Political Documents - Iraq
Page 1

Dear Prime Minister;

President Clinton is deflecting public scrutiny of his private life by exerting undue military pressure on Iraq and using the "weapons of mass destruction" issue as a pretext to wage an unnecessary wax.

More than 1.2 million innocent Iraqi civilians have already lost their lives as a result of sanctions. US, military action will cause the deaths of more innocents. The lives of Iraqi people must not be sacrificed to save President Clinton’s reputation The President should resign from office if he is found guilty of the allegations he faces.

There is no doubt that Saddam Hussein is a ruthless dictator who has shown no mercy on his own people, including Shias and Kurds. But Britain and America need to find a way to remove him from power. perhaps this can be done through subversive CIA activities within Iraq, which would make conditions right for a coup.

Unlike the Gulf War, international consensus is not in favour of Britain and America. Saudi Arabia, Russia, Germany and France have made clear their opposition to the idea of military action in Iraq. There are countless people in both America and Britain who are similarly opposed.

Britain and the US should be commended for one thing especially - these countries are the least likely to be unjust, as history tells and, in the past have fought against oppression (for example the Nazis in the Second world War). It would be a terrible shame if the world were to accuse Britain and America of injustice and unfairness now!

From Brian Money, Foreign and Commonwealth Office. London SWI
Date 11th March 1998

Dear Umar

Thank you for your letter of 18 February to the Prime Minister about Iraq. I am sorry to have been slow to reply; but we can assure you that your views were carefully considered as we handled the crisis.

I hope you welcomed, as we did, the agreement struck by the UN Secretary General during his visit to Iraq, including Iraq’s unambiguous commitment to allowing UNSCOM Inspectors unconditional and unrestricted access in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. We consistently argued that the crisis should, if possible, be resolved diplomatically. But we thought - and still think - it was right not to rule out resort to force if diplomacy failed. You will have seen that the Secretary General said in Baghdad that "you can do a lot more with diplomacy when it is backed up with firmness and force".

Since than, the Security Council has endorsed his agreement. The Council’s resolution, which we proposed, underlines its determination to ensure Iraqi compliance, and makes clear that, the severest consequences would follow, were Iraq to break the agreement. However, it also spells out, at our insistence, the prospect that, provided Iraq does comply, sanctions will be lifted. You may have noticed that the Council has also approved - again unanimously- another Resolution to double the size of the "oil for food" programme, and so provide further immediate humanitarian relief to the Iraqi people. That Resolution too was a British initiative.

To Brian Money Esq., Middle East Dept, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London. SW1A 2AH
Date 14th March 1998

Dear Brian,

Thank you very much for your letter dated 11th March, and of course I am delighted that there was no war.

The Iraqi dictator does not care for his own people. The Iraqi people did not as you know, elect Saddam Hussein. Therefore, it follows that the Iraqi people must ~ be punished for the actions of their dictator (and I hope there is a coup in Iraq and revolution).

So it is very pleasing to read in your letter that it is Britain that insisted that a) sanctions against Iraq be lifted if unrestricted access to UNSCOM inspectors is permitted and b) the "oil for food" programme be doubled in size. In the light of these two initiatives the fact that British foreign policy toward Iraq is fair is doubtless. I also agree with your point that diplomacy backed by force is effective (though if force were to be used the Iraqi civilians would be ‘pawns’).

Once again, thank you for your reply and I hope, like so many others, that sanctions will be (completely) lifted in the near future. *

*Depending on the cooperation of the Iraqi dictator!

To The President of the United States, President Clinton, The White House. Washington DC, USA.
Date: 18th February 1998

Dear President,

There is no doubt that Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi president, is a ruthless dictator who has shown no mercy to his own people, which includes Shias and Kurds. But the US and Britain need to find a way to remove him from power; perhaps by increasing opposition to him within Iraq and making conditions right for a coup.

Unlike the Gulf War, international consensus is not in favour of Britain and America. Saudi Arabia, Russia, Germany and France have made clear their opposition to the idea of military action in Iraq. There are countless people in both America and Britain who are similarly opposed.

There is a danger that Russia may become isolated from the West and Communism might return if the states of the former Soviet Union resent US foreign policy. Even if this does not happen, the chances of a major war occurring are enhanced if Britain and America attack Iraq.

The people of Iraq did not elect Saddam, he is a dictator. So it would not be fair if innocent Iraqi lives are lost as a result of military action. Already sanctions have had the effect of causing the death of more that 1.2 million Iraqi’s.

