[LL Editor's note: I am forwarding this to the list as a once off. Those interested in subscribing should contact IAC.] =========Iraq Action Coalition ========http://leb.net/IAC/ ======= To subscribe, send an e-mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" with 'subscribe iac-list' in the body of the message ================================================================== From: International FOR <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> IRAQ ACTION DIGEST *********************************************************************** A Project of the Fellowship of Reconciliation Please look out for the FOR Report on Sanctions, with writings and opinions by Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Mairead Corrigan Maguire and Adolfo Perez Esquivel *********************************************************************** March 8, 1999 Dear Friends, As American and British air strikes intensify, and the State Department openly admits its spying crusades in UNSCOM and readiness to foment revolution and chaos in Iraq, so does activism across the US. An interesting juxtaposition of articles can be found in periodicals throughout the nation, in which they simultaneously criticize the CIA for sponsoring terrorism and coups in Central America (specifically Guatemala), yet mention few misgivings with regard to the current American insurgency efforts in Iraq. Apparently the same model is to be used again, in spite of history's overwhelming castigation: depose a foreign leader, chaos ensues, establish a repressive puppet regime, and kill as many people as necessary to promote "stability." I suppose the only real difference is that the Iraqi insurgency groups are more careful than the repressive Guatemalan military; for they have refused to take even a cent of the $97 million that Clinton had appropriated for their use. In Guatemala the United States-led efforts killed and permanently displaced over one million people (1/9 of the entire population), leaving indelible wounds and permament scars that will not easily heal despite a truth commission report. In Iraq well over one million have already died, and there is nothing truthful about the US interests or goals. I have several articles, which say these things more forcefully (and actually use evidence), but since this is an "action" digest, I do not include them, but instead can make them available to anyone who is interested (e-mail me). The good news is that there are many exciting efforts underway, from a national call to protest this week by the IAC to an incredibly well-organized student coalition movement, which has garnered supporters and published statements in student newspapers across the nation. Erik Gustafson has planned a national lobby day in Washington, a Pittsburg organization is collecting "dolls for peace," and three delegations are currently in Iraq promoting peace. --Nicholas Arons, FOR Digest Index: I. National Events A. EPIC to sponsor national lobby day in D.C. B. National Student Call to Action C. Dolls for Peace D. IAC calls for national day of protest II. Local Events A. Portland B. Baltimore C. Chicago D. White Plains, NY III. Delegations currently in Iraq A. Nobel Peace Prize Laureates (FOR and VitW) B. Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) ----------------------------- A. NATIONAL LOBBY DAY EPIC is planning to host "Iraq Lobby Days" for late April. Come to Washington, DC and lobby your elected officials directly. Take part in a large demo in front of the State Dept. Meet fellow Iraq activists from all over the country. And feel empowered. Due to Congressional recesses and student schedules, we are restricted to two possibilities: April 18-21 or April 25-28. We are currently leaning towards 25-28, but would like to get your feedback before we decide. contact: Erik Gustafson at [EMAIL PROTECTED] ********** B. STUDENT CALL TO ACTION The Student Call to Action is still gathering signatures, and support from across the nation. Latest word: more than 150 students from approximately 80 campuses! They are making incredible progress, bringing the issue of sanctions to college students, and publishing editorials and statements in campus newspapers. For more information about joining this effort contact Bob Witanek <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ********** C. DOLLS FOR PEACE Veterans For Peace is a national organization of men and women who served honorably in our nation's armed forces. Through our military service we learned the horrors of war and we want the killing stopped. This month U.S. inspired policy will kill 5,000 children under the age of 5 in Iraq, according to UN studies, just as it did last month and the month before that, all the way back to 1991. The Pittsburgh Chapter of Veterans For Peace issues a call for 5,000 baby dolls which will be used to demonstrate the horror of 5,000 dead children per month. Possibly, a dump truck will deposit them in a heap at the State Department. This would be fitting and proper as Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said the suffering of the Iraqi people will be worth it. So please issue a call to your congregation members, friends, peace organizations, etc. to send baby dolls, in any condition or size, to PGH VFP, c/o Sandy Kelson, 300 Bevington Road, PGH PA 15221. Forward this message to others. VFP needs the dolls by April 15 This action will help publicize what is going on in our name. It may help spark needed debate. After the use of the dolls in this action they will be donated to a worthy cause. Financial contributions are also requested. Make checks payable to PGH Chapter of VFP We hope to do this action in May. If we receive sufficient dolls final plans will be made and advance notice will be provided so those who wish to participate