11 years of sanctions on Iraq: What are Ireland's obligations?
What: A public meeting
Where: At Liberty Hall, Dublin Time: 7:30 PM, Wednesday 25th
The speakers are Bishop Thomas Gumbleton and Hans Von Sponeck, founding members of the international anti-sanctions movement will be in Dublin from the 24th of July - early on the 26th July. They will be available for press interviews during this time. Phone interviews before they arrive in Dublin can also be arranged.
Bishop Thomas Gumbleton
Founding President Pax Christi USA and an outspoken critic of the sanctions on Iraq. Bishop Gumbleton has traveled to Iraq several times in defiance of the international sanctions. He is well known for peace and progressive activities throughout the world.
He often serves as expert witness; endorses significant causes; participated in actions of civil disobedience; has done fasts and prayer vigils; appeared on television, radio, & documentary programs; has countless national and international speaking engagements; written and published numerous articles, reports, and book reviews as well as recorded audio cassettes. (A more detailed biography is available)
Hans Von Sponeck
Former Assistant Secretary General in charge of the oil for food programme in Iraq. After serving the United Nations for 32, resigned in protest against the sanctions "policy which violates international law and severely punishes a people who have done nothing wrong." Von Sponeck has served as UN Representative in Botswana, Pakistan and India for 15.
Since the Gulf war in 1990, Iraq has been subject to the most comprehensive sanctions known in history which have resulted in the deaths of more than 1.5 million innocent men, women and children.
The sanctions and the Gulf war bombing have devastated Iraq, destroyed much of its infrastructure and civilian economy, and set Iraq back many decades. On January 9 1991, the then US secretary of state James Baker said that "Iraq will be turned into a backward and weak state". The intense bombing campaign which began a few days later and the sanctions which have continued ever since, have turned Mr Baker's threat into a terrifying reality. Today Iraq has the dubious distinction of being the country with the highest increase in child mortality during the period 1990-99 of all the 188 countries surveyed according to a UNICEF report released in December 2000. As a member of the security council, Ireland can play a very crucial role in the reconstruction of a people who have been so wronged by the international community for so long. With the threat of a Russian veto, the US and UK proposals to intensify the sanctions have received a temporary setback.
The UN Security Council will soon be called upon to vote on a similar proposal. Ireland must vote against the resolution. Ireland's role within the UN Security Council will be amongst the issues that will be discussed at the public meeting.