International Action Center Iraq Crisis Daily Bulletin
November 16, 1998
On Sunday, an agreement was reached that averted, at least temporarily, a massive, mew U.S. bombing war against Iraq. We must, however, remain on a heightened state of alert for new U.S. military action, keeping in mind that the U.S./UN sanctions, which kill hundreds of Iraqis every day, are an on-going hidden war. If a new military attack takes place or is threatened, emergency protests will take place. Keep in touch with our offices for details.
The IAC has new videos, books and speakers available on Iraq, the effect of the sanctions and analysis of U.S. strategy in the Gulf and Middle East. We have two new videos produced and edited by Gloria La Riva: "Genocide by Sanctions" (Jan. 1998), which recently won second prize for documentaries in the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival: and "let Iraq Live" (Oct. 1998).
This would be a key time to hold a meeting, forum or internal educational program on the real history and issues behind the on-going U.S.-Iraq crisis, the 8-year sanctions/blockade and their impact on Iraqi society, and how the United States strategy toward Iraq fits into the broader Middle East picture.
If you are interested in scheduling a speaker or video showing, or if you have any questions or suggestions, please call us at 212-633-6646.
November 14, 1998
In light of the current developments we thought that it would be important to discuss the news as it effects our movement. In discussions at our strategy meeting we felt that the US may not accept this letter from Tariq Aziz. The letter apparently says that Iraq will fully cooperate with the inspections in return for a review of the sanctions, in as little as 7 days. Iraq has shown it's willingness to negotiate which preempts any US bombing at this time.
UN Sec. General Kofi Annan and his special envoy Prakash Shah were heartened by the letter and immediately accepted it as the basis for further negotiations in the Security Council. The Security Council is meeting on Saturday afternoon. This introduces an obvious contradiction between the US govt. which desire to carry out a military attack and other significant forces with in the Security Council including Kofi Annan who desire a negotiated settlement. If Clinton bombs now it will be against an Iraq that is willing to negotiate. This is very negative for the US Government.
We don't think the crisis has ended, it may yet end but we can't have the anti-war movement disarmed by the latest bulletin. Clinton wants to bomb, they are meeting right now to figure out an answer. They have encountered a difficulty. It may be similar to the time when the Russians had an agreement in 1991. The Security Council is meeting today with this new letter as a basis for discussion.
We need to strongly keep the mobilization going for this week.
Protesting the Bombing and Sanctions. THE IAC IS CALLING FOR NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONALLY COORDINATED ACTIONS ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21.
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