Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace

P.O. Box 363 Geneseo, NY 14454

FAX: 716-243-4002 e-mail: <PeaceHank@aol.com>

"HUMAN RACE NOT ARMS RACE"

December 20, 1998

Dear GVCP Member:

THIS MONTH'S TELEPHONE ACTION: BOMBING OF IRAQ: U.S. public opinion is widely divided about the wisdom and timing of the U.S. and U.K. bombing of Iraq. Many people are opposed to the bombing because they believe it was motivated to take pressure off Pres. Clinton (the "Wag the Dog" hypothesis). Public protest from peace organizations has been muted, probably because Saddam Hussein's government is indeed worthy of condemnation, and because Iraq has not honored its agreement to permit UN weapons inspection. At the next GVCP meeting, members will be able to formulate our organization's position on this (and future) attacks. Until then I will paraphrase the position of the Friends Committee on National Legislation as published in their Legislative Action Message of December 17, 1998:

1. Many innocent civilians will pay with their lives for the contest of wills between Presidents Hussain and Clinton.

2. U.N. Security Council members are hotly divided as to whether or not the bombing attacks were justified or authorized, with China and Russia criticizing the U.S./U.K. military action.

3. The bombing may cause significant damage to the cause of international nuclear disarmament--the Russian parliament may refuse to ratify the START-II treaty, which in turn may give the U.S. Senate an excuse to refuse to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

4. Administration spokespersons announced the purposes of the attacks are "to degrade" the capacity of Iraq to make weapons of mass destruction and to weaken the regime of Saddam Hussein.

5. There is little chance that the bombing will cause the downfall of President Hussein or destroy Iraq's weapons capacity. Bombing will only bring a political stalemate, increased hatred, and more death and suffering for the Iraqi people.

6. U.S. policy about Iraq should be fully consistent with U.S. and international law. Any action taken on behalf of the United Nations should be sanctioned by the United Nations. As it stands, the bombing and the harsh economic sanctions remain in violation of both U.S. and international laws.

ACTION: Please call the White House Comment Line (203-456-1111) and leave a short, simple message stating your opposition to the bombing.

SIERRA LEONE: We are finally able to communicate by mail with Sierra Leone. We have received a long and thoughtful letter from Saiku S. Bah, the president of our Sierra Leone sister peace group. The situation in Sierra Leone is obviously very complicated, and I don't understand the details. Mr. Bah feels the best course of action would be U.N. intervention to establish peace and disarm combatants. Please WRITE to U.N. Secretary General Koffi Annan and ask him to initiate a review of the situation in Sierra Leone. Ask him to consider placement of U.N. ground troops in the country to prevent further bloodshed and to establish a lasting peace. (United Nations, NY, 10017)

HURRICANE REMINDER: Hurricane Mitch is the worst natural disaster to hit Central America in this century. A fundraising campaign is now taking place to aid the victims of Hurricane Mitch. Checks (tax deductible) should be sent to: Metro Justice Nicaragua Emergency Fund 36 St. Paul St. Rochester NY 14604

Peace,

LORI BERENSON--IMPRISONED FOR THREE YEARS! HOW MUCH LONGER CAN SHE SURVIVE? PLEASE WRITE TO SEN. CHARLES SCHUMER, U.S. SENATE, WASHINGTON DC, 20510. ASK HIM TO DEMAND AN IMMEDIATE RELEASE OR A FAIR TRIAL FOR U.S. CITIZEN LORI BERENSON.