Canadian
Friends Service Committee
Statement on the Bombing of Iraq
December
18, 1998
Canadian
Friends Service Committee
Jean Chretien,
Prime Minister
House
of Commons
Dear Jean
Chretien:
On behalf
of the Canadian Friends Service Committee, the peace and service
arm of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Canada,
I write to convey our deep regret of the bombing of Iraq undertaken
by the United States and Britain. Equally, we are enormously
disappointed in both the Canadian government's support for their
action and its insensitivity to the great suffering of innocent
bystanders.
We call
on the Government of Canada to unequivocally condemn the US
and British bombing and to support immediate cessation of military
operations, continued negotiations through the United Nations
and an immediate end to comprehensive economic sanctions against
Iraq. The military attacks on Iraq are contrary to international
law and flagrantly disregard due process at the United Nations.
As Canada
prepares to take its place on the UN Security Council, the authority
of that body should be among the concerns foremost in the minds
of Canadian government officials. The Iraqi government's obstruction
of the work of the United Nations Special Commission does not
justify a similar disregard for the UN by other states.
Since the
Gulf War, Canadian Friends Service Committee has provided humanitarian
aid to the people of Iraq. During this time the needs have grown
relentlessly. Meanwhile, comprehensive economic sanctions and
repeated military attacks have proven ineffective in meeting
their stated political aims. Building true human security for
the people of Iraq and the Middle East requires not more of
the same, but a transformation of our approach to the challenge
posed by the government of Iraq. Comprehensive sanctions should
be lifted and replaced by prohibitions that are strategically
aimed to reach those in power, such as bans on the transfer
of military commodities or on certain kinds of travel. Meanwhile,
civil society in Iraq should be supported in its efforts to
restore public health, education, and religious freedom.
At this
special religious holiday time for people of many faiths, we
renew our hope for peace in Iraq.
Sincerely,
Carol Dixon,
clerk
OTHER
QUAKER STATEMENTS & LETTERS
Reviewed:
09/06/2005
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