There are some who argue, Mr President, that you are deflecting public scrutiny of the allegations you face in your private life by exacerbating the Iraqi situation deliberately, they resent the idea that innocent Iraqi lives be lost to preserve you authority and reputation. the world knows that, as an honourable person, you would resign from office if the allegations were to be proved true.

I myself am very concerned that Iraq does have chemical and biological weapons. But a solution to this problem must not cause the suffering of innocents, It is clear that sanctions have not worked, so they should be lifted immediately. I very much hope that Britain and America can somehow get rid of Saddam - it would be a relief to the Iraqis themselves as to anyone else. But intense diplomatic pressure should be exerted on Iraq rather than force.

There are other people who argue that US military action would be futile because Saddam would hide his arsenal. Besides, even if the current "weapons of mass destruction" were to be destroyed in any attack, Iraq does have the know-how to manufacture more.

Britain and the US should be commended for fighting against tyranny and injustice throughout history (e.g. against the Nazis in the Second World War.). It would be a terrible shame if the world were to accuse Britain and America of injustice and unfairness now!

Comment by Mr Ahmed, Iraqi Musilni

"Dr Umar Azam is a great man. He is trying to help the people of Iraq. This shows that he cares for (fellow) Muslims. I saw the letter he received from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the subject of the Iraqi crisis and wanted the copy of this letter that Dr Azam had given Mohammed bin Abd al- Qadir, but the latter needed this copy. So I would like a full set of photocopies of the letters Dr Azam has written, e.g.’ to Prime Minister Tony Blair and president Clinton, re the Iraq crisis, together with copies of letters he has received in return." (and Mr Ahmed left a stamp pp (Dr Umar Azam) for postage costs.)

From The Correspondence Secretary, 10 Downing Street.
Date 18 March 1998

Dear Dr Azam

The Prime minister has asked me to thank you for your recent letter, the terms of which will be carefully noted.

Mr Blair has asked that your letter be passed to the Foreign and Commonwealth office who has particular responsibility for the matter you raise so that they, too, are aware of your views.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Helen Wyss.

To George Galloway Esq.’, MP, House of Commons, London. SW1 OAA.
Date 15th April 1998

Dear George Galloway,

I am writing to congratulate you on your excellent campaign on behalf of the innocent Iraqi people, who have been dying as a result of sanctions imposed against Iraq by the West. The Iraqi people did not elect Saddam Hussein, who is a ruthless dictator and an enemy to his own people. But you are absolutely right in stating that the Iraqi people themselves are victims twice over - victims of their evil leaders’ policies.

It was very good of the Foreign Office (Robin Cook, Derek Fatchett & Co.) to give their agreement to your admirable action of allowing a four year-old Iraqi girl to benefit from life-saving treatment at a Scottish hospital.

Once again, congratulations, and keep up the great work!

From George Galloway, House of Commons.
Date (received) 8th May 1998

Dear Friend,

I am pleased to send you this mailing on behalf of the Emergency Committee on Iraq and THE MARIAM APPEAL which the committee has established.

You will find ten postcards which you are asked to distribute to those who will promise to stamp and post them to the Prime Minister. A regular Parliamentary Question will be asked so that we can chart the mounting number of people sending the card. Downing Street will be forced to answer every correspondent and the Government will thus be left in no doubt as to the mounting opposition to the sanctions. More cards are available on request.

You will find a vitally important financial appeal for the medical treatment of little Mariam Hamza who has come to symbolise the suffering children of Iraq. Please give as generously as you can. The balance after Mariam’s hospital bills have been paid will be sent as medicine and medical supplies to the children that she had to leave behind.

Lastly you will find an invitation to a public meeting in the House of Commons on the 11th of May. A big turnout is vital to keep up the pressure.

Thank you for your continued support - don’t forget to let your own MP know that you are expecting her or him to help end suffering in Iraq by lifting the sanctions.

With all good wishes,
Yours fraternally
George Galloway MP For the E.C.I.

(Following Leaf lets,(R19b) printed on House of Commons notepaper, enclosed) THE MARIAM APPEAL

This is an urgent financial appeal to pay the hospital bills of the four year old Iraqi leukaemia patient Mariam Hamza who has come to symbolise all the suffering children in Iraq.