may do so. ********** D. NATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST International Action Center calls for National Day of Protest against U.S. bombing of Iraq March 11 protest in NYC to be held at Grand Central Station Anti-war activists will be demonstrating against the ongoing undeclared bombing war being waged by the Pentagon against the people of Iraq. The demonstrations will take place in cities throughout the United States on March 11. In New York City, the protest will begin at 5 pm outside Grand Central Station (42nd St. and Park Ave.). The demonstration is called by the International Action Center whose chairperson is former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark. "Each aerial strike by the U.S. and UK military aircraft, now a daily event, is unjustified military aggression against a sovereign state, an act of war. Hundreds of civilians have been killed. The purpose is obviously a part of U.S. strategy to overthrow the government of Iraq," Clark said in a March 4, 1999 letter to the UN Security Council. "The Security Council hopelessly compromised UNSCOM by authorizing U.S. and British intelligence officers to represent it in Iraq over a period of years, creating the inescapable appearance of forcing acceptance of hostile spies. Who could believe such inspectors would not use illegal means and turn over to their national intelligence agencies information concerning every aspect of Iraq's military and civilian vulnerabilities? Now, while sophisticated and deadly U.S. and British military planes attack Iraq daily, the truth that U.S. and British agents in the service of the UN in fact unlawfully spied and committed espionage is confirmed," continued Clark. The International Action Center has carried out an eight-year-long struggle to lift the U.S./UN economic sanctions on Iraq. The sanctions have taken the lives of more than 1.6 millions Iraqis, including more than 800,000 children under the age of five, according to the statistics released by the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). --30-- ********** II. LOCAL EVENTS A. PORTLAND, OREGON (I am sorry to post this late, but here is the contact information for interested folks in the Portland area) The Iraq Affinity Group decided to begin weekly demonstrations to get the U.S. out of the no fly zones, stop the bombing, and end the sanctions. We will begin with a smaller scale demonstration this Friday March 4, from 4-6 PM at the Federal Building at SW 3rd & Jefferson. We hope to integrate speakers, marching, and organizing activities into the events---your participation is key. We may also move them to another location, we will get the word out if that happens. Please spread the word! For more info, or to get involved, please write back or call us. Dan Handelman, Peace and Justice Works, Iraq Affinity Group Portland, OR, (503) 236-3065, [EMAIL PROTECTED] ********** B. BALTIMORE, MARYLAND The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee is meeting at the AFSC headquarters in Baltimore, 4806 York Road, at 6:00 PM on Monday, March 8. For discussion there is the Cassini flyby, a talk by Phil Berrigan and the decision to bring a Plowshares play to Baltimore in August. All are welcome. Call 410-323-7200 or 410-377-7987. The next Baltimore Emergency Response Network [BERN] meeting is Monday, March 15 at 7:30 PM at 327 East 25th Street, Baltimore, Maryland. All are welcome to attend. Some agenda items are the APL, Iraq and the School of Americas. Call 410-323-7200 or 410-377-7987. ********** C. CHICAGO A major development. The queen of mean, Sectretary Albright herself, is coming to Northwestern to give the commencement address June 18. Albright coming is a MAJOR opportunity, especially since Denis Halliday and Phyllis Benis are coming to speak on March 19th. I want to plan a major protest at the ceremony, at which Albright will receive an honorary doctorate of law degree, and plan a campaign to raise awareness about Iraq and her nasty views and involvement (from student groups and faculty), as well as create outside pressure on the University (write in campaigns? etc.) --from Brad Simpson ********** D. White Plains, New York Phyllis Bennis and Dennis Halliday tour comes to White Plains Saturday March 20, 1999 White Plains Public Library 100 Martine Ave. for more information call the FOR, 914-358-4601 --------------- III. DELEGATIONS IN IRAQ A. Nobel Peace Prize Laureates in Iraq, see previous digest for details, or e-mail me for more information. B. MCC Peace Delegation Leaves for Iraq AKRON, Pa. -- As the United States and Britain continue nearly daily bombings of Iraqi air defenses, a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) peace delegation is set to visit Iraq. The delegation leaves for the Middle East February 26 and returns to North America March 12. "Our political systems are creating enormous obstacles between American and Iraqi people. I would like to do a bit to break them down by making human contact with Iraqis," explained Ted Koontz, a Mennonite theologian from Elkhart, Ind., who is part of the delegation. Koontz, also a member of the MCC Peace Committee, added, "I especially want to do what I can to communicate that not all American Christians support bombings and widespread sanctions." Others on the delegation are John Rempel of MCC's U.N. office in New York, Iris de Leon-Hartshorn of MCC U.S., Dale Taylor of MCC Canada and James Kwantes, a journalist from British Columbia. Fay and Greg Foster and Jan and Rick Janzen, MCC workers in the Middle East, will also likely join the delegation. Sincerely, Nicholas Arons International/Interfaith Intern Fellowship of Reconciliation PO Box 271 Nyack, New York 10960 914-358-4601 fax: 914-358-4924 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
