| From an
international Quaker statement, issued 29 November 2002
U.N. RESOLUTION ON IRAQ CALLS FOR COMPLIANCE
AND COMMITMENT BY ALL, SAY QUAKER ORGANIZATIONS
(full text: http://www.afsc.org/iraq/guide/quakersonres1441.shtm)
Since the events of 11 September
2001, we have been deeply concerned that member states should remain fully
committed to the multilateral approach to resolving conflict and realizing
justice and peace in the world. Threats of war against Iraq as a means
of compliance with UN resolutions and "regime change", advanced by the
United States, have heightened this concern. Quakers are steadfastly against
the threat or use of war or military intervention as a means to resolve
any conflict or bring about change. In this light, we commend the United
Nations and the Security Council for their efforts to find a resolution
that would address the genuine concerns at hand concerning Iraq, to seek
a peaceful solution, and to contain the threat of unilateral action by
states’ governments.
… we believe that war with
Iraq is not inevitable. An agreed upon process has been approved by the
SC, its Member States, and Iraq. This said, compliance by Iraq to the directive
to disarm is an absolute necessity if war is to be prevented. In turn,
Member States of the UN are bound to abide in good faith by the commitments
made in SCR 1441 to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
Iraq and the process outlined.
The humanitarian costs of
war are enormous and, under the UN Charter, Member States are committed
to pursuing peaceful solutions to prevent the scourge of war. We urge continued
dialogue and cooperation amongst all concerned parties as this process
unfolds.
Signatories:
David C. Atwood, Representative,
Disarmament and Peace, Quaker United Nations Office Geneva, Switzerland
Margaret Clare Ford, Clerk,
Canadian Friends Service Committee, Toronto, Canada
Mary E. Lord, Director,
Peace Building Unit, American Friends Service Committee, Philadelphia,
USA
Jack Patterson, Representative,
Quaker United Nations Office - New York, New York City, USA
Jeremy Routledge, Director,
Quaker Peace Centre,Cape Town, South Africa
Joe Volk, Executive Secretary,
Friends Committee on National Legislation, Washington, DC USA
Martina Weitsch and Elizabeth
Scurfield, Joint Representatives/Head of Office Quaker Council for European
Affairs, Brussels, Belgium |
| From: Canadian
Bishops' statement on iraq crisis
"WAR WILL NOT DELIVER LASTING
DISARMAMENT" OTTAWA, JAN. 23, 2003
We believe we must put
the people of Iraq first.
Iraq has become a place
of extraordinary suffering, and war would only add to it. Even without
war, these hardships will remain the primary reality for the people of
Iraq for the foreseeable future. The tragedy of Iraq has been decades in
the making, and the road to genuine transformation will be slow and troubled.
The only reasonable certainty they face is that the costs of war would
be even worse than the current situation and would delay, not hasten, the
advent of sustainable change. We believe it is our collective responsibility
to accompany the people of Iraq, not with more bombs and missiles, but
with moral, political and material support.
We believe it is time to
act for peace, not war.
1. Reject further war
on Iraq -- the consequences of which are borne primarily by the people;
2. Persist in a vigorous
strategy of containment to prevent Iraq's acquisition and/or retention
of weapons of mass destruction through internationally mandated inspections
and ongoing monitoring;
3. Pursue diplomacy
toward establishing the entire Middle East as a region free of all weapons
of mass destruction;
4. End the comprehensive
economic sanctions against Iraq;
5. Embark on diplomatic
and political engagement, including material support for Iraqi civil
society, to advance respect for human rights and accountable governance;
6. Reinvigorate diplomatic
efforts with states of the region to address outstanding issues, notably
the Israel/Palestine conflict, in the context of region-wide talks on security
and co-operation in the Middle East; and
7. Explore legal/judicial
and other measures to address accusations of crimes against humanity.
|
LETTER FROM BAGHDAD, from
Scilla Ellworthy and others, Jan 2003, letter reporting recent visit by
an international delegation to Iraq and recommendations including: (full
report available from NFPB and on www.nfpb.gn.apc.org/letbagd.htm)
1.The free press and NGOs
must speedily step up their analysis and reporting to challenge disinformation
about the realities in Iraq.
2. Whenever you hear a news
broadcast on Iraq which does not mention something about ordinary people,
call them to ask for some human interest stories. Iraq is not one man,
it is 26 million fellow citizens.
3. The European Union has
a substantial potential role to play. A consistent well-structured mediation
process could be offered.
4. If you are yourself willing,
go to Baghdad to become part of the Civilian Protection that has already
begun with contingents from Spain, the US and Austria.
5. Ask your parliamentary
committee for foreign affairs whether they have visited Iraq to see for
themselves and if not, why not. Ask them to talk to Iraqi people at all
levels.
6. Make it known that the
12-year sanctions regime has had the opposite effect to that intended;
it has put Saddam Hussein in total control of the Iraqi people, through
the rationing programme.
7. Prime ministers and presidents
world-wide need to understand the strength and urgency of public opposition
to this proposed attack.
9. Urge your government
to support the development of a new security regime for the whole region,
honouring UN SC Resolution 687 requiring that the Middle East shall become
a zone free of weapons of mass destruction.
|