Mariam is in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill in Glasgow and THE MARIAM APPEAL has had to guarantee the costs of her treatment which could cost up to £50,000. the appeal’s target is £100,000 with the balance being sent back to Iraq in medicines and medical supplies for the children she has had to leave behind.

You will know that Mariam’s plight has dramatically illuminated the suffering under sanctions and I hope that you can help meet the costs which have now been committed.

Cheques should be made payable to THE MARIAM APPEAL and sent to room 501,7 Milibank, Westminster, London SWIA OAA
Alternatively, payments can be sent directly to any Lloyds Bank where the account name is THE MARIAM APPEAL, The account number is 0223776 Sort Code 30-99-50

This is Urgent and Important.

Lift Sanctions Now!

Monday, May 11th
7.30 PM
Grand Committee Room
House of Commons

Invited Speakers include;

RI Hon Tony Benn M.P.
Tam Dalyell M.P.
George Galloway M.P.
John Niger
Harold Pinter
Fatini Hameed
Rana Kabani
Felicity Arbutknot
Sabah Al Mukhtar

Please bring this sheet with you and arrive early to ensure access
For Further Information please call 0171 219 2874

From a Post Card Headlined "Sanctions kill the innocent in Iraq" accompanying a photograph of Mariam Hamza.

To Support Mariam Hamza and the other child cancer victims in Iraq, send your donations to;
THE MARIAM APPEAL ROOM 5017 MILLBANK LONDON SWIA OAA

Dear Prime Minister,

Please help to stop the suffering of the children of Iraq. Please, no more war in the Gulf and an end to sanctions. The Iraqi people have suffered enough.

(Addressed to;)
Rt. Hon Tony Blair
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
Whitehall
London SWI
Picture: Mariam Hamza, aged 4. Child cancer victim in sanctions stricken Iraq. Photograph by Ron McKay.

From Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Date 8th May 1998

Dear Dr Azam,

Thank you for your postcard about Iraq.

The Government shares your concerns about the humanitarian situation in Iraq and has every sympathy for the people of Iraq. Sanctions are aimed at the Iraqi regime and not at them. Food and medicine have never been subject to sanctions. Unfortunately, Saddam Hussein has always preferred to spend Iraq’s money on himself Since the Gulf War, he has built numerous luxurious Presidential palaces. He has continued to spend money on trying to import weapons of mass destruction to replace those found and destroyed by UNSCOM. It is difficult to escape the conclusion that Saddam Hussein has deliberately taken a cynical decision to allow the Iraqi people to starve in order to increase the pressure on the International community to give in and lift sanctions.

Since 1991 the UK has donated £94 million in aid to Iraq, making us the largest donor. We co-sponsored the original Security Council Resolution (SCR 986) which set up the "oil-for-food" programme under which Iraq can sell oil to fund the purchase of humanitarian supplies. Following the report in January by the UN Secretary General recommending an enhancement and expansion of this programme, we took the lead at the UN to introduce a Security Council resolution (SCR) putting these recommendations into practice. This SCR (1153) more than doubles the amount of oil Iraq is allowed to sell US $5.2 billion dollars every six months. The programme has safeguards in place to ensure the benefits go to the Iraqi people and not the regime.

As EU Presidency we recently organised a meeting in London between the EU, UN, major donors and Non Governmental Organisations to consider the swift and effective implementation of the expanded oil-for-food programme and to ensure that the Iraqi people benefit fully. This meeting was very useful Participants shared their collective knowledge and experience of the situation in Iraq and identified the major areas of concern and formulated a number of ideas on how others can assist the UN in addressing those problems. Our initiative in calling this meeting was warmly welcomed by all those who participated.

We recognise that the need is great and we are doing a great deal to remedy the situation. But it must be recognised that while the action of donors, NGO’s and the UN has helped enormously, the responsibility for the persistent suffering in Iraq lies squarely with Saddam Hussein. He consistently refused to implement oil for resolutions and only accepted resolution 986 eighteen months after it was originally adopted because of international pressure. Iraq has also on more than one occasion delayed the implementation of oil-for-food resolutions by prevaricating over distribution plans. Saddam already has the resources to enable the Iraqi health service to function properly. We cannot force him to use them to do so. But pressure from those concerned about the suffering of the Iraqi people might be better directed at the Iraqi regime, than at governments which insist on nothing more than that Iraq fulfil its international obligations.

Yours sincerely
H Marzouk
Middle East Department

Home | Page 2