN INTERNATIONAL RELIEF WORK

When the guns of the Gulf War finally fell silent Quakers
contributed to international relief efforts.  We have worked to
build bridges between Iraqis and citizens of our home countries.
We have brought Iraqi children's artwork to Canada and the United
States and used it to develop peace education workshops.  We have
brought Iraqi children to our communities for medical treatments
not currently available in Iraq, and we have hosted them in our
homes.

Quaker study missions to the region have examined the consequences
of the war and identified new concerns.  A new Quaker office in
Baghdad has coordinated Friends efforts for relief and
reconstruction.  We have delivered food and medicine to hospitals,
and have supplied seeds, fertilizers and spare parts for
agricultural equipment to farmer cooperatives in the northern and
southern regions of Iraq.  Our staff have worked, along with other
relief organizations, to combat respiratory infections.

Yet we have learned first hand that, despite our best efforts, for
the people of Iraq the war is not over.  The economy must be
revived to repair the countryUs infrastructure and to purchase
sufficient quantities of food and medicines.  This is why Quakers
around the world have joined with others of faith and conscience
to call for the lifting of non-military sanctions against Iraq.


(page 7)

THE PEACE TESTIMONY OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

We utterly deny all outward wars and strife, and fightings with
outward weapons, for any end, or under any pretense whatever; this
is our testimony to the whole world. The Spirit of Christ by which
we are guided is not changeable, so as once to command us from a
thing as evil, and again to move unto it; and we certainly know,
and testify to the world, that the Spirit of Christ, which leads
us into all truth, will never move us to fight and war against any
man with outward weapons, neither for the kingdom of Christ, nor
for the kingdoms of this world.

"A Declaration from the Harmless & Innocent People of God, called
Quakers" Presented to King Charles II in 1660.

(page 8)

MODEL LETTER TO THE UNITED NATIONS

We are encouraging you to write directly to the chairman of the
Sanctions Committee on Iraq.  You may wish to use the following as
a model for your thoughts.

Date

Chairman, Sanctions Committee on Iraq c/o United Nations Security
Council United Nations Headquarters New York, New York 10017
U.S.A.


Dear Mr. Chairman,

I am concerned that vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are being
made to pay a heavy price for the pursuit of political objectives
against the Iraqi government.  In view of the nature of that
regime the issue of sanctions against it is complex.  While
sanctions are maintained, however, it is the majority of the
population rather than those holding power who are suffering from
shortages of food, medicines, agricultural supplies, clean water
and sewage treatment.  International humanitarian aid agencies
cannot provide enough assistance to meet the needs of Iraqi
people.  If Iraq is allowed to sell oil on the world market it can
generate enough revenue to meet its own humanitarian needs.

At present, talks between the Iraqi government and members of the
United Nations Security Council are at an impasse.  As sanctions
against Iraq come up for review it is time to show a greater
flexibility in order to move beyond this impasse.  While effective
monitoring should be maintained to ensure that its resources are
not diverted for military purposes, Iraq should be allowed to sell
oil in quantities sufficient to alleviate the suffering of its
people.

Sincerely yours,

(inside back cover)

WHAT YOU CAN DO

While this is an international Quaker appeal, people in the United
States have a special responsibility to take action.  The US
government is intent on maintaining non-military sanctions against
Iraq, and US government policies appear to be the main obstacle to
lifting them.  The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) asks
you to take these action steps today:

-- Appeal to the President and to Congress.

Government leaders pay attention to the number of phone calls they
receive on an issue.  More effective is a personal letter, using
some of the facts, figures and arguments in this brochure.  Most
effective is a personal visit.  For more information and
assistance, contact the Friends Committee for National Legislation
(address on back).  At a minimum, please mail the attached
postcards.

The White House, Washington DC 20500

US Senate, Washington DC 20510

US House of Representatives, Washington DC 20515

White House Comments Desk: 202-456-1111

Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121

-- Spread the word.

Distribute copies of this brochure to members of your organization
or local faith community (meeting, church, mosque, synagogue,
etc.)  Pass them out before or after worship services.  Urge your
congregation to write a letter to our nation's political leaders.
Take a resolution on the sanctions issue to the judicatory or
other regional or national structure in your denomination or
faith.  Your nearest AFSC office can provide speakers and
educational materials you can use in your school, faith community
or organization.

Additional copies of this brochure can be purchased (20 for $5)
from your nearest AFSC office, or from:

Middle East Peace Education Program American Friends Service
Committee 1501 Cherry Street Philadelphia PA 19102 tel: (215)
241-7019 fax: (215) 241-7177

Your tax-deductible contribution will help defray the costs of
printing and distributing this brochure, and other work to lift
non-military sanctions against Iraq.  Make your check payable to
"AFSC/Iraq Sanctions" and mail it to the above address.

(flap on back cover: detachable postcards)

Write your own message here:

To: The President The White House Washington DC 20505

Write your own message here:

To: Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali Office of the
Secretary-General United Nations Headquarters New York NY 10017


(back cover)

Quaker Peace & Service, Aotearoa/New Zealand 115 Mount Eden Rd.,
Auckland 3, Aotearoa/New Zealand

Quaker Service Australia P.O. Box 119 N. Hobart, Tas. 7002
Australia

Canadian Friends Service Committee 60 Lowther Avenue, Toronto,
Ontario.  Canada M5R 1C7

Quaker-Hilfe Religiose Gesellschaft der Freunde (Quaker)
Wilhelm-Henze-Weg 4, D-3057 Neustadt, Federal Republic of Germany


Peace and Social Concerns Committee 4-8-19 Mita Minato-ku Tokyo,
Japan

Casa de los Amigos Mexican Friends Service Committee Ignacio
Mariscal 132 Mexico D.F. 06030, Mexico

Kvekerhjelp Meltzers gt. 1.  Oslo 2, Norway

Quaker United Nations Office 13 Avenue du Mervelet 1209 Geneva,
Switzerland

Quaker Peace & Service Friends House 173-177 Euston Road London
NW1 2BJ United Kingdom

Friends World Committee for Consultation 4 Byng Place, London
WC1E7JH United Kingdom

American Friends Service Committee 1501 Cherry Street,
Philadelphia, PA
19102 USA


Friends Committee on National Legislation 245 2nd St. NE
Washington DC 20002 USA

Quaker United Nations Office 777 UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017
USA


(end of text)
** End of text from cdp:mideast.gulf **

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