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A report from the 11th Voices
in the Wilderness UK sanctions-breaking delegation to Iraq, May
2002
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Four
members of Voices in the Wilderness UK joined up with three from
Voices US to visit Iraq, from 8th to 18th May, on a sanctions-breaking
delegation. These pages detail some of the visits they made, what
they saw and the people they met.
Members of the delegation with Archbishop Kassab and
his staff in Basra, who support many of the poorest
families in the city with food, shelter and schooling.
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The
delegation
Delivering
a letter to the Prime Minister stating our intentions to break
sanctions.
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The
effect of economic sanctions
Economic
sanctions have been a major cause of suffering for the population
of Iraq since they were imposed by the UN Security Council
in August 1990. 12 years of sanctions is unprecedented and
looks set to continue with the new so-called 'smart-sanctions'
resolution (Resolution 1409, passed by the UN Security
Council on May 2002). Since 1996, Oil for Food arrangements
have allowed a limited amount of goods to be imported into
Iraq in exchange for revenue the Iraqi Governement receives
ont he sale of oil. This revenue has not been adequate and
neither has the administration of the sanctions programme
been responsive to the needs of the Iraqi population, resulting
in 'holds' and delays and blockages of so-called 'dual-use'
items. Many items necessary for health and other basics of
life are unavailable or only rarely available: parts for infrastructure,
medical equipment and supplies, computers, educational materials
etc.
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Even
basic goods and toys are subject to the bureaucracy and delays
of the Sanctions Committee - medical supplies and medicines, educational
materials and toys were taken in without an export licence
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The
most serious effects of the economic sanctions have
been:
1) the inability to repair and maintain physical
infrastructure such as water and sewage systems
and electricity generating plants. Much infrastructure
was targeted in the Gulf War and has become very delapidated
since. The collapse of these sytems has had an enormous
negative impact on the health and well-being of the
Iraqi people.
2) the collapse of economic structures and resulting
poverty for a large proportion of the
Iraqi population. Unemployment rates are very high and
salaries very low - families are unable to buy the goods
that are available and many have to sell part of their
monthly food ration - their only income - in order to
buy other necessities.
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Putting
cash into the economy - the Women's Auxillary in Basra Maternity
and Paediatric Hospital
where dresses were bought to auction back in the UK.
This is a small action but it is symbolic of the need for economic
revival in Iraq to counter the poverty that many people face. |
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voices uk - working in solidarity
with ordinary families in iraq
5 Caledonian Road, King's Cross, London N1 9DX
telephone : 0845 458 2564
voices@viwuk.freeserve.co.uk
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