American
Friends Service Committee
Statement Deploring U.S. Military Action Against Iraq
December
16, 1998
Philadelphia,
PA, Dec. 16 -- AFSC views with utter dismay the newest US attack
against the people of Iraq. We call on the Clinton administration
to immediately cease all military action against Iraq.
On the
eve of momentous religious holidays for all three Abrahamic
faiths, the US has taken actions that could, by the Clinton
Administration's own admission, result in the death of 10,000
Iraqi civilians, even in a 'medium case scenario.' (16 November,
The Washington Post.) This is an enormous price to pay in civilian
deaths, and will add to the hundreds of thousands of civilians
who
have already died as a result of sanctions. These figures need
to be part of discussions among officials who make policy decisions
about Iraq. These discussions have so far been conducted without
due consideration of the humanitarian effects of sanctions and
military actions.
Moreover,
AFSC finds it morally reprehensible that the US is bombing a
predominantly Muslim country on the eve of Ramadan, by far the
most sacred time of year for Muslims. During Ramadan Muslims
strive to perform extra acts of worship, and to be more generous,
kind and patient, and to abstain from all acts that do not benefit
humanity. Among these are using threatening language, acting
in anger, oppressing the helpless, and killing, all of which
are elements of the current US escalation and bombing campaign
in Iraq. The Christian minority in Iraq is also preparing to
celebrate Christmas, a religious holiday that also calls on
people to act peaceably and generously towards their brothers
and sisters. The Iraqis, too, are our brothers and sisters.
Ramadan and Christmas are periods to cultivate peace, reconciliation,
forbearance and forgiveness of one's opponents and enemies.
The US government's acts, however, will only serve to foster
anger and enmity in the region.
AFSC opposes
the use of violence at all times, but resorting to violence
in a special year when Christmas, Ramadan and the Jewish festival
of Hanukkah all fall in the same month, will alienate many people
in the Middle East and make our goal of lifting economic sanctions
and establishing a comprehensive regional peace that much harder
to achieve. As Hillary Clinton stated recently in Gaza, "Whether
we celebrate Ramadan or Christmas or Hanukkah we share common
values, common experiences and above all a common future."
We call
on the United States government and the United Nations to respect
the rights of all Iraqis to live and worship free from economic
and military violence. Instead, all parties must work to build
a common future based on respect and dignity for every individual.
The
American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization
which includes people of various faiths who are committed to
social justice, peace and humanitarian service. Its work is
based on the belief in the worth of every person and faith in
the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.
OTHER
QUAKER STATEMENTS & LETTERS
Reviewed:
09/06/2005
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